Here's what we did!

We got some scrappping done last night.

 Helen finished up our Retreat pages.

Pam has been finding Bill's school pictures she never scrapped.

The pages below are of the evening the Guys got together for

dinner while we were gone on the retreat. I think Mike's Lemon pie was a hit as

well as  the Hot Tamales Mark drove all the way to Vicksburg to get.

We managed to get in a painting session this afternoon. It was a dreary day. Just

ran outside long enough to make these pictures!

Judy and Helen finished up these trays. Helen's is Chateau Grey and

Judy's is done in English Yellow with Emperor's Silk

stenciling. 

Here's how it started out!

Our friend Sharon joined us to paint this cute bench. She promises to send me

a photo when she gets the cushion covered.

We painted a few small items but did not take pictures.

Hopefully the weather is going to warm up this weekend. I am still working

on the dresser in my foyer. We are about loopy from smelling the polyurethane fumes. Thank goodness the rest will be in chalk paint.

Thanks for stopping by. I am working on making it easier for you to comment. People have said it is not working. 

Benches and Bargains

These benches are the ones I bought at the flea market. They were made from reclaimed wood and very sturdy. They had nail holes, peeling paint and 
lots of great distressing.

I didn't want to lose the "shabbiness"of the old wood, so I just sanded a little and added some paint and wax. On one I used the Chateau Gray and Old white mix on the legs. On that one I added the dark wax.

 

The other just got a thin coat of old white
 and clear wax.

They would make a great addition to a porch or patio. They are perfect beside a chair or to use as a coffee table. In fact I plan to take one to the river and sell the other. Not sure which one, I love them both!


 This photo shows how they looked just after I did some sanding.

Last Friday I just had the best day! As I as leaving the neighborhood a man was dragging this cabinet to the curb for trash pick-up. I screeched to a stop and jumped out. I asked if it was broken and he said it just was missing the pegs to hold the shelves. (No problem..I know Lowe's and Home Depot have those!)
 He even loaded it in my car!

As I was returning to the neighborhood,  I saw there was a Yard sale..... right on the next street! Well, I found this cute little cabinet. The lady said she used it in college and she was about my age(so it was pretty old). It was made of solid pine and was really in good shape. A missing knob was not a problem.

It had great curves and details on the doors. Plenty of dust and spider webs!

The inside had a great shelf and dividers. 

And... the very best part......I got it for 5 dollars!! The lady patted it good-by as she helped me load it in my car. When I finish, I plan to bring it back to show her. Oh, but she may want it back!

 

Another project I completed was to paint this mirror. It was one mom and dad made when they were doing the Country wood cut-outs and painting thing. It was really pretty but not the colors I wanted. 

I undercoated some areas with Provence chalk paint and then painted over with Old White. I just did a touch of sanding to let this show through. I plan to put it over the blue chest at the river.

My new pieces called for new colors, so I got some great ones. Wait 'til you see.
Should be back tomorrow with a peek at 
one of them. 

The little chest......all finished!

As I was outside painting on the chest a beautiful cardinal came to visit. Had to get the shot!

To decide what color, I mixed several combinations of Annie Sloan Chalk paint in Chateau Gray and Old White. I chose the 1:1 ratio for the body and the 4:1 for the drawers. I wanted just a slight difference in the colors. 

I started the operation outside. I found if I get out there by 9 it is not too hot.

I then moved it inside on top of the washer!! I gave the inside of the drawers a second coat of Annie Sloan Chalk paint in Barcelona Orange. I just love this color! It did not seem to cover as well as the other colors, could have used a third coat but I only had this small jar, so I left it.

The best part was waxing with a coat of clear wax and then using a thinned dark wax in selected places. 

 

 

 

I just love the contrasting orange drawers!It is the hot color this year!

Here it is all finished! I do love it! As much as I love it, I am probably going to sell it. I have no place to put it and I am needing to buy some more paint!!

So if any of you are interested, please let me know.

For my next project I think I am going to use spray paint!! It is much faster and I will have limited painting time outside now that the temps are in the 90's. So watch for some of the items I have been collecting.

Here is the before shot. I do love it now!