Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Spooky JS Release and some furniture

Carina Gardner has released some fabulous new Halloween goodies at Jessica Sprague this month! She has two sets of papers, some spooky borders, labels and even a darling mini-album, all called "The Raven". I created this bit of Halloween decor by simply printing out one of the scary labels on vintage music paper and placing it in a thrift store frame spray-painted with glossy black paint. It added a fun touch to my booth last weekend!


I am working hard to get everything ready for the next sale on the 4th of November. I felt so rushed last month and don't want to feel that way this time. I am really in love with some of the pieces I have found and can't wait to get started on the painting! The two larger pieces I am working on now have some seriously peeling veneer, which is making the sanding process take a LOT longer. Am hoping to get the hubs out there this evening to help!

This was a super-easy spray paint project and I love how the color turned out! I picked up two of these at Savers last week and painted them with Krylon's "Oxford Blue". I put the old hardware back on and adore the contrast between the old metal and the blue.




Here's another Savers rescue...with no "before" pic. Some days I bring something home and am so excited to get started that I just dive in without even thinking. The surface of the table underneath the glass top was in sad, sad shape. Lots of peeling and fading, so I just mod-podged some great linen fabric on and updated the light wood with some ASCP in Old White. Brightened it right up!




The lady in line with me at Savers called this table "simply splendid"...and I think she lives up to that description now!

Some of the works in progress:

I bought this spectacular piece from Craigslist, and I'm pretty sure I paid too much, but I could not resist the bowed front, the swirly detail on the drawer and the great double stand at the bottom. I am hoping I can get through all of the veneer on the top so I can stain it dark and then use ASCP in Old White on the body.



This beauty has a whole lotta peeling going on but I think it will be fabulous in the end. Not sure what color yet. Any recommendations?


Happy Happy Tuesday!

Monday, October 17, 2011

DIY Chalk Paint? Yippee!

As I was persuing the blogosphere last week, I stumbled upon a life-changing post by Sherry at "No Minilmalist Here" about DIY Chalk Paint! Ok, life-changing may be a bit over-the-top, but definitely money-saving! I am a huge fan of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint because of the amazing finish it gives AND the fact that I can be lazy save precious time by skipping the prep step on most furniture. The bummer about the paint is that it costs about $35/quart plus shipping, since I don't have a local stockist in KC--so I end up paying about $50/quart. Yikes! Eats into my profit on furniture sales just a tad. Now, enter Sherry with her  recipe for creating chalk paint using 2/3 latex paint and 1/3 plaster of paris--sheer brilliance! I decided to whip up my own batch on Friday using some leftover turquoise Sherwin Williams paint and $2.99 plaster of paris from Hobby Lobby. I have to say I am SOLD! Not only did I not need to do any prep work on this little side table, but the paint dried quickly, sanded fabulously and took a coat of wax like a dream. (Cue the choir of angels...)

You must check out Sherry's blog "No Minimalist Here"--I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve!

Before: your standard side table with a laminate top purchased at Savers


After: with a bit of distressing and some clear and dark wax





I was a busy bee this past weekend and have several more "Before and Afters" to share this week. Here are some sneaks at the befores:





Hope your week is off to a great start!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Whew! I'm Back!

This past weekend was so much fun, experiencing my very first sale at Bella Patina! It is such an amazing place, with tons of beautiful treasures and talented vendors. I won't know exactly how I did until next week, when all of the tags have been tallied up--but I have to say I am very pleased with what sold and am so excited for next month!

Here are some pics from my booth on Friday, before the sale started:




And finally my HUGE project: the china hutch! It did not sell this time, but I know the right person will find it! :) I learned a lot about staging over the past few days and think I can really improve on how I displayed this piece.

Here are the before pics again:




And here is the after:


I stripped and stained the top of the buffet piece and then used Behr paint with primer in "Toasted Marshmallow" for the body. Can't remember the name of the blue I used for the inside of the cabinet, but it is a very soft shade. Then the entire piece got a coat of dark stain, which I applied in small sections and then immediately wiped off. I have to be honest here: this project was a HUGE pain! I have really spoiled myself with chalk paint and this whole latex and stain business really made me work. :) I do love the end result though and hope someone else will feel the same way next month!

Speaking of next month (how about that smooth segue?), I have been working the thrift stores and Craigslist like a mad woman to ensure I have some interesting pieces! Here are some peeks at what I am working on now:



I have two of these that are going to be splendid in navy blue.

This little wooden table has some girly decoupage in its future.

I love this old piece. It has a mirror that goes with it, but I think I am going to make it more of a desk. I have a waterfall vanity and dresser than I am working on and think this might be more useful without the mirror? (More about the vanity and dresser later...I will leave you with two words that I may never want to hear again though: wood veneer.)

A sweet twin headboard and a really heavy mirror.

I have two of these that will go with the little wooden table. :)

Thank you so very much for stopping by after my little hiatus! Happy Tuesday!



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