Tuesday, June 12, 2012

~ One random act of kindness a day ~

Hello my friends....I hope you are all having a good week. 
Mine has been wonderful. 
Lot's of wonderful things happening in my life right now and I will be sharing them very soon.
In the mean time....
Let's play again!!!!!!
Last Friday a friend told me about a yard sale that was going on in my area.
"Have you been to Ray's yet today?' she said
"No..what and who is Ray?" I replied
" A huge yard sale" she said
"WHAT!!!!....no one told me about a huge yard sale!!"
Off I went in search of Ray and his awesomeness...

I pulled up to Ray's house and the yard was covered with 
AWESOMENESS!!!
Ray told me most of the stuff had come from 
a home in Bethesda..a dentist/artist home.
I spotted so many vintage dental treasures.
Two stainless mirrors with trays caught my eye.
Very medically sterile, don't you think?
But I had a vision....

Here she is all beautiful and reborn. I can picture her on a pretty vanity of a young girl.
Using a sanding block, I removed most of her rust..I left a little for character.
Painted her with CHALK PAINT™ Brand Decorative Paints in Antoinette.
Antoinette is such a soft plaster pink...lovely!
CHALK PAINT™ stuck like a charm.
 I rubbed a hint of gold wax here and there for a little glam attitude.

I decoupaged the tray with Mod Podge and a beautiful floral paper napkin.
She is so elegant now...a far cry from her 'rinse and spit' past life.
I created two of these and they will be headed to my shop.

Look what else I used Mod Podge on...

I found these hanging metal signs for less than a $1.00 at my local Joann's.
They had awefull dark canvas letters glued onto them.
I removed the letters and painted three coats of CHALK PAINT™ in Graphite to create my own 
little chalkboards.
YES...you can create colored chalk boards using CHALK PAINT™!!
Just apply at least 3 coats..dry and season with a piece of chalk..wipe off and you are all set.
Imagine Provence or Emperor Red chalkboards with white chalk lettering...beautiful!
I decoupaged strips of antique sheet music to the front and back.

Perfect for shop pricing and little announcements!
Maybe a little embellishment of some sort will be added..ephemera..lace..ribbon or burlap??
See the decoupaged bucket vase from last week....I have been keeping it filled with Hydrangeas because.....

My Hydrangea bush is overflowing with gorgeousness this season!!!!!
The colors are so intense.
Note to self....I must plant more of these.

Here is another little bargain project I created for my shop.
I found this maple candlestick at a thrift shop.
Sorry forgot the B4 photo..you guys know what golden maple looks like..right?
Very plain.

After a coat of Antoinette CHALK PAINT™, Annie's wonderful Craqueleur varnish crackle and some dark wax..
Voila!

Instand age and loveliness.
By the way...I am still working with my first jars of Craqueleur...it goes a very long way!
Now..about my post title...
While at Ray's yard sale (more of my finds to come), one of Ray's friends mentioned that he lost out on a higher bid to purchase an old quilt at a recent auction.
I overheard this and told him I had an old quilt in my trunk that I had just purchased at another auction.
I showed it to him and he LOVED it.
He offered to buy it from me.
Now for quite some time, I have made it my mission to try to perform at least one random act of kindness everyday.
I thought this was the perfect opportunity for that days act.
I told him he could have the lovely old quilt...he was so thrilled and amazed that I would just give it to a complete stranger.
His joy made me feel joyous....
That's what it is all about..right?
Well he walked me over to a large black tarp draped over something.
He pulled back the tarp and revealed a lovely French desk/vanity.
HE GAVE IT TO ME!!!!!
Folks...I'm here to tell you..paying it forward works!
What goes around...comes around...remember that.


Until next time...be kind and stay creative!


                                                                  

23 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Janet- What a great post- Love the old dental tray/mirror combos. It looks wonderful all gussied up!;>)

God certainly smiled on your kind heart when you gave the quilt to that man. Your reward was repaid very quickly.

Blessings and I hope you have a great day- xo Diana

Anne said...

Well how sweet are you, it always comes back, such a nice story, thank you.
Anne

reFresh reStyle said...

Janet, you are the best! Have a wonderful day!

Atelier Conti said...

Great story Janet! You do seem to meet the right people at just the right time. You're doing wonderful things. And wonderful things are happening to you. It's a joy to hear all about them.

Karen Diebolt said...

What a great post. I really like your projects. Who knew a sterile dental mirror could be so beautiful. Random acts of kindness are great, I do them a lot. Check out the post on my blog.
http://karenskornerishere.blogspot.com/2012/06/hygiene-bag.html

Kelly Ann said...

Lucky stiff...and where is this Ray located???
:) xoxo KA

Lady Courtney said...

I've always told my girls this!!! First of all, didn't you feel great just seeing his smile? The rewards are always so much greater than the kind act...Have a very blessed day Janet!!! And I love that candlestick and adorable mirror!!!! donna :)

The LadyBugs Garden said...

I love all you finds. Yes you are right God is good.
Stephanie
Xoxo

Amy W. said...

A truly "Awesome" story!!
:)
Thanks for sharing!!!

Anonymous said...

Loved this post. Your store is going to be so fabulous!

Claire said...

WOW, were you speechless or what Janet?.....

You got it back in bucketloads.........Doesn't it make you feel so good to give without any strings attached. To see the joy on someone's face, you can't put a dollar value on it.
Love your gorgeous hydrangeas......If I had them growing I would pick armloads and fill the house with their stunning colour.

Great makeover of the mirror/tray, who would of thought eh?
Another wonderful post Janet.....enjoy the rest of the week

Claire x

Wanda..... said...

Lovely story, Janet....your random act of kindness!

Kathleen Grace said...

You have a good heart Janet. How wonderful that he gave you the vanity, he must have really loved the quilt! I'm sure you'll give us a peek of that vanity soon right?

Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes said...

Great post, Janette! I love your creativity and how you stretch your mind and in turn bring about these wonderful pieces.

Kindness is something I see a lot of in the blog world. It is a wonderful thing. I can just imagine the fabulous feeling you had as you handed that gentleman your quilt. And the even more fabulous feeling you had when he reciprocated the kindness. Both different feelings but equally warming.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you have so much to show today! beautiful.. like the sign a lot!

xox

Amy Chalmers said...

YOu are an inspiration!! From your projects to your acts of kindness, I wish you lived closer~xo

Connie in Hartwood said...

I'm not at all surprised at your kindness ... it's the sort of person you are, and we love you for it.

Hydrangeas are very easy to propagate. Once the flowers start to fade, have your lovely husband make you some more.

Amanda P. said...

That is awesome Janet!!!! Love the message dear!!! Cannot wait to see what you do with the vanity...images are swirling in my head!!!! Enjoy your day darling!

Beth said...

Beautiful!!! So glad you and Annie are bffs : ) Thanks so much for what you said about the writing on my dad. Your words definitely encouraged me when I needed it most. Have a fabulous day, my friend. Carry on!

Beth said...

or should I say: keep calm and paint on : )

breida @ breidawithab.com said...

HI Janet- I just saw your comment to me at MMS. Thank you, and I will stop by and introduce myself to you next week. Ack! Next Week!! Can't believe it! Can't wait!
breida
I love this post, by the way. What goes around certainly does come around - that's the truth. I'm actually working on a post with that basic theme right now.
See you soon!

Annette said...

yep, it pays to be kind! The transformations are fabulous and I'm excited to know the paint can be used for making different colored chalkboards too!

Annette said...

yep, it pays to be kind! The transformations are fabulous and I'm excited to know the paint can be used for making different colored chalkboards too!