July 27, 2009

Sunsets Through Stained Glass


We started construction on our Blue Creek Home in 2003. I worked with a home designer on the plans for over a year trying to get everything just right. I will have to say that I could visualize the finished product while it was still on paper. The CAD program the designer used allowed me to "feel" the house before the dirt was disturbed.
Having more than a year to design the house also allowed me to search for some special things for the new house.

One of my first purchases was two small, matching stained glass windows. I knew that they were really old and one was bulged badly. I loved them so much that I didn't let that stop me from buying them. I took them to a stain glass company to see if it would be worth restoring the damaged one. They identified the type of glass that was used and was able to date it to the 1800's. They also said this set was very desirable because of their small size and that they were both still together. They most likely came out of a Church. I just love to know the "story" behind things. That information thrilled me beyond words. I thought I had probably overpaid for them, but they said that it was a great price and that I should have the one repaired.

It was going to be fairly expensive to have the damaged one fixed. The glass guy said that I could do some of the work myself to reduce the price. So off I went with directions in hand to work on my lovely window. First, I had to remove the frame. Then, I had to put towels in the bottom of the bathtub and put the window in the water overnight. Using wooden skewers, I gently removed some of the old lead from between the glass pieces to give it some "wiggle" room. Then back into the tub it went. I had to start adding light weight to it (I used paint cans) and added more weight everyday until it had flattened out. Then, I took it back to the glass store and they re-leaded it for me. We had our trim carpenter build new frames for them during the construction of the house.

Al and I had a hard time deciding where to use them in the house. We finally agreed on the sitting area of our master bedroom. These sweet old windows are one of my favorite features of Blue Creek Home.

As the sun sets every afternoon, it is amazing to see the glass come alive with a bright orange glow. I thought I would share it with you.


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Stained glass windows at mid-day


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The bright orange sun, setting outside the stained glass windows


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Stained glass windows at sunset


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Just in case the one sunset photo is not enough to qualify for a healthy "Outdoor Wednesday", I have added a few more pictures taken while we were out and about in our yard and back roads in Alabama and Georgia.You can also visit "Susan" at "A Southern Daydreamer" for lots more inspirational outdoor fun.




Goats on "Hay Hill"


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Big, Beautiful Magnolia Bloom


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Visitors who eat all of our plants!! Notice the guy on the right with his little velvet antlers. Click to enlarge so you can see him better!


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Train overpass on a country road in Georgia


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Rhonda

27 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful. I love stained glass windows and you are one lucky girl to have them in your home. Love them!!! (I too love knowing the story behind my vintage finds and treasures) Have a wonderful day!
    ♥ Teresa

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  2. I love your windows--I have always wanted to buy an old one to hang from my kitchen window on a chain.

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  3. They are so beautiful. I think it's wonderful that you were able to rework them yourself!

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  4. Beautiful windows!! Especially love contrast (??) with the walls and white trim. Great job!

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  5. I love stained glass! They are beautiful

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  6. OMGosh...these windows are so lovely. I would dearly love to have something so pretty.
    A WONDERFUL Outdoor Wednesday post.

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  7. Great photos - thanks for sharing. Your windows are so pretty.
    Glenda

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  8. What great vision to include those stained glass windows when you built the house. How fun to see them change during the day. Love your out and about shots too!!

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  9. You sure did hit the jackpot when you found those windows. They are so beautiful and thank you for taking the picture in different lights.

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  10. Great stained glass windows -- love the colors.

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  11. Great photos. Love the windows. Thanks for sharing. Stained glass windows are one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing. Hope on over sometime. Mumzie

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  12. That's an amazing glow from the sun through your stained glass windows. Great outdoor shots!

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  13. Oh Rhonda! These windows talk to you. They are absolutely gorgeous, and when the sun is setting they are sure talking to you. How beautiful. You did a great post honey. Great and wonderful job on the construction. Country Hugs,Sherry

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  14. What beautiful windows and all of your pictures.

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  15. Your stained glass windows are beautiful! Oh and that magnolia was breathtaking! Thanks for sharing!


    xoxoxoxoxox
    Donna Marie

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  16. Such a neat idea to post what the stained glass windows looked like before the sunset and then during the sunset. It gives us an idea what it really, really, really, really looks like. Excellent Outdoor Wednesday post.
    Joyce M

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  17. The color of those windows is just so beautiful and unusual. They are magnificent. All of your photos are lovely...I love the little velvet covered antlered guy.

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  18. Oh Rhonda, like everyone else, I just love your stained-glass windows. What I'm most impressed with however, is the steps you took upon yourself to aid in their restoration. It's so easy to pay someone else to do this or just abandon them because it's too expensive. To find out what steps to take to give these windows life again is inspiring.

    PLUS, you must now feel a certain added attachment to them, you've added yourself to their history and I hope you'll record that for anyone who may own your home in the far-distant future. Just as we love finding the history of pieces we acquire, so will they.

    Lovely, lovely post!

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  19. Nice stained glass.
    Great shots and post!
    Happy outdoor.

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  20. Such beautiful windows and the deer picture really was enjoyable (even if they much at all my flowers too).

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  21. The windows are breath taking
    And while some dont like lil deers eating the bounties of the summer, i think they are delightful and great shot!

    TTFN~~Claudia ♥

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  22. Oh what pretty little dears! I do like goats, they are so resourceful.
    I have a friend that makes goat soap and uses their milk to make homemade cheeses. YUM!

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  23. You're glass windows are stunners. When the sun passes through them thay are gorgeous. It's so nice to bring small pieces of history into a new home. You've placed yours in a perfect spot.

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  24. Rhonda, I just love those stained glass windows! It is easy to see why they were the first items you found for your new home.

    The area you live in is so beautiful! I long to live in the country. We hope to do that when we retire someday.

    Jane

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  25. Your stained glass windows are just lovely! What a lovely grace note to your home.

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  26. Lovely windows and lovely pictures!

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So happy you are here - I love your comments!