Well, it is March and we are cold. Will someone please tell Mother Nature that we are supposed to be in the low sixties and not the forties.
What better thing to do than to add some flowers in the house to make it seem like spring. So I did a very quick, as in less than ten minutes, project Friday morning before I even got out of my pajamas. Anyone else start projects in their jammies?
I have had this little bouquet of silk flowers (yes, that is right, silk) for years and they were tucked away on a shelf in a closet. Note to self: you really need to clean stuff out.
I found this at HomeGoods on the clearance aisle and the sticker is still on the bottom. It looks okay, but I decided it could use some more color. So out came my Annie Sloan Chalk Paints in Old White and Louis Blue.
And now we have this. The vase was lightened up with the Old White and the Louis Blue was brushed on the flowers.
It isn't perfect, but the colors on real flowers aren't perfect either.
Now it resides in the master bedroom. The hyacinths I had in a vase lasted about a week.
I love having fresh flowers in the house, but I just don't have the extra money to spend on fresh flowers. I figured if I spent $20 every two weeks on the real deal that would be $40 a month and $40 times the eight months till my trip would be $320. I would rather have that in my pocket to shop with.
So for now they will be silk.
Now, back to the chairs.
Happy Sunday!
Aren't you clever! Look, you're becoming a crafter after all :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I love the chalk paint idea! Yes fresh flowers tend to be expensive when they add up ::sigh:: but I can't help myself... Plus I'm not very good at dusting.
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks beautiful, Kim. I'm amazed at what you can do with a little paint. I have to have my fresh flowers here. Spoiled, I know. Some are from my garden, but most come from the flower market at the grocery.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will warm up for you. We are now back into spring mode. Supposed to be 88 tomorrow. Fortunately they are saying it will drop to a high of 70 and 60 again rest of the week. I'm ready for spring, but 88 is getting too hot for spring in my mind. '-)
I would have never thought to paint silk flowers. They turned out great! We were in the 20's yesterday and have had snow flurries for the past two days. Hurry up spring!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! Even I spread my ascp everywhere and yep neither I have all this extra money in my pocket to spend for fresh flowers... I received as gift for my forty last year a bunch of fabric pale pink roses.. they can be washed and simmered in water, and i swear they seam so real and gorgeous for all the year round!
ReplyDeleteBlue roses?
ReplyDeleteI get what you are saying but you kind find real flowers for less than $20. Have you tried orchids? You can find them for no more than $20 and many times as little as $10. Even if you throw them away - you'll have blooms for months.
tina
Why didn't I think of that! Great idea! xo
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Kim! :)
ReplyDeleteYour so right about the price of
ReplyDeletefresh flowers.. It is very chilly
out today and I clipped a few
Hibiscus and brought them in..
Like you, makes me think it's
Spring..
Lovely silks you have there!
Sandy
That's such a great idea! I'm off to root through my old silk flowers.
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought of painting silk flowers! They turned out great! I find it hard to spend the money on fresh flowers, too! Now the silk flowers are so realistic that I'll stick to them as well!
ReplyDeleteWell, isn't that funny. I was going to say EXACTLY what Tammy said. Pretty much word for word. Love what you did to the flowers. And to repeat, I never would have thought of painting silk flowers. You are so creative Kim! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
These look wonderful with the splash of blue. I know what you mean about fresh flowers. They are a splurge and so fleeting... That's probably why I obsessively photograph real flowers everywhere I go. Then I have them forever.
ReplyDeleteI used to spray paint flowers at work when we didn't have the color I needed. So this is almost the same idea. They came out beautifully and I love where you have them. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Kim...yes, it's too cold here in NC! I didn't move here for cold weather :( I start projects in my pj's almost on a daily basis...don't know why, but I always have!
ReplyDeleteNice idea,they came out beautiful we all are waiting for March 20 for sprig it is cool here in Miami 50 and 60's Supposed to be 40 tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBlessing
XOX
Isora
:-)
Great thinking on the shopping money. You go girl. I would never thought to have painted faux flowers. Great trick..and you did this before you got out of your p.j.'s? I think it would take me longer than that!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I love them!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Who would have thought!! I can't count the number of faux flowers that I have tossed.
ReplyDeleteThey look great!
The blue is much prettier!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant Kim, I'll be looking at my flower stash with a new appreciation of what one can do with "tired" flowers. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow in the world did you paint flowers. I thought for sure you did it with spray paint, but with chalk paint there is no spray. They look wonderful and so fresh in that vase. I love summer when I get flowers for free all season, but Im with you they are just to pricey to keep the home stocked with in the winter months. In summer I have fresh blooms in every room. I stick with faux in winter, it is better than nothing:)
ReplyDeleteThey look beautiful in blue. I stick with faux since we have a cat and I can't take a chance with her eating the real thing. Love chalk paint.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely improved the flowers with the blue touch!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
You are a smart cookie ;) Yep. I want something to show for my money, as much as I love fresh flowers... if they aren't in a pot, I hate to spend my money on them. These look super fab ;)
ReplyDelete:) I like your mathematical explanation, Kim! It's the same way for me, I can't afford them! I tried to work in the garage today, I only spent 30 minutes there, it was sooo cold! I'm so tired of that! Cute project, I love the blue you chose!
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteThey look beautiful in the blue. What a difference a little paint makes. Very pretty. I agree if you can save money for your Paris trip to spend that would be more worth it than fresh flowers for now. Plus these artificial flowers look real.
Kris
I love that! So sweet!
ReplyDeleteOK, Kim, this is one of the best ideas I've seen in ages. they look gorgeous, what a great "save"!
ReplyDeleteYou painted the flowers??!!...Never thought of that..they look great!...I love using good silk flowers...will definitely have to give that a try!!! They look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteKim, your flowers look great now that you've painted them. I don't spend the money either on fresh flowers even though they are lovely ... I'd rather spend my money on preserved boxwood topiaries that last forever!
ReplyDeleteAnything that reminds me of spring works for me. I love this idea.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Laura
Kim,
ReplyDeleteVery nice project, I love the color of the roses and yes I have started projects in my PJ's. Way to go.
Cynthia
Real flowers are a luxury for me Kim and I use them every now and then but there are some.... soooo realistic blooms now I mainly use silk. They look lovely and very clever of you!
ReplyDeleteI have that EXACT arrangement with pink roses! Too funny! I like how they look with the paint! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI think faux flowers can be lovely and yours is awesome! And I start projects in my jammies all the time!
ReplyDeleteWOW Kim that looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Kim, when it comes to spending money on fresh flowers ... although yesterday I did buy three small pots of tulips at $1.49 each from Wal-Mart, put them in a pretty wicker basket with moss as filler and hope they will last a while. Flowers bring me so much happiness; I, too, find myself surrounded by mostly artificial. You can get some really pretty ones at Hobby Lobby (love their flowering branches!), especially when they are marked 50% off, and there are such beautiful artificial ferns available in this day and age. Live or artificial, they all bring a smile to my face!
ReplyDeleteDiane
They look lovely in blue..wow, a little paint transforms things and rooms too! I buy flowers for my home every week, as our local supermarket has them on sale. Flowers around here are not expensive, mind you. The tray with your grand's teacups is very pretty too. Beautiful shots, too! Big hugs,
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Very nice upgrade! I never dreamed of painting flowers, what a fun idea! It turned out Great!!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Who would have thought? Not me! They look beautiful. Did you have to add a little bit of water to the paint to make it easier to spread on all those flowers? A lot better then using a dye to change the color.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have the extra shopping money too!
ReplyDeleteAnd there are some pretty darn good fakes out there to enjoy~I spritz them with scented oils or add rose hips to the vase--!
Catherine
Clever. I would not have thought of using ASCP on the flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt's official...you will paint anything! Who knew you could paint flowers.
ReplyDelete