Town and Country Style by Kathy

Beginner Makeover, Thrifted Chairs Turn Shabby Chic

January 13, 2022 townandcountrykathy

I saw four wooden chairs in our local Goodwill store. Two of the four needed extensive repairs. But the other two WERE MINE. I paid around five dollars each for them. They were so sturdy and this was right before Thanksgiving and I knew people looked for extra chairs in their homes for the holidays.

The first thing we did was clean them and then paint them with white chalk paint. I was going to use dark antiquing wax to make them look aged and distressed. But after sanding them, I knew they needed a second coat and then clear wax. I used Rustoleum Chalk Paint and Valspar Sealing Wax. Click here for my affiliate links.

I don’t have any pictures BEFORE I painted them. But, just think BROWN.

I was going to add dark antiquing wax at this point with only one coat of paint on them for a vintage, distressed look. But decided to put another coat of paint on them for a more white shabby chic look.

This just wasn’t the look I wanted. The great thing about paint is, you can ALWAYS paint again. So below is with a second coat.

Now, they just need a light sanding to bring out all the edges.

Below are the pictures of the finished chairs. First we just put them in our booth with brown accents. We were about to decorate for Christmas so we left them like this for a week.

A week later we decorated for Christmas. And within two and a half weeks they were sold. That’s pretty good turnover for our booth.

The owner of the Vintage Market where we have our booth, said a lady came in looking for a small table with two chairs. She found a table at another booth and then our two chairs matched it perfectly. It was meant to be. She even bought the pillows.

So don’t be afraid to paint. I do recommend just lightly sanding before you paint. But if you use chalk paint, you may find it isn’t necessary. Use your own judgement.

Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

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Dazzled Up Sparkling Tree with Pearls

January 10, 2022 townandcountrykathy

I love how this sparkled up tree turned out. For this winter wonderland look, I used the paper mache tree forms from Hobby Lobby. I bought the tree forms before Christmas when everything was fifty percent off.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Here is my dazzle tree mixed in with my feather boa trees.

Click here if you want more info on the feather boa trees.

My first step was to paint it all white. It did take two coats. Then I DIAMOND DUSTED it on all sides. I use Mod Podge to adhere the dust. Click Here for my affiliate link to DIAMOND DUST.

You can watch my Facebook LIVE video by clicking here where I partially make this tree. But here is a few screenshots of the process.

Here is a photo of the paper mache tree BEFORE.

This is the large tree all painted white with two coats. I just used Valspar House Paint in the sample can from Lowes.

To DIAMOND DUST, just paint on Mod Podge in small-medium sections so that it stays wet and then sprinkle on the Diamond Dust. It is very forgiving and if you miss a place, just go back and add more Mod Podge and add more dust.

I added TOTALLY DAZZLED bling in random places all over the tree. I was going to add the bling all over the tree, but decided I liked the random look especially when I added the pearls.

Here is a photo with about three large TOTALLY DAZZLED brooches on it.

It is hard to get the brooches to adhere because the surface is curved. I recommend using E6000 for a more permanent fixture. Use hot glue at the top and E6000 at the bottom.

You may purchase TOTALLY DAZZLED from my affiliate link by clicking here. This is really the most cost effective way to buy bling. Before I found this company I would purchase buttons and jewelry and vintage jewelry here and there but it got very expensive and hard to find.

I bought the pearls from the wedding section in Hobby Lobby. I like these because they do not have holes in them. They are not beads so you do not have to line them up so the holes don’t show.

The base comes pre-made with the tree so I put TOTALLY DAZZLED Bling Wrap on the bottom.

I plan to make two more trees when I get more TOTALLY DAZZLED in. Or I may wait until Christmas in July. I have the paper mache tree forms ready to go.

Thank you for reading my blog!! Let me know in the comments if you make something similar.

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

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Winter Wonderland Feather Boa Trees

January 6, 2022January 6, 2022 townandcountrykathy

Hi Everyone!

Make a Winter Wonderland until Valentines, Mardi Gras, St Patricks, Easter, or Spring. Here is one way to get that snowy vibe going.

For the feather boa trees I used green styrofoam tree forms and painted them white. If you are lucky and can find white forms you can skip this step. Then I wrapped the feather boas around each form using hot glue to hold the boa down in a few places. Watch you don’t burn yourself! I thought about covering the trees forms with white furry fabric. But I didn’t want a seam on one side. I wanted to be able to put one of these on a turntable and look good from all sides. I also thought about using the soft fuzzy yarn. Those are great alternative ideas you may want to try. You may watch the Facebook Video by clicking HERE.

My Mom made the round bases for the trees from a 2×4. She loves working with wood. I wrapped each base with TOTALLY DAZZLED bling wrap. My affiliate link for that wrap is here.

I added the bling wrap to the dazzled up paper mache tree too. It has the base built in, ready made.

I was going to add a crown to the top of each of these. But I couldn’t find any that I was 100% satisfied with. So I saw a picture of a finial on a tree and low and behold I had three wooden finials from Hobby Lobby. If I make these again (and I recommend) I will add the finial BEFORE you begin wrapping with the feather boa. I wrapped the end of the finial with the boa too to make it blend all better. I used hot glue for all the adhesion.

Below are some pictures of my TOTALLY DAZZLED tree mixed in with feather boa trees. I will be making two more TOTALLY DAZZLED trees too. I like sets of three.

Glamorous and Snowy looking all at the same time.

Leave a comment if you decide to make some of these too! I would love to know how you did it and if you changed anything up.

Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

I hope you will follow me on all my social media.

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Email: towncountryboutique@gmail.com

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Need the Look of Snow for Winter Decor?

January 4, 2022 townandcountrykathy

How about using epsom salt? I used epsom salt for all the ideas pictured below. I have a lot of faux silver trays and small trees, deer and churches. So I decided to turn all these into Winter Wonderland Decor for our craft booth spaces.

I wanted to decorate for winter for the next 2-3 weeks instead of going straight into Valentines. So these ideas are for you if you want WINTER too.

Use any small items you have that remind you of winter or snow. I chose deer and trees. I had the churches too that were perfect in size.

These iridescent deer and trees look so pretty with the “snow”.

Deer in a wine glass. Our “snow” looks good in many backdrops.

I liked the look of the trees and the church.

Here is another church with green trees.

I hope this may have helped someone with their winter decor. Thank you so much for dropping by!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

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Dollar Store Church Now Hosts a Joy Nativity

December 21, 2021 townandcountrykathy

I love churches. This one was very cute. I bought it last year at Dollar General. It needed something more. So I added a small JOY Nativity and an Angel. Take ordinary dollar store decor and jazz it up. Make it more meaningful and unique.

I bought the small JOY Nativity from Walmart. The angel was in the jewelry section of Hobby Lobby. The snowflake bling is from TOTALLY DAZZLED. The crown I put behind baby Jesus is also from TOTALLY DAZZLED. I am a brand ambassador for TOTALLY DAZZLED. You can shop my affiliate link by clicking HERE.

Here is the Church being displayed in our craft booth in Crowley, LA.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

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Decorate a Silver Ice Bucket

December 20, 2021 townandcountrykathy

Hi Everyone!

If you see one of these at the thrift stores, or if you already own one, think about buying it or getting it out and decorating it! It is so festive in any color. Here is how I did mine for Christmas. For Valentine’s, I plan to put some red flowers in it. For Spring, some pink flowers. Add a bow….Voila…..So easy!

I was inspired by “PalmBeachThrifters” on Instagram. Please go and follow their page. They thrift great items and make fun reels on Instagram.

My poinsettias were so huge you can barely see the silver ice bucket underneath them. But it’s there and gives me something substantial to hold the flowers. You can choose to polish the silver, but I like mine tarnished a little. For the next season, I may polish it. Below is a few pictures BEFORE and without decor.

I try to take pictures when I bring treasures home. I don’t always remember, but I am glad I did this time.

I paid 7.99 for this bucket. Sometimes they are worth more than what you pay at thrift stores. It depends. Learn about SILVER.

Cleaning it up. (But not putting silver polish on it)

Silver reflects light and is so beautiful! Even when tarnished.

I made a bow to match my poinsettias and wrapped it all around. I wanted it to look good from the backside too.

I hope I give just one person an idea to use their old silver or to go thrifting for some. Happy Holidays!!!

Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

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Make Your Own One-of-a-Kind Wreath Hangers

December 18, 2021 townandcountrykathy

Hi Everyone! Think about taking a regular over-the-door wreath hanger and turn it into Unique Christmas Decor. You can make one for every holiday to match all kinds of wreaths.

I left mine fairly plain. But imagine if you paint the metal to match your wreath or match your home decor. You could paint one with red and white candy stripes or black and white checks. (Spray paint first with Rustoleum 2x paint and primer since they are usually metal or plastic)

A gold snowflake ornament for the winter season.

There are so many ornaments or embellishments you could add for any occasion. The possibilities are endless. Hobby Lobby sold ready made Christmas decorated wreath hangers this year, but if you want a unique one for any holiday you can make your own. I recommend using E6000 glue to attach the ornaments.

A silver glitter deer also for the winter season.

I chose to use the green and silver deer wreath door hanger to hang up a very plain evergreen wreath. I am gearing up for AFTER THE HOLIDAYS decor. Green floral evergreens are in my plans for a winter theme.

Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

I hope you will follow me on all my social media.

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Email: towncountryboutique@gmail.com

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Old Frame, New Holiday Way

December 17, 2021December 17, 2021 townandcountrykathy

Hi Everyone! Change an old frame into a NEW Holiday Frame!

I have several of these frames because they were hanging in my office before I retired. I worked with my husband as a partner in a trucking company and property investment company. I am now retired doing what I love….CREATING instead of chasing papers and reading numbers.I also staged homes as a Realtor and Property Seller. So I still have a lot of staging products. Having all this in storage led me to want to open up craft booths and refresh and resell these items.

Mom had these two twin elves. I think she bought them at Walmart. They have aqua scarves around their necks. This made me think about the aqua frames I have. Why not attach them to the aqua frame and make this a Christmas Decor Frame instead of an everyday frame. The buyer can use the frame “as is” with its scrapbook paper or put their children, grandchildren, or loved ones inside the three section frame.

Here is a closeup of the ivory and red design of the frame BEFORE changing to a Christmas Frame.

The elves were bright in color and my frame was aqua, ivory and dark red. I had to repaint those portions of the frame. Easy peasy.

After painting, I still felt it needed something festive. So I added a poinsettia and some bling. The red brooch came from TOTALLY DAZZLED. I am a brand ambassador for TOTALLY DAZZLED and I have a link below. Please go and check out their new gem colored stones.

Please see my affiliate link below if you wish to order any TOTALLY DAZZLED BLING.

Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

I hope you will follow me on all my social media.

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Email: towncountryboutique@gmail.com

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Transform Dollar Tree Christmas Bells

December 16, 2021 townandcountrykathy

Hi Everyone! These gold bells already had a grid pattern so it was SO SIMPLE to turn these into designer inspired bells. You may wish to paint them all white at first and then add the black checks. So many possibilities with these little bells. They would look perfect as an addition on a wreath.

Even though they are plastic, you CAN paint them. I recommend spray painting them white with Rustoleum 2x Paint and Primer if you want them black and white. I really liked the gold so I left mine with a gold background and added black ENAMEL craft paint to all the smooth edge checks. Make sure you get the paint that has the wine bottle on the top cap. It will stick to glass and smooth, slick surfaces.

Yay! I didn’t forget to take a BEFORE picture.

These Dollar Tree bells were all gold. But the grid patterns were smooth and textured. Sometimes the color gold can look very cheap and plasticy. But I thought the gold was done very well so I left it as is. I wanted black as the alternating color. (You can do red, silver, green, royal, etc) I wanted a farmhouse designer feel to it.

I took off the ribbons and trim that came with it, because those did not look very farmhouse or high end. I did keep them for other projects down the road.

I had to add bling to where the manufacturer had attached their trim because there was a hole. I used a button from Walmart.

I used wired burlap ribbon in a chevron pattern and a wired buffalo plaid ribbon to make a simple bow. Again the possibilities are endless with the colors and patterns.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and I hope I gave you an idea or two for any of your Dollar Tree Christmas Decor.

Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!

I hope you will follow me on all my social media.

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Cinnamon Potpourri and Gingerbread Cutouts

December 15, 2021 townandcountrykathy

Hi Everyone!

My Mom and I wanted our craft booths to not only LOOK like Christmas, we wanted them to SMELL like Christmas. So we decided to make some potpourri and gingerbread cutouts. These would make great gifts for the teacher, neighbor, nail tech, etc…

I got the recipe from Dana on “My Ole Country Home” on Facebook. We cut the recipe in half and made two batches at two different times. Our first batch was a test run. We found that the large gingerbread men came out the best.

Before they are baked. Use parchment paper for non-stick.

You can also use molds. They are baked in the oven very similar to cookies. Please go check out her page to get the recipe. You can also find other recipes online, especially if you want to mix pinecones, apple slices and orange slices all together. Essential oils are necessary. I took some pictures while we were making the second batch. Please see below.

We also used parchment paper to roll out the dough.

After they are baked, you can add all sorts of embellishments.

We purchased Dollar Store buckets to put the potpourri in. We added a gingerbread to the outside so people can test smell the flavor and added a bow to the other side or on top of the bucket.

Now for an even better gift….you can add a stuffed doll on top. I love how the legs of the dolls dangle over the sides. I did have to tie their legs onto the bucket for display reasons. They are so cute. I purchased the dolls at Hobby Lobby. They sold out quickly! Buy early!