on my desk

Another day in paperland

There is a first rate storm brewing in the south.
It is very windy, about 40 mph I believe, and the clouds are towering and dark.
I have just purchased two pairs of the most lovely (and hard to find) spectator oxfords (music to my ears) on ebay.
I really hope that they fit perfectly.
Buying shoes or clothing online seems like such a gamble.
I have gotten some pretty fantastic stuff though, so I keep going back for more.

vintage book cover cards

Here is another of my vintage book projects: book cover cards.



Components: ribbon, vintage clip art, book covers and pages, and glassine envelopes.



the finished inside of card no. 1





the cover of card no. 1





the inside of finished card no. 2

and its covers.

vintage book page flowers

Here is one of the vintage book projects that I spoke of in this post:
http://iamthebee.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-by-its-cover.html
These are made with the same books.
(I have more projects to post too... the next will probably be posted tomorrow)

I made these today to use for wrapping some parcels.




the color of the old book pages adds a lot of character to creations...

orange bees

Sunday

Today I...
made granola...
made daisies...
cleaned... a lot...
and painted

an ornate dresser

I finished another one of "the mint pieces" today. This one is a little different, the details are in the paint, rather than the carving.
I used my Japanese stamps and a couple of other rose stamps to create an over-the-top fanciful pattern.

I used browns, lots of gold, and green acrylic paints.


For some reason, these heavy, brass pulls seemed to work with this piece.


This is way more gorgeous than these photos show.
I am so pleased with the way this dresser turned out. I covered the top and drawer fronts with the flower/rose patterns. It is a sort of design where Sweden meets Morocco.



A close up of the drawer front.


This dresser is not vintage. I bought it at a flea market for less than $10 if I remember correctly. I didn't get some before pics (I forgot). It was scrubby and scratched up.


I wasn't able to capture how cool the gold paint looks, it just looks sort of brown. It adds a nice touch.

mint vanity

Now, for a round of before+after. :)
I finished painting this Vanity last night.
It is vintage. The veneer on the sides was chipped, and it had gotten a bit scratched up, and dusty. I have been feeling adventurous in the color dept. due to my unusually reserved choice in paint colors for the "studio" (creamy white), and had a sudden need for more mint in my life. :)


"Before"
It was a dark chocolate brown color.


To create my mint, I got a quart of a darker green called "Irish beauty" which is a sort-of Kelly green. Then I mixed it with some cotton white paint to create the shade for the furniture.
I ended up with a much more intense color than I had first planned on (I was going for a muted off-white version), but in the end, I really like the result.

"After"
This is a very tall piece/I couldn't quite get the whole thing into the photo.

Side mirror detail.

Top mirror detail
I hadn't really noticed all of the lovely and ornate details until I started sanding and painting the vanity.

The middle drawer. I love all of the hardware from this piece.

One of two of the little side drawers.

Large drawer detail.


I have more furnishings I am working on, and will post pics of when I am done.

carnation

The week is going along so quickly.
There always seem to be 101 things left undone in a day.
Extra tasks must wait until tomorrow.

Another day to paint things...

I have been painting more things today.
I got a quart of dark mint green paint from the hardware store, and then mixed it with some cotton white paint that I have here. I'm really pleased with the fresh light mint color that was created :):)
I am painting some furniture. I should have some before and after pictures to post this week. :)

sepia daffodils

Spring Package Kit Giveaway!

Giveaways are a good start to the week :)
I have another one for you ;)

THE SPRING PACKAGE WRAP KIT:



* 1 set of leaves, 3 mint and 3 baby blue
* 2 bunches mixed color tulips (dove, aqua, caramel...shell pink, bubble gum, hazelnut)


* 1 wooden spool of mint/white striped twine
* 1 dozen tags (baby blue, hazelnut, peach, cream)



* 6 Asst. pillow boxes

HOW TO ENTER:
follow this link:
http://sweet-as-a-candy.blogspot.com/2010/04/gilded-beegiveaway.html
good luck! :):)
happy Monday!