Christmas Mantle --Silent Night and Tablescape

The stockings are hung, the cookies are made, the cocoa has been tasted, and the eggnog (with a bit of Southern Bourbon) is awaiting.  The presents...well, Santa is working tomorrow.  Thanks Mom!   New traditions started with little one--gingerbread house, reindeer food, teaching of the meaning of advent and calender.  Introducing her to the annual cookie baking with Grandma.  Its a year of starts for our little family.

I showed a touch of my Holiday Home already but didn't show the main item in my living room.  A peek at my mantle which has been waiting patiently while I finished making my first handmade sign.  Check. Done--just in time for Christmas.  

As you can tell my mantle and fireplace are large, overly large--it definitely a challenge for my tiny living room.  Not including its a west facing room.

I love seeing all the signs and subway art but my artsyness told me I had to try it first.  My Dad was the one who told me Lowe's had plywood pieces in the lumber area already cut to certain sizes. Easy and inexpensive. I did sand the entire piece first.  The paint is Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old white, then I did a white wash with several layers of clear wax. I actually used the dark wax and aged the piece that way giving it a lot of old world up close. The letters I hand painted with some Golden acrylic paints--Paynes Gray and Black with the word Bright accented with  Aquamarine blue.  One the paint cures, I will add another clear wax to seal it all.
On a side note--patience is needed if you are handpainting the letters.  I admit there were some under the breath commentary going on the craft room amidst the Christmas music!

The natural woodland theme continues in my tablescape.

 

The canvas tag was hand stamped along with the Initial tag.  The crochet flower favor was handmade by my Mom. 

 

 My centerpiece is a bit of natural, sparkle, and romance.

 The deer plates and charger are from Pottery Barn.  I found the faux mercury glass ornaments and pinecones at a local dealer. 

 

 My sweet upcycled bird (was a horrible brown red before) --Annie Sloan chalk paint, clear wax and distressing.  I used one of my Dad's old flannel shirts for his little scarf. 

 

My sweet old gal, Cookie, supervising ---

That's all folks..Mrs Billet's White Cake is being made for Christmas Day, then I'm done till New Years Day dinner.  Merry Christmas --and may we enjoy the reason for the Season.

May the families and community find peace in Connecticut. 

Sharing:
French Country Cottage
Faded Charm
Jennifer Rizzo
Cottage Magpie

Pretty for a Princess

First Happy Happy Birthday my sweet girl.  I can not believe you came into my life 5 years ago today!  Smmooooches my love.  Ready for your Pink Fairy Princess party :)

 

This little table has been in my life since we moved into my parents house on Barclay St.  Mom says it was there when we moved in.  Puts her at least 44 yrs old.  Simple, made for a time when beds were low to the ground.  Dove tail meters and a gorgeous wood grain.  My Dad stripped her 5yrs ago thinking we were going with medium to dark wood for her room as it had about 500 coats of white latex paint on it--nooo I fell in love with a French White set.  Who was going to tell Dad? Nope, antique dresser scarf has been hiding her.  Time for her to revel in her simplicity and beauty.

 

This little table has traveled with me since graduation and up and down the Eastern seaboard.   

She now resides in sweet girls room transformed with an undercoat of leftover Sherwin Williams Fleur De Sel, then Annie Sloan Paris Gray, distressed a tiny bit, buffed with clear wax and a very little of Dark Wax. 

 

 Pretty but it needed more.

 

Transformed for our Pink girl with a stencil from the Martha Stewart line.  I tinted Martha Stewart white texture medium with Annie Sloan Antoinette, let it dry a few days since its was humid here.  Then highlighted with a bit of Old Ochre, a few craft paints similar to grey, and cream, then using a artist brush tipped some Dark Wax for a slight aging.

 

I am so excited on how this came out! First try and that medium is fun.

 

Till next time, Kris

 

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