Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Is There Such a Thing As Too Much Gold?

Hello friends...welcome back to my nest.
I want to share a few fun things with you today.
A makeover, a great thrift shop find and 
a birthday gift.

Pay no attention to the lady in the mirror
This week I stopped in my Warrenton Salvation Macy's and picked up this pretty gilded table top mirror.
I loved it, but I felt for it's small size, it was way too much gold.
How about we remedy that problem.

I started by painting on two coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paloma.

Paloma is a lovely soft pale plum color.
Pale and lovely

 After the Paloma dried (I hit it with a blow dryer) I dry brushed it with a little Old White.
This helps to highlight the great relief detail.

Isn't Paloma a pretty color?
After the dry brushing, I lightly sanded just enough to expose some of the original gold.
I applied some clear wax with a soft stippling brush.
Normally I use the Annie Sloan wax brush, but i needed a much smaller brush here.
My artist stipple brush worked great.

Again...pretend she is not there
Let's look again at the VERY gold mirror before.

Hey...the lady turned into a vase of roses!
That's one crazy restyle!
And the much more sophisticated toned down restyled mirror.

I added just enough dark wax on top of the clear to accentuate the crevices.
Using an old cotton t-shirt dipped in clear wax, I carefully wiped away any unwanted dark wax.

I think she is beautiful

See the gold peeking through?

 I'm so glad I did not pass up this great little mirror just because I didn't like the finish.
Remember...ASCP adheres to just about anything!

Now on to the next thrift shop find...

 With all of the blogosphere posting gorgeous projects using sheet music, I have had my eyes open for the stuff.
I had not been able to find it anywhere....
Until this week!
Just look at all this fabulous sheet music

 so many wonderful old titles and cover art.
How incredible is the American Cowboy Songs book????
And Stephen Foster!
Ziegfeld!

Bing Crosby!!!!

A classic song and beautiful cover art.
Pay no attention to the price stickers...I bargained the mgr down to an unbelievable price since I was wanting all of it.
I now have enough sheet music for many projects.

 Isn't this gal pretty?
Mr. Secret Agent gave her to me for my birthday, which happens to be 
TODAY!!!
I'm 57 years young.

I know she looks basic, but that is exactly what I wanted....just an old fashioned cruiser.
I'll be on the lookout for a sweet basket that I can line with vintage fabric.
I can't wait to spend my mornings coasting up and down my country lane.
If you see me, be sure to wave.
Any suggestions for the perfect Bicycle name?

A reminder for everyone that my Hometalk/Home Depot gift card Giveaway is still open.
Be sure to enter HERE
Don't forget to leave a comment for each entry ex...Facebook..Like the Hometalk page..Tweet and Follow my blog.
Depending on the number of entries, I will be giving the lucky winner a $50.00 or $100.00 gift card to Home Depot.
USA & Canadian followers are eligible to enter.

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

Sharing here this week:


29 comments:

Claire said...

HIppo, Birdy, Two Ewes, Hippo, Birdy Two Ewes........

Dear Janet, sending birthday wishes across the miles, I hope you had a wonderful day and were spoilt rotten.

Gorgeous bike, love the colour. As for a name, as soon as I saw the question this song started playing in my head.....G L O R I A, Gloria,
G L O R I A , Gloria, and it wouldn't stop........

Love the mirror restyle, Paloma is a beautiful, soft colour, it looks wonderful.
Great sheet music find too, can't wait to see what you do with it all.
Still can't get over all the amazing finds you manage to bring home from your thrift store.............

Claire :}

Atelier Conti said...

Happy birthday dear Janet! How exciting and fun to get a new and very pretty turquoise bike. I thought of Daisy when I saw her.

The mirror is just fantastic! Every time I read one of your make-over posts I want to invest my entire savings in Anne Sloane paints. I suppose the shipping to France itself would probably cost most of it ;^p.

Leigh Powell Hines said...

Happy, Happy Birthday!

I can't wait to learn what you do with those songbooks.

Little Blue Mouse said...

Happy Birthday Janet!

That bike looks like a Gretel to me.

Kelly Ann said...

Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday Mrs. Mayor Happy Birthday to you...
xoxo
KA

Leslie said...

Happy, Happy Birthday to you Janet! I love the bike, I can just see you gliding up and down your lane with a smile on your face and a sweet basket on the front. But what goodies will you keep in your basket? Hrm...maybe a mid-ride snack. :-)

Great job on the mirror. With all that moulded detail it was begging for a facelift. And you're right, you really did score (no pun intended) on the sheet music. Another great day of thrifting and face-lifting at empty nest!

Tami AKA My Kid's Mom said...

Love the bike, I also got a "vintage cruiser" bike for my birthday this year (my 52nd) from my sweetie. I absolutely LOVE it. The first thing I did was go to a local thrift store and get a basket for it.

Jennifer Juniper said...

I've got to get some of that paint! Where do you buy yours?

Happy birthday! I love that bike and I agree, it's missing a totally Janet-ified basket!

Aprons and More said...

Happy Birthday Janet!! What a great present! I would call her Bluebelle. The mirror turned out so pretty! Can't wait to see what you do with the sheet music...I love the cover art!
Hope you have a fun day!

Katy :)

Audrey said...

Happy Birthday!
I absolutely LOVE what you did with the mirror - it's wonderful!!
The bike is awesome :)
Happy pedaling!

mar said...

Happy Birthday to a longtime friend....and many many more...Have a wonderful day! Love the bike....have fun!

Debra from Bungalow said...

Love the mirror and that bike is greeaat! Happy Birthday! Enjoy your special day!

Kathryn Griffin said...

Happy Birthday Janet! Woohoo! Hope you have a grand day!! Love your little mirror redo. Tres, tres, chic. Tootles, Kathryn http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!
Happy Birthday Dear Janet!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!
(sung to the tune of Happy Birthday to you)
Hope your day is just fabulous!!!
---
Your frame is fit for a Birthday Queen!
Just amazing you are!
Take care!
And again...wishing you a Wonderful Birthday Celebration!!!
xoxo
Amy
amywoodsis@yahoo.com

Kathleen Grace said...

Happy Birthday Janet! I love the bike, it's an awesome color and just my style too. I have a cruiser too and that's just what we do...cruise. The mirror was a great find, I love the beautiful details and the paint brings them out so much better than the gold!

Tammy at Tammy Loves Dishes said...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Janet, Happy Birthday to you!!!

The mirror transformation is great! You really toned down the gold and turned this mirror into something spectacular.

Love your sweet little cruiser, too!

Paula@SweetPea said...

Happy Birthday! Enjoy your new bike! My bike is called "Speed Pony" but I haven't ridden her in a while.

Love your mirror transformation!

Maddie Kertay- The Domestic Anarchist said...

Oddly I think she looks like a "Gerty" and you don't look a day over 40!

Maddie

Anonymous said...

Whew! For a minute there when you posted the bike I thought it was going to get Annie Sloaned!

Who says the bike is a female anyway? Name it Chuck Norris 'cause it's gonna kick your butt!!!

Bobby

Lydia Armstrong said...

Happy Birthday!! I love riding bikes. I just got a new-to-me mountain bike, and I named him Stallion.

Annette said...

Happy Birthday, Janet!!!!! I hope you had a most wonderful day. LOVE the bike...she makes me think of Dorothy! The mirror turned out gorgeous. Can't wait to see what you do with the sheet music!

Annette said...

Oh, and I forgot to say I really like the new header! XO

Sommer said...

I LOVE that mirror! I'm a freak about them lol. You definitely did that little mirror justice =) I would love to have to share your talents at my VIP party today. http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/09/vip-party-26.html
Have a great holiday weekend!

Glenda @ Magnolia Bend Drive said...

Happy Birthday! The mirror looks beautiful and the birthday bike should bring you miles of fun, and a good decorating piece when/if you ever get tired of riding it. Be careful!

Down East Attic said...

Lovely job on the mirror! It gives me lots of ideas for some ugly furniture I need to update. :)

Tweed Thoughts said...

Aw Janet - I'm so sorry I missed your birthday :/ Happy 'belated' Birthday tho - hope you had a fab time :D Love the mirror and the fab sheet music. Can just see you on the country lanes on your lovely bike (I got a pretty pink one last year and I love it!) - I will think of you the next time I take a spin on mine :D

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