French Ephemera Table

This is just a quick post on a project I did before I started blogging.  I had a small tile top table that I bought at "Homesense" a couple of years ago.  I loved the gracefull curving of the legs, but wasn't so "in-love" with  the pattern on the top.  What to do?  Well, when I came across the Graphics Fairy blog months ago, I started downlouding lots of images of "French Ephemera" which I thought were really "cool".  I figured I'd use them some day, and here's one of the projects I ended up doing with some of the images.  I couldn't decide on just one, so I ended up doing a collage on top of the table, using Mod Podge.  Unfortunately, I don't have a "before" shot, since it was made before I started blogging.  Here are some "after" shots though, and I'm much happier with the table.

I used  a French letter, postcard, piece of lovely handwritting that says "Paris" and  perfume label.  The lighter background is just some co-ordinating paper that I ripped to look like pieces of broken china.  Then I added some lace and ribbon to finish it off.  The whole thing was done using Mod Podge, and then a spray of clear acrylic sealer to protect it - and  "voila"- a French Ephemera Collage Table in under an hour.

Some Of My Favourite Things

Well it's Friday night, and I decided to post something, even though I haven't got any projects finished at the moment.  I started the makeover on the armoire that a neighbour was throwing away last weekend, but it will probably take at least a week to get finished.  I'll definately post a "before" and "after", when it's all complete. 

I have been taking a lot of pictures of my favourite vintage, vintage inspired and antique pieces that I have around my house, so I thought I would share some "eye candy" with everyone.  I just love going to antique markets, so I have acquired quite a few things over the years.  I already did a posting about my antique "blue flow china", so I thought I'd just post some pictures of random pieces that I have.  They're not in any particular order, and I couldn't pick a favourite if I tried, so here we go..............

This is an antique oval framed picture that I found several years ago at my favourite antique market "Southworks" in Cambridge, Ontario. My living room is a  mixture of  many shades of antique white and blue, so this works perfectly in my decor.

This is not an antique, rather antique inspired, and made by me from an image I got on the internet.  The frame was from Homesense ( our version of Home Goods for those of you in the U.S.A)

I love this pretty antique plate, also purchased at "Southworks" antique market.  It sits on a shelf in my bedroom ( if you look closely, you can see that I didn't dust the shelf before I took the picture- haha!!!)

This mirror is also an antique, and I love the scalloped edge design.  If you look in the reflection, you'll see an antique floor lamp, with a small birdcage hanging from it ( I keep a small candle in it for now, until I can find the perfect antique lantern to hang from it).  Both pieces were purchased 3 years ago in a small village called Bath ( just outside of Kingston, Ontario).

I absolutely love, love, love this antique window that was handpainted by a local artist.  I bought it at one of my favourite stores" Kimberley Jackson"- you can link up to there website through my sidebar.  They make one-of-a kind furniture and accessories from reclaimed wood and antique windows/doors, etc. 

This is were it hangs in our front window.

This "chimney" cabinet was also bought at " Kimberley Jackson", and  was a real splurge at $1300.00, but I bought it with my first ever "bonus" cheque from my last job as a home furnishings retail manager.  The sconce beside it is also from the same place and is one of a pair  (the other one is on the other side of a triptic hanging on my dining room wall). They were all made from genuine antique reclaimed wood, and are extremely heavy.

This shadow box (from Ikea) holds a sterling silver fork and spoon set, with my name engraved at the bottom.  I'm from France, originally, and it is the custom to give engraved silverware to a baby at their Christening.  I left the patina on them so they look vintage ( and since they're from the 1961, I guess they technically are vintage ).

The rest of the items I'm going to show you are not antique or vintage, but they have a vintage or Shabby Chic feel to them, so I love them too.

I love this white planter, and the dried roses were the center-piece from my wedding cake.

 I love the look of hand-dipped tapered candles that are still attached.  These ones are hanging on the knob of an antique singer sewing machine that came from my husband's, grandmother's house.  This sits in our dining room with my collection of' " flow blue china" surrounding it.

Here's how it looks in my dining room.

These candles are not vintage, but I had fun with my photo-manipulating program making them look like they are lit. Gimp 2.6  is a free download on the internet, and my 9 year old nephew told me about it.

The vase is really pretty, and was about $5.00 at Homesense.  The little angel was from Michael's and cost a few dollars.  I'm not a purist- if I like it, and it fits my look, I'll buy it.

I love this rectangular laurel wreath - and I bought that at the William Ashley warehouse sale about 5 or 6 years ago.

And finally.........

I get many comments on this plaque.  It lives on our bedroom door- and it couldn't describe my husband in the morning any better.  Even he had to laugh when I bought this at a gift shop a few years ago.  It even has a vintage feel to it- I  smile every time I look at it.  And that's what it's all about, this obsession with collecting unique and pretty things.

Well, that's enough for now.  I still have lots more, but I'll save it for another time.  Have a great weekend.

Au Revoir!!!!!