My $2 Rustic Stool and French Script Bottle

Happy Monday Cottage Friends!

I've got some fun things to show you today. 

Captain and I went to our first garage sale of the season on Friday, where I found this very rustic stool for $2.


If rustic and primitive is not your thing, I understand.  It's not for everyone.  But I get excited when I find something like this. 




I love the fact that someone made it out of whatever they had on hand.  And that it has authentic aged patina, and gnarly edges around the top.




I love that when I asked the man who sold it to me where he found it, he looked at me in an odd way and said, "Oh, it was just sittin' around in my shop."  Honestly, I think he thought I was a cup and saucer short of a full place setting for wanting his old beat up stool.


I bought these two old books for $3 each.   (If you know me at all, you know I have a thing for antique and vintage books.)  They were both published in the mid 1800's.  The top one is in Spanish.


The stool told me it needed French accents too, so I placed my little French inspired pitcher with flowers next to the books.  And I was pleased.

Saturday I attended the monthly Ladies Craft Day at our church.  I had asked one of my friends to show me how to decoupage a bottle like the one she had given me last month.  (I know it's ridiculous that I've never done decoupage before, but it's just not something I was terribly interested in doing until now.)


I had it in mind to do something in a French script.  Pinterest turned out to be a good source for free printable French script.


And this is what I made.

 
The script print out I used had a colored background that gave it an aged appearance.  Mod Podge caused colors to bleed, which actually created a pastel patina I really like.  So, in this case an accident is a good thing.
 
To give my French bottle more character, I glued skinny twine around the top.
 
 
This glass Eiffel Tower was a gift from Robin, the friend who taught me to decoupage.  She presented it to me after church on Sunday.  Isn't she sweet?
 
 
And this is how everything looks together on my stool.  The little vintage hand embroidered doily was a recent 50 cent thrift store find.
 
My word for 2014 is "create", and I feel like I hit the mark with this endeavor.  


 
What do you think?
 

 
I'm sharing at these lovely parties:
Inspired Sunday at Sunday View
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Inspire Me Wednesday at MamaBuzz
Wake Up Wednesday at Sew Crafty Angel
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
What we Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond
Homemaking Party at Hope In Every Season
We Call It Olde Linkup at We Call it Junkin
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
The Scoop at Stone Gable
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique
Link Party at Redoux
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Craft Frenzy Friday at Craft Dictator
Be Inspired at Common Ground

38 comments

  1. Love the stool . . . really do! And I enjoyed your creating!

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  2. Nancy it's fabulous - agree the gnarly edge is what makes it special. I love the pic where you added the jug with the fleur de lis and those books, the chunky one is really great!

    You did a nice job with the bottle - like the twine around the top.
    Keep on creating - Mary

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Mary. Life just seems sweeter when I'm creating something.

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  3. A definite score all the way around, Nancy! I love the stool...it is unique, crude and simply fabulous. I totally appreciate its simplicity and age. You paired it with the perfect accessories. Nice job on the bottle. One project and you are a decoupaging pro!

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    1. Thank you, Kim. I'm at an age now where I'm not afraid to try something new, even if I fail. I think when we approach creativity that way we can't fail. Not really. Anyway, I'm ready to do more decoupage projects. :)

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  4. Oh how lovely - grand home decor. I really enjoyed this visit via Amaze Me Monday. Thank you. :)

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    1. Thank you, Kaye. I'm so glad you stopped by, and I hope you'll return. :)

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  5. I LOVE the stool. I can just imagine the stories it holds.
    Looks as if you chose the perfect word for the year!

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    1. Aww, thanks Joan. I couldn't agree with you more about the stories. I believe that's one reason why I like old objects so much.

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  6. I really love altered bottles...great job! I also love the stool. What a great bargain!

    Gigi @ Old World Patina

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    1. Thank you, Gigi. That's actually the first bottle alteration I've attempted, and it was a lot of fun. Thanks for visiting. :)

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  7. Oh, Nancy! I love what you did to that bottle! I am glad you added it to the Home Sweet Home party this week, I will feature it next week. It is brilliant!
    Sherry

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    1. Oh, Sherry, thanks so much. You made my day!

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  8. I really love your french script bottle (I am re-doing my laundry room and have been considering using mod podge ---confession, I have not been interested before now either:)
    Your bottle looks so cute perched atop your new (old) stool.....found you at inspire me wednesday. Have a good week.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and leaving such a nice comment. I have to say that I'm kind of hooked on this decoupage thing. I've already got my next project in mind. If you end up doing some decoupaging, I hope you'll let me know. I'd love to see it. ~ Nancy

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  9. Hi Nancy! I'm visiting from Wow Us Wed. :) LOVE the stool to death--everything about it, and am thinking I'm might need to make myself a French bottle, too. I just bought a French text book for artsy purpose, so I could use that. Though I love the script thing you have going on yours. Blessings, Diana

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    1. Diana, I think your French text book would be perfect for a bottle like this. Or I could see it on a plate, or any number of objects. If you do something, please let me know. I'd really like to see it. Thanks for visiting and for your kind words. ~ Nancy

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  10. I love, love, love your stool, and can't get over the deal you got! I've not seen the bottle project like you've done before, very cool. Thanks for sharing this at the History & Home Link Party this week! Take care - Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

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  11. I can just imagine this vignette in a centuries old French cottage! I will warn you - you can quickly become attached to the magic of Mod Podge.

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    1. Donna, thank you. If you can imagine a vignette like that, then I've far exceeded my expectations. :) I think you're right about Mod Podge. I'm starting to look at plain little objects in a whole new light. Glad you stopped by!

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  12. Beautiful is the word!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog :)

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    1. How nice of you to visit and leave such kind words. Thank you, and I will visit.

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  13. Your new vignette is wonderful. The little man would be proud !!! I adore old books and love to use them in decorating for myself and clients and looks like you picked up some nice ones. It is so much fun to treasure hunt, I'm going myself tomorrow if the weather holds up. Thanks again for the recent visit, Lisa

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    1. Lisa, thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog. And for your kind words. They are a real compliment to me, as I admire your work so much. Have a great weekend. (I did see your response to my comment on your blog, and I will be sure to send you a photo of our new cottage when it's finished. Thanks so much for your interest.) ~ Nancy

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  14. Nancy, it all came together so nicely. Love, love that stool! Great job on the bottle. I like the bleeding effect too! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks, Jann. I've got a bad case of spring fever, so my creative groove is in full gear. xx

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  15. How pretty - LOVE that stool - but I love how you pulled it all together even more!
    I have an affinity for Paris - so this is right up my alley!!!
    Happy weekend!
    Hugs,
    Moi

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    1. Thanks so much, Suzan. Lately I've been drawn to French décor. Maybe it's because it's spring and "April in Paris" has been floating around in my head. ; ) Nice to have you visit. XX ~ Nancy

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  16. Sometimes the more beat up something is, the more beautiful it becomes. There is so much character. Thanks for linking to What We Accomplished Wednesday. Your link did show up. I hope you were able to see it.

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    1. I did, Deborah. Thank you! And thanks for taking the time to visit. Have a great week. ~ Nancy

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  17. Hello Nancy - wonderful garage sale finds! Love the stool! The decoupaged bottle is beautiful! I am delighted to share that your post will be featured in this week's Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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    1. Kathy, thank you! I couldn't ask for better news this morning. Blessings ~ Nancy

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  18. Hi Nancy,
    just hopping by to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  19. I saw your post featured at A delightsome Life. I have no idea how I missed it... I'm supposed to get your new posts by mail. Anyway, the vignette is absolutely lovely. The stool is perfect and the decoupage bottle is a lovely creation and the "accident" made it even prettier.

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    1. Aw, you're so sweet, Magali. Thank you. I've been on a French kick lately, and I know why. It's your influence, my dear. I have my husband the artist painting a French rooster for me. Yes. It's true.

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  20. What a fun find and a great project! Love them both!

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