NEW Spring Wreath. . .Tutorial

Staying home. . .staying safe. . .
                                                           does have its advantages!

Needing a change of scenery On Crooked Creek,
I spent some time in my creative space, Studio One.

Which resulted in a new Spring Wreath for On Crooked Creek's Front Door.

Come in,
and I'll take you through the process of changing my Christmas Wreath
into a refreshed and refined Spring Wreath On Crooked Creek!

* * * * Tutorial* * * * * 
Once I had taken off the red and white ticking stripe bow and ribbon,
I removed all of the faux evergreen pics.

Using what was in my storage tubs for Spring Florals,
I began with a wispy, faux green fern garland.

Once I had attached it with green florist's wire,
I began with a subtle color palette similar to On Crooked Creek's Gardens
of green, purple, white and soft buttery yellow.

I began at the bottom,
then moved to the top of the wreath and then to the right side,
using some Dollar Tree pics of green, and white flora
with soft buttery yellow berries.

Fairly satisfied with the flora placement,
I began filling in with random pics in white.

A few pics of lavender and several pops of a more vibrant yellow
gave the right balance of color I was seeking.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spending time in Studio One was exactly what I needed for a change of pace.

Staying home. . .staying safe. . .
                                                            definitely has its advantages!

On Crooked Creek reaps the benefit of "social distancing"
of a new Spring Wreath for our front door!



Until next time. . .
                                 Pat

My Heirloom Secretary. . .

What a history this Early American Style Secretary has!

I do believe I might have been seven or eight years old the first time ever I saw it.

You see,
this Secretary belonged to my MoMa. . .
                                                        and years ago, was gifted to me by my Dad!

So~o~o. . .
while we're 'social distancing' ourselves,
I decided it was a 'perfect timing' for 're~stylin' the Secretary!

* * * *Tutorial * * * * * * * 

After emptying completely and a through dusting and polishing,
I prepared the 'pigeon holes' for a bit of a refining
of the materials used on a daily basis within my Secretary.

Beginning with the center,
I placed some flora and personalized notecards with a blue color palette.

Next,
I added the brushed gold framed miniature photos of my dearest Sister and I.

Filling the voided space,

I used a vintage, shell shaped, hand painted bird motif miniature dish.

Next,

working from left~to~right, I began filling in the remaining 'pigeon holes'.

Hand crocheted miniature doily, and some Victorian seed packets
provide a vintage backdrop for my size 2 and size 3 vintage inkwells.

Spring flora note cards tied with sheer olive green ribbon,

a remnant of sheet music and a pair of silver birds complete the left side.

A touch of bright blue in my Thank You cards

brings the eye all the way across the 'pigeon holes' to the opposite side.

Die~cut Lily of the Valley note card

and a trio of hand~stamped oval rose gift tags complete the 'pigeon holes'.

Quite a refined and refreshing appearance to the once hodge~podge of items.

Beginning once again in the center,
I filled the back space of the desktop with a Tulip print note card
and a vintage brass and glass inkwell.

I use the space, that would have been used for writing pens
to the side of the inkwell, for elegantly inspired postage stamps.
I adore these Madonna and Child postage stamps from Christmas!

From left ~ to ~right,
I've placed the items that are used weekly from my heirloom Secretary.

While this may seem to be an excess of notecards, postage, stationery
and thank you cards, at least one or more of these items is used on a daily basis.

Oh, and I mustn't forget the most important items on the desktop!

Honestly, 
I would be lost without my many "lists".

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Like the freshness of the air after a gentle Spring rain
is the 're~stylin' of my heirloom Secretary.

Until next time. . .
                           Pat

Dear Ones,
My heart goes out to each and every follower of On Crooked Creek
during these extremely trying times we face as a Nation, as each State,
as each County, as each Town and as each family.

The Land of Blog has remained an outlet of my creativity and expression.
But, do not let it appear that my heart is not deeply troubled during this
'social distancing' as prescribed to 'flatten the curve' during the Covid -19 pandemic.

"Mr. Ed" and I, like many of you, are doing our part by staying at home,
except for necessities, and want to encourage and uplift you as you do the same.
May God pour out His blessings upon each and every one of us as we endure.
In my heart, I do believe. . ."this too, shall pass."
Fondly,
Pat

My Favorite Things. . .2019 April, Vol. 4

Early every Spring, one of My Favorite Things happens!
I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
right outside my windows On Crooked Creek.

Is it any wonder that birds would be included in my home decor?

The Entertainment Center in On Crooked Creek's Living Room
often awakens Spring with a variety of bird nests and bird statues.

You will find bird statues neatly tucked within vignettes,
especially in On Crooked Creek's Living Room table tops.

 One of my favorite designs, using a faux branch 
with a bird's nest and my porcelain white lacy bird statues, 
rest atop my vintage four drawer dresser.

 A re~design, after Christmas Seasonal Decor,
 depicts the 'empty~nesters' status of "Mr. Ed" and I.

While the birds sing sweetly beyond the patio doors,
 within On Crooked Creek's Dining Room, 
I adore using bird nest and bird statues within my buffet and hutch 
and in tablescaping.

This Winter,
within the realms of Studio One,
I took the leap and painted my gold bird statues.

* * * Tutorial * * *

I began by taping off the walnut pedestal base.

Then I painted each bird with a mixture of white and soft grey paints
from within Studio One's paint supply.

Although I was quite pleased and could have stopped here. . .

I proceeded with a thick layering of (dark) Old English Scratch Cover.

The scratch cover does 'bead up' on the paint.
After 24 hours, I did a light wipe down with a soft cloth.

Once the painter's tape was removed,
I proceeded with my latest design atop the hutch
in On Crooked Creek's Dining Room.

* * * * * * * * * * * 

Over the top design
from my over the top decision to paint my gold bird statues!

I love Silver!

I absolutely love how the silver compote
elevates the elegance of this embellished bird nest
used within On Crooked Creek's Dining Room tablescape!

My most recent design rests within the primitive cabinet
located at the base of the stairs on the lower level
in On Crooked Creek's Family Room.

Right outside my window, the birds singing sweetly
is the best sound to be awaken to each morning,
On Crooked Creek!



Until next time. . .