Friday, May 17, 2013

Finished side table

Chalk paint really is pretty neat. I quite enjoyed the process actually. I ended up putting 2 coats of Annie Sloan Old White paint onto the table top and legs because the dark was showing through too much. I left the underside with just one coat. Partially so I could compare and partially because I knew it wouldn't be seen. Yes, I am not a perfectionist. Hahaha
After the two coats had dried I took a piece of sand paper to the table top, sides, and legs just a little bit. I like the shabby look, but definitely not too shabby. After wiping up all of the ensuing dust I broke out the wax. I can't lie, this step was worrisome for me. How much to use? Was I putting it on right? Well, I went for a less is more sort of an attitude. I had watched several tutorials so I was somewhat prepared. You really do get a feel for it as you go. Once I put on the clear wax I opened the very dark dark wax. I used an Annie Sloan brush for the clear wax, but I didn't want it to get stained by the dark wax. So, I used a piece of cheesecloth to apply the dark wax. I think I'll look for a generic brush like the Annie Sloan brush for the dark wax for my next project. I definitely liked using the brush as opposed to the cheesecloth. I felt like wherever I touched the cheesecloth to the table after picking up some dark wax it left a mark that I couldn't blend in. It was a little odd. But, I forged ahead. I had heard that clear wax on top of the dark wax (which you want to do anyhow) could even out the dark wax. I didn't actually find that to be true for me. Maybe I didn't use enough wax in my initial application? I don't know.
Once the wax had cured and hardened I buffed it with another piece of cheesecloth. Don't skip the buffing step! It is amazing the difference. It really brings out the understated sheen. I really do love the final product.
I'll definitely be doing some more chalk paint projects. In fact I am hoping to find some pieces tomorrow morning when I go out to garage sales.



Thursday, May 16, 2013

Crafting ADD

I've noticed that I am somewhat obsessive and ADD about my creating and crafting. I get in a sewing mode and I sew non-stop for months and then super suddenly I am done for awhile. I actually have 2 dresses (one for each little girl) sitting partially finished on my sewing table as I write this and they have been there for a month or so.
So, what have I been doing these past several (ok, many many) weeks since I last posted? Well, I made super cute necklaces and bracelets for the girls for Easter to go with their dresses that I did not make. I did make their hair pretties though. The better picture of the bracelets and necklaces are on my other camera and I'm too lazy to go dig it out and download them right now. So, this will have to do for the moment.




Also this past month we refinanced our house. In an attempt to help it appraise as high as possible (we wanted to get rid of our mortgage insurance) we did a bunch of work around the house fixing little things, replacing light fixtures, and cleaning and organizing until I was a walking zombie. I hung pictures, decorated a little bit more, and tried to make things as appealing as possible.
Add to the crazy mix of the past few months ward conferences. I am in the stake primary presidency (women who are in charge of all of the children's programs at church for 7 congregations in the area) and so during ward conferences we go to each congregation and take over everything so that the leaders in the individual congregations can attend the adult meetings for the day. It is extremely tiring. I love it, but I am very grateful that they are over with for another year.
Well, the creative blues were starting to creep up on me again and my sewing machine just wasn't calling to me. What to do what to do? I've been hearing and reading about chalk paint for quite some time and decided that it was time for me to jump on the bandwagon and try it out. I got this cute little side table at Goodwill the other day for $15. It is seriously banged up and in desperate need of a facelift.



 It is the perfect candidate for a chalk paint makeover. I toyed with the idea of doing a homemade recipe of chalk paint, but ended up going with the Annie Sloan chalk paint with clear and dark wax. I even bought one of her brushes. I want to see how the "real" stuff works. I do want to try a homemade recipe on something else in the near future though. I'll keep you all updated on what I think.
I bought a quart of Old White chalk paint, which is generic enough that I can find plenty of uses for it in pretty much any room in my house. I'll try a homemade recipe with something a different color at some point. I just can't rationalize paying the high price for another color.
So, that is what I am working on. I'll post the after pictures when the table is all finished. There is a HUGE neighborhood yard sale in my area this weekend and I am hoping to pick up a few furniture pieces that need to have a paint brush taken to them. Here's hoping!