gilding toleware sconces

Since I had the Rub N Buff out to lighten the dark hardware of the buffet I painted last weekend, I thought I would finally gold leaf the set of my Nana's Italian toleware sconces that used to be in her yellow kitchen.

 I placed some of my striped Anna candles in them. Looks so pretty, adds a feminine touch to the family room, decorating narrow walls on each side of a set of three large windows. Also compliments gold leaf frames on other walls in the same space. Had to peel off the segmented wax drips after seeing this shot. I might add some dark wax to add dimension and patina to the sconces. What do you think?

tweaking a gold sunburst

 I ordered a sunburst mirror from One Kings Lane for over our new upholstered bed. 

I liked it immediately out of the box and the size was perfect but there was a problem. The gold accents in the room were clashing. Not that everything has to be matchy matchy but the gold tone of the sunburst was green gold, the frames and mirror on a nearby wall were pink/ orangish gold, the pair of sconce reading lams on either side of the bed were shiny yellow brass. Too much. What to do?  My new hobby...paint it!  Annie Sloan chalk paint and Rub n Buff to the rescue.

I had Annie Sloan Country Grey left in the quart can after painting five different projects things with it so I got to work quickly, painting one heavy coat and then waxing with a lot of pressure to reveal some of the gold leaf underneath. The gold trim surround that was not painted, was rubbed with a combination of Rub N Buff Gold Leaf and Antique Gold, which were close to the color of the other frames in the room. 

 The colors look quite different here but all are pink toned.

I still am not thrilled with the shiny brass sconces on the same wall as the sunburst, may change those with the Rub N Buff too but they don't scream "fix me immediately" like the sunburst did. You can see them in the glare in the reflection of the mirror. What about your home? Are there any projects going on? I know I am a happier person when I am being creative and working with my hands!

envelopes to be envied

Aren't these pretty to make a gift or greeting extra special? Very simple to make with unused wallpaper, scrapbook paper, pages from old books, quality gift wrap and unused maps. We have several outdated road atlases that would be a great source. Just a few simple steps, using an envelope as a template.

Photos and tutorial from Design and Nonsense.

diy labels

Creature Comforts has fun free printable paper downloads for gift giving. I love this one for soap bars. Check out Marshall's and TJ Maxx for quality soaps, keep an eye out for my favorites and then print a pretty personalized label to make it special.

Directions for this project here and lots of other cute ideas here. Need to locate the source for the pretty wrapping paper....