Steel Roses...

I was poking around at Tuesday Morning's

a discount housewares shop...

(I'm not sure if this is a national store?)

(click photos to enlarge)

I found the cutest candle holder base,

except....

It started like this....

Loved the style,

but not so much the dark coloring...

So I layered acrylic paints onto it...

For the first coat I used light ivory, and antique white

alternating and mixing a little with broad brush strokes...

Then the edges  were scuffed

and

painted with dark grey and silver

once again with broad messy brush strokes...

going for heavy shabby :-)

Now it feels just right...

Soft and dreamy...

Today I am joining...

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Under $100 Link Party at Beyond the Picket Fence

and

Chic on a Shoestring for Flaunt it Friday

Come get inspired!

Thanks for stopping by today,

Shiny Objects...

A morning of running errands,

calls for a diversion along the way,

 a favorite thrift shop is nice...

(click photos to enlarge)

To my wondering eyes...

They were putting the Christmas goodies out!!

Dozens of shiny silver balls..

Yards of snowy white twinkling garland...

A glittery vintage candle ring...

A few of my favorite Christmas elements..

glitter, twinkles and shine!

A lot of inspiration for only $3.00!

If your looking for a bit of your own inspiration

you better get there soon,

because it is going fast!

The lady in front of me scored some major pretties,

the early bird catches the goodies :-)

Today I am joining..

Kathleen for White Wednesday

a lovely source of inspiration... stop by!

and

Thanks for visiting me today!

Tea with Grace...

I spent a few quite moments this morning

finishing my current issue of Victoria Bliss...

(click photos to enlarge)

(Sept-Oct 2010)

Anticipating the next issue, 

The Christmas issue!

Certainly to me the most prized issue of the year...

Today I enjoyed

 the charm of the Autumnal scenes...

and spent time daydreaming over the garden photos,

wondering where the winding path may lead...

I am a visual person..

forever lost in the photos of magazines..

But what resonated with me today was the story

of First Lady Grace Coolidge

  and her friend Grace Medinus...

Grace Medinus didn't know the First Lady

she simply wrote her a fan letter...

and Grace Coolidge took an instant liking to her...

The two became life long friends...

For thirty years they shared

snips of plants, needlework patterns

the joys of life

and it's deep sorrows....

(like When Grace lost Calvin)

As I sit down to tea this evening,

I am thinking of their deep friendship...

a relationship built on letters..

Pen pals you might say...

I am pondering how blogging

is the modern day version of pen pals..

How very lucky I am to have met

so many amazing people!!

Spanning every corner of the world!!

People I am so lucky to call my friends!

I feel blessed!

So tonight I won't be sitting at a fancy tablescape

for my tea...

I will enjoy it catching up with my friends!

In Blogland :-))

I will be joining...

Kathy for Victoria - A Return To Loveliness

Sandi at  Rose Chintz Cottage

and

Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

Thanks for visiting me today!