Diamond in the Rough . . . or More of She Can't Not Touch

There it sat, shoved away in the back behind a bunch of stuff on the shelf in a locked cabinet. There was something about it that called to her. She asked the lady what it was. The shop worker unearthed it from underneath the pile. It was a pillow with vintage trims attached. She looked at it and handed it back with a thank you and moved on down the aisle.

She was looking for a good display pillow, and this wasn't it. She walked around a bit more, but found herself drawn back to the gaudy pillow. The pillow had been buried back under the pile and locked once more in the case.

"I'm sorry," she said, "but could I take one more look at the pillow?"

"Sure thing." The shop worker pulled it out of the cabinet again. "It's on sale, and the vintage trims are really nice."

"How much is it?" she inquired.

The price was next to nothing.

She thought maybe she could transform it. She bought it, and drove home.

When she brought it out of the bag, it was worse than she remembered. She began pulling the trims off, and discovered, to her horror, they had been hot-glued down. Glue?! she thought. What a mess! Who would use glue to attach this kind of millinery?


She tried ironing out the glue, but the material was beginning to stain.

It seemed a total loss. Then she thought. . . I'll just cut out all the glue gun part, and tuck the the material under. There was a pretty pink pillow insert underneath. After that it looked much better, but a tiny spot of the accursed glue remained on the pink pillow insert. Arghhh! What now?



She ran to her stash of ribbons and pulled out her very favorite. She took out a needle and thread, and painstakingly attached the French vintage rosette ribbons.





She stood back. "Yes," she sighed. "My soul is now content."

Until the next diamond in the rough . . .



27 comments:

bluemuf said...

Nancy, the transformation is magnificent. Great job the cushion is beautiful.

Hugs Karen

LiLi M. said...

Who would have thought that this beauty was hiding? You did a fab job. That color is amazing and reminds me of Jeanette one of my dutch blogging friends. She writes in Dutch only, but her blog is eyecandy.
http://jeanette-justjeanette.blogspot.com/

Sandi said...

What a gorgeous transformation!! Much, much better than the original.
Blessings~

Lori said...

ohmygosh Nancy!!! that is just gorgeous!!! you find the most stunning things!!! LOVE IT!!!

Beneath the Eaves said...

It is Stunning!!!!I would never have thought to roll it back. It is perfect.
Debra

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Nancy...you are a true artist..it is so beautiful now that you have added your special touch! You have given it a new life!
Take care, Laura

Celticlass said...

Thank You for visiting my blog. Yes it is a beautiful tree and it speaks in many ways to those who listen. Hopefully some people will.
Your pictures and blog are a constant inspiration visually and in context.
With Gratitude, Erin

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ilove tweaking things too! One must be a visionary! Excellent job, Nancy!! Bisous, ANita

Sandy said...

Glorious transformation! Will a dainty shoe rest upon this precious pillow?

BellaRosa said...

Nancy, isn't it wonderful to be able to see even the tiniest bit of beauty in something someone else might consider ugly or too gaudy...I think that is a gift to have that vision :) besos, Rose

Enzie Shahmiri said...

You discovered a swan in ugly duckling! :)

roseroomnz.com said...

oh my goodness Nancy, it dosen't look like the same little pillow. Divine! Rachaelxo

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

A most beautiful pillow transformation, Nancy. Gorgeous!

LW said...

Lovely ……
What a wonderful redo.
The color is beautiful.

And thank you for the reminder that sometimes we need to put down the glue.
I am working on a project and have it all laid out, I stopped because I was not sure what
to do next…I know now I need to get out the needle and thread.
I have four different bottles of glue within inches of my work and they were heckling me to
take the faster way out. You are right antique treasures should not be stuck forever …

Louise

Gabriela said...

Hello Nancy,

OMG!!! This is awesome! Great makeover!



~ Gabriela ~

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Nancy, I'm so inspired! What a fairy godmother you are! The transformation is gorgeous.

Rosemary said...

Great Nancy!
So much better. Isn't it fun to change things for the better!!
Rosemary

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Your delightful find is like the proverb of life that beauty lies within... but in this case you found the beauty that laid beneath. That burnished rose colour has such depth... the pillow is lovely.
xo Susan

koralee said...

how lovely indeed...this pillow/cushion is amazing and your images of it are beauitful.Great makeover..I adore the colour.Love this post today

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

It is so beautiful, Nancy. Definitely a diamond in the rough thanks to your artful eye and much patience in getting the details just perfect.
xo~Tracie

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

OMG !!! Nancy,
It is drop dead gorgeous.I cannot make a decent pillow ,this one i love alot.Very beautiful work. You have a good eye. XXOO Marie Antionette

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Darling that is perfection! What fun! Great description, I was there for a moment dear! Blessings.

rochambeau said...

Heavenly transformation Nancy!!
Ps.
Your banner looks very nice. I too have those slippers in my photo files!! They are just lovely.

The Victorian Parlor said...

It is beautifully transformed! Great job!

Blessings,

Kim

cathyB said...

What a fun post Nancy - love it - geat job - I want to be a part of your Marie soiree of course!

Fleur de Bee said...

STUNNING! I am inspired, thank you!

x Molly

Charm and Grace said...

Simply magnificent! What a grand way to tell a pillow tale.

Blessings,
Christi