The Art of Decoupaging

If you promise not to laugh, I'll let you in on a little secret. You see this here box? That's my first decoupaging project, when I was a mere teenager. It's v-e-r-y old and it shows, and I'm not sure why I've kept this little number all these years, but here it is for your viewing pleasure--a former cigar box, transformed, if I may be so daring with the English language. From the looks of things, I'd say kissing and skin products were high on my list of priorities back then.

Well now ... moving on.

Many years  (and kisses) later, I've decoupaged quite a number of things, including one of my favorites, shown above. I cut images from a Victorian calendar and decoupaged this clay pot. I think it's kinda cute.

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Decoupaging is all about layers, and if you take your time and do it right, the outcome can look spectacular. Recently, I took on a project, just for kicks, and I was quite pleased with the results. You may have your own way of decoupaging, but here's my tried-and-true formula.

For this project, I started with a small box as my object of choice, because, well, a dear friend had a few to spare. (Woo-Hoo! I love free!) I decided to spray-paint the top and sides of the lid, in case I didn't want to wrestle with its daunting scalloped edges. I also lightly hit a few places inside the box with the paint. (I used the only black paint on the premises.)

Once the paint dried, I spread out a patriotic plastic tablecloth (why not?) and collected my supplies:

• Mod Podge
• Craft brush
• Bowl of water
• Scissors
• Hand towel
• Cut-out source/s
• Plastic table cover

I chose to go with a music theme and found an old songbook that hadn't been used much in the last 30 years. I tore out three or four pages and started cutting. You can cut any shape you want; I went with straight edges for everything except the lid. More on that later.

After you've done a bit of planning with your cut-outs (I tend to plan as I go), it's time to get wet and sticky.

Something you may not know about decoupaging is it works much better if you soak your cut-outs in water for a few seconds before affixing them. I was taught that way in my high-school art class and I don't care who tells you otherwise, trust me here. This allows you to manipulate corners and angles and curves, and eliminates bubbles.

After soaking for a few seconds, blot the cut-out with a towel, but it should remain damp. One word of caution: If you're using photos, and are printing them at home, make sure they aren't printed on an ink jet printer. They must be laser prints. Other than that, anything works for decoupaging, from newspaper on up. Yes, you can even give newspaper a short water bath. Who knew?

Using a craft brush, spread on a coat of Mod Podge to the area where you wish to place your first cut-out. (I took a picture of this step, but it was so out-of-focus. Just follow me here.)

Using your fingers, press until smooth, making sure no bubbles are caught underneath. Once the cut-out is in place, apply a second coat of Mod Podge over the top. (If your cut-out overlaps your object, trim it with scissors prior to covering it with Mod Podge.)

Continue placing cut-outs at various angles on your object and allow each layer of Mod Podge to dry before proceeding.

For the inside of the scalloped edge of the lid, I traced a single sheet and lined it up with the scallops. I decided to leave the outside scalloped edges simply painted, with no cut-outs, then brushed with several coats of Mod Podge. I like the contrast the painted edges created.

Because working on the inside of the box was cramped and tedious, I chose to cut single sheets, for the inside, instead of layering.

How many layers you use is entirely up to you. I used about four layers of cut-outs on this project.

Once you're finished, add as many coats of Mod Podge as suits your tastes, allowing to dry between each coat. The more layers, the more texture. Personally, I like a lot of Mod Podge. It's hard to take a photo that shows it sufficiently, but I tried. This is about five coats. I will add a good five more.

And there you have it, my latest decoupage activity.

Now, go find something to cut up!

It's loads of fun!

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Linking up with:

Meet Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch
Make it Pretty Monday

The Girl Gone Shopping

It could be called a blessing or a curse, I suppose, but within five miles of my front door sit an abundance of delicious shops and antique malls.

There are days that I like nothing more than roaming from place to place, seeing what catches my eye.

Of course, Rosy Revival was on the circuit.

I'm loving their newest pieces.

In the grand scheme of decorating, I think my tastes fall somewhere in the middle, but there are things in all of these pictures that I am in love with.

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Linking up with the following party girls:

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

A Delightsome Life

Scenes from a Blessed Life

Despite blazing temperatures and a lot of rain in recent weeks, my little garden has held its own ... except for the impatiens, which are still doing great in the bucket, as you can see, but those planted around the pond have been replaced. They were doing beautifully until a certain animal decided to plunder through them. Don't even get me started.

The verbena had to be cut back to the nub, as it was looking all snarly, but it sprang back with much vigor.

For me, it's just too stinking hot to enjoy spending much time outdoors, but there are days that I venture out for a good heart-to-heart with sugar plum. Lordy mercy, the stories that girl can weave. It's music to my ears to witness her taking hold of the English language. Such sweetness.

Speaking of sweetness. Have you ever seen anything sweeter? It just so happens that The Man and I attend a different church than sugar plum, but her mom and dad are kind enough to share her with us some Sundays. After her mom drops her off in her pjs and hands me an outfit, I'm on my own. It always brings back wonderful memories of dressing my little one for church when she was a tiny thing. Here, sugar plum is waiting at the backdoor for Uncle Stan (or Unc Tan, as she calls him) to give us the signal that her seat has been installed.

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Until next time, sweet friends, I hope you're enjoying these long days of summer. Stay close to God and to the ones you love, and make sure they know how you feel. As this week has taught us, yet again, life is fragile. Handle carefully, and with much prayer.

A Getaway

Just when I had control of my diet, this.

A few weeks ago, I told The Man we were going to have to leave town, in order to get some rest. Life has come at us nonstop since we returned from our spring trip the last week of April.

So ... Cloud Nine left the depot a few days ago and rolled down to the Alamo City, one of our favorite destinations. I'm glad you don't have to go far to get away.

The week started with rain and thunderstorms, but we have sunny blue skies today.

The eating is always good here, and we may have to widen Cloud Nine's door by Sunday, but I will attempt to put the brakes on, right after that cheesy enchilada. Yes, indeedy.

I hope you're finding beauty in whatever your day brings.

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An Old Calendar Brings A New Perspective ~ Monday Musings

One evening last week, while digging through dresser drawers, I came upon an old calendar in the bottom left drawer. It was an ordinary monthly calendar, with squares that make it perfect for jotting down appointments, special occasions, and such. But I'm a journaler; I don't generally hang on to calendars. The sight of it there took me by surprise.

The calendar was dated 1993—a year filled with ups and downs, and, if I may be so frank, the downs felt like the absolute bottom. I didn’t need a calendar to remind me of that; some years just stick with you.

I was curious by now. Why had I saved this calendar? Of all years, why this one? With nothing too pressing needing my attention, I sat down on the floor and opened it up. Maybe I'd forgotten a few things about 1993.

Some of the squares held notations about my daughter’s third-grade school activities, while others reminded me of the days I volunteered at the crisis pregnancy center, or that I was attending a dear friend’s bridal shower on a certain date.

Other squares recorded celebratory days, like, “Anna’s first loose tooth,” or “I’ve lost 15 pounds since June!,” or, “Christmas in Mississippi.”

There were notes reserved for Sundays: “Play organ, PM.” “Hope Singers, PM.” “Ladies Trio, AM.” These all reminded me of church-related events and obligations. I couldn’t help but smile, remembering the joy of being part of such things. Music is in my blood, and there’s nothing quite like it to lift my spirits.

And finally, scattered across several months, were  notations like, “Mary, 10:30,” “Mary, 2:00,” or “Stan w/Adam 6:00.”

Ah, there they were. The down times recorded in ink. To explain, 1993 was the year of marriage counseling for me and The Man. I’ve written about this season of our lives before, and I won’t repeat it again here, but as I sat on the bedroom floor, I thought of the pain and anguish that brought us to that point in the first place (both of us having been responsible in some way), but I didn't stop there. I also remembered the breakthroughs that came through godly counseling, the new understanding between two people—the reconciliation of a man and a woman who loved each other and had pledged to be there, for better or worse. We were making good on a promise. That didn't mean there wouldn't be heartaches and hard times down the road, but we knew we'd meet them head-on, just like we were now.

At first, it seemed odd, finding a single calendar stashed away in a dresser drawer, but I'm glad I never threw it out. Until that moment, if you had mentioned 1993 my thoughts would have instantly turned to the struggles that came with it. But now, I will also remember the days in between—Anna's first loose tooth, a friend's wedding, a successful weight-loss, the singing and playing of music.

Sometimes we need to be reminded me that the years bring to us many things, and some years bring adversity and unspeakable grief. Such is life. But ... in the midst of the toughest times, there can still be singing, and celebrating, and the gathering of friends and family around the table for dinner. The old calendar was proof of that, which is why I slipped it back into the drawer for uncovering again on some distant evening.

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Lessons from Sheriff Andy Taylor

Just after my daughter moved into her own place in 2004, I was feeling quite lonely one evening and sat down to watch an old Andy Griffith re-run. The Andy Griffith Show was one of my and my daughter’s favorite shows to watch together. We usually ended up laughing a lot before it was over. But, on occasion, we found ourselves crying a little, as the theme music faded away.

On this particular episode, Opie finds himself the caretaker of three baby birds. It happened after he accidentally kills the mother bird with his new slingshot. After his father expresses his displeasure in his son’s reckless behavior, Opie decides it is his duty to step in and attempt to care for the birds himself. He loves watching them grow. He feeds them, talks to them, and finds pleasure in their company.

One day, Andy tells him that the time will come when he will have to let the birds go. They weren’t meant to live in a cage, he tells his son. Opie isn’t too thrilled with this news. He can’t imagine having to let his babies fly away.

When the day arrives for seeing if the birds are ready, Opie becomes worried. “But what if I didn’t do all the right things?” he asks his father. “What if they can’t fly, Pa?”

His father assures him the birds will be just fine.

As Opie clutches the first little bird in his hand, he says to it, “I sure hope I did all the right things. I sure hope you can fly away. Please fly away. Please?”

With that plea, he releases the bird and is ecstatic to see it fly off toward the tree in the front yard.

Soon, the other two birds follow and Opie is left holding an empty birdcage. “The cage sure looks awful empty, don’t it, Pa?” he says to his father.

His father says, “Yeah, son, it sure does.” And then, he looks up and, in Andy Taylor's inimitable way, says,  "But don’t the trees seem nice and full?” as the chatter of birds is heard in the background.

How ironic that I would watch such a bittersweet episode on such a bittersweet evening, which is why I got up and wrote about it in my journal, marked October 13, 2004.

This is just one example of why The Andy Griffith Show is still making families smile today. You can watch the full episode of, “Opie the Birdman” below.

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Rest in peace, Andy Griffith.

Gone but not forgotten.

The Opening of Rosy Revival

Edited 2013: 

Since the publishing of this post, Rosy Revival has a bigger and better home in Old Town Spring.

For details, click on this link.

Saturday was a grand day in the neighborhood. My niece, Shelaine, and her husband, Shawn (that would be sugar plum's parents), just opened up their own little shop, Rosy Revival, in a charming area called Old Town Spring, which just happens to be a skip and a hop from my front door.

It all began as a hobby a few months ago when Shelaine started painting and refinishing vintage furniture, using the very popular chalk paint. She discovered she loved doing it and one thing led to another.

In time, and after prayer, a few miracles, they were able to acquire a building to help bring their dream to fruition.

What started as a little beige building, with nothing in it ...

... soon took on a whole new personality.  

Rosy Revival was born and is now opened for business.

In addition to selling painted/distressed/refinished furniture pieces, at affordable prices, Rosy Revival sells CeCe Caldwell's paint (an amazing product) and the shop is listed as an authorized retailer on the company's website.

Rosy Revival also sells antiques, vintage accessories, home decor, and a few random and unexpected items, like handbags, watches, and hair accessories. In addition, Shelaine also takes custom orders, if you have an existing piece of furniture that you would like painted.

Here's a look around the place. Enjoy!

And now ... some of the furniture, up close and personal.

This would make a gorgeous sofa table or credenza.

I can imagine this being used as a dressing table, or as a desk. Either way, I love it! (The stool doesn't go with it, but it's so cute, don't you think?)

This end-table is magnificent in person.

It has a velvet lined drawer and a glass top.

I love this chest-of-drawers.

One of my favorite pieces in the shop can simply be described as "enchanting." We figured out that the drawers are labeled with botanical terms. It would make a lovely addition to any room in the house.

Of course, I think it's even more "enchanting" with sugar plum perched on top of it. Don't you agree?

This gorgeous hutch (refinished by Shelaine) is filled with CeCe Caldwell's paints.

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If you're ever in the Houston area, you must visit Old Town Spring. It is a landmark village. Charming shops and eateries line the streets, bringing with them a nostalgic feel of days gone by.

Rosy Revival is located in Doering Court, at 211G Midway Street, Spring, Texas. You can also find them on Facebook (Rosy Revival), and a website is in the works. You know I will keep you up-to-date on the latest happenings.

Speaking of Facebook, Rosy Revival is having a paint giveaway this week! Details will be on their Facebook page, so be sure and check that out.

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I don't usually link up to a whopping amount of blog parties, but I'm making an exception for Rosy Revival's opening.
This week, I will be joining the following parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at between Naps on the Porch

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Cowgirl Up Tuesdays at Cedar Hill Ranch
From Dream to Reality at The D.I.Y. Dreamer
Time to Shine Party at A Diamond in the Stuff
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Uncommonly Yours Link Party at Uncommon Design
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Sizzle Into Summer at DIY by Design
PrimpYour Stuff Wednesday at {Primp}
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
ThursdaysAre Your Days at 52 Mantels
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence
Home Sweet Home Party at The Charm of Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground