Recent finds...

Hi Everyone!  I thought I'd share some recent finds with you.  My dear, sweet friend Lynett picked up some items for me while she was out thrifting!  Each time she came across something she thought I'd like or could use she'd call or email me about them.  And I finally had a chance to meet up with her to get most of the items she'd picked up for me.  She also has two headboards for me, but they wouldn't fit in her car...I'll get those at the fair next month. 

This is what she picked up for....

 I just love this stool!  When Lynett sent me the picture, I said "Uh, Yes Please!"

 It's in perfect condition....and I can't wait to add a bit of color to it!

 And she picked up these 10 mason jars...3 half gallon and 7 quart jars for $8.00.

Then she called to ask if I still wanted yardsticks.  She was at a garage sale where there were a bunch of yardsticks....so she got them all for me.....all 21 of them!  Now I have about 40 of them...I think it's time to make something with them!  Thanks so much Lynett!  I have great friends and family that keep a look out for things I might be able to use.  But before I can do anything with those yardsticks, I need to finish the two custom orders I'm currently working on and then I HAVE to get BUSY finishing up items for the fair next month.  It's a month away!  Thanks for stopping by.

Dresser remade...

Hi Everyone!  I finally completed this dresser remake that started two weekends ago.  I picked up this bow front dresser at my first auction, here's what it looked like when I got it.

 I had a vision for it as soon as I saw it at the auction but it had a really bad paint job.

 So I used CitriStrip to remove five layers of paint and varnish.  In fact, it took me two days, half of a large jug to strip the top and three drawer faces and then 7 sanding discs to clean up the wood.

 As you can see in this picture, I painted the insides and the sides of the drawers before I stripped the top and then touched up the Wildflower blue paint before I stained the drawer fronts.  I also had to do a little repair on the drawers.

 This is what I ended up with and how I got there.

 I painted the body of the dresser in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey and stained the top and three drawer fronts in a custom mix stain.  I wanted the wood stained really dark.

 Then I waxed the body and the top in both clear and dark wax and buffed it.

 I could have just added the pulls and this point and I would have been happy with it, but I had a vision for it before I started so I moved the whole thing into the Studio for the next step.  I really love the contrast between the Paris Grey and the dark wood.

 But I like it even more once I hand painted this floral and vine graphic onto the drawer fronts using white craft paint. 

 I put all three drawers together and drew the graphic on with chalk and then painted it on using white paint.  I also put a coat of antique medium on the sides of the drawers to tone down the Wildflower blue on the sides. 

 I picked up some new pulls that were brass and wood so I primed them in grey primer spray paint and then hand painted them in ASCP in Paris Grey to match the body of the dresser.  Then I lightly sanded them and sprayed them with a sealer.

 These drawer pulls look better than the 70's style pulls that were on it.

I really like the way this turned out.  But shortly after I took the pictures I added a little more vine and swirls to the drawer fronts to finish it off.  And I like it even better.  I still have to wax the drawer fronts but the paint needs to set a little more.  I like the contrast between the masculine look of the wood and the grey and the feminine of the white floral graphic.  What would you have done with the dresser?  Thanks for stopping by!

Linking to:
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2013/08/show-me-what-ya-got-134.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2013/08/rock-n-share-55.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/08/181st-power-of-paint-party-popp-2.html 
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/08/furniture-paint-party.html 
http://staceyembracingchange.com/2013/08/22/creative-inspirations-linky-party-50/ 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/08/22/made-u-look-linky-81 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/08/link-party-119-and-a-paint-brush-giveaway 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/catch-as-catch-can-134.html 
http://www.504main.com/2013/08/tickled-pink-times-two-no-2.html 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/08/furniture-feature-friday-link-party-favorites-8/ 
http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-5.html 
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/08/diy-rustic-shelving-ideas.html 
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-89 
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/08/knick-of-time-tuesday-101.html 
http://www.livelaughrowe.com/fabulous-furniture-makeovers-live-laugh-linky-76 
http://www.craftionary.net/2013/08/friday-link-party-79.html 

Graphic seat....

Hi Everyone.  I've been spending almost all of my time out in the shop getting ready for the fair next month and I finally have something finished to share with you.  A couple of weeks ago my mom picked up this tall stool for me which you can read about here.

I could have just removed the vinyl seat cover that was torn up and left the base white but I had plans for the top and leaving the base white just wasn't going to work.  So I spray painted it Wildflower Blue.

 And I stained the top with a custom dark stain.  It looks like it has been painted but it has been stained.  And then I painted the flower graphic in white.

 The Wildflower Blue base (which is hard to see and I didn't take a close up of it) is a little too bright for the top so I mixed up a wash to go over the top and tone it down.

 In a plastic cup I mixed a little bit of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White with a few drops of sky blue craft paint and about five tablespoons of water.

 I did a down and dirty whitewash treatment.  I brushed the whitewash on quickly and then wiped it down.  I wanted it to look like it had been this way for a long time so I wasn't careful with how I applied the wash or how I wiped it down.  If I wiped too much away then I added more until I was happy with the way it looked.

 I have wanted to paint a graphic on something for a long time now.  I just haven't been able to settle on what to paint..until now.

 I wanted it to be bold yet organic and I feel like this fits that bill.  And I'm loving how it's off centered.

I'm really happy with the way this turned out.  I have another little stool that I'm thinking of doing this to in a different color.  The whitewashed blue turned out great (it looks even better in person).  I still have to put a second coat of sealer on the seat but I just couldn't wait to show it to you.  What do you think about the graphic?  Or the whitewash?  What would you have done with it?  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2013/08/trash-2-treasure-tuesday-link-party.html
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2013/08/show-me-what-ya-got-133.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2013/08/rock-n-share-54.html 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-131.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/08/190th-power-of-paint-party-popp.html 
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/08/furniture-and-paint-party-10.html 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/08/link-party-117-and-i-am-hitting-the-road/ 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/catch-as-catch-can-133.html 
http://www.504main.com/2013/08/tickled-pink-x2-welcome-what-meegan.html 
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/08/inspire-me-please-linky-party-24/ 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/08/furniture-feature-friday-link-party-favorites-7/ 
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/08/party-junk-200-grain-sack-projects.html 
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-88/ 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/08/29/made-u-look-linky-82/ 

Custom Desk...

Hi Everyone!  I am finally finished with the custom order desk that I've been working on forever!  I got a lot done on it, then had to walk away from it for a while, worked on it some more, then had other orders I needed to fill and have finally finished it!  And I know my friends are anxious to get it. I shared an in progress shot about it here.  And this is what I ended up with...

 Sorry for the pictures in the shop instead of beauty shots out in the yard or on the patio.  This desk is heavy....

 ...I can move it around in the shop, but it's just too much for me to move outside on my own and the furniture movers don't work real well on gravel.  I plan on taking a couple of beauty shots of it when my friends come out to pick it up since I'll have help moving it.

 The only details for building the desk that I was given was the size, the color and that it needed two drawers.

 I decided to add a bit of color to the inside of the drawers.  I like that little bit of surprise when you open the drawer.

 I painted the insides Lagoon, the same color I used on the inside of my coffee table drawer.  It's fun and makes me smile each time I open a drawer.  I just hope my friends like it.  I could have painted them black, but then it would be like looking into a dark hole trying to find things.

 I used glides to install the drawers, making them easy to open and close.

I'm happy with the way it turned out...and hopefully my friends will be too.  Would you have added the pop of color in the drawer?  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/catch-as-catch-can-132.html 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/08/link-party-116-and-the-fab-features/ 
http://www.craftionary.net/2013/08/friday-link-party-76.html 
http://www.504main.com/2013/08/tickled-pink-no-155-and-fun-announcement.html 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/08/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-a-link-party-25/ 
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/08/inspire-me-please-linky-party-23/ 
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/08/cool-side-tables.html 
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-87/ 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2013/08/rock-n-share-54.html 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-131.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/08/190th-power-of-paint-party-popp.html 
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/08/furniture-and-paint-party-10.html 

My first auction...

Hi Everyone!  Well, I did it.  I attended my first estate auction.  My first time out as a bidder.  And I think I did a fabulous job!  I've been so anxious to show you things that I got, but I had to wait until yesterday to pick my items up.  I spent my lunch break yesterday getting the trailer and heading back to the auction space to load up my loot.

 The first thing I bid on and won was a set of four glass items.  I wanted this item and my cousin wanted two matching glass containers with lids so we split it.  I have a collection of pitchers and this will be a nice addition to it. (I didn't get a picture of the other juice container but it wasn't anything special).

 The next thing I got was a box of sheet music.  My dad actually did the bidding on this.  Thanks Dad!

 I got this dresser (which needs to be re-glued) for a steal.  I know it looks like a lot of work, but it's not anything I can't handle.  And I love the size and shape of it.

 I bid on a couple of other dressers, but they went for more than my price limit.  So instead I got this one.  It has a terrible paint job on it, but it I love the style.....

 ....and the size is wonderful.  I think I might have to strip the top...and it definitely needs new handles.

 Then I got these two huge frames....I can do so many things with them....

 ....and then I got this stool...

 ... it is such a cute size and shape...

 ...and at the last second they threw these yardsticks in.

 I loved this little gate legged table and I almost missed bidding on it.  I was busy talking to the lady next to me about a chair she got and what she was going to do with it.  I hadn't even realized that they were auctioning this table off until my cousin nudged me asking if I was going to bid.

Um...yes please...so I jumped in on the bidding and got it.  I love these legs.  It needs to be re-glued at the gate part, but again, nothing I can't handle.  I think some people liked it but stayed away from it because it needed a little attention.  I can't wait to remake this one.

 And this next piece was something I REALLY wanted when I saw the pictures posted online for this auction but I thought for sure there was no way I could get it.  I just knew antique dealers would be there and it would go high.....but it didn't.  Can you believe I got this!  Isn't it lovely.

 The details and the carvings are great....

...and the legs are wonderful!  I love this piece and I can't wait to redo it.  It was toward the end of the auction and the crowd had thinned and the top of it has some scratches and needs some love (which is why I think the antique dealers stayed away from this piece too)...lucky me!  I have to say that I enjoyed my first auction...but it was a long day.  We got there at 11:00...they were to begin at Noon at this site (they started at the acreage with outdoor items at 9:00) but didn't get started until 1:00 and I left at 6:15 right as it was ending.

I can't wait to get started on these pieces.  I just can't decide which one to start on first.  But I should probably finish the things I've started first.  So have you been to an auction lately?  Or have you ever gotten something you didn't think you'd be able to?  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/08/knick-of-time-tuesday-99.html 

Headboard remake...

Hi Everyone!  I am going to an estate auction today...I must admit that it's a first for me.  I've been to farm implement auctions with my dad where we got a mower, but I wasn't responsible for bidding.  So I'm a bit nervous about it.  I'm afraid I'm going to end up paying $200 for something when I thought I was paying $20 so I'm taking my Dad with me.  Hopefully I'll be able to get something good.

Today, I'm going to show you a project that I finished up a couple of days ago.  I got this headboard about a year ago because I loved the lines of it.  But I didn't like the painted on details.  I've looked at it several times to turn into a bench but kept setting it aside.  What kept me from using it as a bench is the depth of it not including the legs...it's really short.

I decided to do something different with it.....I started by removing the legs, then I cleaned and sanded it.  Then primed it and painted it in an aqua blue base color and then a top coat of  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and sanded it to reveal some of the aqua color.

 I decided to turn it into a multi-purpose piece.  I painted a chalk board in the center....

...and added six pegs to it....

 ...and added a ledge under the chalkboard to hold the chalk and eraser...

 ...then decided to add a place for storing mittens or bills.  I wanted to use some small wire baskets that I had but I didn't like how far they stuck out so instead I took one of the small crates I made for the ladder in my studio (I had an extra one) and cut it in half long ways and attached it with screws from the back side....

 ...and then I gave them the same paint treatment....

 ..now all I need to do is season the chalkboard and add some little hooks under the chalkboard for keys or hanging a dogs leash....

 ...I can see this in a mudroom or the main family entrance to a home to keep everyone and everything organized.  I added hooks to the back already to hang it on the wall...but I didn't have any wall space long enough for it to take pictures of it hanging.  I love the lines of it....and how practical it is.  What would you have done with it?  Have a great weekend everyone!  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.alderberryhill.com/make-the-scene-monday-86-and-cardstore-review/ 
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2013/08/creative-bloggers-party-hop-122.html
http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/2013/08/monday-funday-party.html 
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2013/08/the-scoop-78.html 
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/08/knick-of-time-tuesday-98.html 
http://www.kammyskorner.com/2013/08/trash-2-treasure-link-party-plum.html 
http://upcycledantiques.com/tute-s-tuesday.html 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-130.html 
http://theshadyporch.blogspot.com/2013/08/rock-n-share-53.html 
http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2013/08/189th-power-of-paint-party-popp.html 
http://www.southernlovely.com/2013/08/show-share-104.html 
http://startathome.blogspot.com/2013/08/paint-party-9.html 
http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2013/08/catch-glimpse-party-143.html 
http://madeinaday.com/2013/08/08/made-u-look-linky-80/ 
http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/08/link-party-116-and-the-fab-features/ 
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/08/catch-as-catch-can-132.html 
http://www.craftionary.net/2013/08/friday-link-party-76.html 
http://www.504main.com/2013/08/tickled-pink-no-155-and-fun-announcement.html 
http://missmustardseed.com/2013/08/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-a-link-party-25/ 
http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/08/inspire-me-please-linky-party-23/ 
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/08/cool-side-tables.html