"The QUILTED Bee"

Sometimes I find inspiration by writing out lists of topics and then trying to think of as many items concerning that topic as I can to create a pleasant composition...

This is the process I used to create  

"THE QUILTED BEE".

First I decided it would be about sewing, so then I started thinking about sewing notions, machines, pins etc.

The CANDY Shack

The inspiration for this piece came from an episode of "Sarah's Cottage", a series that follows designer Sarah Richardson as she designs her own cottage.

In the episode where she is decorating her kitchen, she came across a vintage GROCERY sign at a salvage store.
To view the episode click on the link and go to video named KITCHEN / DINING ROOM / LOUNGE episode #5 part 3, HGTV Sarah's Cottage Video

Now, the sign she found was originally dark but as you saw she ended up with a muted colour scheme to match her kitchen. I am not partial to the pale colour, but the idea was burned into my mind.

As you can see in the photo above, my colours are NOT muted at all. In fact, they are so vibrant that I feel like I have stepped into a cartoon world when I look at it!

My Latest Photography

When I showed my Mom this photo, she was captivated by the fact that the fly only has one wing...She couldn't help but wonder what happened to it.

I have been experimenting with my camera lately to try and understand more of its functions.  I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about photography...I just know what I like!

It also doesn't hurt that I have a professional photographer living nearby...To show how little I actually know, I went over one day to ask him if he could tell me what in the world DPI also known as PPI are!!!  He was kind enough to explain .  (It means DOTS PER INCH or PIXELS PER INCH, it has to do with photo resolution.  If you have a reading of 72 PPI or better, the resolution will remain in focus when you blow it up)

I would like to say thank you Peter for your patience and encouragement.
Take a look at his beautiful work... http://www.marsmanphotographic.com/index.html

"TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY", that is the question.

"TO BUY,  OR NOT TO BUY", that is the question.

Like many of you out there, I have accumulated a reference library over time.

I have purchased a few craft books focusing on one or more of my interests, I have also collected various clippings of old ads (some for their interesting font styles, vibrant colours or simply the image itself), I also have a collage of iron or wooden furniture pieces from old discarded magazines and even have fabric images and actual samples.

If you see something you like the texture, colour or composition of, save it... and put it in a folder or box. 

This is how you will develop your own personal reference library. 

You may not even know why an item caught your eye in the first place, but it did and the reason will become apparent someday...you may be looking for something entirely unrelated a year or even ten down the road and come across this item and all of a sudden you are totally inspired to create!

How Distressing!!!!

How Distressing!!!

In this post, I will show you how simple it is to distress a piece of furniture.

This technique can be applied to anything that is made of wood, MDF or even metal.  The only thing that changes is the type of paint you use.

The distressed style, also known as shabby chic is not for everyone.  I however, happen to love it.

As you can see from the photo to the left, I started with a simple primed, pine shelf that I found in the garbage.

***PUT ME UP ON A PEDESTAL***

As you can see, this project begins with an old teachers' desk. (I am referring to the desk, not the teacher!)
As you can see, this desk is in pretty rough shape. The veneer is peeling on the far left and the middle drawer has been mangled at the edges.

If you want to see what I created, just read on.

FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES Vintage Style Sign

My inspiration for this sign was a combination of the colours in an old advertisement poster called BIG PATCH VEGETABLES and 4 packages of DAS clay.

Hello Kitties 2

I really hope these photos of Pickles and Magoo make your day.

The Great CANDLE-IER

O.K,....Before you accuse me of bad spelling I will just say that I did it on purpose, I'm very brave that way!

It's my way of going against the grain of society by daring to be different....Ha ha ha! No, really, there is a reason. Just read on.

Anyway, I mentioned in my earlier post how tiny my apartment is...what I didn't say was how dark it is.

Space Saver For A Small Entryway

YES! This is a photo of an over toilet shelving unit, but it can be used differently.

I live in a very small apartment and the front entryway is only 42" wide.

I, like everyone else needed a place to store shoes, gloves, purses, etc that wouldn't overpower the space provided.

A Neat Way To Recycle An Old Floor Lamp

This is a run-of-the-mill floor lamp that almost every household has.

The problem with my lamp was that it only worked when it wanted to...which means there was a short in the wire somewhere.

So, what do you do with it when it breaks?

I will share with you an idea I came up with to re-use it rather than throw it away.

Vintage Style Coffee Shop Sign

This project began with a recycled, solid oak cupboard door measuring 30.5" Long by 16" High.

I found it at our local Habitat For Humanity ReStore, this is a great place to find good, used building supplies at a very reasonable price.

I strongly suggest that if you have a ReStore location near you that you check it out.

"Henri The Fantastic Pheasant"

What do you get when you cross an oak cupboard door and a pheasant named Henri?

Well, I'll tell you.

Obviously an entrance sign! Ha ha ha!

This lovely couple named Diane and John contacted me to ask if I could paint something for them.  They had viewed some of my work on  kijiji Halifax and liked my style. 
(sorry John, I debated about whether I should place your name before Diane's again...but she paid me so she wins).

"The KITTY Corner"

I started thinking about pets and how much people love them, and how they love to buy them cute toys and beds....
Picture it....there I was sitting on the couch thinking, "What do we use every day that could also be used by cats?"

Then WHAMMO!!!! I knew what I had to do.

Monarch Garden Plaque

My mother-in-law Barb introduced  Serge to gardening a while back and he was hooked

........ I knew just what to do.

This photo was the inspiration for the plaque that I created as a gift for my father-in-law Serge on his birthday.

Another Variation of The OLD FASHIONED QUILT

This quilt was a gift for my mother-in-law Barb, on her birthday.
Again, I chose to use dress shirts as well as additional fabrics that corresponded with the overall colour scheme I was aiming for.
As you can see in the photo below, there are seven different fabrics. I ended up using them all except the bright red solid, had it been a cherry red I would have used it.
I will now take you on a photo journey of the process of making this quilt.

Old Fashioned Quilt

May 1st is my husband Trevor's birthday.

I wanted to make something special for him that made a personal statement.

I decided on an old fashioned style quilt, using his own discarded dress shirts.

Yes!  You read right, I used dress shirts.

My Grandmother used to make quilts out of old clothing and various fabric scraps.

We sure could learn a lot from the older generation,....they really knew how to recycle.

Not only is this a gift from the heart to my love, but I also wish to pay homage to my Grandmother.
I love you Grandma!

ANGELFISH

I spent a lot of time on the beach as a child and will always associate it with a sense of pure freedom.

I can easily imagine myself walking on that shore as the wind blows in my hair and the sea sprays my face with a gentle mist. The motion of the water as soothing as a warm embrace. The rocks glitter like jewels in the sun, making me think of long lost treasure waiting to be rediscovered.

I smile up at the sun with peace in my heart, knowing that the Lord gave me this as a gift.

My feelings of freedom and wonder inspired me to express my gratitude with paint.

I hope this angelfish makes you feel wonder, and that the majestic beauty of the oceans inspires you too.

CUSTOM CAKE CREATIONS

In this post, I want to introduce you to a technique called

"TROMPE L'OEIL".

The meaning of this technique is simply, "To Fool The Eye".

You can check out examples of Tromp L'oeil by clicking this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trompe-l%27%C5%93il

As I have said many times, I love vintage looking signs.
This CUSTOM CAKE CREATIONS sign is no exception.

I wanted to create a vintage look with a modern twist.

Madisonville Beauties 3-D Painting

As I have mentioned numerous times before, I love vintage ads.This particular one was the inspiration for my next project.

Now, I always like to slightly change the original to make it more my style.
So I re-arranged things differently by adding new things and omitted others.

Here is a drawing of my vision.

A Beautiful Slipcover For an Antique Loveseat

I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment, so furniture scale is an issue.

In order to create a conversation area in my living room, I began an exhausting search for a narrow loveseat.

I happened upon this cute settee while browsing the furniture selections on http://halifax.kijiji.ca/. It was perfect, and only $60.

The Journeying Bench

My friend Howard made this bench for me in 2004.  I painted it in a crackle finish at the time to match my dining room table.

Here are the dimensions: 48" Long X 14" High X 11" Wide

Now, years later (2008), I decided to give it a new look.

The project I will show you today is called
"The Journeying Bench".

I will take you through the steps I took to achieve the final product.

The Lobster Pot: folk art plaque

I grew up in Dalhousie, NB., a small waterside town. I spent every waking moment of summer on the beach.

I loved everything about it, the people and the easy going way of life.

For this project, I was looking for a fishing village look.

I started to draw, and came up with this cute lobster figure.

CHEACHIE'S GRILL Custom Made Sign

For this project you will need a little background information.

My Husband Trevor is a Sales Manager in the cellular industry.  One day last summer he got to talking with a customer, named Earl.

Through the conversation my husband found out that Earl and his wife Carol-Ann own a restaurant named CHEACHIE'S.

Well, Trevor and I were invited to drop by the restaurant to check it out.

A New Use For Old Closet Doors

I bought these doors from our local ReStore.

The ReStore is a local venue for Habitat For Humanity enabling you to purchase good, used items for your home at a small percentage of what it would cost at a Building Supply Store.

If you are looking for household items or used building supplies, I strongly recommend searching for a Restore near you.

They carry anything from ceramic tiles and used light fixtures to curtain rods and appliances.

Sawmill Plaque "Dedicated to my Grandfather"

Steven (Etienne) & Louise Bertin
married 62 years

My Grandfather, Etienne Bertin (known as Stephen) was one of the best painters I have ever had the privilege to know.

He was creative in so many ways.

He could renovate houses, build cabinets, furniture, he has even built guitars. He was  known as a house/decorative painter.

He could create a VERDIGRIS and could replicate existing room features, such as wood paneling with paint,....I could go on all day!

Needless to say, my Grandfather was very special and it certainly doesn't hurt that my Grandmother Louise is also very creative. She could knit for hours on end, sew clothes by hand, crochet and  is still the best cook around.

New Look For A Tired WingBack Chair

Before I begin, it is important to note that the original dusty rose upholstery is still intact.

For this chair I decided to add my own personal flare by attempting to create a slipcover.

My first step was to figure out which fabric I wanted to use.

My Mom sent me a leopard print, polar fleece blanket last year for my birthday.

Here is an interesting fact about polar fleece:   How is it made?
 
Since I happen to love leopard print I decided to use it along with a plain taupe coloured fleece.

Photography

I am not the greatest photographer in the world, but I do like taking pictures.

In this post I will share some of my personal favorites with you.

I love taking pictures of just about anything in nature as you will see.

The camera I used was a Canon Power Shot S5 IS.
http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/home?m=home

Giant Jungle Leaf

This image, is from a library book about jungle plants.

I love how the light reflects onto the surface and I was inspired to try and recapture it.

VERY DETAILED Folk Art Village

I went to the local Salvation Army store and happened to come across this pre constructed piece.

I figured it might be fun to try something different.

It cost a whopping $1.99. I know, pretty steep right?

Stay with me to see my first attempt at Folk Art.

French Provincial Gone Wild

This is an example of a
French Provincial
piece of furniture.

It isn't the one that I have refinished in this particular post, but, since in my rush to begin I forgot to take a before photo it will have to do.

My neighbor observed me refinishing a piece of furniture out on my deck one day and said she had this bedside table that she no longer used. If I wanted it, I was welcome to have it.

I Received A NICE Present

I just wanted to show all of you the beautiful book my husband bought for me yesterday.

My cat Magoo approves too! Ha ha!

A Little Something I "TUMBLED" Over

It was a warm sunny day during the summer of  2004.

My friend Karen and I were sitting in my apartment drinking coffee when she turned to me and said, "Have you ever been to the ReStore"?

Faux Snakeskin Serving Tray

Using a pine tray in conjunction with the items on the left, I have created an elegant piece to suit any room.

The items are; faux snakeskin place mat, some sticks from a matchstick roller blind, no more nails glue, tremclad gloss black paint, scissors, a plastic scraper and finally some floor protector felt.

French Country Backless Settee

I know, I know it's just an oval coffee table.

For now anyway!

I always start out with something quite ordinary and give it a Lyann-like flare.

I will show you the step by step process of turning this table from an ordinary piece of furniture to an extraordinary functional settee.

Doll Furniture For CHARITY

My husband and I were having a conversation one night about crafts we did as children.  He mentioned that he used to do a lot of paper mache.

I know it's hard to believe, but I honestly had never tried it!  From the way he described it though, I knew that I wanted to.  It sounded so extravagantly messy.  Ha ha.

Vintage Hospitality

As I have stated in previous posts, I really love the look of old ads.

I love the image they project.

The combination of vibrant colour along with the subject matter have a way of making you feel like you stepped into a different time, a much simpler time. A time where craftsmanship and creativity was valued.

Just think about a 1950's Diner for instance.

In my mind, I can conjure up images of a jukebox playing in the background, checkered tablecloths, hand painted signs claiming that they have the best coffee and burgers in town, and the servers calling you by name.

"VISIONS OF AFRICA" Decorative Room Divider Screen

Visions Of Africa

Out of simple bi-fold doors (2 sets), I have created something you are going to want to see.

When I was doing the research for the "Zebra Print Screen" from my last post, I came across so many beautiful scenery photos of Africa.

I was amazed!

I didn't know up until that time that the land was so lush, or that there were vineyards.

Zebra Print Screen

I found out an interesting piece of trivia while researching this next piece.

Did you know that zebras come in three different colour varieties?
Well, they do.

Hello Kitties

HELLO KITTIES

For this post, I thought I would do something different.

I will introduce you to my two very cute kitties named Pickles and Magoo.

They have provided me with many hours of entertainment as you will soon see.

Hand Painted "WASP" Platter

This particular piece was inspired by one of my uncle, Patrick Bertin's photographs.

He calls himself an amateur photographer, although I think his work is fantastic.

Vintage Ads Table

This table represented a very large shift in my life.

My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time made me rethink my views on art.

I used to think that because GOD freely gave me the gift of creativity,  that I  in turn should not expect payment for creating.

What I was actually saying is that my job wasn't worth payment.

I do give away quite a few things, I think my perceptions about my self-worth where wrong.  

GOD does intend for us to thrive while using what HE gave us,  to earn a living.  I believe that generosity is a by-product of a fulfilled life. When you feel full spiritually,  it spills into every part of your life.

That is exactly the type of transformation I was experiencing.

"It's A Small World"

I bought this coffee table for $10 through kijiji Halifax. The reason the photo is so fuzzy is because, again, I was in a hurry to get started and forgot to take a better one. This photo was actually copied from the original ad.

If you have never heard of kijiji you might want to check it out, it's a site where people can buy, sell and trade locally for FREE!

The table has a diameter of 39".  Just the perfect size to accomplish my fiendish plan.  I am going to "TAKE OVER THE WORLD".Ha ha ha ha..........................

The Revamped Armoire

My husband Trevor and I set off on a new adventure in August of 2008.  We  moved to Campbellton, NB to be closer to my family.

The mandatory bilingualism made it impossible to find decent employment so we had no choice but to return to Halifax the following April.

That being said, while we were there I found a beautiful place to spend a lot of my time. The Campbellton Food (soup kitchen*second hand furniture and clothing) Bank. This place wore many hats in the community as you can see, and I met some pretty fantastic people there.

That is where I happened upon this lovely armoire (I say lovely VERY loosely), but it was only $10. The dimensions are 64.5" Tall X 36" Wide X 21.5" Deep.

Among The Magnolias

The caretaker of our old apartment building had a little occasional table she was getting rid of and asked if I could use it.

Of course I said SURE!

Country Chic Slipcovered Bench

I realize at this point there is nothing chic about this bench.  (A true case of WHAT NOT TO WEAR).

I found this hidden gem out in the garbage, I wonder why!

We have surmised from this picture that blue is not your colour little bench.   Your bones look workable even though you're  make-up is terribly ugly, and you're missing your ball shaped finials.

So please stay with me to see how little bench got her groove back.

Country Style Kitchen Island & Hutch

ISLAND

No, it isn't a giant, pepto bismol coloured toaster (although you might need some now!)! Although, I do see how you could make that mistake.

It is a really ugly base cabinet.

Today we are going to go on a journey. 

Our mission is to use a variety of items and construct a thing of beauty from all the pieces.

I will share with you the complete costs associated with this project at the end of the post.

Go grab a coffee and get comfortable, this is going to be a long read.

Colourful Hat Boxes

I found some old hat boxes at a garage sale and decided to make something pretty out of them.

I do not have any before pictures of this project, but I figured you might enjoy the idea.

My inspiration was an old fashioned style quilt and sewing stuff.

Vintage Looking Tray With Hand Painted Ad

Here it is, a pine tray worth $3.99.

I acquired this lovely piece from the local Salvation Army Store.

It was so plain, but I had a vision of what it could become. I was deep in thought trying to find inspiration, suddenly I had to paint an apple. Not just any old apple, a vintage style ad with an apple as it's focus.

Distressed with Faux Stone Detailing Room Divider Screen

I found these three doors at our local Re-Store, they were a great find.
I think I only paid $20.00 and that includes the 6 brass hinges.

The two outer ones are custom made SOLID OAK closet doors and the center one in your typical hollow core interior door.

My first step obviously was to strip the inset panels of the oak doors down so that I could paint in my faux technique.