Thursday, April 12, 2012

Thursday Evening...

Lots of projects in the works!
First, my little angel...I call her my little Oxford Angel because I bought her in the neatest little florist/gift shop in Oxford, Mississippi when we were visiting friends at Ole Miss, in 1983...I don't remember the name, but they had all these snow-white doves that they used for weddings (I guess they released them and then they all returned...) ~ I was impressed!


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Anyway, I thought she was long over-due for a "face lift"!
As you can see in this photo from last winter, she was still in her original early 80s "peachy-terra cotta" mode...


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I really didn't know what I wanted to do with her...I finally decided I was going to use my "default finish"; white spray paint... I used Valspar Satin White, and then a sanding sponge to distress her a little.
I liked this look, but she still seemed a little "stark", even with the sanding...so, I found some Plaid Mushroom/Champagne Glaze in my paint stash ... it was old, so I doubt if it's still available, but it's just a very cool, light brown...probably less concentrated than regular acrylic craft paint, but I watered it down considerably, anyway.


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My youngest daughter, Katie, never did really care for the angel. For a while I used her indoors; she sat on a deep windowsill in the kitchen ~ and, I have to admit, when viewed from outside behind the translucent blinds, she did sort of look like this...
At least Katie thought so...


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I can see it....;^)...

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It was so pleasant out this evening; nice that I could just plop her down in the grass and not have to worry about the mess I was making with the glaze! At first I was just going to dab it on (and wipe it off) with a damp paper towel, but since she's really kind of a rough casting, I finally decided to use an old brush.

The consensus from "the boys" (who were working on the fish pond near me) was that I was painting her the same color again ~ (they didn't see the difference between peachy-terra cotta and mushroom)...after I had wiped her down I was told that "now she looks like she's just been dug out of the mud"...was that the look I was going for? "Yes", I told them... "Yes, it is...that's exactly the look I was after!"...whether it was or not, I was commited, now (and I still had half a can of satin white, just in case)...


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Here she is so far...(the "freshly excavated look") ~ I'll let her dry over night and finish her transformation tomorrow...

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While I played, the fish pond was being leveled and filled for the first time...

And, one last picture...(from the Wildflower/Weed Woman) ~ a clump of vetch that was pulled from around the rocks in the new flower garden...it seemed such a shame; it was putting on a pretty nice flower "show" of its own...so I had to get a photo before it sadly wilted...

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More to come!
TGIF!
♥ ♥ ♥
Anne

21 comments:

  1. Anne: You just gave me back a little bit of my childhood. I haven't seen vetch since then. We used to have it all over the place and I learned the name from my Dad. I always thought that word 'vetch' sounded so funny. Your angel is just looking perfect. I'm going to start collecting garden statues. I have about everything else but nary a one of those..Happy Friday..Judy

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  2. I like what you have done with the little angel - much more interesting than plain terracotta.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. Hi Anne!
    She looks wonderful! You ARE good with paint!
    I love your kitty. What a princess (or prince?)

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  4. I love your *new look* angel. Well done!

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  5. It looks just lovely with the new 'facelift'.

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  6. Great pictures !!
    I love the angel's makeover ; )
    Have a great weekend.

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  7. Anne, I have been painting lots of outside art things.If you can call it art.LOL. I paint my containers, some furniture, and I did the mailbox yesterday. It's like a face lift for somethings. Smiles, Susie(She Junks)

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  8. I love the new look on your older angel. She is so beautiful now! Have a great weekend!

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  9. I love it- She is just perfect now...put that spray paint away! She looks aged and beautiful. What do those guys know anyway?;>) xo Diana

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  10. I am always drawn to angels, and have a few around the house. I like the "pulled out of the mud" look :).

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  11. Good morning Anne!
    I've really enjoyed my visit to your blog this morning.

    Sweet little angel... and yes, I like her with her new coat of distressed white paint.
    She looks ages older, and much more like an old antique piece of art now :)

    So glad that you found my blog!
    Thanks for following me, and now I can read and follow your blog :)

    Can't wait to come back and read some more of your posts.

    Hope this is a great weekend for you :)

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  12. Oh gosh, the angel is just so beautiful^^!

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  13. Hi. I was over on Holly's Jeremiah Avenue - read your comment under the colorful egg post and just had to come check out your blog. Love your sense of humor and blog title. Yes, your dad and not Ring) looks like the Beave. (Sidebar). Great looks on the angel and laugh on what your daughter perceived it to look like. I get it. Enjoyed my first visit! Thanks, Jenn

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  14. What fun to be transforming an Angel! It is good to be outside and enjoying the beginning of Spring isn't it? I even had some washing out and blowing in the breeze today! Jane xx

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  15. Your angel looks fab! I think she is lovely
    xxx H

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  16. I really like your angel's makeover. Boy will be boys so there are times when they should be ignored -lol-
    Have a great weekend.
    Always, Queenie

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  17. Your angel looks perfect and ready for the garden.

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  18. Beautiful angel, Anne. Our "little munchkin" was with me when I was doing some catching up on blogs, and she was totally taken by your header!:)

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  19. I always love angels. Your angel is so lovely!Have a fabulous weekend!
    Tomoko

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  20. You have been very busy...giving your angel a makeover..and, I wonder if you might consider a makeover for that scary creature, too!!! Yikes!
    I love hearing about all your projects..and, isn't it nice that Spring is popping up where you live? Where I live (Oregon) it snowed this evening...Go figure!
    have a wonderful weekend, my friend,
    Carolynn

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  21. Hi, I am so glad you found my blog so I in turn could find my way to yours. I love what I see. I enjoyed the journey to the transformation of this little angel. I always wondered how this was accomplished. Thanks..... I will be back.

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!