DIY Chalkboard Book Shelf

This little book shelf was actually a mistake.  From the beginning, I had no clue what to do with it.  I almost threw it away. 

 

 

But a couple of coats of chalkboard paint on the top and ASCP on the rest, I knew it was the perfect little book shelf for my daughters bedroom.  

Choosing The Right Protective Finish For Your Painted Furniture

Choosing the right protective finish for your painted furniture (or any other) projects can be tough.  I muddle through this choice with each and every piece of furniture I paint.   So I know that those just starting out might find this one a bit daunting.  Especially if you have nothing to go on.

I've had trial and error with a few different types of protective finishes and each one brings something different to my project.  So I've made a list of my favorites in order of how much I use them. I hope this is helpful!

#1 - Minwax Lacquer

For long lasting durability and ease of use, this one is by far numero uno on my list. If you are painting a table or dresser that is going to get high use, this is the one you want.  I have not had a dresser get scratched or scuffed yet after applying this lacquer.  Just brush on with a cheap brush and that's it. No sanding required.  It DOES smell horrible though. So use in a well ventilated area.  

#2 - Anne Sloan Soft Wax

I love this soft wax.  The problem is that most of the stuff I paint gets high wear and tear and this finish will scratch.  For things that do not get a ton of use, this is perfect.  It gives of the most beautiful shine that no lacquer or poly can.  You just wipe this wax on with a rag or brush on with a paint brush --- let sit for a minute and then buff off.  It takes a bit longer than applying a lacquer or poly, but I swear you will fall in love with the end result.  I used this on my black dresser and loved loved LOVED how it turned out.

#3 - Minwax Polyurethane

Minwax Polyurethane is a great protective finish for your projects.  In fact, this is the most used product I've seen in DIY blog-land.  It is similar to Minwax Lacquer in application however they do recommend you sand between coats.  I never do.  This product is tough but not quite as tough as Minwax Lacquer AND will turn your white furniture yellow over time.  My DIY Chalk Painted Dresser is finished in this and is also turning yellow.  I think it adds a bit of character. 

#4 - Rust-Oleum Clear Enamal Spray

This spray is the best thing ever for smaller projects.  I use it on my chicken wire frames religiously.  It gives a nice shine and protects really well. I did try to spray a dresser with this one time and it was a disaster - I would not recommend it.  

 Also, it's good to know that you don't need a protective finish on all your furniture! If it's a piece that is never going to be used I would absolutely not worry about it.

Also, if you are wondering about what type of paints to use you can read my post about that here along with how to get a smooth paint finish here.

Have a great weekend :) 

TJN Projects You Loved In OCTOBER

October starts the first "TJN Projects You Loved In..." series. I'm excited to share with you the projects that everyone loved the most each month.  And what better month to start this then October!  Oddly enough, there are no Halloween projects here....

#1 - How To Get A Smooth Finish On Painted Furniture

#2 - DIY Chalk Painted Dresser

#3 - Red Painted (and stained) Dresser Redo

#4 - DIY Wedding: Simple Table Confetti

#5 - How To Turn A Ball Jar Into A Soap Dispenser - A Tutorial

What project is your favorite?? Is there anything you would like to see more of?  I would love to hear your feedback! Any and all comments are welcome :) 

Linking to these parties......
The Crafty Blog Stalker

Where Did October Go?

I can't believe it's the last day of October AND Halloween already!
The good news about today --  it's 60 degrees -- which means warm trick-or-treating tonight. The bad news is that it's been raining all day and by the looks of it -- will continue through the night :( 

 

With October out the door...one thing I wish I would 've had time to do this Halloween was make these cute Halloween bats! I'm kicking myself....

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A Miss Mustard Seed Dresser

This week has gotten away from me.  It's already Thursday -- and I'm not prepared for today at all.  I'd really like to crawl back into bed....but then there's this thing called a job. 

 

Anyhow...Miss Mustard Seed caught my attention big time with this Apron Strings dresser.  I wish I lived closer to her because this would totally be in my house right now....

 

 

New Craft Room Storage Dresser

Well everyone, I finally finished a piece of furniture for my craft room.  Remember when I found these babies on craigslist a couple weeks ago ? The tall one was "choosen"....hahaha.

I'm so happy with how this turned out. 

I laid down to take a picture from a different angle and when I focused, I saw....

my little buddy Duncan.  Little guy follows me EVERYWHERE.

So anyhow...this dresser replaced a plastic storage unit that I had been using for all my craft supplies since I started crafting.  It holds much more than the plastic unit did -- so yay for that!  Plus it makes the room look a bit more "put-together".  

I used an off brand white paint for the top and sides, chalkboard paint for the drawers, and then put a glaze over the top and sides.  I didn't use a protective finish on this.  I didn't need to with the type of use it's going to be getting.

Soon enough, I will do a craft room reveal for you guys.  Stay tuned....

Linking to....
Cropped Stories
Elizabeth & Co
My Romantic Home
Miss Mustard Seed
Redoux Interiors
French Country Cottage
Jennifer Rizzo
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Funky Junk Interiors

The Type of Paint You Should Use On Furniture

Last week I talked about getting a smooth paint finish on furniture.  If you missed that post -- you can get caught up here.   But what type of paint to use is also worth knowing.  When I first started painting furniture, I was unsure of the type of paint I should be using for the best finish.  I've used many different paints and here is a recap of what I've learned!

The important thing to know is that ANY paint will make your furniture come together a LOT better.  Whether it's name brand paint, off brand paint, or a combination of both. The end result will be similar.  

For example, this black dresser was painted with a Behr paint.  It was $35 a gallon.  I also used a paint sprayer (and added water of course!).  Turned out nice right?

Then there is the antique white dresser done with my homemade chalk paint.  I combined an off brand primer, off brand paint, WATER, and painted this one by hand.

The end result was great on both.  The difference?  Price! As I mentioned, the Behr paint was $35 a gallon.  I had actually bought the paint to do the doors in my house and had extra leftover. I would never buy a $35 gallon of paint for furniture projects...shish what were you thinking!

The paint I used on the white dresser was found in the Oops section of Walmart.  I can't remember what I paid for them, but I never pay over $5.00 for Oops paint...so I would say under $5!

What is Oops paint you ask?  It is just what it sounds like.  The paint associate at Walmart...or Home Depot (or whatever store carries paint) mixes the paint wrong or a customer changes their mind.  These stores are just trying to make a buck off of the paint instead of trashing it. I found out about Oops paint online.  When I first set out to purchase some, I just asked the paint associate at the store were it was.  They know exactly what you are asking for.  

Some examples.....

I love all the paints I've ever bought (name brand or off brand) and never had any application issues with any of them.

It is OK to mix different paints together to create your own.  My antique white dresser - as mentioned - was painted with a combination of white primer, a beige color paint, some Plaster of Paris, and of course....water.  It doesn't matter what type of mixture you put together, the end result will look fantastic.  What is really important is what finishing product you use!

I will talk about finishing products next week so make sure you check back to get all the deets.

Have a great weekend everyone!

DIY Wood Countertops

Who would have ever thought making your own wood countertops was possible?  I sure didn't until recently when I stumbled upon this awesome DIY tutorial by Gina over at The Shabby Creek Cottage.  She did her own counter-tops and they look fantastic!  Not only that, but it took 30 minutes!

So I thought I would share this with all of you because this is almost too good to be true! Head over to The Shabby Creek Cottage for the total DIY tutorial!

DIY Paperback Pumpkin

While looking for fall decor one night, I stumbled across these really cool paper pumpkins on Pinterest.  I was swooning over them immediately.

This project took a little more effort to complete than I had thought it would.  It is definitely not one for children due to the use of the exacto knife.  

If you want to know how to make these yourself, Katie from Upcycled Treasures does a great job of explaining.

Linking to these parties...
Savvy Southern Style
The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Crafty Blog Stalker

How To Get A Smooth Finish On Painted Furniture

One of my most frequently asked questions  is how I get the finish to look so smooth on my furniture.   I thought today was the perfect day to share my secret with all of you.

Really it's so petty you will probably do one of two things:  1 - say...are you serious? or 2 - laugh. But the secret to getting a smooth painted surface on your furniture is nothing more than ....

Adding water!

I never paint anything without first adding water.   Why would I do this crazy nonesense?  Normal paint tends to be a little thicker, so when you apply it it just sort of
 lays there.   When it is watered down, the paint spreads out after being applied and the brush strokes disappear.   Nifty huh?

 My Old Storage Trunk, Black Beauty Dresser, and Antique White Dresser are just a few projects I've done with watered down paint.

Application of the paint is much easier when it is watered down.   When I painted my MESSY YELLOW DESK, I did not water down my paint.   One stroke into it and I was dreading how much time it was going to take me to paint the whole thing!  Not to mention the thick brush strokes that I couldn't get rid of. Thus the reason why I did the messy paint job.   It was easier that way (and looked cool).

I even water down my chalk paint.  You sort of have to, otherwise it gets really thick.  Notice how the paint just runs off the spoon like water?   You can't do that with paint that isn't watered down.

I never do exact measurements of water to paint.   I just add a little water, stir, and continue to add water until I get the consistency I want.   If it runs like the above picture -- it's ready.   

Linking To These Parties
CRAFT
Savvy Southern Style
French Country Cottage

A Fall Living Room

Sometimes when I'm looking around Pinterest I just have to stop and think, "Wow, I wish MY house looked like that".  Unfortunately it doesn't BUT there is a lot of inspiration at The Happy House.  Krista really has a knack for decorating!  I especially love the fall window and bunting piece :)

This dresser/TV stand fits in perfectly with the rest of her living room.  The color is darling.

What do you love about this space?

DIY Heart Picture Frame

Recently I posted about my Simple Table Confetti. Not only was that project simple and cheap, but there was another project that accidentally came out of it.  

This little heart picture frame -- isn't it darling?

So now, this little heart picture frame can go a few ways for me. One - it will look cute at my wedding along with my DIY Simple Table Confetti's.  Two - it just looks cute on my TV stand.  Three - it will be the perfect decor for Valentine's Day!

Just a quick recap of how I put this thing together. 

Things You Will Need

Frame

Decorative Paper (I used old music sheets)

Card Stock

Scissors

Mod Podge

1. - Read here on how to get your heart cut paper. 

2. - Cut your heart paper and card stock to fit your frame.

3. - Use Mod Podge to glue the heart cut paper to your card stock.

4. - Finish by cutting it down to fit perfectly into your frame.

Easy peasy!! Now I have more confetti to do, so I will have more of these picture frames to do also.  All FREE using materials I already had. LOVE! 

Linking to these parties....
Coastal Charm
The Crafty Blog Stalker
The Shabby Creek Cottage

New Thrift Furniture Finds

I always get so excited when I run into some amazing thrift furniture -- at a steal.  I turn into a kid in a candy store and it's crazy.  And it was no different with these thrift pieces of furniture! They were posted on craigslist for $75.  Not a bad price for such nice pieces...they also came with a headboard and bed frame (not pictured).  I took these guys home for $60 when all was said and done.

Normally I buy thrift furniture with the goal of redoing them and selling -- but I'm not selling these.

The long dresser is going in my daughter's bedroom and for the first time she will have an actual dresser. It sort of feels like a new chapter in her life...hahaha.  The tall dresser will probably end up in my craft room as a storage piece. 

Stay tuned for their "redo-reveals"!

DIY Wedding: Simple Table Confetti

And so....the wedding planning continues. I know I haven't said much about it but it's happening! Most of it in my head but this week I realized I have to start acting on my "head-planning".  With only 9 months left, I still haven't even bought a dress! Yikes!

The simplest and smallest wedding details are my favorite.  And if they are quick...even better!  The other day I was just sitting here and remembered that I had bought a heart punch awhile back. PERFECT for creating little hearts that can decorate a table top!

All you need is your favorite paper punch, some paper (I LOVE music sheets), and the ability to fold lol.

Excuse the black nail....I was smart enough to slam my hand in my car door a few weeks back. 

And there you have it.  I can't wait to see how cute these are decorating my pie table ;)

Linking to these parties....
It's Overflowing
Funky Junk Interiors
Three Mango Seeds

Red Painted (and Stained) Dresser Redo

This cute red painted dresser wasn't always so pretty. In fact, she was really scary when we picked her up (for only $15 through craigslist.) You can read about that thrifty day here.  I will spare you the gory details today but think lots of cob webs and a bad odor.

Right away I knew her home was going to be in my living room, underneath my TV :)

At first, there was some flack about whether or not this was going to be the best choice of color for the space.  Butttt....it looks really nice and I'm glad I kept with my vision for the piece!

How did I do this transformation? Keep reading to find out!!!

I had a small pot of red paint I wanted to use but I knew it wouldn't be quite enough.  So I mixed a tad of white paint with it.  Of course what we have here is a pink dresser.  Now THAT would have been a bad choice for my living room :)

But once she was dry, I took a rag and some wood stain and got down to business turning that pink into a deep rustic look.  This part is pretty fun and not as near as hard as distressing with sandpaper.  Can you tell the difference after the stain? 

Here is what I used.

Just a bunch of old paint and stain I had laying around.  I'm pretty happy this stuff is getting used up.  I think I've been storing it for two years! 

The Mr worked his carpentry magic and made some shelves for the two drawers I was taking out.  This stuff is pretty cheap at your local Menards or Home Depot.

He also drilled out the holes for my new hardware. Without this guy I would get nowhere with my furniture projects...no joke!

And....here is my new TV stand.  I absolutely love this thing. There is a ton of space to store DVDs, remotes, and other electronic accessories.  

The hardware was purchased at Hobby Lobby -- and the most expensive part of this project.  Totally worth it though.

Stay tuned for a future post on what I did with the two drawers I removed :) 

Linking to these parties....
Funky Junk Interiors
It's Overflowing
Savvy Southern Style
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Live Laugh Rowe

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Miss Mustard Seed

French Country Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Things

Three Mango Seeds

Half Done Projects...

Half done projects are all over my house.  And lately, it has become harder and harder to get to any of them.  I have so much stuff to blog about and sell....once I COMPLETE some projects.  It has been frustrating!  And I realized that about 75% of my problem is organization.  Not that I can't keep myself organized but when you so much you want to do and so much you NEED to do....sometimes things like cleaning and organization take a back-burner.  

So I set out and made myself a weekly cleaning schedule. It has been working wonderfully!  I keep it on my Google Drive so I can look at it wherever I'm at.  And while I've been cleaning...I've noticed that keeping everything organized is pretty important to keeping stress levels down at home.  And having clean work-spaces totally makes using them more inviting.  I actually WANT to get some crafting down with my clean and organized spaces!

But anyhow....back to half done projects.  I wanted to share with you my two work spaces...and what they look like now that I started organizing them....

Here is my craft room.  Obviously this space is not finished and yes it's messy. But you should have seen the BEFORE picture.  I couldn't' even get in there.  This is major progress and I am so excited it's starting to come along. 

And I am in-love with my new shelves!! They just went up this morning!!  The color was a bit random (ASCP) and I only did one light coat of paint on them.  But I love them.  The little table is my latest find.  I can't decide if I want to paint it white or black.  What do you think?? 

Then there is my outside work-space......

This one was about as bad as the craft room.  Only there were much larger items scattered all over the place.  There was no organization here either.  But the Mr whipped out his tool-belt and turned our old closet doors into work benches for me.  How sweet was that??? Of course everything is going to be painted...but now that the weather is cooler that might have to wait till next year.  

I can't wait to get these spaces finished so I can show you the befores and afters.

Linking To These Parties...
The Shabby Creek Cottage

DIY Fall Pumpkin Roundup

It has been hard not to notice all of the DIY pumpkins out there while looking for fall decorating ideas on Pinterest.  Pumpkins are not just for Halloween...they are the perfect fall decorating piece! And they don't have to be real pumpkins.  DIY pumpkins can be cheap and easy to make.  Plus, when you make them, they last for years to come. 

If you are thinking about trying your hand at DIY pumpkins this fall, keep reading!

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