I've Been Bit by the Graphics Fairy ...

and now I'm hooked !!  I know many of you are familiar with the Graphics Fairy blog, but I just recently started following along.  I couldn't resist the temptation after seeing so many amazing projects that have resulted from such cool images !!

I spotted this graphic and knew it was the one:

My stools have gone from this:

to THIS!

Whaddaya think?

Here's how I did it ... First, I painted my stools Old White (chalk paint).  I then lightly distressed them and added wax to both (except for the tops).

I then printed my selected image, got my pencil out and performed the ever-so-technical pencil transfer (turn the paper over, go over the back of the paper with pencil, turn the paper back over and tape to surface where you want to transfer ... then, with a pencil, trace over the letters/image carefully.  When you're done, lift the paper and you will see a penciled image for you to then trace/color over with your paint pen or brush).  Then, I used one of my paint markers to fill them in.  After the paint was dry, I lightly sanded over the tops to "age" the images just a tad.  I finished up by adding a coat of wax to the tops.  Easy peasy!

Love them popping against the chateaux grey island.



Thank you, Graphics Fairy ... you rock!  And, I'm afraid that my love affair has just begun!

And, as an aside, thank you all so very much for your endearing and comforting comments about Mrs. Farleigh.  She truly was an amazing woman, and I know her family appreciates having read your thoughtful notes, as well ... thank you so, so much.

Be sure and visit these fun parties:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
Graphics Fairy/Brag Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Southern Savvy Style/WUW
Delightful Order/Delightfully Inspiring
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday

As always, thanks for stopping by,



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When Creative Juices Flow- Splash of Color

Colors, colors  and colors that's what keeping me busy all these days and bit tied up with household chores and naughty kiddy.

Friends I've added few colors to my garden...actually this was in my mind for quite long time now and finally did it. 

I painted planters in different colours and added floral motif to break the monotony. I am thinking to paint some more pots (or may be all of them) with different shades and motifs. Lot more to do but for now what I've done ...I just want to show u all my dear friends.

Thats not all I also painted few plastic containers ......and I have few ideas how I gonna use them and sure I'll let u know.....till then have a look. I used enamel paintas a base coat and for details and motifs acrylic paint and varnish as a top coat.

This orange one is a terracota pot .....work on progress.......

The blue one is completed and this is how it looks it will going to serve as a planter.

All these from my side what you are upto friends..... let me know !!

Happy weekend and stay creative my friends!!

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Goodbye to a Phenomenal Woman

Yesterday, my family lost a woman who was like a Mom to me for many years.  She fought a brave battle against cancer and is now finally at peace.  Her daughter, Ashley, and I were best buds for years (in fact, Ashley and I set up my sister and her brother, who eventually married and have three beautiful children).

She passed away much too young.

She was one of the classiest, kindest, most loving and well-respected women.

She had the most sincere and infectious laugh.

She loved unconditionally.

She had the most genuine smile.

She was there for so many pivotal moments in my life.

She was a true Matriarch of a wonderful family, which includes four awesome children, two beautiful daughters-in-law and nine dynamic grandkids.

She was a fabulous cook who loved to entertain ... her 7-layer dip becoming my favorite appetizer to serve.

She loved to hear Ashley and I recall our crazy high school and college adventures.

She loved the holidays and would decorate their stunning home to the nines!

She was always dressed beautfully.  In fact, in the 25+ years I've known her, I don't think I ever saw her in a t-shirt or without makeup! 

She wore her gorgeous "baubles" all the time, even when sitting on the beach, covered in sand.

She and her husband were married over 40 years and did almost EVERYthing together.

She loved their trips to Pigeon Forge in the Fall.

She loved to have movie nights at home with her husband and whoever wanted to join them.

She always offered sound and comforting advice when listening to my "young love" drama.

She made their kitchen table a favorite spot for anyone to sit and chat for hours.

She nurtured an incredible mother/daughter bond with Ashley ... they were best friends.

She should still be here.

*   *   *

Please, if you don't mind, say a prayer for the Farleigh family, who is going to need support starting this next chapter in their lives without their wife, mother, grandmom, mentor and best friend. 

I love you, Mrs. Farleigh ... you will be sorely missed, but forever in our hearts.

Becca

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When Doves Cry ...

Yes, after overdosing on chalk paint around my home, my other fave (BM White Dove) was longing to be used again.  So, I finally did something that I've wanted to do for a LONG, long time! 

Our kitchen sits in the middle of our home, not getting direct sunlight.  And, while I love our maple cabinets, it just seemed a bit dull in there.  Weeel, not anymore!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I lightly sanded (220 grit), primed with Zinsser BIN and applied two coats of White Dove (Satin Impervo).

I'm leaving the base cabs in their original state, so that we still have the warmth of the maple.

And, because you all know by now that I love odd numbers, I'm pleased that I now have three different cabinet colors going on in the kitchen ... the white uppers, maple lowers and Annie Sloan chateaux grey island!

If you've ever thought about painting your cabs (whether they're in great condition or in need of a facelift), go for it!  I know it can be considered a daunting project, but you'll love the results!

One more time ... BEFORE:

Annnnd, AFTER:

And, admittedly, while I love how the white cabinets now tie in with the molding, I am *thinking* about lightly distressing (just along the lines of the panels) and possibly glazing them just a smidge ... giving them more of a custom look.

We'll see ...

Come play at these fun linky parties:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday

BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
No Minimalist Here/Open House Thursday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday

 

Thanks for visiting!

Becca

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*Moooo*cho Bene!

What a great weekend(!) ... my son and I joined my husband for a business trip back to our old stomping grounds in Northern Virginia, where we once lived before my husband retired from the Marine Corps ... beautiful area, except for the traffic!  We miss our friends dearly who still live there and were happy to see a few who we haven't seen in years ... what a blast we all had!  The screams and laughter from our kiddos playing was a riot ... Jax loves his new buds!

While there, I also got to go to IKEA ... yippee!  I.love.that.store!  I'd go there quite a bit when we lived in NoVA.  Their prices are more than reasonable, and they have such fun and unique goodies.  A few things managed to come home with me (imagine that) ... the best being a cowhide rug!  You may remember that I've been looking for one for awhile now to add to our dining room. 

Well, the wait is *ova* ... meet "Elsie" (as affectionately named by my husband).  Elsie needs a larger sisal rug underneath of her, but that's not a priority right now:

Love her shades of caramel and cream:

And, how she ties in with the tops of the table and buffet.  Annnnd, yes (*hangs head low*) ... I changed out my pillows:
 

Hope she enjoys it here!

Still looking for the perfect *bling bling* chandelier!

******

As an aside ... what fun it was to go back to DC as a tourist.  I worked there for six years and, while I did NOT enjoy the commute, it was pretty neat working at our nation's capital.  One of the law firms where I worked was right across the street from the White House ... talk about an incredible view!  Here's another amazing view ... amazingly *scary,* that is!  Jax and I are about to become a dino snack!  LOL

Hmmm ... think Santa might leave one of these baubles for me under the Christmas tree this year?  Um, yeah, I highly doubt it, too!

Looking forward to a tour of the White House next time we travel that way!

I'll share my other little IKEA goodies next time ... thanks for stopping by!

Becca 

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Blessed...

I feel extremely blessed when 'art' in any form comes home. Whether it is a a small woven basket picked up from a craft fair or a huge Tanjore painting brought home from one of our various travels.

This week began with me experiencing that feeling not once but twice!

All of you must be familiar with the super-talented blogger of the famous Artnlight ~ Vineeta Nair. I have been a longtime follower of her blog, from the time of it's inception to the time it started showcasing Vineeta's new venture of decoupaged line of products, each piece so unique in it's design.

I had been eyeing this box for a while and finally placed an order for it and here it is!

The attention to detail is amazing...

A piece of art from Artnlight that I am going to treasure for a long time to come. Thanks Vineeta.

Remember this post on Aarohi Singh's exhibition? That was way back in November last year. I had bought a gorgeous 'Goddess Saraswati ' Thali from her and decided to pick it up from her after the exhibition.

Days led to weeks, weeks into months. The busy individuals after planning and re-planning finally met in the middle of the day over hot khullads of chai for some stimulating creative conversation:-)

I welcomed the Goddess to our home...

...offered her some frangipanis from our garden.

Thanks Aarohi.

You ladies completely made my day!

(images by Arch)

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Thank You, BHG.com !!

Just sharing a little fun news ... I was truly thrilled and flattered when the folks at BHG.com contacted me to see if they could include my Fall mantel from last year as part of their 2011 Fall Mantel Inspiration Ideas slideshow!  Of course, I said "YES!"  I loved seeing our little ol' mantel included:

The excerpt from BHG.com read:

"A combination of real and faux foliage looks beautiful on a fall mantel. Becca Bertotti (adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com) created her flower arrangements by tucking real and fake branches into a vase adding pheasant feathers and burlap in the base. To create the garland, Becca strung various size and color wood craft beads onto wire and hung the string at various heights. A few tucked-in lights add glow."

The entire slideshow may be found here.  I loved seeing a few of my blogging buddies' mantels included, as well ... I know you will, too!

Can you believe we'll all be decking out our mantels for the holidays before we know it?  Yippee!  (Ummm, is that wrong that I'm already looking forward to it?)

Have a fabulous weekend ... stay cool!

Becca

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