Sunday, October 9, 2011

Aged Cherub

This cherub has a dirty secret.







The secret that took her from a garish gold composition piece,



to something that resembles stone.



You've seen me do stone effects before. Like in my post,  "More Stone",




but this effect is subtle, and doesn't involve a top coat of paint.



The look you see here, I achieved with good old fashioned dirt. I painted her with my white gesso/paint mixture.  When she was almost dry, I doused her with dirty water.


After dabbing back the excess, I let it seep in and dry.



I left more in the crevices, which brings out the details.






Got dirt?


Sharing With:
The Rosegarden in Malevik: Saturday Show Off
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt It Friday
From My Front Porch To Yours: Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Beyond The Picket Fence: Under $100 Linky Party
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Faded Charm: White Wednesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesdays Treasures
Charm Bracelet Diva: Club GW
House of Grace: Twice Owned Party
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Bloggers
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Monday
Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
Under The Table and Dreaming: The Sunday Showcase






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57 comments:

  1. Myric October 9, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I like how it turned out. Angel looks happier

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  2. Wendy@Once upon a rose havenOctober 9, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Beautiful creation! Love the new look!

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  3. RhissannaOctober 9, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    I saw the cherub and knew the post must be from you. This is brilliant. And free!

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  4. beachcomberOctober 9, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    a beautiful transformation, love the paint effect!
    x

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  5. UnknownOctober 9, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    That's it ! My next trip to Michal's I'm buying some gesso ! I've got to try some of these things ,

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  6. DebbiedoosOctober 9, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Beautiful little cherub! She looks so much better and you can see all the detail on her pretty little face.

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  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleOctober 9, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Just fabulous. It would have aged naturally by getting dirty from the air and you just sped things up.

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  8. AnonymousOctober 9, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    a little dirt never hurt anybody...and in this case is actually an improvement...love all your "trade secrets".. you have so many wonderful ideas...
    best,
    maureen

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  9. ToniOctober 9, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Wow...once again you hit it out the ballpark. I actually saw something very like the before this weekend. I should go see if it is still there...

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  10. UnknownOctober 9, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    NO but i plan on getting me some real soon!! lol! :)

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  11. LiliOctober 9, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    OMGosh! You are truly a master. Love how you use so many non-conventional methods to achieve your gorgeous transformations. And the fact that you share this knowledge with us too, you are a true gem...thanks so much for that. xo ~Lili

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  12. Leena Milligan LanteigneOctober 9, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    LOVE it! This turned out so beautifully! I adore cherubs and this one is so pretty! Great inspiration, Rosemary - thank you for sharing! Hugs, Leena

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  13. A Shabby Moment in TimeOctober 9, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    What a great idea! I'm hoping to try this sometime soon. Thanks for sharing the "magic"
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

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  14. awal.nyOctober 9, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Wow what a difference. I am going to borrow this technique for sure. I just love how creative it is, this is one of the reasons I love blogging, passing ideas from one to another.

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  15. NanaDianaOctober 9, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Well, my Gosh, Rosemary! I don't know how I never came across your blog before! I saw your comment over at Tracies (Fishtail) and you said exactly what I was thinking...so here I am! I am your newest follower and can't wait to go back and read some of your older posts. It'll be a few days cuz I am just getting back from vacation and have to go back to work...but at least I found you! Love your cherub...SOOOOO much better now~ Hugs and all- Diana

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  16. PamelaOctober 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Sooo pretty!

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  17. Sissie's Shabby CottageOctober 9, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Very sweet. I love how it turned out. I might give it a try the next dime I run across a concrete piece.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  18. lvroftiquesOctober 9, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    FAA Rosemary! Only you could make dirt look this good! *winks* I love the cherub....you knew I would....Vanna

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  19. KellyOctober 9, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Who would've thought to use dirty water to renovate something? You would! Ha! Again, you have created something special.

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  20. Allison ShopsOctober 9, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Much better. Love that you use dirt! Too funny.

    Dropping by from BNOTP.

    Allison
    Atticmag
    Hidden Laundry

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  21. AnonymousOctober 9, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Love what you did with that cherub. So much prettier and to think you did that with dirt!!

    Kris

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  22. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovementOctober 9, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Great job! You are so talented. I definitely would've thought you'd painted it.

    Pam

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  23. Katie @ Wildwood CreekOctober 9, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Another great transformation with a unique twist!

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  24. UnknownOctober 9, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    She's adorable! And so easy...right?

    Dash was looking at the chicks in the tub....last spring.

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  25. AnnOctober 9, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    That's incredible! Such a remarkable transformation and a creative treatment.

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  26. Well WornOctober 10, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    Looks great. Dirt...who knew? Love your blog and have it on my side bar. Thanks for sharing all your techniques.

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  27. reFresh reStyleOctober 10, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    I like your little dirty secret, how inventive!
    Debbie

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  28. Christine @ Stonehouse LivingOctober 10, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    Hi Rosemary,

    Oh, she looks great! What a sweet little cherub...
    Lovely photo!
    All the Best,
    Christine

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  29. Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeOctober 10, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    That was an awful looking thing in the 'before' picture -- what a difference you made with the gesso! The details are so much more vivid -- now it's such a great piece!

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  30. SherryOctober 10, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Even dirty water can make art! I prefer the new "dirty" cherub!

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  31. micheleOctober 10, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    your first sentence sucked me right in! dirty secret is evocative every single timE!

    bravo on your dirty cherub.

    michele

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  32. The Summer Kitchen GirlsOctober 10, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Dirty water....ok...you ARE amazing :) She turned out beautiful Rosemary!!

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  33. Johanna GehrleinOctober 10, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Hi Rosemary,
    you are really creative. I love the new look. Much nicer than the golden version. Dirt makes everything antique. The blackened parts remind me to the Antiqued Silver. You know I collect rose patterned cutlery and they blacken the deep parts to give them an antique look. It result is as pretty as your angel.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  34. KarenOctober 10, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Wow what a difference!! it looks beautiful. Love the last photo, beautifully staged pic.

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  35. Lou Cinda @ Tattered HydrangeasOctober 10, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Girl, I GOT dirt! And this is amazing! Who would have thought to use dirty water??? You! That's who!

    Another awesome transformation!

    Lou Cinda

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  36. savvycityfarmerOctober 10, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I rubbed mud on some white urns once before the Arboretum ... they were the first thing to sell ...


    shhhhhhh ...

    mighty fine work my friend

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  37. mariondee-designsOctober 10, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    You're a genius! What a transformatiion..I just love it! take care, Maryann ps. never, ever would Ihave thought you used dirt!! lol!

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  38. Susan EvelynAndRoseOctober 10, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    I never thought I would say "I love that dirty angel"! There's always a first. How clever of you, Rosemary, and it's realistic considering most statues have plenty of dirt from being outside.
    Great job!
    - Susan

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  39. Honey at 2805October 10, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Great transformation! You know we will al be talking about your drty little secret

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  40. time worn interiorsOctober 10, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Your angel looks so much better now! Love it!
    tot

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  41. SueOctober 10, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Rosemary, You've done it again! Nothing like a little dirt to enhance a piece of art! She truly went from garish gold to beautiful stone. :-) Sue

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  42. Cindi @ Rustique ArtOctober 10, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    she's fabulous and every girl has one of those little secrets :) she should be no different.

    as lovely as she is I couldn't keep my eyes off of the black stone planter. love it lots!

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  43. GenevaOctober 10, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Your cherub looks so much better... I love her transformation. You always Inspire! Thank you for sharing how you did it.

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  44. CLDOctober 10, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Your cherub is just beautiful...wow
    what a difference. Thanks for sharing your know how!! Have a great week. Bobbie

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  45. AnonymousOctober 11, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    This is genius! I love how the cherub is now stone.

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  46. subtle magnetismOctober 11, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    As always, I really love your metal to stone transformations! So creative and different, and they end up looking really wonderful and edgy in that "midnight in the garden of good and evil" way. Hey... that could be a good post name for halloween... lol.

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  47. KellyOctober 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award! I think you've been nominated by Prissyville too, so now you have 2 nominations! Ha! You can check out the details on my blog.

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  48. outjunkingOctober 11, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Rosemary,
    I wish you would take this show on the road. I would sign up in a minute. You know how much I enjoy your work and teaching us along the way.
    Lisa

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  49. a quiet lifeOctober 11, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    that was fabulous... love your photo skills too~

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  50. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLROctober 11, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Rosemary,
    Great transformation, as always! Your work is just stunning!! This cherub is simply gorgeous!

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  51. Shabby chic SandyOctober 11, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    so beautiful--what a great effect!

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  52. Ivy and ElephantsOctober 12, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    An amazing work of art. I really believe that the little cherub is much happier in stone then the gold tone. The stone look actually looks softer, if that is possible. You totally rock!

    Paula

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  53. GailOctober 12, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Another gorgeous make-over Rosemary. You are truly amazing!

    Enjoy your evening,
    Gail

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  54. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereOctober 12, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Rosemary, I have rubbed dirt into an object to make it look old but never thought of dirty water. I love all your paint tips. The cherub turned out beautiful! Thanks for linking to the party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  55. Heaven's WalkOctober 13, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    LOL! Oh my gosh....you are just incredible, girl! lol! I love this technique! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  56. PamelaOctober 17, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    Rosemary you always amaze me lady!! Thanx for coming over to party this past week! Sorry I am a tad behind on visiting. Hope your week started off well!

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  57. Our Hopeful HomeOctober 24, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Dirt? Now I've seen it all! Love her so much better the new way. Thanks for linking this up over at my Club G.W. Party last week. It only takes me a week to get back to you lol! This week's party will be up later tonight!

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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