Shabby Chic vintage frames updated for Spring

Good morning friends, it's been pouring with rain here in sunny Queensland for a couple of weeks. I'm hoping the rain has disappeared for awhile at least. I've been sick again with the flu and bronchitis so am really needing the sun. Today is a sunny 26 degrees (78 in fahrenheit) autumn day and I'm so grateful and happy to see the sun again. It always makes me feel like decorating and making, my favourite pastimes. I picked up these 2 lovely vintage frames at a second hand shop but they were in a dark colour and I wanted something light and fresh and shabby chic fit the bill. My shabby chic vintage frames updated for spring was born! What could be more fresh than flowers? I decided to paint the frames white and add some pretty flowers.  

These are the supplies that I used:

1. Two vintage frames

2. White chalk paint and paintbrush

3. White felt

4. Scissors

5. Glue

6. Faux flowers and stems
7. Ribbon

 The first step was to paint the frames white with a dry brushing method. I wanted them to be slightly distressed but not too much. I find the dry brush method works best for this. After I painted them I changed my mind and gave them a full coat of white paint which I liked much better.

While they were drying which only took about 15 minutes I cut out the white felt to cover the backing. 

Once that was done it was time to add the flowers. This was relatively easy to do. I had some stems left over from another project so I glued those onto the felt. When they'd dried I added the flowers themselves. I decided to join the two frames by adding a piece of ribbon to the back which you can see in the photo below.

That's really all there was to it. A quick and easy way to add a bit of spring decor and for cheap! I paid $1 for each frame and the felt, flowers and ribbon I already had. Have a wonderful week everyone, till next time 

Where I'm partying
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2 DIY Signs From Recycled Timber

Hi friends, I'm really excited to show you my two diy signs that I made from recycled timber. I love recycled wood or reclaimed wood because no trees had to be cut down again depleting our natural habitats. Anyway I decided to make two because there are two things that I love and that's the beach and vintage style.

Here in Australia it's winter. I do not like winter! I'm seriously waiting for spring to feel alive again! Therefore my first sign is about the beach.

Even if it isn't summer I can at least create something that is summery.

I started off by painting the wood a green/blue colour. While I was waiting for that to dry I picked out some shells from my collection to decorate the sign with.

I decided to stencil the word beach with an old stencil I had. I really need to get some new stencils with larger letters.

When I'd completed the stenciling I added some rope to the back with cement glue. This glue sticks anything! I believe it's one of Martha Stewart's secrets, so how could I go wrong?!

One sign completed!

Beach style sign

The next sign I painted in a creamy white chalk paint which I made adding a small amount of ochre to white.

I had some faux flowers already in my supplies. They're a creamy colour with green leaves and matched perfectly.

For this sign I decided to write welcome and hang it just inside my doorway. I actually ended up using some stick on letters that I had. Roll on new stencils!

Instead of rope I used a type of hessian (burlap) ribbon. I felt it was more in keeping with the vintage style that I was after  

Vintage style sign

If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week, until next time 

Easy Vintage Thrift Store Upcycles

Last week I made a deal with myself I wouldn't go to the thrift store until I had finished a couple of other DIYs I had planned. Does anyone else do that? I was being very good until my friend Martha rang and asked me to go with her. Such a bad influence! I said no at first but by the end of the conversation, it changed to yes, but I was only going to buy some books. Famous last words! I started off well, but it didn't take long before I spotted some great timber pieces to upcycle. I was arguing with  myself that they were a real bargain and they would look great after a redo!  So again... I gave in. I know, I know! I also said I would spend my time finishing these projects before I started on anything else! We'll see how it goes.

The great thing about these projects is that they take very little time to do. So for me that's a win! If you are unable to spend any money but would love to update your decor, vintage thrift store finds are the way to go and you can decorate them in your own taste.   

Firstly this timber framed vintage pears print. I've always loved these and I loved the timber frame but I wanted a lighter fresher look. I knew I could give it a new lease of life so into my stash it went.

Wood framed Pears print (before)

Here is the "after". I decided to give it a more distressed look. I did this with dry brushing. I start with a dry brush and only a tiny bit of paint on the end of the brush. If you feel there is too much paint just wipe the brush on a paper towel until you have the desired amount. 

After

I gave it two coats but even so it was a quick makeover.


The next vintage item is a jewellery box. It was a bit bland but I knew I could jazz it up with some paint and paper

I decided to paint it a soft pink colour with a distressed finish. Again I used my homemade chalk paint which is simply acrylic paint, or latex in the USA, and Plaster of Paris mixed together. I mixed about 2 tablespoons of POP into a small amount of water and added this to half a cup of paint. Stir well. Chalk paint is rather expensive and I didn't want to spend money on my vintage thrift store finds plus it is so easy to use

Next to give it some extra character I painted a stencil on the lid.

I had some wrapping paper I'd already used so decided to line inside the top and the drawer on the bottom. I used mod podge, again homemade, to glue it in place. The last step was to spray inside and out with a sealer and I was finished.

If you would like to make your own Mod Podge it's simply mixing a cup of craft glue with a cup of water and storing it in a recycled glass jar.  

Before

After