Etspiration Wednesday: Birds Birds Birds

You knew it was just a matter of time right?  Until Maisondestencils buckled under the intense pressure of birds.  Birds with crowns.  Birds without crowns.  Birds on pillows!  I saw a post on ApartmentTherapy the other day that whales are the new birds, so I suppose I am hopelessly behind the times, but I still like birds.  (Brb while I go design 4 whale stencils!!) We took a hike on the 4th through this wonderful trail here in Astoria and the weather was absolutely perfect and you could hear jays and all other sorts of songbirds.

Here's a salute to our fine feathered friends.  This is literally the least difficult Etspiration I've ever compiled.  Bird bonanza!

1A:  Bird Wooden Wall Hanging Set Of Three Image Courtesy SweetiePieSuite
1B:  Bird Accent Chair Image Courtesy UrbanMotifs
1C:  Vintage Style Bird Powder Box Image Courtesy DreamingTreeFarm
1D:  Nest 5.5x11.5 Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils


You've got to check out that chair in 1B.  The print is fab, it has cockatoos on it.  My Aunt Shirley had a cockatoo and she used to feed it chicken.  I never really contemplated how bizarre that was until I was much older. 

2A:  Bird In Nest Cup Image Courtesy SodaByAmy
2B:  Un Petit Oiseau Card Set Image Courtesy littlepigeoncardshop
2C:  Bird Wooden Keepsake Box Image Courtesy EspeciallyMade
2D:  Eggs of European Birds Vintage Lithograph Image Courtesy Carambas

I'm loving these cards in 2B.  The french translates to:  A little bird told me.  Too cute!

3A:  Fly Away Bird Burlap Pillow Image Courtesy NextDoorToHeaven
3B:  Birdcage Keep Calm Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3C:  Nest Wooden Block Set Image Courtesy UniquelyDifferentToo

I absolutely love this Fly Away Pillow in 3A.  I'm a huge Allison Krauss fan and her rendition of that hymn in O Brother, Where Art Thou?  is just perfection.

4A:  Love Definition Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
4B:  Pastel Egg Tags Image Courtesy lacegrl130
4C:  Vintage Ceramic Pie Birds Image Courtesy HippopoVintage
4D:  Bird Decorative Pillow Image Courtesy PillowMio

Growing up, we were never really a pie family.  Mom made this dish called Pineapple Torte, which was my brother's favorite.  As for me, I never met a brownie I didn't like.  But pie, not so much.  Now I know better.  We made this peach and mascarpone pie yesterday, it was a hit.  Anyways, I'd never heard of pie birds until I was an adult watching 'Good Eats.'  (great cooking show, btw)  I really like the look of these two little fellows in 4C.

Got a snazzy feature for you tomorrow!   Tune in, same bird time, same bird channel.

Etspiration Wednesday: Chalk Paint

I can't believe we've had this blog for three months and haven't done an Etspiration about Chalk Paint.  Now I know 99% of you just nodded your head in agreement.  For the 1% of you who asked, "What is Chalk Paint?"  I will briefly explain that Chalk Paint is goodness in a can.  You can check out the official website here, but the short version is that it's a specially formulated paint which you can thin with water to use as a wash or thicken to apply as an impasto.  It is remarkably flexible and lends itself especially well to mimicking the look of aged items.  It gives paint the perfect patina.  So that drab oak table you found at a garage sale can end up looking like it was sitting in some Paris apartment holding a classy Mademoiselle's teacup.

A few of our Feature Friday items have been crafted using Chalk Paint, including The Schoolhouse Cabinet and The Feedsack Stripe Table.  We're always on the lookout for other great features.  If you'd ever like your stencil project showcased on the blog, just drop us an email.

Here's a small sampling of some great items on Etsy that are finished using Chalk Paint.

1A:  Victorian Pedestal Rocker Image Courtesy JunkDrawerDivas
1B:  Farmhouse Country Cottage Pantry Server Image Courtesy StiltskinStudios
1C:  Duck Egg Blue Pedestal Cloche Image Courtesy ShabbyDecor
1D:  Nest With Graphic Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

The Pantry Server in 1B is really terrific.  You've got to visit the Etsy page for a better look.  My tiny picture does not do it justice. 

2A:  Peacock Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
2B:  French Provincial Drum Table Image Courtesy Seases
2C:  Instant Wall Collection Turquoise Image Courtesy LoriAndTheLittleBird
2D: Hand Painted Yellow Mirror Image Courtesy SummerWindInteriors

That yellow mirror is truly stunning.  SummerWindInteriors also has it in aqua, which I love.  One of my favorite colors.

3A:  Antiques Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils
3B:  Cottage Chic Roll Top Desk Image Courtesy ArtByJuliet
3C:  Yellow  Curved Leg Foot Stool Image Courtesy cabinintheheartland
3D:  Aqua and Yellow Cane Jewelry Chest Image Courtesy MagiaMia

I love the idea of a roll top desk.  I've got an iMac, so I'm sadly constrained to having a computer armoire due to space requirements.  I love that both the roll top and armoire concepts allow you shut away computer mess.  This roll top desk is something special though.  Check out how ArtByJuliet echoed the diamond shape from the shelf bracket in the stencil pattern on the sides.  It's a work of art.

4A:  Primitive Wooden Kitchen Shelf Image Courtesy Sienaslew
4B:  Decorative Shabby Floral Box Image Courtesy GroveRoots
4C:  Handpainted Corbel Shaped Sconces Image Courtesy DaphsSmallWorld
4D:  Bed & Breakfast Stencil Image Courtesy Maisondestencils

These sconces (4C) are just too great.  I can see them holding candles or very small sculpture in a room with classical details.

Thanks to our Chalkrific Etsy sellers for use of their images.  See you on Friday for a fabulous stencil feature!