Old As Dirt!

I started this antique desk a MONTH ago and I finally finished it! LOL! It was grouped in with my massive load of ambitious projects over my Spring Break, and I just had to let it wait. The previous owners weren't sure exactly how old this is, but they think 1920's/1930's.

This is about the best I can do for a before shot.  It was a gorgeous desk, just pretty beat up.

I don't know the color name because it isn't printed on the can, but it was a pretty yellow from Lowes.  I flipped the desk over about half way through so I could get the inside and lower parts easier.

Similar to how I did The Pink Lady, I cut out a harlequin stencil from cardstock.  This time, however, I used painter's tape to apply it to the desk, and I made an actual stencil rather than a bunch of diamonds.

In order to get the color I wanted I mixed a little paint from my $5 wall art and my yellow office chair.

I would then pull up my stencil and overlap the bottom diamond on the stencil with the uppermost diamond that I painted.

Here it is halfway finished:

Then all the way finished:

After the paint dried I distressed the crap out of the whole piece.

I wanted this desk to look old, dirty and beat up. Mission accomplished! It almost looks like it needs to be cleaned! LOL!  I antiqued the desk with my Minwax Dark Walnut stain, then covered the desk with poly.

I'm undecided as to how I feel about the back and sides.  I typically use darker colors so the stain isn't as pronounced.  I wanted the desk to look old and worn, but I'm not sure that I'm in love with how the big blank spots look. I guess the back will probably be up against a wall anyway.

I adore the hardware!

I love the little chunky legs too!

I like the subdued look of the harlequin pattern and how it looks worn.

I'm going to put this baby on Craigslist once the poly completely cures.. keeping my fingers crossed! =)

I hope everyone has a 'hoppy' Easter weekend! ;)

Cheers!!

Linking to these fab parties!
Sisters of the Wild West, WUW Savvy Southern Style, Momnivore's Dilemma, House of Hepworths

Pretty in Pink Silent Auction for Susan G. Komen!

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Hey friends! I wanted to tell you all about an exciting silent auction that is going on over @ Primitive and Proper!

 

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I'm sure by now you all have seen posts about the new Annie Sloan Chalk paint!  It is the latest rave in blogland and boy I can't wait to try it out for myself!  Well, a few weeks ago one of the stockists for Annie Sloan Chalk pain contacted Cassie at Primitive and Proper.  She wanted to send Cassie a can of Henrietta, a soft pink, to paint an item for a silent acution!

 

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The stockist has a neighbor who has been battling breast cancer for years, so this a cause close to her heart!  Of course Cassie agreed and painted an adorable vaity!

 

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Cassie chose this vanity because it can easily be disassembled and delivered via UPS!

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Here is what Cassie said about the auction:

"Here are the specifics:  This vanity measures 34"w x 29.5"h x 18"d.  It is made of pine, and very rustic, painted a soft pink and given a distressed finish.  Shipping will be $40 (if it costs less than that, I will reimburse the difference, and if it costs more than that, I will cover it.)  To place a bid on this piece, email me at cassie8978@gmail.com.  Opening bid is $25, and I will keep bidding open through Tuesday, April 26th at 8 pm EST, and I will update each day as bids come in so that you will know what the highest bid is up to."

She is asking that we spread the word about this silent auction, as it is for a good cause!  Be sure to keep checking back with Cassie at Primitive and Proper to stay updated on the auction!

Cheers!

Take A Seat, Kiddo!

 My nephew and niece both celebrate their birthdays in April, two years and a few days apart!  Last fall the hubby's side of the family had a large yard sale.  My sister-in-law was selling a small table and chair set for her mother-in-law.  It ended up not selling, so she kept two of the chairs with the hopes of making them over for the kids.  Fast forward a few months and we decided I would refinish them for their birthday!

They weren't terrible before, but definately not cute.

I cleaned them both up real good and prepped Emma's chair by priming it.

I had an idea of what color I wanted Emma's chair to be, so I grabbed a close color in my collection and added white until it was pale enough.

(I knew I would use those cans!)

I wanted to do Logan's chair in blue, which is a pretty generic color, so I used Valspar spray paint on his.

I wanted to add fabric to Emma's chair, so I didn't paint the seat of hers.

Emma's chair required a little more attention since I had to hand paint it, but her's ended up being the easiest of the two.  For some reason Logan's chair was super tacky and I thought I was going to have to strip it. 

Since I knew this was my likely option, I figured it wouldn't hurt anything to try paint thinner on it.  I bundled up some cheesecloth and started wiping the whole chair.  This took all of the tackiness out, and also reduced the shine.  An unintended result was that the wood began to show through in some areas.  So I just went with it and decided to have Logan's chair look a little more used look.

After both chairs were painted it was time to put on the embellishments.  I used a similar paper technique as I did on my cheap wall art.  I found some scrapbook paper I like at Hobby Lobby and printed a reversed image of the names and dinosaur on the back.  I used my exacto knife to cut them out. 

I then used ModPodge to apply the embellishments.

Logan loves dinosaurs, so I put a dinosaur on his seat.

Emma has been really into owls, so I cut out shapes from the scrapbook paper and assembled an owl on her chair.

I used coordinating colors to make their names.

They both got a protective coat of poly, then I upholstered Emma's seat.  I wanted her chair to look more sweet and feminine. Here is a close-up of the fabric. I adore it!

Here they are all ready for the party!

Logan immediately checked out his dinosaur, and Emma tried to climb up in her chair.

They paused for a brief photo op, then moved on to the rest of their goodies!

I was so rushed to get to the party I never got good pictures, so I took a few minutes to take some photos by the flower bed! So pretty!

One more before and after!

Cost Breakdown:
Fabric - $2.50
Scrapbook Paper - $2.50
Spraypaint - $4

Everything else I had already!

Now I'm ready for some Harry Potter and a nap! 

Cheers!

Linking Here!
Eisy Morgan, HOH, Sisters of the Wild West, Its So Very Cheri, Savvy Southern Style, DIY By Design, Handy Man, Crafty Woman, Momnivore's Dilemma, The Speckled Dog

Party All Week Long!

Have all of you heard of The DIY Club?! If not, you should definately stop by and check them out!  They are celebrating their one year anniversary with FOUR parties and tons of giveaways!  Their celebration is running from April 16 - April 30.

In addition to all the parties, they will be doing giveaways and project features! 

Its So Very Cheri will be hosting the delightfully decopaged party!

504 Main is in charge of the all white decor party! Link up anything that is white; food, decor, furniture!

Whisperwood Cottage is hosting the chalk and chalkboard party! (I can't wait)

Lastly, The DIY Showoff is in charge of the earthly essentials party!

So I hope you all get a chance to go check it out!  I'm on my way to link up now!

I'll be back tonight with some sweet little chairs I refinished for my neice and nephew!

Cheers!

Chalk-a-licious Giveaway!! (Closed)

Have you all heard about the new Annie Sloan chalk paint craze?! I have!!  I first heard about it from Marion at Miss Mustard Seed.

She has painted multiple beauties like this one:

(Miss Mustard Seed)

Now Shaunna over at Perfectly Imperfect has started creating beautiful pieces with the chalk paint (as if she needs chalk paint to make her pieces beautiful)!

(Perfectly Imperfect)

Guess what!! She's offering a giveaway for a free quart of chalk paint and a free can of Hannant's clear wax!!  What a generous prize!

(Perfectly Imperfect)

 

So head on over to visit Shaunna at Perfectly Imperfect for your chance to win!  Good luck!

 
 
Cheers!