Table Facelift

 

I remember the year I bought this pretty little table.  My Aunt Sharon was visiting and we went shopping at an antique mall in Nebraska.  So, yeah, it's been around for awhile.  Haven't lived in Nebraska since 2002.  Here are a couple before pictures.  You can see there was some damage to the finish on the top, but it's a sturdy little table.

 

 

 

I loved the carved rose and the frilly handle on this table, but I always wanted to do something different with the finish...repaint, restain.  Anyways, I finally decided to paint it.  I had some left over Sherwin Williams To Go paint in the perfect color. 

After a light sanding, I applied two coats of paint. 
 

 

For the highlights, I added a whitewash in white chalk paint to the grooves and the carved flower.  After a good drying time, I applied a wax and buffed.  Using a glossy white spray paint, I applied several coats of paint on the handle.  I've been debating on whether to apply a polycrylic topcoat.  It has turned out way better than my expectations!

 

 

 

 

New Zendoodle Animals

I started these last year and, finally, finished them up.  The lamb, duck, and rabbit are part of a nursery series.  The bunny I did a few years ago.  I think they make a really sweet set.

...and, of course, one of my favorites...the cat!

Pen and Ink

My Zendoodle drawings are beginning to take on lives of their own! 

I've decided to start offering these little creations in my Etsy Shop as digital download files that one can print on their own printer at home or in a lab.  My Baby Shower Book is now available.  All letters of the alphabet incorporated into pages that can be printed and handed out at the shower for friends and family to complete and return to the expecting mom giving her cherished words of wisdom and advice and also creating a little picture book for baby as he/she grows.  Pages can be collected into an 8x8 or 12x12 photo album.  I've also included a cover page.  I'm trying to find a cost-effective way to have the pages bound as a book that can be passed around at the shower.  Any ideas, I'm all ears!

I've begun work on shower invitations and printable artwork as well.

 www.AimeesShoppe.Etsy.com

Mandala Zendoodle

While waiting to hear about our big move, I spent a little time Zendoodling!  I wish I had more time for drawing, but I always have too many projects going.  And, there's just not enough time for everything.  I'm spending lots of time cleaning, repairing, sorting, and what I call purging.  It's very satisfying, but I'd rather be doing this...

 

 

Had fun creating this mandala zendoodle for my craft room.  I drew the pattern on 12x12 vellum paper and outlined with a permanent marker.  On the backside of the vellum, I used watercolor markers to add color blending them to create shadow and depth.  I placed a piece of white cardstock behind it when framing, but am curious how it would look just with the vellum framed allowing the wall color to show through.  Think I'll give it a try.

 

 



Eagles Along the Mississippi

We haven't been able to make it out to see the eagles in a few years.  The day started out gray and dreary, but as noon approached, blue sky was beginning to appear.  I was so glad we waited until afternoon to go.  We drove up along the Great River route through Alton.  Along that road, we saw four eagles, one close enough to photograph.  The last one, we spotted down near the conservation area.  He was a bit skittish and every time we or someone else would approach the tree he was in, he'd take off to the next one.  We circled around and tried to find the Trumpeter Swans, which were a bit too far away to see clearly.  When we came back to where the eagle was, he decided to fly back in toward his original perch and that's when I caught him overhead at a full wingspan. 

Revisiting Joy Dare

I've decided to recommit to finishing my Joy Dare...counting one thousand gifts.  Being thankful sets you on a whole different course and I've missed my moments this past year.  It's important to remember to Whom we are thankful for all the blessings, big and small, in our lives.  It all started when my MIL gave me the book, One Thousand Gifts.  After reading this gift, I felt a shift in my life.  It came at a really dark time, but counting my gifts brought a beautiful light.

 

JOY DARE

 

282.  Diamonds
283.  Cozy PJs
284.  Christmas lights

285.  Reconnecting with family
286.  Gift of pearls
287.  Ornaments on a tree

288.  Yarn slipping through my fingers
289.  Kitties eyes peaking from inside the Christmas tree

290.  Rare snuggles from Frosty
291.  Marshmallow santas
292.  Chinese dinner
293.  The gift of a Savior born long ago

294.  The joy of Christmas
295.  The joy felt in giving something special
296.  New blue walls
297.  Handmade soft afghans

298.  Time with my kids
299.  A chance to still be "mom"
300.  Scent of Christmas cookies baking

301. The beginning of a new adventure
302.  Sunshine streaming through a window
303.  Sapphie hiding in a basket