White Painted Antique Farmhouse Chair: Before + After

Once again, I'm amazed at what a little paint can do. This little antique painted chair looks like it's been this way for many years.  And the stencil just gives it that finishing touch. It goes perfect with my farmhouse bathroom and that is where it will stay!

DIY Painted Coffee Table

Do you have a coffee table that has seen better days?  I did. A few months ago, I painted our old coffee table white and distressed it a bit --- but the end result wasn't all the greatest.  And it just didn't mesh well with the rest of our living room.

It wasn't the worst coffee table in the history of painted coffee tables....

But I wasn't inlove with it --- nope.

So I did what any DIY'er would do.  I fixed it.

I taped off a diamond pattern with painters tape.  And then I sanded all the diamond shapes. This whole project literally took me about 20 minutes.

It's not new, but it will work for awhile.  

Painted Side Tables - Using Metallic Glaze

Hey ya'll!

Guess what I did for the first time? Painted furniture and used a metallic glaze. Yep...I did.

And being this was the first time I had used a glaze, I was extremely nervous.  More nervous then I would have been if these side tables had been my own.  But nope...someone was waiting for them to look amazing when I was done. oh boy...

I painted both of these side tables entirely black and then used a metallic glaze on the body and the legs.  

 

I was a bit skeptical at first, not really knowing how these would turn out, but this will definitely be something I use more frequently in the future. They turned out lovely.

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.  

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

Summer Project Recap

I don't know about you, but these cold and chilly days that are starting to hit us can take a hike! I just hate being cold! Plus, I'm being reminded that in just a few short days, summer will be long gone. Boo.

Since those long days of summer are about to come to an end, I thought I would recap on some of the projects that went on around here throughout the summer.  And just in case you missed any of them, now is your chance to get caught up!

Something about going back and seeing all the fun projects from summer really makes me wish it wasn't over.  But I'm also smiling at the memories of each and every one. 

DIY Wedding - Flower Peek 

Messy Yellow Desk

Another Dresser Redo: I Call Her Black Beauty

Transforming a Soup Jar Into Decorative Storage

Who knows, maybe the fall project recap will make me smile to ;)

Linking to these parties...

Elizabeth & Co.

Live Laugh Rowe

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

CRAFT

Coastal Charm

A Must-Have Craft Room Storage Piece

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know I've mentioned once or twice that my craft room is a huge sight for sore eyes.  When we were renting our last place, we didn't have a third bedroom for my craft stuff. All I had was a desk that was literally out in the middle of our living room.  Now I have a dedicated space for my crafty things and I have absolutely NO storage for the room. Everything is everywhere and it drives me nuts. Bottom line is, I need to get some storage and organization.

This card catalog from One Dog Woof's blog....is the perfect storage piece for any crafter!

Check this out...

Maybe it's the colorful items in the drawers....but this has really gotten my attention! Makes me want to go get organized ASAP! One day...I will show you a before and after of my craft room. Just not anytime soon!

Another Dresser Redo: I Call Her Black Beauty

I picked this dresser up with her sister a few weeks back. Someone needed them gone out of their garage ASAP and that's just what I did! The dressers where both in good condition, other than some drawers that needed TLC. Luckily I have a handy man around the house to help with those! 

She was up for sale yesterday, and sold last night! Thank you to the two ladies and the gentleman who scared the "you-know-what" out of my guy. Turns out, you have to tell people when someone is coming over to pick stuff up! 

This one and her matching sister where out the door quicker than any other piece of furniture I've done. Hmmm....mental note for my next piece.....

Linking to THESE parties:
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Live Laugh Rowe
Jennifer Rizzo
Mod Vintage Life
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Crafty Scrappy Happy
Funky Junk Interiors

Antique White 9-Drawer Dresser

This dresser was found on craigslist a few weeks back. It was really beat up, but still solid and functional. I got the vibe that the owners were a little embarrassed of it's condition. They seemed somewhat surprised when I said, "OK, let's load it up."

I keep forgetting that most of the population just want to get rid of their junk. It amazes me that they can't see what their junk could be. BUT -- better for me, right? lol. 

I posted about finding this dresser here.
Her before...well.... I guess it's not that bad. Surely not something I would buy to use "as-is".

But....she's pretty now....

Everything was hand crafted on this piece. I used homemade chalk paint and also made the color by mixing some that I already had.

I started by sanding the top down to get all the bubbling imperfections smooth. I didn't bother sanding anything else. That isn't needed when using chalk paint.

I proceeded to apply three coats of my homemade chalk paint concoction....

Once the paint dried, I got out the sand paper and sanded by hand (no palm sander, no electric sander...just me and the sandpaper).  This process gave me blisters on both of my thumbs. I may decide to go with a palm sander next time...

After sanding I applied Minwax Clear Gloss Laquer to give it a heavy duty protective coat. I've found this to be the one protective coating that really does hold up.

The knobs were given new life with a rubbed bronze spray paint.

If the old owners could only see her now. I bet they would be a little embarrassed.


Linking to:
Elizabeth & Co
Savvy Southern
Domestically Speaking
A Stroll Thru Life
The Vintage Farmhouse
The Crafty Blog Stalker
Live Laugh Rowe
Finding Fabulous

New Thrifty Finds & A Present To Me

The last few days have been super exciting....and let me tell you why.  I was able to score a few items that were better left for the road -- or so their owners thought.  Aannd I was also able to score a little something else for myself.... keep reading.

Here we have two dressers that I found on craigslist.  

Not too shabby. Right?  

Both were gotten for a total of $40. And in decent working condition. The second one would be perfect for a TV entertainment stand. Wouldn't you agree?

And a little side table that a family member didn't want. I'm getting this more and more now that the word is out that I take in crap no one wants. lol.

I have ideas for all of these pieces. They are also going to be my first items that I sell at an actual consignment shop (more on that later hopefully!!). 

Aanndd.....my biggest news today? 

My fiance no longer has to be at my beck and call to pick up roadside finds with his truck.  I can do it myself with this handy-dandy HUMMER! Ooooo how inlove I am with this machine.  So glad I took the leap and got it. It's so fun to drive :)

Do any of you other thrifting ladies out there drive a big tank? I'd be interested to hear what you think of them :) 

Happy Wednesday everyone! Till next time!!!!

Jessica

Messy Yellow Desk

Last week I posted a little peek at a few things I had been doing at my Think Yellow...  post.  One of them was this little yellow desk. 

It's not your usual paint job. My fiance thinks I may have ruined it lol. But everyone else has commented on how cute it is sitting in it's new spot in the craft room.

Yellow isn't usually my "go-to" color for painting (anything).  It was a toss up between the yellow and the teal I had from previous projects...I really just needed to get rid of the paint. Teal won to begin with...but when I opened it I found that I had not sealed it well enough and it was hard as a rock! 

So yellow it was. 

The original plan had been to paint it yellow and then use a brown glaze to antique it. But after a few brush strokes, that went out the window also.

The paint just ended up being more of a dry brushed look.  And I really love how it turned out. 

And it was fun to paint.

What do you think? Have you ever painted anything like this?

Linking to:
The Crafty Blog Stalker - The Shabby Creek Cottage - Miss Mustard Seed
Funky Junk Interiors - It's Overflowing - Crafty Scrappy Happy - Three Mango Seeds

Jessica

Perfect Dresser Redo

When I saw this dresser the first thing I thought was....I NEED to get a dresser just like this and do the same thing...IMMEDIATELY...lol. And it was one of those early morning perusing Pinterest on my phone while I wake up type deals. All logic out the window....I thought about the dresser all day. 

Thank you PB&J Stories....

I could really put one of these in each room of my house. Same knobs and pulls....everything. Pink does not go with my decor...but who cares! 

xoxoxo

Jessica

Think Yellow...

This week has been a pretty good week for getting things done.  It feels like each week just gets better and better now that I'm done with school and we are settling into the house.

But back to getting things done this week :)

I had some time to redo a little desk my future mother-in-law gave me. It used to be my fiances when he was a boy. Now my daughter gets to have it. Other than a bunch of scribbles he did all over it, the desk is in great condition. The pulls are so awesome, I kept them as they are.

While I was doing the desk, I used the same yellow paint and coated the inside of these jelly jars I had on hand (here is where the multitasking comes in -- along with some drinks too). I love how they turned out.  They might just find their way into our wedding decor :) Wouldn't they be perfect with some cute white flowers?

Speaking of wedding decor. I'm trying to juggle doing the invites AND making the flowers right now. When I first got engaged I felt so overwhelmed with the thought of having to plan a wedding. Now that I'm actually doing it, I'm finding it's actually fun :) I love sitting on the couch with my family at night, making my flowers while they watch their shows. It's so relaxing.

More on the flowers later. I have some other things I'm going to try with them. I figure, I have a year to get it right...lol.

A midst all of this crafting, I found time to trim some hedges....

And take long bike rides with my daughter. This is a picture of the train tracks below a gigantic bridge we were on. It was her first time on the big bridge (not in a car) and sort of a big deal.

What have you done this week?

Peace!

xoxoxo
Jessica

Linking to:

Funky Junk Interiors