2011 in Review: Our Top 5

As 2011 comes to a close, I thought I’d jump on the “year in review” band wagon and give you a look at my top 5, “most viewed” entries for the year.

Number 5:  Garage Sale Loving

I took this fun little piece and transformed it into a funky entryway table. It sold this summer at The Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival.  It was the first time I had attempted a landscape motif on a piece and I must admit this turned out to be one of my favorites!

Number 4:  The Benefits of Social Networking

My friend Krissy will be glad to know that her daughter’s dresser made the cut!  This piece is actually one of the highest “repined” items on my Pinterest page-it shows up all over-and for that I am honored! I’m hoping I will have the opportunity to get to some larger pieces again this year!

Number 3:  A Funky Floral Mandela Table

I've had a lot of people affectionately call this my “Toy Story” table, and you know what, I like it! If my babies were still little, this would proudly be displayed in their room, but alas they are teenagers, dark & Gothic, teenagers, gone are the days of Toy Story and bright colors.  Even so, I personally L-O-V-E this table and its primary color pallet, cow print meets floral...it just ROCKS!

Number 2:  Where Do You Find Inspiration?

Great piece, but boy, was my hand tired from painting in all those zebra prints on the back! Perhaps that’s what prompted my carpal tunnel surgery this November? Hmmm…

I really liked the blue on blue and the red on red (I did a linen weave faux on the top, which didn’t come out all that great in the picture, but looked really cool in person) then did a gold metallic Polk-a- dot on top-SWEET! Then the feet...Shut the front door! They were fencing post toppers-love it! Sold this piece to the same person who bought number 5! Ya baby!

Number 6: Moroccan Stencils

Funny how the number one, most viewed post on my blog for 2011 isn't even furniture! BUT STAIRS!  

As many of you know The Decorative Paintbrush is a 2^nd business for me. Although this year, and hopefully in 2012, it will become more of a full-time career for me. My partner and I own another business called 2 Women and a Paintbrush We do all kinds of painting in & out of people’s homes-as a matter of fact, if you've ever read my bio, you’d know it’s really how TheDPB was born.  

Anyway, we were commissioned to paint & stencil a customer’s stairs, and although we have a blog for 2Women and a Paintbrush because I loved how these looked I wanted to share them here as well! I’m so glad I did because it turned out to be the most highly viewed post on my blog since we started in 2009! Too funny, hugh?

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful, safe & happy New Year! Thanks for being a part of my world this year! Your comments are always so uplifting and inspiring! Can’t wait to get painting again-lots of great stuff on tap for 2012! Remember to come follow along on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter! 

Be safe! Big hugs & much love! PEACE!

A Hand Painted Rocking Chair

When I was a little girl I had a very small rocking chair that had a tiny music box on the back.  Every night when I would get out of the tub my mother would wrap me in a big towel, twist the music box on the back and I would rock to Frère Jacques until I was dry. 

It was the first thing I thought of when I saw these chairs from Judy. She had saved them from when her kids where little (the smaller one was actually her husband’s). She wanted them re-painted to match her new grandchildren’s bedrooms.

The smaller one had a music box on it too, but it had long stopped working, so it had to be removed. We patched the holes, sanded some chipping and primed the entire piece.

She wanted to have it match the wallpaper border that they were hanging in the room.  I loved the monkey, so I chose him for the focal point. I used transfer paper to lay down a basic outline then painted it in with the colors that matched the border.

Then I put the funky alligator on the back.

I also added 3 circle appliqués to the head rest just to bring in some color.

Then tricked out the runners with checks and polka dots.

On the next chair we had to remove an old laminated plastic cover that had been tacked on with thumb tacks. Then we primed it. 

Painting the tiny rings took FOREVER….ARGH!!!!! I was going to rip my hair out! Especially with navy blue on white! I left the seat plain because she was making a cushion and pillow for the back of the chair out of fabric that matched the paint.

Well, besides these custom orders we were busy getting ready for Plowshares, which was amazing by the way! Not only did we see great (old) friends but made some new ones as well! Plus, we sold a lot of "stuff" and came away with even more custom orders!

But what really has been mind blowing is our online store! Our Etsy store has been off the charts! If you've never checked out our store, please do so!  About a month ago I said to Maggie, "I might take the jewelry boxes out of the shop, because I'm not sure they're selling as good as I'd hoped."  All of a sudden, as if someone had heard me, orders came pouring in! I just mailed out the last one yesterday, just in time for Christmas!-FEW!

As I wrap up 2011, I want to thank you so much for all your support this past year! For reading this blog, for your wonderful comments (you always give this chic a much needed ego boost!) and especially for inspiring me! I follow many of you and find great inspiration on your blogs as well! Have a fantastic holiday and here’s to a rocking, prosperous, CREATIVE, New Year! Oh yeah, that's a wine glass clinging in the back ground-cheers-baby!

Sharing with my many friends on my party page!