Little Blue Typewriter

I just love those little Smith-Corona typewriters from the 60's and 70's, that  are pink, blue, yellow, mint green, etc.  I'm always looking for them.  Of course, so is everyone else.  That's why, even at a yard sale, people want a small fortune for them.

My father is an avid collector of antiques.  He is such a collector that he had to construct a special building to house his treasures.  Yesterday, while visiting, he gave me a little, beige, typewriter.  It wasn't old enough to be of interest to him so, even though it's not a Smith Corona, he asked if I wanted it.  I never say no to FREE.

Today, it occurred to me to paint it.  I popped the cover off, taped up the 2 labels on top, and sprayed it with some Valspar Interior/Exterior Gloss.  Ta da!!!!  It's not a cute, little Smith Corona, but it is a cute little blue typewriter.  I like it.  (Actually, I don't like the red button.  I think I'll paint it white)

 

Here are some of my Dad's collections.

 

Vintage cash register - circa 1920 or so.

 

An assortment of irons

 

A old, portable, Singer sewing machine

 

Lots of typewriters

 

Record Player

 

Old typewriter

 

One of these days I'm going to take some better photos of his collection.  There's some really beautiful things in there.

 

Peace,

Cyndi

Reality Zentangle

Here's tonight's zentangle drawing created while watching reality TV.  I didn't have any kind of plan when I started.  I drew a couple different types of leaves and just kept going from there.  I like those feathery, curved leaves.  I've never tried those before.

It was a special night on television.  Two "Housewives" - The Real Housewives of Orange County had the finale of their end of season show, and then, The Real Housewives of Miami.

Then it was on to Below Deck.  This is a show about the trials and tribulation of the workers on a charter yacht.  It's not one of my favorites, but I figured that I would give it another chance.

I left Bravo and went to VH1 to see the new episode of Basketball Wives.  Tonight Evelyn was struggling with her breakup with Chad Ochosinco.  Tammy was struggling with whether she would be able to sit through an entire dinner without physically attacking one of the other women. (seriously, she rarely ever makes it through any event without a physical altercation).

Last, but certainly not least - HERE COMES HONEY BOO BOO.  Please don't judge me, but I just love them. It takes all kinds of people to make the world an interesting place.

I started a new chalk painting piece today.  It's a full length mirror with a wooden frame.  It looks like it might have been a dresser mirror, but I'm just going to lean it against the wall.  I painted it with the Paris Grey Annie Sloan Paint.  I hope to finish it up tomorrow so I can take pictures.  If I don't get the brush for the Dark Wax soon, I'm going to freak out.  I ended up ordering it from the office supply store.  They said that it would take 3-4 days.  That was 8 days ago.  Maybe tomorrow.....

Peace,
Cyndi

Zinc - a - licious

I, finally, painted my nightstand with the Anthropologie / Restoration Hardware Zinc look.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.  It has a pretty sheen, but it's not super glossy or too silver.

I used the same technique that I used on the shelf and "peace" sign.  The  nightstand was already painted black.  As is becoming my habit, I forgot to take a "before" picture.

I used Valspar Interior Satin Paint in Almost Charcoal.

This is one coat -

This is two coats -

Then, using a chip brush, I lightly painted on Martha Stewart Metallic Paint in Polished Silver.  I was afraid of ending up with a silver nightstand, instead of a zinc nightstand, so I used super light strokes evenly back and forth.  I did the sides, the front, and then the top.  I was using the very tips of the bristles to sweep the paint back and forth.

Here's one coat of silver -

Here's the second coat of silver -

I'm going to do a coat of clear, satin to protect the paint.

My next zinc project is going to be big - my headboard.  It might take a little while to psyche myself up for that one.

Peace,
Cyndi

More Zentangle

As I've mentioned before, I like to Zentangle while I'm watching my reality TV shows.  This was my creation while watching the finale of Couples Therapy and a Million Dollar Listing LA re-run. 

This one was a Dance Mom's and, I think, Basketball Wives creation.

 

and, I have no idea what I was watching during this one.  It's from last week.

 

Today, while I was taking care of some, much needed, organization in my bedroom, I watched a couple shows that I'd never seen before.  These kind of strayed from my usual reality viewing subject matter.  Moonshiners -  a show about people who make moonshine.  Tickle - a show that, from what I gather, is about a guy that used to be on Moonshiners.  The cameras follow him around as he wreaks havoc, while the narrator (who sounds like the narrator from The Dukes of Hazzard) guides the viewing audience.  Gold Rush - a show about people panning for gold.

 

You know - reality TV  gets a bad rap.  Why?  Sure, some of it is semi-scripted.  Sure, the producers want to exaggerate things.  But, I think it's great that a guy driving a big-rig across the treacherous tundra can have a TV show.  An exterminator or the owner of a pawn shop can have an audience.  It reminds me of something that my husband said a long time ago.  He's a painting contractor.  We were talking about how famous people receive applause for everything.  He thought it would be great if, every time he finished painting a house, people would gather around and start clapping.  He could take a bow, perhaps, give a little acceptance speech.  Well, now with reality TV, it might actually happen some day.

 

Peace,

Cyndi

Anthropologie Zinc Look Letters

I love the "zinc look".  I wanted to do a big letter "C" painted like zinc to put on my mantle.  Now, whenever I'm at Michaels, NOT looking for large wooden or cardboard letters, they are everywhere.  You can find every letter of the alphabet, plus punctuation.  The day that I go to get my "C" - not a letter in sight.  Sure, there were a few little 3" letters, but where are the huge letters that, any other day, would be swinging from the ceilings?

I was so determined to turn something grey, that I bought a Peace sign.  Hey, as my Italian husband would say "whatta ya gonna do?"

I painted on a first coat with black Liquitex acrylic.  For the second coat, I used Valspar Satin Interior paint in "Almost Charcoal".  You can buy these little sample containers of Valspar paint in Lowes for $2.97.  They have really pretty colors and they come in handy.  (Tip:  They work well for gelli prints too).  I, sort of, dry-brushed the second coat, then rubbed it with a rag so that some of the first coat would show through.  Finally, for the third coat, I used Martha Stewart's Metallic Paint Specialty Finish in "Silver Polish".  I did the same "dry-brush then rub" technique.

Here's what I ended up with -

 

 I also painted a shelf.  I didn't use the black paint on the shelf first.  It was originally gold.  I just painted the Valspar paint and then the Martha Stewart silver paint.  I think that it looks very Restoration Hardware - esque.

 

 

 

The next thing that I plan to Zinc-ify is a little nightstand.   It's sitting in the middle of my bedroom right now, ready to be painted in the morning.

 

Peace, Cyndi

Almost Finished! Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Coffee Table

We are getting close now.  I have one last step to do - the DARK WAX.  Dumdumdumdum................

This is how it looked BEFORE:

This is what I have completed so far:

I bought the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Clear Wax, and Dark Wax.  I also purchased her large wax brush.  Being the cheapskate that I am, I did not buy her special paint brush or the small wax brush.  Do I regret this?  Yes.  I should have just gotten everything because I would have only had to pay postage once.  But nooooooooo.  I thought I would be smart and find similar brushes at one of the many paint stores and home improvement stores in my town.  Didn't happen.

I ended up using a nice, new Wooster brush to paint.  It actually worked fine, but I'm still getting the Annie Sloan one for my next project.

First stir your paint.  You will notice that I used a very large knitting needle.  You can use a paint stirrer if you like - I couldn't find one.

 

Without sanding, priming, or anything, I slapped on the first coat of Paris Grey paint.  It went on like a dream.  In the video tutorial that I watched, she said that if you are going to  paint the knobs, just leave them on - so I did.  Next time, though, I will take them off and paint separately because it was kind of a pain getting in the nooks and crannies (especially when I got to the waxing step).

 

I didn't need to, but I let the first coat dry overnight.  The paint actually dried in about an hour, but I wasn't taking any chances.

Then, I put on the second coat.  It looked great.  (I forgot to take a picture of the 2nd coat, but it looked just like the first)

Some people put on the clear wax before they distress, however, the video that I watched said to sand before you wax, so that's what I did.  I used a sanding block with 100 grit sandpaper and began sanding around all of the edges and corners.  I went a little heavier on the corners because that is a place that would naturally get nicked with age, and we want it to look like it's happened over the years, right?  When I got the edges and corners all scuffed up, I went for the flat parts.  I was a little scared about the flat areas.  I just wasn't sure how much was too much, so I played it safe and just sanded a bit here and there.  And this is how it ended up.

 



The next day, I did the Clear Wax.  As I mentioned, I had purchased the Annie Sloan large wax brush so I was prepared.  The brush worked great.  I just dipped it in the wax and started brushing into the table firmly.  I went around the sides first, leaving the top for last.  On the top, I brushed back and forth in long strokes going from one edge to the other with each stroke.  The clear wax deepens the color of the paint slightly, so it is easy to see where you have been and what's left.  I let the wax cure overnight and now it feels smooth and velvety.

Today, I went downstairs with my Dark Wax, extra fine steel wool, rags, and stencil brush in hand.  Then, I walked back upstairs and watched the tutorial again (for the 3rd time).  As I mentioned, I did not buy the small wax brush, which is what you would use to apply the dark wax.  I was going to use a small stencil brush, but I've come to  my senses.  I'm going to follow the rules (for a change) and order the rest of the brushes from Robyn Story Designs in Tampa, FL.

Stay tuned for the "reveal".

Peace,
Cyndi

Just Doodling.

This was actually a piece of paper that I was using to clean off my brayer and stencils while I was doing some Gelli prints a few weeks ago.  I had also wiped off some spray ink on it.  So, I just started doodling and zentangling around the splotches.

Peace,
Cyndi

Annie Sloan Paint Just Delivered!

I am so, freakin, excited!!  I am getting ready to start my very first chalk painting project with Annie Sloan Paint and wax.  I can't believe it.  I ordered the paint from Robyn Story Designs at a little after midnight, the night before last.  I figured that it would take at least a week, but no........here it is.

I received the chalk paint in Paris Grey, the clear wax, the dark wax, a wax brush and 3 little regular brushes.  The small brushes were free.  I didn't order the special paint brushes because they are pretty expensive.  My husband is a painter and he can get the same kind of brush at the paint store for a little less, so I'll get those, hopefully, tomorrow so that I can start.

 

I'll let you know how it goes. 

Peace, Cyndi

Great Thrift Store Day

There isn't too much that I like better than a thrift store or a yard sale.  I love estate sales too, but they always seem to be a little pricey.

I am so excited about my first item.  As I've mentioned before, I want to distress some furniture with chalk paint.  I did make my own chalk paint and I'll show you the results from that a little later.  It was OK, but I'm getting ready to break down and buy the real stuff - Annie Sloan.

I didn't actually get this piece at a thrift store.  It was a Craigslist.org find.

How great is this going to look re-finished with chalk paint and wax?!?  I think I'm going to do a light greyish color, but I'll have to look at the Annie Sloan paint chart and see.  Annie Sloan Chalk paint is not sold in my town, so I'm going to have to order it online.  I hope it doesn't take long to get, because I am really excited about do this.

I watched the best videos by Christen Bensten on using the chalk paint.  I'm feeling pretty confident.

Next, I found this cute little chair.  I plan to paint this with the chalk paint also.  I need to go to JoAnn's tomorrow to get some pretty fabric to recover the seat.

 

And lastly - a gorgeous frame.  The print is actually kind of pretty, however, I'm always looking for nice ornate frames and this one is great.  My plan is to paint the frame and make a chalkboard.  It's 24" wide and 28" high, so it would make a really beautiful piece.

 

 

When I got home from the thrift store, I went into a little painting frenzy.  I finally painted the pedestal cake plate that I made.  I glued a silvertone tray to a brass candle holder.  I still need to add a clearcoat.

 

 And, I painted some more Sirocco.  The shelf is actually the same green color as the cake stand, above.  It doesn't look green in the photo.  The shelf has 2 sconces that go with it.

 

That's it for now.  Peace, Cyndi