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Decorating

Some of my favorites…

I don’t know about you, but I’m a little freaked out that Thanksgiving just passed and Christmas is right around the corner and I’ll have to get used to writing a new year on my checks in just a few weeks.  Ack!  Yikes.  Deep breath. Aside from things sneaking up on me a bit, I had a great Thanksgiving with my husband’s family in Raleigh.  I also had the amazing opportunity to do two book signings, a milk paint demo and a milk paint workshop.  I had a lovely lunch with Kristen of Sophia’s Decor and  Shirley of Housepitality in between.  I enjoyed meeting several old friends like Brittany of Pretty Handy Girl and some new ones like Jessica of Simply a Farmer’s Wife and Pam (who is still working up the courage to press the publish button on her blog – do it!)  It was a long day, but I relished every

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November 26, 2012 No Comments
Decorating

Trickery | Vaseline Resist Technique

Well, I received another oh-crap-call from Lucketts on Saturday.  The Painted Empire dresser sold the day after I brought it in.   I guess I wasn’t the only one in love with that finish!  Here’s how I did it… I’ve heard about using Vaseline (petroleum jelly) as a paint resist for a while, but I never tried it.  On this empire dresser, I pictured layers of blue and wanted to have clear definition between the two colors.  This seemed like a good piece to test it out on.  I painted the first coat of paint in Flow Blue with the bonding agent added to all of the paint except for what I used on the drawers (I wanted some selective chippiness.)  I then rubbed some Vaseline over the edges of the piece and around some of the key holes and other random spots.   I don’t think there’s a specific

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November 20, 2012 2 Comments
Painted Signs

Making an “Antique” Sign

 I must apologize!  I posted a teaser about this sign I made for Cottages & Bungalows and said I would post the tutorial after the issue was off newsstands.  Well…that was in August, so I think it’s safe to say that those issues have been pulled.  So, at long last, here it is… What you’ll need: 12” wide pine board cut to desired length Acrylic craft paint (at least three colors) 2 ½” sash brush 1” artist brush, 1.0 liner brush, ½” angled shader Computer Printer and printer paper Scissors Tape Graphite transfer paper Ballpoint pen 80 grit sand paper Dark brown soft furniture wax Round brush or cotton cloth Clean cotton cloth Drill with driver bits Tape measure or ruler 2 D-ring hangers Hammer and nails   How to do it: Cut a piece of 12” wide pine board to desired length or use a piece of scrap lumber. 

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November 15, 2012 11 Comments
Antiques

new kitchen rug

 I love it when I find the perfect thing after I’ve been hunting for it for weeks (sometimes months or years.)  Actually, it’s sweet when I find the perfect thing right away, but I do need to practice my patience, so this was a good opportunity to do that.  Anyway, I was shopping for basic staples at Target and, as those of you who love Target know, it’s difficult to leave Target with just the basic staples.  I always wander into the home section just to check things out.  I may be shopping for bananas and I know bananas aren’t with the lamps, but I can’t help myself.   While looking around the kitchen section, I found this great green & white rug.  It was exactly the kind of rug I’ve been looking for to use on my new white Carrara-ish kitchen tiles.  The rugs I had in my kitchen

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November 11, 2012 1 Comment
Furniture Makeovers

Stripping Upholstery

I finished upholstering one of the pink French chairs today.  Woohoo!  I even put a zipper on the cushion cover, so it’s legit.  With over twelve years of sewing under my belt, this is the first zipper I have ever done!  I don’t know why I’ve been so scared of zippers…ZIPPERS, people.  Really?!  I was determined to not be spooked by something as humble as a zipper.  I dissected the old cover and figured it out and the zipper works like a champ.  It’s the little victories.  Anyway, let’s get to stripping the chair. The upholstery was in perfect condition , but it was pink.  Nothing against pink, but it didn’t work in my house.   When shopping last week, I found this amazing fabric at Hobby Lobby…   It has all of the colors in my family room, so I bought eight yards for these chairs and some pillows. When I

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November 8, 2012 2 Comments
Running a Business

Today is THE day!

Today is a big day!  Not only is it election day here in the US, which affects a lot of people, but it’s a big day for me personally.  Today is the official release date of my book, Inspired You.  The book has actually been available for a couple of weeks, but now it’s widely available and the e-book is now available. The enhanced e-book will also be available soon through Apple.  The enhanced e-book is more than just the book in an electronic format.  There is a video for each chapter that shares additional tips and ideas.  I think Thomas Nelson also shows more of the pictures I submitted as well.  (I turned in over 500 and I think there are about 250 in the final copy of the book.)   To give you an idea what the videos will be like, here is the Chapter 1 video – How to

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November 7, 2012 No Comments
Antiques

stuff I bought & dorking out

This is a dangerous profession.  Well, not dangerous like Alaskan crab fishing or building skyscrapers, but dangerous for someone who loves antiques and is surrounded by beautiful ones regularly.  I do sell most of the things I buy, but there are some pieces I have to keep.  I have rules for myself, though.  I have to have a perfect place for it and I have to sell other things in order to keep something.  That way, I’m always making money (or breaking even) and I have the chance to “trade up.”  (And I don’t have storage units full of French chairs that are discovered when I shuffle off.) Anyway, I’ve been having a hard time finding the perfect display piece for my space.  I’ve been borrowing one from Suzanne for a few weeks, but I really needed to find something permanent.  My neighbor vendor brought in this piece on Thursday and

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November 5, 2012 No Comments
buying & selling antiques

my first book signing…

  It was wonderful.   It was a little chilly, but I brought an antique wool “car robe” I bought at a yard sale for $8.00 years ago.  It’s pretty toasty.     So many wonderful ladies came to visit and buy the book or bring a book for me to sign.         Thanks to all who came to hang out today and for all who left sweet comments on my post yesterday.  Made me feel like a million bucks. My husband came around lunch time to bring me some food and help out.  He was so sweet.  I was a little awkward with the self-promoting thing and just sat behind the table and smiled at people who were shopping in the tent.  When he came in, he started propping my book up around the tent. “People need to see them.  We should put up a banner

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November 3, 2012 No Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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