Crochet-edged Fleece Throw

My friend, Barb, was the inspiration for this little project.  It's a fun and easy project.  You can add any border you like.  I found this cute coffee fleece at Hobby Lobby.  Using a rotary blade, cut holes along the edge of the fleece.  Using a H size crochet hook, crochet around the edge of the fleece.  I also used Hobby Lobby's I Love That Cotton yarn.  For the first row, I used a single crochet, chain 1 pattern with 3 single crochets in each corner. Single crochet around for the second and third rows with 3 single crochets in each corner.  Then, lastly, I used an adaptation of an interlocking loop crochet stitch found here.  Basically, I ran my interlocking loops along one edge rather than two. 

Table Facelift

 

I remember the year I bought this pretty little table.  My Aunt Sharon was visiting and we went shopping at an antique mall in Nebraska.  So, yeah, it's been around for awhile.  Haven't lived in Nebraska since 2002.  Here are a couple before pictures.  You can see there was some damage to the finish on the top, but it's a sturdy little table.

 

 

 

I loved the carved rose and the frilly handle on this table, but I always wanted to do something different with the finish...repaint, restain.  Anyways, I finally decided to paint it.  I had some left over Sherwin Williams To Go paint in the perfect color. 

After a light sanding, I applied two coats of paint. 
 

 

For the highlights, I added a whitewash in white chalk paint to the grooves and the carved flower.  After a good drying time, I applied a wax and buffed.  Using a glossy white spray paint, I applied several coats of paint on the handle.  I've been debating on whether to apply a polycrylic topcoat.  It has turned out way better than my expectations!

 

 

 

 

Painted Chest

Thought I'd never get this little project completed.  It's been a pretty busy few months.  I bought this chest years ago at a little consignment/refurb shop.  They had painted it white and yellow.  It needed a desperate facelift. 

After sanding a lot of the old paint away, I used a black chalk paint for the base coat.  The second coat was a barn red.  Using a wet cloth, I carefully rubbed away the edges and some of the surface to reveal the black and give the piece a worn look.  Took me awhile to find a stencil to use on the top, but finally found that at Michael's craft store.  After the stenciling was completed, I gave it one coat of wax for chalk paint, then applied a matte polycrylic finish.  Added a set of really pretty drawer pulls found at Hobby Lobby as a finishing touch.  It's a perfect compliment in our home.

Ebony is very nosy.  She thinks she needs to investigate everything I do.  Every time I try to photograph anything, she's there!  :)

DIY-Painted Glass Jars

 

I found a use for those cute little Frappuccino bottles.  I've been craving these drinks all summer! 

 

 

 

This is so easy and you have quick little accent pieces in no time.  I applied two coats of chalk paint and sanded lightly with a sanding sponge.  And, of course, some pretty embellishments....

WaaLaa!

 Waiting on a lavender chalk paint to come in to finish the third bottle.

 

My room is slowly coming together.  I've been working on a make-over for my daughter's old bedroom.  It's going to stay a bedroom, but be a combo room for me to enjoy as well.  The room is going to be light and bright...a perfect area to work on drawings or my blog!  :o) I still need to paint the walls, which I plan to make a really soft off-white with hint of lavender.  When I eventually get it together, I'll post pics.  Can't wait!

 

 

DIY-Painted Frame

I picked up this cheapy frame from a local thrift store.  It caught my eye because of the texture.  I was finally able to get some Vintage Market & Design chalk paint that I’ve been dying to try from a local shop.. I used the off-white to paint the frame, sanded very gently to remove a little of the paint and applied two coats of clear wax.

 

It turned out really pretty and I have the perfect photo to use!

Side Table Refurb

I know I've been MIA for a while, but this has been a crazy spring and summer.  Hoping to get back to normal here soon. 

While browsing the antique mall this past week with my sister, who was visiting, I found this little side table.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  It started out like this...

 

I gave it a quick sanding to remove some of the reddish stain on the edges, then painted it with chalk paint.  I had to apply 2 coats of paint in order to cover that dark stain.  Found a beautiful French typography over at The Graphics Fairy website.  To get the transfer onto the top, I printed a flipped image on my ink jet printer.  I used 3M sticker paper by removing the stickers and printing onto the smooth finish where the stickers had been.  Because the ink stays wet, I carefully laid the image onto the top of the table and transferred it using a plastic scrapper.  The ink is not waterproof so in order to apply the water based wax, I first sprayed the image with a matte sealant.  After that was good and dry, I applied 2 coats of the cream wax.  Went to look for a drawer pull and was pleasantly surprised at what I found at Hobby Lobby!  They have a great collection.  I also found the burlap liner in the scrapbook paper section. :o)

 

 

I Love It!

 

DIY Shabby Chic Crate

There's not much storage space in my daughter's new loft apartment.  So, I've been looking for things to make that are not that expensive.  This idea I came across on the web.  It's an inkjet transfer onto the crate.  I found these crates at JoAnn Fabric for 40% off. 

After sanding the crate, I watered down a linen color acrylic paint and used it as a wash which allows you to still see the wood grain.

 

I then applied a walnut stain over the entire piece, rubbing off all the excess.  While that was setting, I printed my image onto wax paper with our inkjet printer.  I used photo editing software to reverse the image so the transfer wouldn't be backwards.  It took 3 attempts on my printer to get a clean print without smears.  I almost gave up!  While the stain is still wet on the crate, lay the ink side down very carefully and as straight as possible.  It can't be moved once it's down.  Use a credit card to rub the image onto the wood.  Remove the wax paper and WaaLaa...

 

 

It turned out so much better than I expected and Beki loves it!

 

Refab Projects

Been busy, busy over here working on projects.  Found Beki a $15 end table and gave it a makeover.  Total cost...about $35.  She loves the French style décor, so I tried to create the French Country look.  With the leftover fabric, I had enough to make a pillow to match!

I've been trying to find wood wine crates for DIY projects.  However, I'm finding they aren't easy to come by.  I was lucky enough to find two at Costco a few weeks ago.  With those two, I made John an end table with book storage.  With a little bit of stain and a few pieces of hardware, this project rounded out at about $30.

I'm also refinishing two Cracker Barrel wood rockers I've had sitting outside.  The paint was chipping away and so with quite a bit of sanding and some spray paint, I've got two like-new rockers for my bedroom!  Spray paint...about $18 and a little elbow grease.