Polish 4th of July today!

I took a HOLIDAY from work today - it was a BeAuTiFuL dAy - warm and breezy - just the kind I wish we could have every single day.  I woke early - got chores done, collected eggs, pinched off dead/dying flower heads (so they would continue to bloom longer), picked me some wild black RaSpBeRRiEs and made some freezer jam, and finished painting a 125 yr old statue of Jesus on the cross.

 Some of you know that I have a side-business: Vintage Statuary Restoration.  I was dreading starting to paint this particular plaster statue, but I love the way it turned out...It was a crumpled mess when the lady asked me about repairing it.  The more I handled it and moved it to work on it, the more it crumbled!  I had it taped together when I took it over to my mom's house to show her and get some advice from 'The EXPERT'!  She's taught me all I know about repairs on such articles.

Above are the "BEFORE" Pictures.  You can see the difficulties it presented.  The cross was originally 3 ft tall, with a Jesus that is about 18 inches in height.  The owner decided it would be alright with her if the cross was shortened, which Hubby did.  And,  the plan for the white painted wood was to paint it a mahogany color.  Hubbs started to sand the wood, and it really is a fine quality wood - simply beautiful!  So, he clear-coated it for me after removing all of the uckky paint.  On the NEXT post, I will reveal the finished product!

Signed:
the ChickenWrangler