Distressed "Paris" Dining Table

I love the distressed tables that I've seen on Graphic's Fairy and Pinterest, so I was very happy when I found an old, pedestal, table that turned out to be perfect for this project.

The table was solid wood with a very dark stain.  As anyone with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint experience knows, there isn't any need for sanding....just slap the paint on.  Actually, for the first time ever, I let my husband do the "slapping" of the paint.  He's much faster and neater than I am. 

We applied two coats.  It dries very fast.  I used sand paper for the "distressing".  As I've learned in many Youtube videos, you sand the edges and corners so that it looks like it has been, naturally, abused over the years.

I found the "Paris Wreath" graphic on Graphic's Fairy, of course, then had it enlarged at the copy store.  It was transferred to the table with carbon paper, then I used acrylic paint and a very tiny brush.

After the design was completely dry, I sealed the entire table with Annie Sloan Clear Wax.

Have a wonderful day!!

Peace,
Cyndi

I hit the Jackpot!

Boy, yesterday was a great day.  I've been looking for a new piece of furniture to distress and chalk paint.  I answered an ad in Craigslist for a little dresser.  I ended up with a perfect, little dresser, an adorable roll top desk, a cute nightstand, a vintage crib and, not pictured yet, a small writing desk, a gorgeous mirror, a beautiful, pedestal dining table, and an oval coffee table with a pedestal base.  What a haul!!

I can't wait to get started.  I'm getting ready to place my Annie Sloan paint order.

I'm also getting ready to try something new.  Lately, I've painted some French Typography on a few pieces.  The painting can become a little daunting.  So, I'm going to try a new technique - Lasertran Waterslide Decals.  I'm going to try them out this evening.  I'll let you know what happens.

Peace,

Cyndi

Shades of Grey

I went nuts this weekend with the paintbrush.  If it was in my way - it was painted grey!

Here, I painted a little wooden box and a tin box with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, then taped off some stripes to paint white.  The bottles, I painted first with black gesso, then a coat of white acrylic on top.  After it was dry, I distressed them with sandpaper.  I used some stencils to pencil on the numbers, then painted them with black acrylic.  "52" is the age that I decided to make a change in my life.  That's when I started my blog and decided to pursue a more creative path.

The box in the forefront, was a Runite wine box that belonged to my Step-Grandmother.  My original thought was to paint it grey and put a French topography graphic on the top, similar to the other grey box that I did.  But, now I'm thinking about painting the top with the Union Jack flag.  The frames are going to be distressed and waxed, then I'll make them into chalkboards.

This little shelf was also from my Step-Grandmother.  Originally pink, I chalk-painted it and I think I'm going to paint a word on it.  I'm not sure what word, but a word.  Then I'll distress it.

On this one, I tried to make an antique-looking mirror out of glass.  First I painted and distressed the frame (you can't really see the details of the distressing on the frame because the photo is so crappy), then I sprayed the glass with half water and half vinegar.  I sprayed a light coat of Looking Glass paint.  After it dried, I did the water/vinegar and Looking Glass paint again.  I'm not happy with the outcome.  The process worked, but it just seems a little cloudy.  I'm going to try this again tomorrow.

The, above, is just a bunch of miscellaneous stuff that's in the line-up for re-doing in some way.

So, that was my weekend.

Peace,
Cyndi

Graphics Fairy Transfer

Months ago, I picked up a silverware box at Goodwill.  It was black with a black velvet interior.  It was only a dollar or two, so I figured that I couldn't go wrong - certainly, I could turn it into something.

I've been a subscriber to The Graphics Fairy blog for a long time.  I love looking at all the beautiful things that so many creative people have made.  It's also amazing how many nice graphics they have.  They have lots of florals and French topography.

Since, I'm really starting to love anything French, I decided to try a Paris Apartment Sign.  I printed it in reverse so that when I laid the copy on the box, the letters would face the correct direction.

As usual, I forgot to take a picture of the box before I started.  Here is a picture after I had applied two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey.  (the box is actually sitting upside down because I had just added a coat to the bottom)

 

 

Since, this was my first time trying a transfer on chalk paint, I wasn't sure if I should wax it first or not.  I decided to add a coat of Annie Sloan Clear Wax.  Then, I did a little distressing with 220 sand paper.

 

Next, I printed out the design in reverse, as I mentioned before.  Using a regular brush, I applied Golden Matte Gel Medium on the area of the box where the design would be.  I brushed gel medium on the paper and, carefully, placed it down on the box.  I don't know why I didn't cut the excess paper away from the design before I attached it to the box.  It was crazy, but I continued on.  I used an old credit card to rub across the design to remove the bubbles and wrinkles.  I feel like I applied a little too much gel medium because so much was coming out on the sides.  I just wiped it away.  I left the access paper "un-glued" because I didn't want to have to rub all of the paper away.  

 

 

I let the box sit overnight to completely dry.  The next morning, I took a deep breath and spritzed the paper with water.  I didn't soak it, but I did get it wet enough to get the paper breaking up when I started rubbing the paper with my fingers.  This is the part that takes the longest.  I just kept rubbing off paper, spritzing more water, rubbing off paper, spritzing more water, etc. etc.

 

I got to a point where I wasn't really getting any more paper off.  There was still sort of a shadow around the design, but I kind of liked it.  I sanded the top of the box to make it look older.  I added another coat of clear wax and that was it.

This isn't the best picture, but I am pretty pleased for my first try.  This box still has the dividers in it for silverware.  It would be great for jewelry.

 

I still want to put a design on the coffee table that I chalk painted.  However, because of the size, I think I might transfer the design onto the table with carbon paper and then paint it.  I'll definitely use a Graphics Fairy design.  I'll just take it to the copy center and have it enlarged.

 

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

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

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