I'm excited to announce that Chic Restorations will be taking part in the Lucketts Holiday Market...Hope to see you there....

DIY White Pumpkins

It's getting harder and harder to find real white pumpkins..and when you do find them the price is outrageous..The fake white pumpkins can be just as expensive..So whats a girl to do?? I have a bin full of old pumpkins..orange..green..you name it...so why not upstyle and recycle...

supply list..fake pumpkins(any color)  craft paint or chalk paint, paint brush,220 grit sandpaper..clear wax. I put at least 2 coats of paint on the pumpkin.the great thing about chalk paint is that it dries quickly..

Let the pumpkins dry between coats

after the pumpkins are dry.. lightly sand with 220 grit sandpaper

I am using ASCP so I am adding a thin coat of clear wax with a paper towel...you can also add a thin layer of dark wax for additional depth...

I use my DIY pumpkins throughout my house..i love mixing them with real,and velvet pumpkins..i think it adds depth to the vignette..These pumpkins are cost effective. you will have them for many years .Happy Painting...

A Fall Morning In My Garden

Fall is here and I must admit it is my favorite time of year...It's time for bonfires and blankets...sweaters and apple cider...a slight chill in the air and falling leaves.I enjoy walking through my garden in the fall,like clock work mother nature is hard at work.The hydrangeas are fading, the roses are having their last bloom and giving their nod to pansies and mums. The colors of fall are here and I love it...

Good Morning!!! And Happy Wednesday... I Hope You Are Off To A Wonderful Start...

Craft Quickie....

As an artist I have tons of paint brushes, paint pens, rulers, etc... so I am always in need of containers to hold everything..i love to repurpose items and have found( for several reasons) that tin cans  are the perfect solution..1. it is a way to recycle..2. i'm using supplies that I have on hand...3. they are custom... They are cute and rather inexpensive...

I start with a clean can..

 The Graphics Fairy is a great place to find labels of all kinds..just download and print..

you will need craft paint,mod podge, paint brush,sponge brush..if you use ASCP(which is what I use ) you will also need wax..

paint the can, and let dry

take your design and spread mod podge on the back with your sponge brush then place it on the can.. when you have it where you want it, take  your sponge brush and place a thin layer over the top to seal it.. let it dry(about an hour)

After it has dried, add a very thin layer of clear wax..(I use ASCP clear and dark wax)

And this is what you have..custom containers..which can be used in so many ways...

Decorating With white Pumpkins

It's that time of year... Fall... I have to Admit this is my favorite time of year..Halloween, Thanksgiving ,Christmas... I find a simple elegance in having white pumpkins in my dining room..Mixing them up,some real,a few velvet and even adding funkins from michaels..I paint them ASCP old white, then use 220 sandpaper to distress them.. 

A Much Needed Vacation

With doing 4 shows so far this year and some custom work for clients i was in need of a vacation. We decided on London, Paris and Normandy..It was wonderful to get away with my family to relax and reconnect..

 Our first stop was London. we spent a lovely evening strolling through Mayfair. Of all the window boxes and flower displays this one was my favorite..we had a wonderful time seeing the major sites and after a few days we were off to Paris..

 We spent a few days in Paris.. It is such a beautiful place, i was able to vist alot of my favorite shops, and the food was wonderful.. then we were off to Normandy,,

 A Day Spent in a french Kitchen... and lots of shopping ... but as always, it was wonderful to get home...