My experiments with DIY Chalk paint

So like many of you out there I love the Chalk paint idea... no prep work just get to painting. I found the Annie Sloan to be out of my budget for the time being.  When I have any extra $50.00 after shipping and handling  to spend on a quart of paint rather then gas and grocery and perhaps entertainment for the kids then I may drop the money for the paint, Until then I will work out my own DIY batches. The first batch I have to say I was disappointed with. It did not seam to live up to the hype of the DIY'ers. So I kept experimenting.  The second Color a warm soft brown came out much better I think. Photos will come soon. I put the brown on a old window I scored on Craigs list to make into a picture frame.

The Hope chest is nearly complete or it is if I don't put the Disney princess decals on it.. What do you think?princess decal or no princess decal? If you recall from my previous post this Lane hope chest belonged to my mother who passed away when I was Small. I have to keep the chest for sentimental reasons, but it reminds me of a casket so I didn't want to see it. Quite a dilemma  there. I decided I could paint it to make it appear happier. My four year old daughter loves it and is anticipating the day it's put in her room. We'll be re bed rooming the kids this summer.

So  here's my thoughts on Chalk paint I've made myself... I had two recipies for making chalk paint yourself. The first one I tried called for  1 cup of paint, 2 tablespoons of product weather  you use plaster of paris or un sanded grout or Calcium carbonate. I used Un sanded grout. I was not happy with the result I acheived.
It took a long time for the paint to dry, I could see the finish underneath even slighty after 2 coats...  and I had brush marks. SO since this is the hyped Chalk paint that you can paint on anything I mixed up a second batch and put it on over the first attempt. I used the other recipie that called for 1 1/2 cups paint, 1/2 a cup product ( in this case still the un sanded grout) and 1/2 cup hot water. I mixed it up and was pleased with the out come. I still need to sand and seal. I am using minwax paste wax in clear for the top coat. 

What i patined was a  Lane Cedar hope chest from the 50's. It belonged to my mother and has sentimental value, so want to keep it in the family but I do not necessairly want to own it.. It remind me of a mini casket so I had to paint it in the hopes of making it look less like a casket. Let me know what you think. I have a decal on the way to put on the lid I'll put up picures when it's totally completed but for now here's in progress pictures.

Chalk Paint

I can't wait to try out some homemade chalk paint I've spent a day and so far all this morning combing blog land on chalk paint and how to make it myself. I've come up with some good insight from http://uglyducklingtransformations.wordpress.com/tag/chalk-paint-recipe/ ,  http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-made-chalk-paint.html and

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2011/09/make-your-own-chalk-paint-for-400.html

I can't wait to go get the Plaster of Paris and begin! I have a new phone and can't get my pictures up as easily as I did before, stay tuned....

Can't wait for Spring

It's been about a month since I've posted. I have lots of projects in the works and can't wait for spring to come so I can work outside. Go figure the family does not like the smell of paint wafting up through the floorboards and Permeating the entire house... Really? YUP really.  Here are my projects: I found a great tiger oak 48" round table Pedestal base with claw and ball feet, Super great find for $10.00. I'm keeping this one!
Next I  have a great dresser solid wood with scroll design in the center two drawers have built in dividers. I'm going to teal that and do a black glaze. I have my eye on two night stands that would go perfect with that to make a set. I still have the Jacobean sideboard I picked up last fall, I now know what I'm going to do to that. I have a Habersham Plantation Sweetheart  Queen size bed to do and the sweet Pottery barn style dresser my husband curb picked for me., complete the dresser I started last fall. I'd like to redesign the blog so I can have tabs for Completed work, Work in progress, and Works i like for my idea file. Lots of ideas, little time. I have a new phone making the ease of which I used to be able to upload pictures a little more difficult. And the hubby said he can turn the garage into a work shop for me! Clean it out, tarp the flooring so that does not get damaged, Add lights / heat and a ventilation fan and walla! A space for me to work all year long.
- Stay tuned!

Windows

I'm excited I picked up 3 old windows from a Craigs list- listing last night. I think the ad said they were 100 years old? I can't remember and the ad was removed. They are great and will make awesome Picture frames. I'm going to re-paint my 2nd floor hallway Behr" Peanut butter " I got it a couple of years ago for my family room but never used it. It's been too cold to work outside, my husband winterized the basement so well I don't think I can spray down there so my house wins! I will use my new awesome picture frames in the newly painted space. Oh the fun of choosing which pictures will go in it and I think I may use one square in the middle to fill in with wine corks My Vase is overflowing with them and in thought I think it will go nicely in the windows.... More to come with pictures later.

decoupaged dresser is done!

Christmas has now come and Gone... the dresser was completed in time and gifted. Here it is let me know what you  think.
Decoupage who knew??? apparently a lot of people, I'm just getting to the party.

Christmas Decorated Window Boxes 2011

SO here are my window boxes.. not the best but also  not to shabby.
I scored an absoutley georgeous full bed frame ( and a chair I can see leopard print!)  this weekend. Just out on the curb, I got to speak with the homeowner who put it on the curb it was an old family bed that they had put in the garage and it sat for a long time and since they didn't have a need for it they put it on the curb... lucky me! It is mahogany and beautiful just as it is. I was thinking of painting it but the hubby does not want me to. That is one problem for a furniture refinisher, to amass pieces to paint and then the conversation goes this way- I don't think you should paint that. What to do???  I am fine with not paiting it, that just means it has to stay in my garage until we can re-configure bed rooms and my babygirl gets it for her room, someday..... Enjoy the holiday season!