Thrift Store Porch Light Faux Patina RE- Finish

I love an easy makeover and  this is an easy one you are gonna love. Plus, once you get the idea behind creating the faux copper patina you'll have it in your toolbox for a lifetime. And if you are anything like me and copper, well, let's just say there is a lot of copper patina around this house.

Here's the original beat up fixture.

On one of my thrifting excursions, I picked up this exterior light fixture for $7.99

When I saw this exterior light I knew exactly it had to be upcycled in copper with a faux patina. I've created this finish before and it always holds it's color and to me, it's exciting to see an aged piece. The brick on our house has a pinkish hue and copper ties into it nicely.

Let me take you through the simple process of this finish. Unfortunately we'll need to use a few other photos since I only took pics before and after.

I start with a common craft paint , in this instance the Folk Art brand metallic finish copper. Don't be surprised, it lasts. And I never spray an exterior finish. 

Once I have several coats that have dried, I apply a wash of black paint and then I spritz water over the top to get the look of dripping water. This wash needs to be dabbed at to remove the excess and you need to make sure there isn't too much black wash as to take away from the copper. It's a little bit of a balance and you can test this out on something else before you use it on a finished piece. The wash is very forgiving and it's not the last step, so keep at it and believe in the next step.

The next step, is the turquoise craft paint for the patina. Again, creating a wash and going over the top applying the watery mix with your brush, and spritzing it to create the look of dripping water .  Dab dab dab until you have a look you like. To complete the look , take a paintbrush dipped in the turquoise wash and speckle the piece in a few areas to create the pitting in the patina.

That's all for now folks. I hope you enjoyed this upcycle.

With love and gratitude

Michele

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Upcycled Ceramic Pumpkin

It started with a $1.99 grey ceramic pumpkin from a thrift store. Yes, ugly grey! It's actually much  larger than it appears in the photos. It's 7 " tall. 

I have upcycled a lot of ceramic pieces with chalk paint and I did the same here. I had some from my stash when I repped a line of chalk paint a few years back. 

So a nice coat of chalk paint .

Then a fall style napkin from Dollar Tree was decoupaged to the painted pumpkin.  The best way to do this is to remove all the layers of napkin from the printed top sheet of napkin.  Cut strips and apply with Mod Podge . Cover the entire pumpkin.

Next, I used my finger to add a highlight of gold paint to the ridges.

Glitter and done. 

Thanks for popping in for a spell.

With love and gratitude

Michele

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Garden Sign Made with Grapevine

I have had this piece of scrap wood in my stash for some time and I was thinking , for some time , that it would make a cute sign. So I painted it pink.  Ok, you know me , I jumped into my project and forgot to take a photo of it before I painted it, so I need you to use your imagination.

Now, take a look at this bucket of grapevine twigs. I had these aside to create some sort of fire starters but alas they are needed for my sign. Things have a way of working out around here.

To start , I chalked my design onto the wood.

I left my twigs outside in the rain to get them pliable for installation.

Using a nail gun I  attach my grapevine twigs.

Don't forget to wipe of the chalk with a brush and some water.

I'm not sure where this will be hung in the yard but it is currently on this post until I find it's home.

Thanks for popping in. 

With love and gratitude

Michele

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Strawberry Season Décor - Much Thrifted

I was rereading an old, treasured Vintage Flea Market magazine when I came across a spread that was red and turquoise and filled with vintage strawberry signs and tablecloths and glassware and so much more. There was something so happy about the whole strawberry focused display .

And then I had a memory, of a favorite time strawberry picking with my family. My mom started a big strawberry fight, she was always a little crazy but always fun. What a ridiculous mess we all were by the end with crushed strawberries all over our clothes and face and hair. Clearly , I never forgot that day and how crazy my mom could be.

Anyway, I decided, this year,  I needed to celebrate strawberry season with some fun home decor. I was going to honor that strawberry picking fight.

I began hunting for goodies in thrift stores.

The first thing I found was this sweet little dish. I thought it would add some red color and be a great display piece. The only problem was it became chipped in my travels. So I decided to use some air dry  clay to create my own strawberry and mold it around the chip . I let it dry two days,  then painted it red and used a diamond glaze to make it glossy. You know I'm thinking now what a great way save a treasured piece. I need to use this air dry clay to save more  cherished pieces in the future.

Next, I found this clear glass . I think it was from those old citronella candles. Anyway, paint , dots....... STRAWBERRY.

I caught some really pretty hand sewn strawberries on Pinterest and decided I could make a few of them. I used old shabby chic style quilted shams  and polka dot print to create these adorable strawberries.  For the strawberry , I used a pattern from A Wonderful Thought. However , her leaf pattern seemed to tedious for me, I needed something quick and easy and decide to draw my own strawberry top. These can be hot glued to the top or hand sewn on.

These are easy to make with the sewing machine. 

 I even hand painted dots and the fabric to make a few.

Oh yes, look at that glass bottle. Painted. Dots. Strawberry season

I used sticky foam letters from Dollar Tree to make this sign. Spelled out what I wanted and painted them in the color I wanted. 

Look at this ceramic strawberry container filled with my strawberries.

Now, let's jump back to the beginning and the turquoise and red magazine spread. Well, I found new in my stash, this turquoise check dish towel and added a strawberry. I just drew a strawberry and created a pattern and I drew a pattern for a top.  I love contrasting fabrics and I embroidered this , to the towel, around the edges.

Oh and did I mention? I found this at the thrift store too. 

On one of the tables, I laid out a red and white quilt that seemed to fit  right in. Thrifted too.

Yes, thrifted. Oh this strawberry season is coming together.

Thrifted but in my stash. YESSS.

I'm slightly Lady Gaga for this one . You know I mean gaga.

 I found a printable image on Pinterest and printed it out on paper and wrapped this big tall candle. And, the same day I went to my neighbors house and she had this bow on her table. (Of course, I said what are you doing with that bow? ) She knows. 

Do you want it? 

Yes!!!

Here is the image from Pinterest. I did not find it linked to anyone or a copy right but I figure if it was just for myself I could print it.

Did a red wash of paint on this white frame .

My mother in law gifted me these strawberry theme spatulas.

And I found , at a thrift store , this strawberry ceramic jar that I imagine is for jam, mostly because that's what I plan to use it for. It's all coming together. Don't you just want to have tea and scones and strawberry jam?

I think I'll be celebrating strawberry season every year. 

Enjoy those berries.

With love and gratitude,

Michele

Find me partying here all week, at these link parties, with some great bloggers.

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