Home of The French Marketplace

La joie c'est le partage
{ the joy is in the sharing }

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Mirror Paint Color

Hi! I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday evening. I had a request for the color of paint that I used to paint my birds, so I thought I would do a quick post to share that info in case there is anyone else who might want the paint color. I can't believe I forgot to include it with the original post. I guess I was so excited to share the results of this fabulous paint with you all that I forgot to include the details. I'm kind of absent minded that way sometimes - hahah!
Anyway, the brand is Rust-oleum and the color is #7718 chrome. It's part of their "Bright Coat" line of paints and it has a shiny silver lid. Hope this helps!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Blessings to you all,
Kathleen

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I Don't Mean to Revisit An Old Subject, But.....

Remember the birds from a few posts back that I painted with silver spray paint to try and resemble mercury glass? They were sort of close, but the finish was too matte I think. So anyway, Granny Smith Green left me a comment suggesting mirror paint - thank you - I didn't even know they made such a thing!! Of course I really wanted to find it but hadn't had the chance to do so yet. Well, yesterday while grocery shopping at Walmart, I came across a Rustoleum brand of spray paint that promised a rich, shiny metallic finish so I thought, why not? I gave it a try and it worked!! I repainted the birds and they came out almost mirror like. I was so excited that it actually worked, I couldn't wait to share it with everyone. The pictures don't show it as well as actually looking at them in person, but you get the idea. Thank you so much Granny Smith Green, for your suggestion!
Here they are before


and now...
I was really happy with the paint. I think I'll paint everything in sight now - just kidding!

I found something else while out yesterday, though not at Walmart. It's my next little project. I'll give you a tiny sneak peak!

Okay, one more tiny little peak

That's it for now. I must go and get started on it before baby wakes up!

Have a great day!

xo,

Kathleen

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Sunday Reflections

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Psalm 46:1-3

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Spring Is Right Around The Corner

I know it's still not quite March yet, but I can't help it. I have Spring fever!! I decided to start some of my herb seeds yesterday. I planted Lemon Balm, Lavender. Sweet Basil, and Rosemary. I used some little clay pots that I labeled with scrapbooking tags. I just hot glued them to the pots. I also put some rosemary in an apothecary jar. With the lid, it creates the perfect steamy environment for the seeds. For the other pots, I just put some plastic wrap loosely over the tops and that seems to make a pretty good little "greenhouse." I like those seed starting trays with the clear lids but they're so huge, I don't have a large enough place in a sunny spot to put those (that the kids and the dogs won't get into haha). So I have just improvised in my kitchen windowsill.
Mmmmm...I can't wait for these babies to sprout and grow so I can have them on hand for cooking. There's nothing like fresh herbs from your own garden!

Also, on another note, (no pun intended) look what I found.
Old letters! I haven't had the chance to sit down and read them yet, but I can't wait. Don't you love to find things like this? Just like with anything old and vintage, you always wonder about the owners - or in this case, the writer. What were they like, what did they do, what were their hobbies? I could go on and on! I hope to find out when I read these.

Happy (almost) Spring everyone and enjoy this lovely Saturday!
xo and God Bless!
Kathleen
PS - for those of you who have inquired about the progress on the chairs, thank you so much for your interest and emails! I am still working on them but am close to completion of the first chair. I hope to finish it up and start on the second chair very soon! I will post pictures - hopefully within a week or two! Thank you for all of your suggestions and input! I really do sincerely appreciate all of them. I have decided to go with a cream color on the chair itself and a natural linen fabric for the seat and back. I'm pretty sure I will go with a monogram too on the seat back. I haven't decided though, whether to stencil it on or use iron-on transfer paper. I'm going to do the monogram in black though.
xo!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Mercury Glass....Or Not??





I love mercury glass birds but they're not easy to come by in my area. So, as I was strolling through the Dollar Tree dollar store, I saw something there that gave me an idea. They were two little ceramic birds that I thought would make fabulous "mercury glass" birds. I bought them and with some silver metallic spray paint that I had at home, I painted them. Now, obviously they're not exactly the same but I think they'll do for now until I can find the real thing. I think I'm going to tuck them into the mantle somewhere.
Speaking of the mantle, I had a request to show my mantle so I thought I'd sneak it into this post.

This is a view of the whole thing and here are a few close ups of some of my favorite things

my mercury glass candle sticks

and here is a favorite - it's special because it's a window that came out of the house that my husband grew up in. My father-in-law just recently renovated the house and it got all new windows, siding,etc...we got a few of the windows and the original, 100 year old claw foot tub that was in the bathroom!! My husband says that as a kid, he always loved to take baths in it.

I'm thinking of having some photos of him and all of his siblings blown up and then putting them behind the glass of the old window like a frame.

Happy Monday Everyone!!

xo,

Kathleen

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Sunday Reflections

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his own way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Psalm 37:7

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Thank you so much to all of you who visit my blog. Your comments mean more than you can imagine and I thoroughly enjoy reading each one! Happy day to all of you!!


xo,

Kathleen

Friday, February 13, 2009

My "New" Old Candle Holder

I decided to take a little break from the chairs to work on a few little projects. I'm so bad - I'm one of those quick results kind of people - meaning when I get started on a project, I want to finish it quick. I'm too impatient sometimes - I can't wait to get it finished, to see the end result of my work. I know, I know - patience is a virtue!! So anyway, I decided to take a break and work on something I've had on the back burner for awhile - something I could complete in a day and have on my mantle by late afternoon - hahah! I found an old candle holder at the flea market a while back and I was drawn to it because I liked the fleur-de-lis that circled the top. I think it was a dollar so I grabbed it up, bought it and took it home with me. Here it is in it's before state:
and here it is all finished and on my mantle!
Here is a close up of those sweet little fleur-de-lis. I painted the whole thing white and then went over it with a pale blue wash.
And.....looky looky what I found...
A wonderful old French postcard
Isn't she fabulous??!!
Enjoy your day everyone!!
xo,
Kathleen

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

What was I thinking??!!!


Well, first I must tell you that I have been on the hunt for chairs just like these for a long time. There seem to be plenty out there but none in my price range! Anyway, while out thrifting the other day, I came across these and they were $30!! They need some new upholstery but I thought, "Hey, how hard can this be?" Famous last words! Now I know why it costs so much to have chairs re-upholstered.
It's the taking apart of the fabric and the staples that's so time consuming.


These chairs also have lots of upholstery tacks to remove - all 6,000 of them!! Ha ha, just kidding. Probably not that many of them but it sure seems that way.


I finally got all of the tacks out of one of the chairs and now I'm removing the old leather fabric. I was thinking of painting them a creamy white color and then antiquing them a bit. I'll probably cover them with a natural colored linen. I was even thinking of possibly a monogram on the fabric that covers the chair back. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts/suggestions on colors and/or fabric. Thanks so much!!
Have a wonderful afternoon!
xo,
Kathleen

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday Reflections


"Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 46:10

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Keys To the Past

Look what I found!! I love old skeleton keys. Not only are they beautiful and decorative, but it's so fun to think about their past. What were they used for, where did they come from? Did they unlock the door to a really old home? Perhaps the dream home of a once newlywed couple. Or maybe it was a prized china cabinet filled with sentimental pieces from a favorite auntie. An antique armoire filled with fabulous linens? The possibilities are endless and as I place these old keys here and there, the imagination is free to run wild with thoughts of years past...
Enjoy your day!
xo,
Kathleen

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Sunday Reflections


Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12