O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree…. Yes, I am thinking about Christmas already. Especially after seeing the new Christmas Tree Mould from Iron Orchid Design. I used mine to create Christmas plaques that you can hang on the wall or put on a stand. When I started this project, I had no idea how much fun! Let me show you what I mean: This is the Iron Orchid Design O' Christmas Tree Mould, look at the incredible detailing! To create a backdrop for the design I had in mind, I used snow-themed wrapping paper that fit the wintry mood I was looking for. I attached the paper with glue (all products used will be listed at the end of this post). Once it was dry, I removed any excess paper with a sanding brick. Next, I poured resin into the mold and waited for it to turn white (which means it is set). I then popped it out, painted it white, and glued it to the plaque. To finish it off, I added pearl-like beads as ornaments, a cute ribbon stand, delicate snowflakes in the background, and a Christmas sign above. For my next project, I wanted the tree to look like it was sitting in a room. I had an idea of how to achieve the look using one-point perspective, but I needed a refresher on how to do it. I knew just the person to ask: the very talented art teacher, Kristie, that I work with. She was more than happy to help and proceeded to give me a brush-up course on one-point perspective. She even mapped it out on a piece of paper. After thanking her, I took the drawing and what she showed me and set off to start the next plaque. I used the map (left) that Kristie mapped out for me and applied it to the wooden plaque (right). With the guidelines in place, I was ready to begin. For the next two trees I repeated the same process as the first plaque, but this time I incorporated the use of one-point perspective. In the first tree (above top) I painted the walls to make it look like they were moving toward the tree creating the illusion that the tree is in the background. To increase the feeling of depth even more, I opted for a checkered floor pattern with larger tiles at the front and smaller tiles at the back. The design of the floor made me think of the '50s. To continue that theme, I added pink and blue decorations. In the second tree (above bottom), I stained the plaque to make it look like a wood floor and painted a ceiling, both of which I used one-point perspective on. I chose wallpaper that is used in dollhouses for the walls. To give it a tradition feel I painted the tree green. Then added tiny red balls as ornaments, foliage on the top, cardboard painted green for the stand, and lastly tinsel that like when I was a kid got all over. I think it would be fun to give these plaques gifts. It doesn't have to be just Christmas it can be any holiday or occasion that is special. If you like this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new post as they are created. Products used: Wooden Plaque Iron Orchid Design Mould Decorative Pieces For Tree

A few years ago, I discovered an image of a Mora Clock and instantly fell in love with it. The clock gets its name from the Swedish town of Mora, which faced a period of drought in the late 1800s, causing the residents to migrate to Stockholm to acquire new skills, including clockmaking. I was drawn to its unique shape, charming patina, and overall quirkiness. Upon researching the pricing of tall Mora Clocks, I found them to range from $3,000 to $12,000. I even looked at a similar piece the Katerina Floor Clock from Ballard Designs.com, priced at $2,999.00. Realizing I couldn't afford an authentic clock or even a reproduction, I decided to store this want in the back of my mind, hoping to stumble upon an alternative that could be transformed to resemble the clock of my dreams. Below are examples of what a Mora Clock looks like: The one on the right is an authentic Mora clock, and the one on the left is the reproduction Katerina Clock from Ballard Designs. You will not believe where I found something to transform into a Mora clock lookalike. "Good Will" is where I found the perfect item (pictured below). I know, I know, my husband had the same reaction. He kept asking me if I really wanted it, and I said yes, yes, yes. I didn’t like the color or the painted flowers, and it was short, but I could see the possibility. Like when Linus picks the sad little tree in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and says that all it needs is a little love, I bought this clock with the potential spinning in my head. All it needed was a little love!   The clock had some really nice features like the round face, the moldings, and the detailing, but none of it would matter if I couldn’t increase the height of the clock (which came in at 3 feet one inch). We were able to make a pedestal to increase the height to a whooping five feet and one inch. With the clock now looking like an adult clock and not a child's clock we were ready for the next step. Before getting started, I thoroughly cleaned it. I went with a gray base coat to make sure the painted flowers wouldn't show through, all the while hoping that painting it a single color would give the appearance of a one piece and not a small clock on top of a pedestal. I was thrilled to see that after the initial coat, it appeared as one cohesive unit. Hooray! After it dried, I applied a second coat.   I the final coat I chose Annie Sloan Aubusson Chalk Paint. Using water to thin it out, I gave it two coats, letting the first one dry before applying the second. I didn't paint the trim because I want it to be a different color. I used Waverly Chalk Paint in Moss for the trim color. To give it a more aged look, I used a chip brush to apply Annie Sloan COCO Chalk Paint, then spritzed it with water and wiped it with a lint free cloth rag. I repeated this process until I achieved the desired look. After it was dry, I sealed it with Annie Sloan clear wax then went in with Waverly Antiquing wax in areas that would naturally age more, such as around the trim, clock face, handle, etc. I used my acrylic paints to cover the flowers on the face of the clock, then replaced the broken mechanism with a new one. I found the perfect place for my clock. It is right between the transition from the family room to the kitchen, and it is the first thing you see as you enter our house. It’s funny, as I was looking at this picture, I noticed a full circle moment: the drapes in the background are Isabella drapery from Ballard Designs. I may not have the Katerina Clock from Ballard Design, but I have their beautiful drapery that goes perfectly with my clock. If you enjoyed the post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Below are links to products used: Annie Sloan Aubusson Blue Chalk Paint Annie Sloan Clear Wax Waverly Antiquing Wax

I have been looking for a bar cart for our patio, but the cost really surprised me. The prices range anywhere from $200-$600 even on Facebook Marketplace. With this realization, the bar cart was moved way down on the list of priorities. Having already put the idea of a bar cart out of my head, one day, I passed right by one in my neighbor’s trash. Needless to say, once I realized what I saw, I did a U-turn and snapped it right up. It was not the prettiest thing, but it had potential.   I began by giving it a thorough cleaning, then using steel wool, I removed any loose paint. There were some imperfections, so I chose a matte black primer paint. The matte finish will help mask the nicks and dings. The warped shelves were beyond repair, so I swapped them out with circular wooden discs measuring 17.9" in diameter. I then applied a whitewash finish to create the perfect background for the black and white transfer I had chosen, which had a floral pattern that seemed fitting for an outdoor bar cart. Using the tool that comes with the transfer, I rubbed over the surface until it released. The transfer starts to look dull when it releases. If you're not sure, you can lift it up a little to see the progress. The transfer comes in sections with a grid pattern which makes it easier to line up. While I was putting on the transfer, I decided I only wanted the flowers and no words, so I painted over them with white paint.   After pressing the transfer on the top and bottom for what seemed like hours, my hand was raw. Ouch! The finished piece! Drinks, anyone? We are looking forward to using it this summer! If you liked this post, please leave a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products Used: Rust-Oleum Primer and Paint Black Matte Iron Orchid Design Astoria Foliage 15" Unfinished Wooden Circle Plaque by Make Market® | Michaels Micheal's-15" Wooden Circle Plaque

Since I'm not the neatest painter, my paint cans end up looking less than tidy, so I was in desperate need of a cabinet to conceal the mess. Although I had a cabinet that was the right size, it had glass doors, which defeated the purpose of hiding my messy cans. After some research, I discovered that decoupaging over glass was a possibility. I was a bit apprehensive at first, imagining myself having to use a razor blade to remove the paper, but since I didn't want to buy another cabinet, I decided to give it a try. This is the cabinet I was talking about. It is great, but everything is visible on the inside. The first step was painting the entire piece, including the glass, with primer (all products used will be listed at the end of the post). It not only created a smooth surface for the decoupage to adhere to but will prevent the decoupage over the glass from having a different tone than the rest of the piece. This decoupage paper is fantastic. The colors and brightness are perfect for holding my chalk paint. To start, I spread wallpaper adhesive on the surface and then placed the decoupage paper over it. Working from the top down, I used a large chip brush to smooth out any wrinkles and gently press the paper into the crevices. A helpful tip is to apply the wallpaper paste sparingly and work in small sections; I tore the paper a few times because it was too saturated. Not to worry, though. I bought a smaller version of the same decoupage paper and used it to fix the tears. I simply cut out matching pieces, decoupaged them on, and you wouldn't have known the rips were ever there. It took quite a while to finish, but I like the end product. As you can see, it does cover the entire piece. To remedy this, I gathered all my tools: chalk paint, acrylic paints, various brushes, and a picture of the decoupage paper to reference. Using these tools, I am going to attempt to extend the decoupage design further onto the cabinet. Wish me luck!    To begin, I added paint to the base of the vase. After completing this step, I proceeded to mix my paints to match the colors in the decoupage paper. It's important to make enough of the color mixture at once, as trying to recreate it can be difficult. To blend the colors, I used a brush and ragging technique.   I knew I needed to keep going, so I chose a chalk paint color and went for it!  I used a spray bottle with water to thin out the paint, stepping back and adding more color where it was needed. To give it a three-dimensional look, I cut pieces of the smaller replica decoupage paper and added it to the composition. I wanted it to look like flowers had fallen from the bouquet. I continued on the bottom until I was satisfied then started adding color to the top. I color matched what was on the paper and brought it upward. This continued for hours I finally had to get up shut the door and walk away. After a few days, I came back and finished the piece. It was not as difficult as I thought it would be but very time-consuming. When (not if) I do this again, I will have to pace myself. Yeah, right! Who am I kidding? If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products used: Mint By Michelle Karen's Technicolor Bouquet Annie Sloan Giverny Chalk Paint Annie Sloan Antibes Green Chalk Paint Annie Sloan English Yellow Chalk Paint Craft Smart Acrylic Paint

I am in desperate need of a filing system. I have papers that are currently being stored in a plastic bag (no judging, please). It is annoying when I am trying to find something, and it takes twice as long as it would have if it were neatly filed away. I decided it was time to get a filing cabinet and get organized!  I started looking around for wooden stylish cabinets, but they were too pricey which left me with metal filing cabinets. Even metal filing cabinets like the one above was priced at $400. I don't even like metal filing cabinets they are tinny sounding and usually come in either beige, gray or black. However, the decision was made when I found a metal filing cabinet at Good Will. It was a mess on the outside, but the drawers were intact and worked well, and the cost was just $2. My thoughts were, for $2, I could try to make it a little more appealing, and if it didn’t work, it was only $2. As I stated above, the outside of the cabinet had seen better days, with rust, a dark substance, and stickers on the front of the drawers it was in need of a good cleaning. To tackle this problem, I used a cleaner containing bleach, as well as a rust and glue remover (a list of all products used will be provided at the end of the post). The first step was to remove the stickers in order to clean the rest of the cabinet. I applied the glue remover on top of each sticker and allowed it to sit. After a few minutes, I used a putty knife to easily remove them. Next, I dealt with the rust stains and dark substance; although it required some effort, I was able to remove those stains as well. Now that everything is clean, I wanted to try and do something about the drawer pulls. They were too industrial-looking for me. I decided to try filling them with a bonding agent. I glued a piece of wood inside the handle so I would not have to use so much of the agent. While I was at it, I removed the lock, placed a piece of cardboard on the back and then filled it with the bonding agent.   It worked like a charm. You could not even tell that the handle or lock had been there. Finally, I painted the entire cabinet with primer getting it prepped for what's up next. Be on the lookout for Metal Cabinet Transformation Part Two! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they a created. Products Used Goo Gone Adhesive Remover Soft Scrub With Bleach Bondo All Purpose Wood Putty

I've recently picked up another secretary desk, it was the medallion on the front that sold me it is stunning. Although, true to form, this desk like other secretary desks in the past has proven to be quite the project. One would think I'd have realized by now that my enthusiasm for these desks inevitably entails additional effort. Let's see just how much work it took! The first time I saw this piece I was smitten. The lines, the medallion and scroll work were a perfect candidate for dry brushing a technique I have been wanting to try. I know my wood lover friends think it is beautiful as is, but there was too much damage to be saved. The desk had been stored by the previous owner for many years, so it really needed a good cleaning. To repair the areas where the veneer was damaged, I removed any loose pieces around it, then applied a bonding agent to fill in the gaps (a list of all products used will be provided at the end of the post). If the veneer was partially detached, I applied glue and secured it in place with clamps until dry. I removed the hardware that was originally on the piece because I didn't like it. To use the single knob I preferred, I had to fill the existing holes first. Additionally, I removed an odd piece of molding from the top and filled in the holes using the same bonding agent. Thinking I was all done fixing the damage while sanding, I discovered additional areas that required attention and filled them as well. Hopefully that's the end of unexpected damages. Phew, that was a lot of work, but all the sanding is done, and it's now ready for painting. But I am tired the painting and reveal will be in my next post: How To Dry-Brushing On A Secretary Desk Part Two! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products Used: Bondo All Purpose Putty Titebond II Premium Wood Glue

Attending the banquet at my husband's alma mater, Brooklyn Tech, was a highlight of last weekend. We took advantage of the extended Veteran's Day weekend by heading to the New York right after work on Thursday. This early start allowed us to have all of Friday and Saturday for play time. While we could have gone to the theater or museum, we decided to go to Architectural Salvage places instead. My husband and I both love savage places and visited some in other locations, but never in New York City. We were excited to see what the city had to offer and if there were any deals to be had. We were able to see a few salvage places, but two really stood out stood out: Amighini Architectural in Jersey City, NJ, and Old Iron in Brooklyn, NY. Each had its own unique charm, and the contrast between the two was truly remarkable. Because there was so much wonderful content for each venue, I had to divide the trip into two separate posts. This post highlights Amighini Architectural in Jersey City, N.J. Our hotel was in New Jersey, so we started here. It took us a while to find it, but the minute we drove up I knew it was going to be special. When you come around the corner, it is set up like a courtyard. There are two gorgeous urns on elegant pedestals with stunning tiles leading to an amazing door! I don’t think there are enough adjectives to describe how beautiful it was, and we weren’t even inside yet! This door is bigger than the front of my house and would never work in a million years, but one can dream! Again, would not work in my house but WOW! Where art thou Juliet? The sun came out right as this came into my sightline and took my breath away. But then I looked up! Up above me in the rafters were these huge stained-glass domes. Just like the window light was filtering in and words cannot even describe the beauty of it. I imagine these must have been in churches, old theatres, cathedrals etc. I am just glad someone saved them. They also had an office area with decorative items set up in vignettes. There were numerous architectural wooden trim pieces on the table, ideal for one of my projects turning a door into a French antique mirror. We searched for assistance and found a kind gentleman with limited English. Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate our request for pricing on the trim pieces. He had to contact someone else, who only spoke Italian. After further consultation, they quoted a price exceeding two thousand dollars. We expressed that this was beyond our budget. To avoid causing offense, we thanked them for their efforts and politely declined the purchase. They were understanding and grateful for our respectful response. There was no disappointment in walking away without the architectural pieces. We gained much more by having the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the place, which is something we will never forget. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Look For: Architectual Salvage Finds In New York And New Jersey, Part Two!

I had so much fun making Christmas ornaments in 2021 that I wanted to do it again in 2022! I still need to make more clothespin snowflake ornaments to fill in the tree, but I also want to try making ornaments out of resin using Moulds from Iron Orchids Design and Redesign Prima. The top two Moulds are from Iron Orchid Design, Birdsong, and Baubles. The bottom two are from Re-Design with Prima, Jewel Snowflakes, all of which are perfect for creating stunning ornaments! To start, I poured equal parts of bottle A and bottle B into separate cups (products used will be listed at the end of the post). Then I mixed them together to start activation stirring until clear. It starts working right away, so don’t take too long to get it into the molds. When it turns completely white, it is done. It pops right out. Make sure to put a base coat of paint for better adhesion of finishes later.   The ornament factory continued until the resin ran out. Now it is time to play To begin, I used water-based glue (specific products will be listed later in the post) and applied it sparingly. Once it was tacky, I sprinkled on iridescent glitter then removed any excess. To enhance the detail, I used silver wax on the raised areas. Next up were the Jewel Snowflakes. I gave them two coats of pearlescent glaze, which not only provided a subtle shimmer but also brought out their intricate features.   As for the birds, I applied silver wax and then dusted them with silver glitter.    For these ornaments, I wanted to try an old-world look. I painted them with chalk paint in mineral. Once they were dry, I applied white wax and then wiped it off. It almost looks like stone or aged wood. I spent the rest of the afternoon making more ornaments. Some were beautiful, some were not, but most importantly it was fun. Now I have ornaments to give as gifts, add to a bow when wrapping a gift, and, of course, for my tree. *See side note at the bottom of page on how to hang ornaments. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. As always comments are welcome, keep them coming! Products used: Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint Waverly Mineral Chalk Paint ArtMinds White Wax To hang the ornaments, I hot glued a small ring picture holder (see picture below) on the ornament then you can slip the hook right through.

I finally got over to our storage unit to pull out a piece of furniture to work on. I chose an antique buffet because it has beautiful lines and there are only a couple minor repairs that will be easily remedied. The top was sanded before it was put in storage. It was in great condition, but I wasn't crazy about the color. I used and dark antique wax to tone down the red in the wood. Regarding the minor repairs I mentioned, the drawer is missing some pieces of molding that need replacement. I smoothed out the area by sanding it and used an X-Acto knife to ensure a clean edge. To recreate the missing pieces, I used putty (all products used will be listed at the end of the post) to make a mold. Once the mold was ready, I poured resin into it to produce a replica of the trim. The resin turned white when it was done. I then removed the piece, cut it to size, and attached it with super glue. Next up: Antique Buffet Transformation Part Two: The Reveal! Until then, keep on pushing your Creative Self! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new post as they are created. Products used: Amazing Mold Putty Amazing Casting Resin Waverly Dark Antiquing wax

Decorating my mantel for Christmas is something I truly enjoy. However, this wasn't always the case. In the past, I would haphazardly gather my Christmas decorations and start without a clear direction. I would get frustrated because it took so long to find things and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Basically, there was no plan, which was not an effective way to do anything, let alone decorate. The best advice I can give from my mistakes is to determine a direction and make a plan. This year I have opted for neutral tones and natural elements. By gathering all the necessary items beforehand, I managed to complete the mantel decor in a short period of time and really savor the process. Let's get to it! When decorating my mantel, Christmas tree, banisters, and other areas, two essential items for me are greenery twist ties and removable hooks. The greenery twist ties are used to secure the garland, hold the picks and ribbon in place, while the hooks prevent the heavy garland from slipping off the mantel. Before I started, I cleaned the mantle and removed the bowl. My next step was to join two garlands using twist ties. I secured the garland in place by attaching a hook at each end and in the center of the mantel, and then positioned the garland. Making sure to drape it over each side of the mantle. After placing the garland, the next step was to add lights. I prefer using battery-operated lights for the mantle to avoid dealing with power cords. I wrapped the cord around the garland, securing the lights with twist ties every few inches. Now it's time to begin adding all the decorations, which is when the fun part begins. These items can be expensive, so I opt for larger picks then separate them using wire cutters into multiple stems. I repeated this process with the pinecones and made two or three picks from each stem. To add even more texture and interest, I purchased two types of ribbon. One was a very tactile mesh with white paint and sparkles, and the other ribbon was beige linen.   To begin, I added pinecone picks and secured them in place with floral wire. Next, I intertwined the two ribbons and twisted them among the greenery, using floral wire to attach them wherever I wanted to create a dip. To create the focal point of the arrangement, I placed two smaller picks along with two of the pinecone swags. Lastly, I made bows out of the remaining beige linen ribbon for each candlestick, embellishing them with greenery and white berries for a final touch. I love the way it turned out! Best of all, it took less time and caused no frustration, all because I had a plan. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products used: 3M Command Brand White Hooks Greenery Twist Ties Ribbon and Picks were all purchased t Micheal's