Interview with Dragonfly Treasure

I was recently interviewed by 

Jordan Mason from

 Floor Coverings International.

Thank you Jordan, I'm honored.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

At Floor Coverings International Southlake, we love to bring you creative insight and perspectives from some of the most influential bloggers on the web. Our latest interview features arts, crafts, and home and garden blogger Deb of Dragonfly Treasure. You can follow Deb on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

What’s one of your favorite design pieces you have in your own home?

I’d have to say an old single pane window I used to transform into “A Day at the Beach” memory piece that currently is hanging in our beachy hall bath. I mixed some glue with sand to add along the bottom to represent the sea bottom. A mermaid silhouette and seashells reside there. A few off white sheets of paper dance in the pane to act as mats for photos of my family at the beach or somewhere near water – circa 50’s-60’s. My favorite was dated 1929 and showcases Bathing Beauties relatives that were before my time. Netting entwined with sticks, starfish, teeny glass bottles, and a run aground wooden boat on the side complete the piece.

What is your favorite design trend of 2016?

Mixed metals I’m excited about. Not just silver and gold but even copper, pewter, bronze and others – RUST even? Seems like anything goes now, even though I’ve been doing this to a small degree, now it’s OK! Like I listen to the trends! Even mixing materials is now popular – metals, stone, wood. I always called it “Eclectic Poor!” Also multiple mirrors. I love mirrors and have a few vintage ones hanging/standing in front of one another by size. All of a sudden I’m trendy; not sure how that happened.

Do you follow any other blogs for inspiration? If so, which ones?

Years ago I used to have time to follow a few blogs. These days I’m afraid to say I just don’t have the time, but I spend many hours in doctors lobbies. I peruse magazines like crazy, sometimes several times over the same zine. Once the “home” zines are done, any subject will do – hey, they have ads in them. My advice? Take the time and devour the photo, piece by piece, just as you do the good zines. You’ll be surprised at the ideas/inspiration you’ll come away with.

Can you explain a recent project you’ve been working on?

I recently finished something that had been waiting in the wings for approximately 10 years, I’m ashamed to say. And it took a challenge for me to do it! I picked up three wooden folding chairs with dark green leather seats. They were in pretty amazing shape and were a steal. There was also a different style that was all wood that I also grabbed from the same thrift store. I could see the leather seat style, in my minds eye, with a white frame against the dark olive leather seats – gorgeous. Then life happened. Fast forward to this spring.

Mother Nature had gotten to the chairs and did her thing. The wood backs were dry, warped, peeling, and past their prime for painting. But I buckled down and scraped, sanded and glued. They still weren’t in good enough shape to paint outright, but much better than before. The leather had held up its end well, so I wanted to keep it original. I decided to paint each chair frame a different color–mint, beige, pink and blue. I knew the backs wouldn’t come out looking as well as envisioned years prior, but I painted them anyway.

Then I got the idea of covering them in napkins. I figured the imperfections in the backs would be harder to see with springy garden napkins over it. I fell into the perfect napkins at an inexpensive store I frequent. I decided to cover only the backs and legs. I then separated the napkin layers, Modge Podged them on, easy as pie, and tore as I went to fit. Once I was all done, I gave it a good two days to dry/cure, then coated all the napkins again for a final sealant coat. They still fold up nicely too!

I love the way each of the different colors show through the napkins on the backs of the chairs. They all coordinate well, but each is unique.

Primitive Homespun Christmas Candy Canes

I ran into these plastic Candy Canes at Dollar Tree 
and my mind went to prim. 

Why is goes to primitive ornaments on certain things this time of year is beyond me.

But I digress...

6 in a package for $1 can't beat that!

I could see them in homespun hanging on an 'Olde Fashioned' Christmas Tree giving a vintage vibe, to die for!

Brought them home and began stripping fabric.

A good way to use up some of those odds and ends pieces!

These could as easily be done up in flowery cottage fabric for a whole different look.

I hot glued one end of fabric to the end of the candy cane 


and began wrapping is round and round until it was completely covered, being sure to keep the fabric taut. 

When reaching the end, hot glue into place toward bottom.

Trim off the excess fabric leaving enough to fold over to finish off the end with a dab of hot glue.

They are ready to hang on your tree, wreath or where ever you'd like. Of course, you can always embellish them.
Raffia, jute, rusty items, a bit of greenery, just about anything 

They make a cute little gift too.

I bundled a few together, tied with jute, 
then un-twisted the jute and made a bow.
  

Added a rusty jingle bell with a rusty safety pin
and there you have it.
Easy, quick and inexpensive!

Great little remembrance, teacher, hostess, postmaster, 
neighbor, favorite clerk, lab tech, the list goes on.

Here's a little shabby cottage one I made to show
 you one of the other many ways you can decorate these.

 A bit of pink trim leftover from another project, 

 white flower bead trim from a yard sale,
bead caps and tiny pink pearls from my stash. 

Let your inspiration flow and have fun making some!
Some of these made it into my Etsy Shop :)

Paint 'em Pretty ~ Happy Halloween!

BOO!

I wanted to have fun with my nails for Halloween but was running low on time sooooo I just went with an orange I had picked up at a garage sale, yep a garage sale!

Sorry, no labels on so can't tell you what brand or color.

My pinky has a different color orange, why? My daughter was cleaning her desk and found a sample she had received, gave it to me and I wanted to see the difference between hers and mine. Since I was already done with my orange I just did my pinky ;)

It's a little lighter and pearly.

Again no label ~ sorry.

Now for my accent ghoulies ~

One coat of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear, 629 -   "Black Out". Absolutely LOVE this! One coat does the trick, covers well, not too thick, not too thin. 

PERFECTION!

 Sinful Colors,101 - Snow Me White made the body. 

Again only one coat was needed.

Used a dotting tool to make the eyes and mouth.

A coat of Seche Vite and c'est fini!

Congratulations and Happy Early Birthday Brandon!!

A big CONGRATS to my oldest for receiving a Commemorative award for being with Rabobank for 5 years!

A key chain, his choice of gifts (nice ones too!) 

And a personalized book by bank officers, 

management and co-workers.

Very touching and funny remarks and associated pictures,

 to say the least.

An early celebration for Brandon's birthday was held yesterday. Why? Because little Brandon Joseph will be making his appearance on Nov. 4th and Brandon Ray's birthday is Nov. 10th. Tanya didn't figure a BIG 40 celebration would be in order that close after a c-section! Don't blame her!

A good time was had by all,

usually is when you get this crowd together :)

Just gonna throw in some photo's here,

burning daylight ~ rain has stopped and need to prep the yard for Winter. That's a novel concept in and of itself!

But I digress.....

A delicious lunch followed by opening of the gifts...

Tanya telling Sheri how she's going to 

pop LB threw the goal posts?

The piece de resistance ~

Star Wars Birthday Cake 

Love you Brandon!

♥