A French Creation "Upscaled" from the Trash

A while ago I found this vintage, vanity tray by the side of the road!!! 

It's, drab brown, finish and glass were scratched from years of use, but it had great, cast iron handles and I could see that it still had some great potential!

Not just for serving, but for a beautiful, dresser top display. Just picture a sweet, little vase filled with   make-up brushes and some pretty, fragrance jars and bottles on top!

If only I would remember to always take before photos.... I never can wait to see it finished.

So, I decided to transform it  and give it a "french inspired" theme with a "glitzy" twist!

Hand stamped linen and vintage, themed postcards line the back. And a trio of peach "fleurs" embellish one corner to balance the pop of color from under the glass. 

A string of "designer glitz" adds the finishing touch!

Now, wouldn't you just love to make a version of your own? Oh, the endless possibilities!!!

I'll, definitely, be looking out for more of this style to make some other varieties...cottage will be first on my list maybe with some pretty blue!

Well, gotta go...gotta go...gotta go!

Today is "household day"...ya know, all of those "unfun" things that  just "have to get done."

Have a great day and hope to hear from you, soon!

Hugs and Love to You All,

JP

xoxoxo

http://vintagey.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Metal-Hanging-Heart-32-x-22-Jardin-Botanique.jpg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/105422452/vintage-vanity-tray-french-inspired


Joining a party @

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2012/09/wow-us-wednesdays-84.html
 

A Tribute to My Mentor

This page is dedicated to the beautiful, sweet, soul who is centered in my header photo, my dear, sweet, Grandma Bea!

What an amazing inspiration she was to me and to all those who knew her. It was her passion for decorating that I grew up admiring of her many, beautiful homes and holiday tablescapes. She impressed me, so incredibly, beginning as early as a young child. 

I was always mesmerized with the beauty of her feminine touches throughout her very Victorian home. Visiting her was such a delight  for as young as I can remember. 

Her "boudoir" was, so incredibly, romantic with her vanity covered with beautiful collections of pin cushions, crystal fragrance bottles and gorgeous, crystal, candle holders with prisms that all sparkled in the sunlight. Those dangling prisms were always, so, tempting to play with, but I quickly learned to obey her rules of... 
"Janet... you can look, but just don't touch!"
Victorian decor and glass, of vintage amethyst, were among her many passions. "Reflective purples" filled her shelves and mahogany decor, with doilies made by her mother, and gifts from so many of her loved ones and dear friends. That same amythyst color, so often, draped her delicate frame and was, almost always, made by hand at her sweet, little, green sewing machine.
 Elegant dinnerware, beautiful, lace tablecloths, polished silver and  shining crystal were the main attractions, to the festive occasions, of dining at her home. Her table was always centered with a "runner" of mirrored glass to feature the reflections of flickering candles, floral bouquets, seasonal decorations and birthday cakes, all of which kept me still in my seat as I dined.
Her talent for decor was, also, expressed in the way that she was able to give at least one room a "masculine" touch, as well. Grandpa's study was given the perfect finish with his mahogany decor and bookcases filled with his hard covers and collections all arranged just so.... all, so manly, for his peaceful retreat... to study and prepare for his weekly sermons to "GOD!"

Her, self written, daily prayer

 

 I dedicated my blog to her as a "thank you" for being such an inspiration to me.... I do believe that she was the one who gave me my desire for making things "look pretty" just as she always had.
I hope that I am, now, making her proud....I know she is watching over me in heaven!

 

An Uplifting Message of Love

"Grandma Bea"

born, Beatrice Lillian Knuckey/Farnum,

  in Vandling, Pa; May 22, 1898 and joined our Lord in Heaven August 4, 1998

~FOREVER YOUNG~

 This is and will, forever, be my "timeline photo" on my personal, Facebook page!

 She touched the lives of all of those who remembered her. 

A delicate, frail, deeply "spiritual" woman she was... always managing to overcome afflictions and hospital visits and still always "pulling through!"

 I believe she was given the gift of her, very long, life because she lived her life so simply...not vain or dripping in gold, just plain, simple, caring and selfless...that was just her. 

With her bible as her guide, yet, never quoting or preaching, she was completely content with her prayers and her writings to the "Lord."

 She left deep impressions in the hearts of all who knew her, which is why this post is being written.

The following message was one that was sent to me by someone, "very special!"  A relative, by marriage, not blood...but, still calls me "Aunt"...and who was deeply impacted with the gift of knowing my Grandma Bea. Sandy, my niece, with her "own heart of gold" and her father very ill took the time to write this most heartfelt message to me:

Oh, my gosh, Aunt Janet, these pictures sure bring back memories!!! Grandma Bea was one of my favorite, most precious, people in all of the world. She is still a role model for me and always will be. What a precious woman of God- I'm just jumping on to thank you so for your kind thoughts and wishes for dad. No one knows people like those who have spent time growing up with them... I guess I mean to say that children know their parents better than anyone because they are vulnerable and have to rely on their parents to truly love them and care for them. I can honestly say that, for the first twenty years of my life, I had a dad that was so dedicated and kind to me, and truly seemed to ALWAYS have my best interests at heart.  He is imperfect like all of us, but somehow God made him so perfect for me. In other words he was the PERFECT dad for me!!! You and your precious loved ones are always in my prayers and I'm so grateful for you. You have to be one of the sweetest, kindest, most open people I know. Love and prayers for you always, with so much love and appreciation, Sandy

 A message that will be cherished, by me forever.....from someone who really made my night...thank you, "Sweet Sandy" and may "God Bless," you and your family, too!!!

Love Always,

Aunt Janet

xoxo

<3

My guiding light, in heaven, and in my heart you will always be...."Forever Young!"