Plant Stand Makeover

Hey Friends!
I acquired this plant stand a year ago and couldn't decide to paint or refinish it. I delayed on it for a long time and finally decided I didn't want to have to strip the spiral. I am lazy and didn't want all the work it entailed. So I decided on painting! First thing I had to do was secure the base. This piece is old and the base was wobbly. I drilled four holes in the bottom and then put some screws in to hold it in place. I also used glue for added support.

I then sanded the glue and started to paint. I put one coat of  Paloma ASCP  and then one coat of Old White ASCP. I then sanded and distressed the piece. I finished it off with clear wax.

Here it is!

 

Secretariat Makeover

Hello friends! This long weekend I decided to makeover this ugly secretariat into a beautiful piece. I love the size and function of it. It is perfect for a small home office to put your laptop and some files in. It can be closed up so you don't have to see any clutter. This is also a great piece for students in university or college. It is small and has lots of storage for their rooms.
Here it is before I did anything:

This is with the desk open:

Here is after I painted it. I used Annie Sloan Chalk paint in old white for the inside and the accent. I used Paloma for the desk.

 

Here is the inside all painted. I finished it off with ASCP's clear wax. Those little cubby holes were a tough to paint!
























Let me know your thoughts!


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New summer earrings

Hey friends!
I hope the summer heat is treating you right! I have been busy as a bee making new jewellery. Here is a sampling of what earrings I have made this summer!

These are fun pink earrings!

These are wood hoop earrings.

These are fun earrings for the summer. They are somewhat tribal in design.

























These are a beautiful blue shell.

 These are green flowers with a clear CZ in the middle.


Antique Brass Leaf earrings.



Pale blue CZ earrings.

 

Coral earrings!

 

Yard Sale finds: Best Deal Ever

I went out to a few yard sales this past weekend and was not finding much. I stumbled upon a sale that had a blanket with miscellaneous items on it at the end of the driveway. A sign said everything on the blanket was FREE! On this blanket I found this plastic folder full of Highlights magazines from the 1970's. I didn't think twice before taking it home with me.

They are all in immaculate condition. As a Canadian these are part of my childhood memories. I am so pleased with this find!

Old window transformations

I recently found this old single window in my parents garage. We were doing some spring clean up and found it at the back of the garage. I instantly knew I wanted to make it into a chalkboard. I then picked up this triple pane window for $5 bucks. The middle piece of glass was missing but I knew I could make it lovely.

Before: a good cleaning is needed!

Before: missing a piece of glass in the middle.

I caulked around the back of the glass as it was really loose and rattling.

After: I painted the glass with chalkboard paint. The middle section I made into a magnetic message board and covered it with fabric.

After: chalkboard paint and some white for the trim. 

New magnetic message boards for summer

Hey Friends!
Today I am posting all my new Magnetic Message boards and chalkboards that I have made. I am gearing up for the summer season of Craft/vendor shows and markets. I love the summer and all the fun people I meet through these shows. I will be at the Southampton Craft show on Thursday, July 4th. It is an amazing show with lots of vendors! I highly recommend this show if you are near Southampton, Ontario next Thursday!
Here is my new Favourite mini Chalkboard. It is painted with Provence ASCP and finished with Clear Wax.

These next Magnetic Message boards are a pair. I used this really interesting handwritten fabric.

 

This lovely black toile Magnetic message board.

This next chevron fabric magnetic message board is painted with Graphite ASCP and finished with clear wax. This is my favourite out of all the new message boards!

Lastly I made another chevron message board as it is so popular currently. I made this one out of a grey fabric that matches the Graphite ASCP on the frame.

Which one is your favourite? What colours or fabric would you like me to make?

Happy Canada Day! Pet bandannas

Happy Canada day!

Today is a day we proudly wear red and white! Even our furry friends. My mother sews pet bandannas and sells them. They are a cute way to dress up your pooch without having them in costume. My dog loves her bandanna and gets upset when I take it off to wash. My mother makes them so there is a loop that the collar slides through. This way it isn't tied on and the dog doesn't feel it. The dog doesn't feel any difference with the bandanna than with just a collar.

Old Wooden Bowl Refinished

I have been de-cluttering my parents basement lately. My father passed away over six months ago and he loved to keep tools and garage sale finds down there. It is an emotional experience as it can bring tears and laughter throughout the process. I recently found this old wooden bowl which is in desperate need of a refinish. It is in good condition otherwise.

 

 

 

Here is the underside before:

 

Here it is before:

I used Miss Mustard Seed's Hemp oil Wood Finish to give it more of a healthy look. It is perfectly safe for surfaces that will come in contact with food. It is also 100% VOC free.

 

Here is a picture of the bowl halfway through the process. I just simple put some oil on a clean rag and rubbed it into the wood. The right side of the bowl has the oil on it.

Here it is after a week of the oil being put on:





























The oil has been absorbed into the wood and has a much healthier look.

 

Mint distressed chair

Hello Friends!
I don't know about you but I have been having a craving for mint! I've fallen in love with this colour lately and couldn't wait to mix some up to paint. I recently went to pick up some Antibes Green Annie Sloan Chalk Paint so I could get just the right colour. I mixed together old white, Antibes Green and a dash of Florence. I can't give you an exact measurement as I just eyeballed it. I would say 5/8 old white, 2/8 Antibes green and 1/8 Florence. But like I said I really just eye balled it.

I did some distressing on the piece with sand paper. It had a cream colour painted underneath which looks great with the mint.

Then of course I waxed the piece with Annie Sloan's clear wax.

Hope you like it! I know I love it!!

 

What colour's have you been wanting to try out?

Auction find/perk

Hello!
My mother went to an auction a couple of weeks ago and wanted to buy an old washboard. The washboard however was in a lot with this stand thingy. It was okay, but not too attractive. She offered it to me to make it over.

This is it before.

Here is a picture of it after.

Here is what I did. On the tall side I used Chalkboard paint in dark gray. The chalkboard paint company is called Hudson Paints and  they have a wide range of colours in Chalkboard paint. I used Annie Sloan Chalk paint in old white. I sanded the corners then I used clear wax and then a bit of dark wax.

I used Martha Stewart stencils: Flourish with Emile and Louis Blue Annie Sloan Chalk paint.

Here is the package of Martha Stewart stencils.

Christie Spring show 2013

I hope everyone made it out to the Christie Antique show this past Saturday. It was a little chilly but a beautiful day! I loved walking around checking out all the amazing finds. I wasn't in the buying mood but found lots to look at and tons of great ideas to inspire me. Here's a couple of pictures of things that I found interesting!

This desk was so ornate and gorgeous. You just don't see things like this often.

This unique sign is definitely a statement of the history of Mental Health care. I'm glad things are different now.

This tractor is similar to one my grandma has that was my dad's as a child. My sister and I would love to play with it when we were little.

 

This is a masterpiece! Someone took a long time to collect all the driftwood and assemble it into a horse.

This vase was so pretty. I love all the different flowers and colours. It is a perfect spring accessory.