The Gold Rush Holiday

Not too long ago I posted pictures of some vintage thrift store finds. Among them was a large pedestal tray I wanted to give to a collector.  Well, it turns out they collect silver and pewter, not gold leaf. I kept it for myself knowing the holidays were coming and I'd certainly come up with a use for it. At the same time I had bought a set of five black candle holders I knew I couldn't pass up. 

Vintage gold leaf plate stand and black candle holders. Part of my "Junking" finds.

A couple of years ago in one of my thrift store quests, I saw a mirror with a tin raised fleur-de-lis motif. I immediately knew it was coming home with me. Don't show me anything vintage french 'cause I'll find a way to get it!  It definitely needed some TLC. I had been using it like it was for awhile though and knew that "someday", it would get more love.

Mirror and wall, before.

 I also posted a blog on my "red" finds for the holidays. I knew something was going to come out of this mix. Gold and red and holidays?! I put it all together and it spells "Gold Rush Holiday". I had some fun doing it too!

Dollar store trimmings.

 To create a simple and thrifty centerpiece, I used gold and red trinkets from the dollar store. I just arranged them on the gold leaf plate and voila!, instant holiday centerpiece.

These Holiday plates found on sale at Homegoods, are a welcome addition to my plate collection

Love the butterfly....

The mirror was another story. I wanted to gold leaf that also. First I painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in "Old White".

Gold leaf  kit from a craft store.

Gold leafing the borders.

   Then I gold leafed the edges and motif. The burnishing solution I used came with the kit and used for distressing.

I needed sunglasses after gold leafing the mirror!

 It was too gold looking so I white washed with ASCP in "Old White". I added a little blue to outline the motif.

The gold was toned down a bit.

 I painted the candle holders first in gold, then used ASCP over it. After sanding, I then used paste wax over it.

I decided to paint over the candlesticks in Annie Sloan Old White, then sand them down for aged look.

Before sanding and wax.

 My wall, plate rack and door are complete! Yes, the door was given a "french touch" with painted panel borders.

No fancy decorating for me.......I switched up some blue plates for some with a little red. The crocheted red tablecloth is a vintage family heirloom from an aunt. The chandelier got a new look with crystal beads.

A little tree, natural greens and sparkling lights and I'm done with this nook! Onward Rudolph, there's more to do!

Enjoy your shopping!



Check out "Without Further Ado.....the Reveal!", for post on the plate rack, extended wall and door. It's been my biggest project so far and I'm still tying up the loose ends. Not a problem.

Cafe Au Lait or Cafe Con Leche?

Ok then, I took time off to go to the hospital for a procedure. Now I'm back and thankful that I can even move my fingers, let alone my body. Many thanks to all my family and friends who have been so supportive.

Having had a truly bad cup of coffee where I was being treated, I have been making some observations about coffee. It boggles the mind what with so many varieties and methods of making it.

I always buy my favorite latin brands because they're always espresso blends and strong. However, once in a while I'll try a gourmet coffee or two just because. I have also had to experiment with different methods in order to get the "Perfect" cup. Is there such a thing? I used to think I made good coffee. Well, when my espresso/cappucino maker broke down, I lost it. I no longer liked my coffee. I tried everything to get my coffee back and couldn't.

I reverted to making it the "old fashioned way", which in the latino culture means making it in a saucepan and then straining in a cloth filter into a coffee pot. Also the milk must be hot or steaming.  I also used a couple of espresso drip pots to no avail.
I have finally purchased a new coffeemaker that makes up to 12 cups of coffee. HMMM, so far it's not speaking to me.

I think I'll stick to my "old fashioned way". That is always a good thing.

A little history of coffee: 
Coffee beans and it's plant originated in Africa.  At first, it was made into an alcoholic beverage . It was the Arabs that first extracted the beans, toasted them, ground them and mixed with hot water. Venetian merchants introduced it to Europe in the XVI century.

Although not as famous as Colombian coffee, the Island of Puerto Rico , in the Caribbean, has had a long association with the production of coffee. The coffee bean was brought over to the island in the 1700's and became it's principal export. Notwithstanding the fact that islanders use new methods and machinery to make their coffee, the tried and true way is the artisenal cup made by die hard coffee drinkers.

Here is the overall method:

Cloth filter....."colador"

My Mom's vintage coffee pot with (new)  cloth filter. Pour brewed coffee over filter.

A lone cup o' Joe

Enjoying a cup of "cafe con leche" in "El Frente"

Place however many cups of water you want to make in a pot. Use a little more for vapor absorption. Measure 1 heaping  tablespoon of fine ground coffee for each cup you want and set aside. Heat the water until it boils, usually at 190 degrees F. When the water starts to boil, add the coffee grounds and mix well into the water. Lower the flame and allow to brew for one (1) minute, while stirring constantly. Turn off the heat and leave the pot on the stove 1 or 2 more minutes, while you continue to stir occasionally. The best part is you don't need expensive equipment for a good cup. Place a cloth filter inside the coffee pot and pour the coffee mixture making sure the grounds don't spill into the coffee. You can also just use the filter over the cup without the pot. For a Cafe Con Leche or Latte, use half cup steamed milk to half cup coffee or depending on how light or dark you want it.

For Cuban coffee, use a small espresso cup with sugar and black coffee.

It seems like a lot of work compared to just dropping some grounds into a machine, but the result is much better. A cup of good coffee is one of the simple treasures to be enjoyed in life.

For a different coffee experience, try mixing your regular coffee with a different mix or flavor when making it.

Enjoy!

Bread Box Redo

It's a beautiful Saturday morning here in New York City today. The sun is shining gloriously and there's no sign of rain, wind, cold or any other inclement weather to ruin such a day.

Too bad I have to be indoors today! Yep, I must complete my wall 'cause I'll be out of town soon. What I don't do this week will have to wait until I return. That's not a good thing.

In the meantime I worked on my little vintage bread box find. I bought it at my favorite goodwill thrift shop and  painted it in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Louis Blue. The distressing was done with Minwax Wiping Stain and Finish. It's water based and in tube form, so it's easy to work with. A little goes a long way. I had to test it out first because I didn't want it too dark. I used a very, very dry brush method with it. I like the results because it's not too brown looking  and just shows some grain.  I also used AS clear paste. The handle was switched up for one that matches the kitchen cabinets. All done!

Now let me go on with things! I'll be in and out all day, just to catch some of this good weather and still get things done. 

Enjoy!!!!

Repurposing A Vintage Dresser Re - Do

 It seems that everyone's in on it. Blogs and blogs about re-painted furniture, vintage and shabby chic decor.

Dresser with stripper applied with a brush. I followed instructions on can and made sure to wear gloves. Sorry for the photo quality. It's a photocopy.

Dresser after stripping, light sanding and cleaning. Tack cloth also used for dust residue.

  French style dresser, bought at a charity thrift store, now holds a flat screen TV. 
 

I have been painting and re-painting furniture for years using various methods. I must say I find painting and sanding down to distress in certain areas is the easiest for me. I also love the look of Annie Sloans's Chalk Paint with the wax in different shades.

  I used the first method on this dresser and up close and personal, I like how it turned out. I first stripped it and after painting white,sanded it lightly and distressed it with sandpaper in varying grits. I left the top natural and used clear paste wax for protection.

I like the shabby, chippy look.

 It is now being used as a media cabinet and storage for DVD's, CD's and all  other electronic paraphernalia one needs to store.

A drawer was removed for cable box.

 This is my contribution to the craze for now, even though I've been doing it for so long. Too bad I didn't take photos of all I've done through the years. I'd fill a whole scrapbook! Uh, memory card.

Happy painting!