Back to (Vintage Button) Bracelets

After a long and cold Canadian winter, we are finally looking forward to Spring.

With so much snow and ice on the ground, I wouldn't be surprised if we pass Spring entirely and head straight into Summer.  I know, I know, wishful thinking....sigh...

The change in seasons always inspires me to dive right back into my designs and create my favourites as well as new ones.

I work with an amazing and dynamic lady named Shannon who has gorgeous long auburn coloured hair.  I just knew I had to create an antique brass vintage button bracelet for her!  I just love the comfortable feel of the bracelet and the sound the buttons make whenever you move your arm.  This bracelet is such a treasure that I know she will admire and wear for years to come:

Old Deck Gate - Great Curbside Find!

I have the biggest passion for curbside wood.
Usually, the wood I find is leftover from renovation projects.  Sometimes the wood is new, sometimes it is weather beaten.
Whatever the case, the price is right for me because it's free!
If the wood is damp from the morning dew, I will let it dry in the sun for a few days while deciding what I will do with it.
I pondered my latest find for at least a week before deciding how I was going to turn this weather beaten gate door into something amazing.
I wished I had taken before pictures to show you just how gray the wood was.  Oh, and not to mention the dried mud that had to be painstakingly removed.
I sanded down the wood, stained with Espresso stain, added some chicken wire and hung this masterpiece in my living room behind the couch.
This is a heavy piece and really adds depth to the living room.  Because I added chicken wire, I can change the decorative accessories whenever I like to give it a new appearance.  I can't wait to decorate this for the Christmas Holidays!

Book Page Wreath

I found some ideas similar to my latest project on Pinterest.
Since I have a tonne of books that are garage sale "left overs", I realized that I actually have use for them.
I made a wreath for my front entranceway out of pages that I tore out of a book, rolled into cone shapes and glued to a 10 inch round piece of cardboard.
Since I love the aged look, I used a misting bottle and sprayed brewed tea on the pages.
I added some adornments and finished the whole thing off with a sparkle spray paint.
Here is the finished look.  Love it!

Mantle Clock Makeover for 0.25 Cents!

Yes everyone, it's TRUE....
I revamped a tarnished little mantle clock for a mere 0.25 cents today!!!  

There are many clocks in my house, I suppose I have a "Clock Addiction".  I collect them and have a hard time turning down even the most beat up of clocks.  As long as it works and has a simple design, I've got to have it.  I even bought a big clock from the Thrift Store and hang it outside so I can keep my eye on the time while I am in the garden.

I have been on this whole Vintage and Shabby Chic thing for quite some time and can't help but look around the house for my next victim...bwahahahaha

Today, I decided that it was time to give the latest addition to my clock collection a little extra attention - the little brass clock.  Well, I think it was brass.  It had hues of silver in the metal, but I couldn't tell as the finish was pretty tarnished.

In order to achieve the finish I wanted on the clock, I used Modge Podge, tissue paper, acrylic paint (antique white and black) and a can of spray varnish (satin finish).
There was an old rectangular piece of green felt on the bottom of the clock to prevent scratching on furniture surfaces so and I pulled it off and replaced with a new piece of black felt.
The end result?  I LOOOOVVVVE IT!!!!!!!!

I will share some of the pics of what the poor clock went through today at The Maison d'Ava Spa...ooops, I mean Design Room...

                                                                 (Before)

                                           Drum Roll Please...  What a Makeover!

ReVamping a Cherry Cabinet Insert

Thanks so much to our wonderful and dear friend Mark.  He is always on the lookout for great curbside finds that can be turned around into something amazing.
Recently, Mark brought me a solid cherry cabinet insert that was lying by the side of the road and destined for the trash.  It was in excellent condition and had zero water damage.

I knew instantly that this wooden insert was destined for one of my fabulous makeovers.  Shabby Chic came to mind because of the gorgeous corners and edging.

I sanded down the insert and painted 2 coats of black, then 4 coats of light antique white before handpainting the lettering.  I let everything dry overnight before sanding down the edges to create a distressed look.
For the final touch, I sprayed a coat of satin varnish to seal the paint.
I was so pleased with the way this turned out once it was finished.
I have turned a great piece of wood into a fantastic Vintage Sign for our main bathroom...

Bentley Turned 9 Years Old!

Yesterday was our Golden Retriever Bentley's 9th Birthday!
Ava wanted to make a special cake to celebrate, so I went online and found a recipe to make a cake specifically for a dog to eat.
I set Ava up at her little table and chairs and she set to work.  This recipe was so easy, even a 5 year old could do it!
I cut a letter B out of a piece of cheese and set it on top.
Let's just say that Bentley made quick work of his piece!  He even licked up every little crumb off of the floor.

Here's the recipe we used (we added dried cranberries and blueberries for extra nutrition):

Homemade Doggy Birthday Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil 

• 1 cup shredded carrots 

• 1 tsp vanilla 
1/3 cup honey 

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white or whole wheat flour 

• 1 tsp baking soda 

• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• Dog biscuits for decoration
• Optional: Banana, more peanut butter, frankfurter hot dogs for ‘candles’ 

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
Mix together flour and baking soda and add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour all of it into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray, and leave in the oven for 40 minutes.
If you’re feeling brave, you can slice the cake into two layers and add more peanut butter and sliced or mushed bananas. Or simply go to the next step.
Frost the cake with low fat cottage cheese or cream cheese and decorate with dog biscuit treats. Stick in some halved Frankfurter hot dogs as ‘candles’. Store in refrigerator.

Monogrammed Initials

What a busy week around the house!
One of the reasons was due to the fact that we had 3 Birthday's to celebrate this week amongst our friends (or shall I say, Ava's friends!)...I didn't realize that February was such a popular month for Birthdays...I thought it was November (you know, the 9 months after Valentine's Day thing?).

I tapped into my creative mind and came up with the fantastic idea of making personalized gifts for each child.  I had a lot of fun with these and will continue to gift others with this simple and elegant Monogrammed Initial.  Who wouldn't want one?  These work great for Last Names too!