Child Health Day

Today is Child Health Day. October 1. 
Even though we bring awareness to this day in more recent trends with trying to eat healthier, it has been an ageless tradition.  Only did we become so spoiled when we became the "drive through" society.  But I'm so glad that McDonalds and other chains have added a few more healthy choices!

Here's a few nostalgic pictures to see how far we've come!  Hope you enjoy.

 

1950

 1920

 1900

 

Vintage Kitchen

I just love the look of vintage items and how people use them in their decor.
I came across this picture on Pinterest and just love the red and white decor in this tiny kitchen.

I just love the red and white, the checkered rug and the cherries sign. I especially love the shelf surround to give more space.

I started collecting bits of red to put in my kitchen. I think it really adds a great color pop regardless of what type of kitchen or what color the kitchen is.

This is some vintage pieces I have found and grouped on top of my frig.

As you can see, my kitchen is painted a turquiose blue and the red works. I also have a small collection of roosters and gnomes on top of my cabinets.

It's a bit of unexpected whimsy. I loved painting the vintage gnome greenware a good friend of mine had. That way I got to paint them the colors I wanted to match my kitchen!

Lastly I used a chandelier I found at an antique shop.  Not so much that it was an antique but because of the wood and black iron just really gave me a warm feeling.  I added a small black bird I found and I'm looking for little red checkered shades to finish the look.

I'd love to see pics of your vintage finds and how you incorporated them into your kitchen!

Vintage Halloween

Was searching for vintage Halloween images and thought I'd share with you.
graphicsfiary.blogspot.com carries so many wonderful images you will need to check it out!

Here are some others to use for your holiday party invites...

 

Then what would Halloween be without the Great Pumpkin?

Enjoy and remember to stay safe!

New Passion for Oil Painting

I've been taking oil painting classes since January and I've learned a lot. Mostly not to be afraid to try!  I'm amazed at the method I have been taught and found to have fast results. Still a long way to learn and perfect but quite pleased with the beginnings!  At least I'm not longer afraid to take that first brush stroke!

The method was taught to me by Dominic Vignola www.oilpaintingwithoutdrawing  He is a very good teacher and has a method of tonal painting that is incredible.  Check out his site for a complete explanation of the method.

I am going to play around with the technique and develope my style and hopefully create lovely paintings for others!

Here are some of my paintings..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Painted Furniture

These are my recent creations.

White spindly table with drawer and shelves, handpainted roses on this cute little child's chair, great old chair repurposed into a Welcome floral piece, Great little painted garden cart with wooden wheels and painted on top with "Bloom where you are Planted" and garden tools to boot, a very cute little iron shaped bunny pot holder and lastly a great wooden desk with bench.

This is a cute little kids shelf. I used an old Math book and found some great pages to apply to the shelf for the vintage look and a few ABC 124 blocks finish off the look.

I also did this to another shelf using an old music book from the 30's. Very cute for a music room or above a piano...

I used the same music sheets to add some pizazz to a few pieces below. Two old glass jewelry boxes get a music note, and two very cute little silver rounds get an update.

Lastly, I took the music theme to three silver trays I had. I added the music around the edges and to the center of the pieces.  I have to find a pic of a vintage angel to complete one of them that has the words to "Angels Watching Over Me".