Sunday, September 12, 2010

Remember when?

I showed you this?  And said she would be coming home with me soon?



Well, she didn't.  But her friend did!!  Here is the story of how I got my swans.

I grew up with two swans.  I don't remember a childhood memory in our house without the two swans.
They sat on a ledge in our house and cast a shadow at night that could be seen from my parents room.
I used to wake my mom up at night because of those shadows!

Well they were in my mom's house for a long time and my step-dad even took some paint to them.
But I rescued them from the attic and brought them home to have a happy life with my family.
The swans came from Spiegel over 25-30 years ago.

Here is the before complete with bronze paint.



The transformation begins

One simple coat of paint was all it needed.


Then I distressed it with a light sanding and added some definition with Valspar glaze and acrylic paint.

Do you see his broken tail feather? This happened when I was about 8! 
They have been around for a while!




So what do you think?
Not bad for an old hand me down!

I am linking up with Between Naps on the Porch  for Metamorphosis Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesdays
House of Grace for Twice owned Tuesdays
Domestically Speaking for the Power of Paint Party
Faded Charm for White Wednesday

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31 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 12, 2010 at 7:54 PM

    Your swans are beautiful and even more special are the memories! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Karen The Graphics FairySeptember 12, 2010 at 8:08 PM

    They turned out great!! What a wonderful transformation, for these lovely nostalgic pieces!

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2010 at 8:14 PM

    Hi Lacy! Oh, your swans turned out beautifully and how special that you grew up with them. Hopefully their shadows won't scare you anymore! ;)
    I've just one of your followers.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. AnnSeptember 12, 2010 at 8:51 PM

    Very nice, Lacy!! I love them and it looks like you got a much, much better deal on two than one!
    Have a great week.:o)
    Fondly,
    Ann
    @
    The Tattered Tassel

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  5. UnknownSeptember 12, 2010 at 9:02 PM

    I love your swans. Glad you rescued them.

    Sheila @ Raggedykingdom.blogspot.com

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  6. xinexSeptember 12, 2010 at 9:52 PM

    The swans are beautiful and you did a great job repainting and distressing them...Christine

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  7. Entertaining WomenSeptember 12, 2010 at 11:02 PM

    I love that you have cherished this small part of your heritage in such a loving way. Thank you for sharing the redo of your wonderful geese. Cherry Kay

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  8. LindySeptember 13, 2010 at 2:07 AM

    Not bad? It's awesome! I have a spot for one when you get tired of it!!

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  9. Miss CharSeptember 13, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    Wow, what a treasure complete with memories. Is there anything better than that? You did a wonderful job and I have Swan envy.

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  10. Tammy @BeatriceBanksSeptember 13, 2010 at 11:19 AM

    Love 'em! Great job on refinihsing.

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    My favorite...decor with memories attached ;o) They are beautiful.

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  12. SherrySeptember 13, 2010 at 3:25 PM

    It is always better to have something that brings back memories. My favorite things are those that belonged to a loved one before I own it. I like what you did to update it.

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  13. Janet - Birdland TreasuresSeptember 13, 2010 at 5:38 PM

    I'm so glad you are able to enjoy these treasures from your growing-up years. You've re-finished them beautifully!

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  14. sweet violetsSeptember 14, 2010 at 12:59 AM

    Love how these turned out!!! And such special memories too!!! Cleo

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  15. Sonny GSeptember 14, 2010 at 8:47 AM

    lacy, they look FABULOUS~!! well done indeed..

    Sonny

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  16. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeSeptember 14, 2010 at 2:40 PM

    Oh they are gorgeous and so much more precious than the first one you wanted. I love them on top of your armoire. You did a wonderful job of renewing them. Thanks so much for linking to TTT Hugs, Marty

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  17. GardenOfDaisiesSeptember 14, 2010 at 2:53 PM

    Those swans look perfect on your armoire!! I love them so much with the coat of paint!

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  18. BailiwickStudioSeptember 14, 2010 at 8:20 PM

    How wonderful that the swans live with you now. They look very pleased with their situation! ::Jill

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  19. Courtney ~ French Country CottageSeptember 14, 2010 at 8:55 PM

    Love your swans!! They are gorgeous and so much better that you have the history of them and remember them when you were younger! So great! Found you at BNOTP. Nice to meet you! :)

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  20. OliveSeptember 14, 2010 at 9:09 PM

    Your swans are very elegant. Well done. hugs♥olive

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  21. RebeccaSeptember 14, 2010 at 9:21 PM

    What a lovely story to go with your swans!

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  22. Blessed SerendipitySeptember 14, 2010 at 9:43 PM

    Pretty swans!

    -Danielle

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  23. VintagesouthernlifeSeptember 15, 2010 at 2:15 AM

    Your swans are lovely. I'm so glad you were able to rescue and redo them. They look gorgeous on your armoire. Happy White Wednesday, Annette

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  24. Nice and Easy AntiquesSeptember 15, 2010 at 10:07 AM

    This is the story of the ugly swans that became swans!!! LOL! Great transformations, great rescue and even better memories!!

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  25. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageSeptember 15, 2010 at 10:19 AM

    Very Nice! Love where they ended up!

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  26. Ann @ makethebestofthingsSeptember 15, 2010 at 12:03 PM

    Lovely! I don't have any "family" swans so I may have to try my hand at making them with paper mache. That would be an accomplishment and a half! Yours are gorgeous.

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  27. AtticmagSeptember 15, 2010 at 1:46 PM

    Love swans -- they will make you happy every day and they are so worth working on.

    Did you hear about our Roxy girls' bedding giveaway? Hope so (it ends tomorrow). Jane F.

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  28. SusanSeptember 17, 2010 at 5:03 PM

    I love the swans!! The glazing made them so much better!!

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  29. All Things Pretty...September 19, 2010 at 11:15 AM

    Your swan story is so sweet... and so are your revamped swans! You did a fab job! :) mercedes

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  30. TerrellSeptember 21, 2010 at 4:45 PM

    Oh this turned out MARVELOUS!!! Way to go on such a beautiful transformation! I'm happy to be your newest follower of your sweet blog and I'd love to have you as a friend at FrouFrou Decor! I'd also like to invite you to link your creations up at my link party - Fabulous Friday Finds! Hope to see you there!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ FrouFrou Decor~

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  31. KimMalkSeptember 24, 2010 at 10:29 PM

    They look wonderful, Lacy. I really like their new spot.

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