Ch ch ch ch changes.. and a Chest of Drawers

I'm going to ask you a favor.

I'd love for you to "like" me, if you don't already.

I'm hoping to incorporate my "work smarter, not harder" mantra into my blog.

So, going forward, my blog will become secondary (audible gasp here) to my facebook page as a way to showcase my work.

I know, I know.  Look at me all bucking the trends and whatnot.

I promise to come back and write full posts whenever a project deserves more detail, more explanation, or maybe even has a before picture too hideous for the meek.

 
What I also promise is to be much more timely and consistent about adding photos of my work on Facebook!

I hope this works out as well for you as I'm hoping it works for me.

Thank you for being a friend!

Gloria

Yep, she's big

and she's chunky

and even her curves have curves

(this is a Madagascar 2 reference of course)

This chest is by far the most distressed piece I've ever done.

After spraying everything in sight with my HLVP paint gun, I thought it might be fun to hand paint again (just to make sure I remembered how)

A little ASCP, clear wax, distressing, dark wax and buffing.

Chunky!  (and someone else must've loved her chippy, chunkiness, too - she was the first thing to sell in the July sale at Hello, Sailor! Yay!)


Linking up here:

Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive and Proper 
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed 
What Have You Redone? at Redoux 

Chair love {part 764}

I love chairs.  The end.

Okay, I love chairs and shoes that make me tall(er).
Wait, I don't mean chairs that make me taller.... nevermind.

  ooops, not a true before, but can you see that lovely green color that the frame used to be?  Yikes!  

(Yes, I still paint in the dining room, despite what can happen!)

But shoes are shoes.  For the most part you can't update them.  You can't repaint or reupholster or redesign them.

 Don't you love the legs on these girls?  I scored 4 of them!

  So, I guess I love chairs more than shoes.  There.  I said it.  

I've always been rebellious.  Don't try to stop me.

And I'm over the moon about these, my newly "deconstructed" chairs!!



Linking here:
Furniture Friday at Decorating Insanity
What Have You Redone? at Redoux
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Get Schooled Saturday at Too Much Time On My Hands
Weekend Craft Soiree at Homemaker in Heels
Sister Sunday Link Party at Sisters of the Wild West 
DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff
Trash to Treasure at Kammy's Korner
Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive and Proper
Restored it Wednesday at Restore Interiors

White

White hat = good guys, right?  White flag = I surrender!  White dress shirt on 5 year old boy = um, NO! 

"Dark walnut stain, then butter yellow paint, then black paint, then dark stain.  Can I be WHITE 

this time around?" she asked.  

 "Of course." I replied.

What, you don't talk to your furniture?  Then how do you know what it wants to become?  

See, it's NOT about me and I know it, mmmmmkay?

Now, when you partially disassemble and then reassemble a large and fairly detailed piece of furniture there is at least a one important thing you should know:

No matter how perfectly the exterior cabinet looks and that perfection is subsequently confirmed by various levels and measuring devices (is plumbness even a word?) please be aware that the drawers will NOT fit back in said "repaired" cabinet.  (carpentry 101?)

And, you'll have to find a disguise for your poor buffet.

Now, maybe this should have been obvious, but, as you may know, I am an optimist and was very sure that by repairing the cabinet, all would be well with the world.

(Also, I blame anyone I ever knew from the time I was 12 until I graduated from high school for 

not making me take a wood shop class.)

So, it was back to square (or not so square as it were) one.

We discussed my good intentions and the fact that I would not surrender.

And we both agreed we could happily live with a few imperfections.  No surrender necessary.

Linking to these fun parties:
Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive & Proper 
Monday's Party at Three Mango Seeds 
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
What Have You Redone? at Redoux
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Restored It Wednesday at Restore Interiors

Channeling My Inner Bob Ross

 I'm currently taking a break from a project that is driving me bonkers!  

Maybe I should think of it as a "happy accident".  More on that later.

 Taking a break for me usually means grabbing a paint brush and getting busy.  

There's just something so therapeutic about painting.  

This realization makes me think of Bob Ross.

So this child-sized antique washstand ended up getting what I think are "happy, fluffy, little clouds" in the paint and in the mirror. 

As I painted and dry brushed and swirled, I could just hear his soothing voice.  "Maybe in our world there lives a happy little tree over there."  Can you hear him, too?

(I watched a lot of PBS as a kid)

"and that'll just be our little secret."

 
*all quotes from Bob Ross himself.

Partying with Bob here:
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed 
What Have You Redone? at Redoux
Stinky Linky at Hating Martha 
Sister Sunday Link Party at Sisters of the Wild West 
DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff
Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive & Proper
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking

Whole Lotta Sittin' Goin' On

 If you've been with me very long, you know that I have an obsession with chairs.   

 I found 3 of these gorgeous shield back chairs in a little antique store in the town my parents live in.
Do. Not. Go. There.  It's a hidden gem and I don't want to have to wrestle you to the ground for any of the good stuff!

The first one got a glossy black paint job and a little French love poem, hand written by my sister.
(I'm keeping this one for myself!)

The second chair now has a sunny disposition! (This one is going in the shop!)

The third sister is yet to get her make-over!

Alright, once again, no true before photos.  Sometimes I'm like a kid on Christmas when I have a new project!  I can't wait to get started!!

This chair got a good cleaning with TSP and then a light sanding.  I used 2 coats of Annie Sloan Greek Blue, then dark and clear waxes.

One of the things I loved most about this chair was its original leather seat.  But, it was dull and brown and no amount of leather cleaner, polish, or wax would liven it up.  So, I bought a fun paisley to bring it to life!  (I left the leather intact underneath just in case)

Next in line for an update was this cute little vanity bench!  It didn't need much other than to remove the old fabric and replace it.  I also added another touch of blue, which seems to be my favorite color of late!

I also gave the wood a good wax and buff (which is similar to what I get at the salon, right? - ha!)

The makeovers are finished for today!

Linking here:

DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff 

Do It Ya Self at Three Mango Seeds 

Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive and Proper

DIY'er Gone Wild (with an emphasis on the ER)

Well, I didn't actually visit the Emergency Room, but I probably should have!  I've been busy trying to ready as many things as possible for the Grand Opening of my booth at Hello, Sailor!  

In my rush to "do it all" I dropped 2 doors on my right foot.  It's a lovely shade of green right now but at least my limp is gone!  A few days later I sliced my hand on an upholstery nail and decided a tetanus shot was in order.  I have to admit, the sore muscle from the shot is almost worse than the pain in my foot.

Okay, that's about enough hobbling around and complaining for one day!  I want to show you one of the beauties I've been working on! 

 Before (okay, I'd already started so it's not a true before pic)

 After

I stripped off the original finish and stain to uncover a beautiful wood grain.
Then I dyed the wood using the vinegar solution that I love (read all about it HERE) and finished the cabinet with 3 coats of wipe-on poly.

The drawer and doors got a coat of Annie Sloan Old White, but I decided the contrast was too stark with the dark ebony stain on the wood.  So, I went back over them with a color I created using Old White, Greek Blue and hint of dark teal.  I glazed the doors and sealed them with wipe-on poly as well.

(If you're interested, the blue in the first photo is the exact color!  I'm still learning a new photo editing program, so the color in the 2nd photo isn't as good a match!)

Alert:  Shameless Self-Promotion Ahead!
For those of you in the Kansas City area, here's the inside scoop!

Hello, Sailor! is KC's newest Vintage Furniture and Home Decor shop, 

located on the 4th floor at 1300 West 13th St., Kansas City, MO. 

If you're familiar with First Fridays at the West Bottoms, then you already know to expect beautiful home decor, repurposed and vintage furniture and other antiques!  If you're not familiar, bring your friends and come check it out!  There are hundreds of vendors in a fun, vibrant atmosphere!

Be green, let your home reflect YOUR STYLE, and don't buy "made in China"!

The Grand Opening weekend is coming up - Friday and Saturday, April 6th and 7th.

Hours are 8:30am to 9pm.

I'd love to see you there!

Check out the Hello, Sailor! facebook page for more info!

My sideboard was featured here:


Linking up here:
Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive and Proper
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed 
Furniture Friday at Decorating Insanity 
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Flaunt It Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Let's Party at The 36th Avenue
Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage
What Have You Redone? at Redoux
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense 
Catch as Catch Can at My RePurposed Life
Stinky Linky at Hating Martha
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Me. Thursdays
Hookin' Up with HoH
Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating
Thingamajig Thursday at Radcrafter
Creative Inspirations at Embracing Change
Debbie Doo's Reunion Party
Wild Wednesday at One Chatty Chic
Pity Party at 30 Handmade Days
Free For All Friday at Sassy Sites
Strut your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
Do It Ya Self at Three Mango Seeds
 My entry into Strut Your Stuff sponsored by Appliances Online and the Bosch Washing Machines