LittleMissMaggie

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Fabulous Finds and Mod Podge Transfer Instructions

Sunday I went to my favorite flea market and I found some great finds including two vintage scales, but unfortunately I already took most of them to the shop and forgot to take pictures of them. I did, however, keep these to put on my website. No it's not ready yet, but it will be soon.

First of all, I found this adorable little toy telephone. I have never found one of these before and I researched the sold listings on Ebay. The pink phones seem to be more rare so I think I will do all right with this purchase. I think this predates my childhood because I don't remember these at all. No, I won't share which decade that was but it was a long time ago.

Notice no zip code after East Hampton, Connecticut, so we know it predates zip codes. I think this is so cute for a toy collector.

Now for my next favorite item (well, I was equally smitten with both of these) is this incredible seltzer bottle. It's etched and it's beautiful!

It just so happens we visited Dublin this summer so it is especially dear to my heart. I love the clover border and the etching is really detailed. I have not researched this manufacturer yet, but I think this was a wonderful find.

There are some wonderful details all over this bottle. Don't you agree?

I have gotten three emails so far asking me about the transfer method I used on my Paris Tea Cart so I have written out detailed instructions which I am including here. In the next couple of weeks I will do a photographic tutorial of this process. Time just didn't permit this week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mod Podge Transfer Method

Select an image and make a laser copy image. If you take your image to the Fed Ex or Kinko's or the like, they will resize your image and reverse it if you need them too. My Fed Ex store allows me to email the image to them and it is ready for pick up in a couple of hours. If you have text on your image, be sure to reverse the lettering (mirror image).

I prefer to do this on a painted surface. After I have painted and sanded my surface, I spray it with clear flat spray. That seals your paint or chalk paint and makes your surface ready for the transfer.

Now cut close to your image but not right on the lines. Coat with mod podge and place the image face down on your surface. Smooth out with your hands to try to get out any air bubbles. Now leave it overnight so it is thoroughly dry.

Come back the next day and take a saturated wash cloth and wet the paper. Massage the paper with your fingertips to start removing the paper, but be careful not to remove the image. Clean off the paper residue that has lifted and walk away. Leave your project to dry. Repeat this process another three or four times until you no longer see the white paper. Each time you will see more and more of your image revealed.

When you are happy with the results, take really fine sand paper (300) and just go over everything to knock of any little paper residue that is left behind. Be ever so gentle. Then clear coat it with your favorite finishing spray. Easy peasy.

My first project was my flower pots. It's an easy inexpensive test project to get the process down pat. To view the flower pot project click here.

Happy crafting everyone. Embrace your inner artist every day. We all have one residing in our souls. It's just waiting to express itself!

I'm partying at...

Mondays          Le Chateau des Fleurs       The Graphics Fairy
                                      Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays          Knick of Time       Coastal Charm
                                      Boogie Board Cottage    A Stroll Thru Life
                                     Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday
Wednesdays   Savvy Southern Style

Thursdays        The Shabby Creek Cottage    No Minimalist Here
                                     Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday
                                     Rustic Restorations Homespun Happenings
Fridays           French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                    Potpourri Friday   Common Ground
                                    The Charm of Home    Rooted in Thyme
Saturdays      Funky Junk Interiors

Sundays           My 1928 Charmer Sunday's Best

Monday, October 22, 2012

Paris Tea Cart

I told you Saturday that I was working on a reverse decoupage project and finally it is finished. I did not take a before pic of this piece, but I'll describe it as truly a Bombay Company tea cart. I'm sure you have a visual of it in your mind. It was very traditional, and, just to ally your fears, no, I did not take a fine antique and shabby it up.

I had my husband paint the cart with primer gray, and then I came back and repainted it with Annie Sloan Ochre. Then I took my mouse sander and gave it a harsh sanding. I was going for the faded worn vintage look so soft colors and worn paint were the order of the day.

I did the top and bottom with only very slight variations. I took different images I found on the internet and literally cut and taped them in layers so that I could go to the copy store and get one 11x17 laser copy image. I made one copy for the top and one for the bottom. Working with one sheet of paper made it easy.

If you want to try this, don't forget to reverse the image if letters are involved. I'll recap my images in case you like the ones I used. An Old rose image search on the internet yielded this beautiful cluster of roses. The Graphics Fairy yielded four of the post mark images, the bee and the postage stamp with the butterfly. Just put in post marks and you should be able to find these. The image in the bottom right is an image I found when I was searching for French perfume labels.

One of these days I will do a step by step tutorial of what each step entails because believe it or not each sheet of regular copy paper needs about five tries at dissolving the paper to reveal the image. After the image was revealed, I came back in with a scrolly-type stencil and tried to make my paint a gray green to blend with my faded image. When this was complete, I sprayed about three coats of Deft lacquer spray over the image to seal everything. You can find Deft at Home Depot. I like the Satin finish. I'm still learning about this process, but I love the end result and I hope you do to.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Falling for Summertime Chintz

A few months ago I did a tablescape with this china and told you how good it looks in the fall. We use this china for Thanksgiving and it always works out beautifully.

You can see how the deep tones in the china are complemented by the deep hues of autumn.

I used a pumpkin for my vase. I cut the top off and inserted a jar that fit inside and arranged the flowers in it. One word of caution though if you decide to try this. Once the pumpkin is cut into it fades rather rapidly so don't set it on anything that can be damaged. Best to set it on a plate or discard the pumpkin right after use.

Aren't these brown sunflowers incredible? and I like the pretty powder puff mums.

What will you do with your fall tablescape?

Thanks for your visits. I always look forward to them.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Shop Small Stores

I'm still working on projects to get posted so this is a sneak peak at a couple of things I'm working on. These poodles are going to be part of a bigger project and I'm not going to tell you what it is until I am done.

Then I am working on another reverse decoupage project and here are the results after three soakings and rub downs. No, I won't tell you what this project is either. You'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I wanted to include one of my very first posts as we approach the holiday season, and, sadly, it reflects my own feelings as a dealer in one of my favorite small stores, Aubergine Emporium, where I have decided it is time for me to move into a new chapter of my life. I will be leaving the shop in March. And on another note, Julie O'Keefe Home and Garden, the shop I speak of in this article is still in business and hopefully for a very long time. She closed her shop once and it was very sad. I hope to not lose her again. This subject is obviously very close to my heart.

As I rushed out this morning to water my patio plants before the strong Santa Ana winds pummeled them, I noticed a beautiful cement duck that I purchased years ago at a beautiful little store in La Canada. After the earthquake here in Northridge, I discovered this charming small store and purchased many things for our garden after we did all of our repairs. I still have everything I purchased from that beautiful store, and every time I spot one of those special small garden accents, it makes me smile.

After the garden was finished and I got busy with life (and became a dealer myself in retail stores) I quit frequenting that little shop. When my daughter decided to get married in our back yard about a year and a half ago, I wanted to go by the shop and see if I could find some new treasures. To my shock and dismay the store was closed. That's right. Closed! I am a relentless individual and when I set my mind to do something, it usually gets accomplished. After hours of Internets searching I found a link that linked me back to the owner. The name of the shop was Botanicals. Thankfully the owner of the store was still in business, but was doing monthly boutiques in her own garden and no longer had a store front. Finally she reopened in smaller quarters, but her store is just as beautiful as ever. I learned a valuable lesson. If we don't support the small stores, then all that will be left are the cookie cutter department stores and home decorating stores that have absolutely no individuality. Imagine that in a culture so set on everyone being so unique and special. Nothing will be unique and individual any longer.

Since I too sell in a small store, I hope that many people will adopt a new way of thinking and go back to shopping for unique, often one-of-a-kind things, especially at this time of year when we will all be purchasing hostess gifts and just thoughtful little pick me ups to take to our friends and family. By the way, the name of Julie's new store is Julie O'Keefe Home and Garden. She posts fabulous photos of her shop on Facebook. If you live anywhere near her shop, you really should drop by. It's a very happy place.

Since I don't have pictures of the front of her shop or the front of our shop for that matter, I wanted to post a couple of pics I took last spring when I visited up north at another small shop. For the life of me, I cannot find the card for this store, but it is in Pleasanton, California on the main shopping drag. The owners were so nice and allowed me to take photographs. These were two of my favorites. I confess I am a sucker for polka dots. I love what they did with their umbrellas. Too cute. The awning is to die for. Chippy and warn and so full of charm. I am working on a project right now to semi re-create this look for my own space at Aubergine Emporium. If I find the card or can get the name of this shop, I will certainly post it on my blog.

Chippy Painted Awning

Oo-la-la Umbrellas

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Sunflowers and Pheasants

I posted a very similar tablescape a few weeks ago, but I changed the charger plates out for the red ones and added some beautiful pheasant figurines from my garden.

I promised I would tell you the maker's mark on these beautiful fruit plates. I have had these plates for probably 30 years and they always hang on the family room wall next to the breakfast table. The mark on the back side of the plates says Edwardian Fine Bone China. Fruits of Eden, Series of Six by Tony Heritage. I only have four of the plates which I have shared with you. The colors of the fruit transfer are vivid and clear.

I love the deep jewel tones in the fruit. Very fall like.

Nothing is cheerier than a bouquet of beautiful flowers, and I especially love sunflowers.

Aren't these flowers luscious? They are so vibrant and colorful.

Fresh flowers can brighten anyone's day.

Thanks for taking a peak at these beauties.

I'm partying at...

Mondays          Le Chateau des Fleurs       The Graphics Fairy
                                      Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays          Knick of Time       Tutus and Tea Parties       Coastal Charm
                                      Boogie Board Cottage    A Stroll Thru Life
                                     Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday
Wednesdays   Savvy Southern Style         Ivy and Elephants
                                     Faded Charm Cottage       Fine Craft Guild
Thursdays        Embracing Change     The Shabby Creek Cottage    No Minimalist Here
                                     Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday    Fishtail Cottage
                                     Rustic Restorations Homespun Happenings
Fridays           French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                  At the Picket Fence     Potpourri Friday   Common Ground
                                    The Charm of Home    Decorating Insanity   Rooted in Thyme
Saturdays      Funky Junk Interiors

Sundays           My 1928 Charmer Sunday's Best

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Vintage Slide Projector Case

Today I wanted to share with you this awesome vintage slide carrier. I purchased this from a fellow dealer, and eventually it will be on my soon to be launched website. I have never seen one of these in all my years of being a dealer of vintage items.

On first glance, I thought it was a vintage overnight case, or train case as we called them when I was growing up.

But open the door, and, voila, there are three little drawers that pull out and you can store you slides. It is complete with a numbering system.

I usually don't get excited about things I find except when they are truly unique and I think this item is. It's also in remarkably good condition. Have you ever seen one? I haven't.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your day.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Fall Cloche

Here is my version of a fall cloche. I borrowed these little sculpted guys from my daughter. Isn't this one cute? He's resting on a squash to give him some height.

I love these little pipe cleaner pumpkin figures. They are adorable.

I found this fresh bittersweet on Ebay. I never knew you could get fresh bittersweet on Ebay until my friend Ms. Flibbertigibbet told me. I don't think it grows here in California. I just bought one pound which is what you see here.