Big Old Coffee Box

Ha! I finally remembered to take a before picture! Yeah!  This very large simple handmade box was one I found on a free pile after an auction.  It is very bulky but not heavy at all so it would be a great piece on a porch or in a mudroom to collect stuff.

 I painted it white and trimmed it in black.  I then sat down and drew out the what I wanted for design work.  I wanted the box to look as if it were a shipping box and thought coffee sacks are so popular right now that that would be a great theme.

 I love Americana so I decided instead of foreign coffee I would make mine American made.....I know it may be a stretch but I don't care Folk Art is not a strict mistress and that is why I love her.

The back I left plain because it probably will be against a wall and not seen.  The rail on the back works as a handy grip if you pick up just a little there are 2 wheels in the front and the box will roll. Bonus!

                           I stenciled the same design on either side of the box for more eye candy.

It took me some time before I was able to work on this project, I was waiting for just the right inspiration.  All in all I think it was worth the wait.

Birdhouse Remake

I found a birdhouse the other day and bought it to put on a wood stand I have had for quite a while.   I painted it white with black trim.  I glazed it in brown and wrapped it in grapevine. Pretty self explanatory if you look at the picture. A very simple project, yet I think it goes from just an okay birdhouse to one that will fit into any decor.

More Painted Stuff

Do you remember the bathroom caddies from the 90's that you saw at every craft show you went to.  Usually they were just stained and had calico fabric curtains.   I gave this one a more updated look by painting is Grey and glazing it in dark brown.  I made the curtain lace to top off the new shabby chic look.

  These corbels were painted an awful yellowish tan and had a high sheen finish.  I painted them first in primer grey and then painted them white and glazed them.  They make super book ends or accent pieces on a  mantle.  They are hand made and full of character, I love the crown top on the one pair.

Vintage Catch All

I went to an estate sale and found these rounded sewing drawers. I immediately knew what I would do with them if I could buy them.  The sellers had some things that weren't for sale and of course those where the things I wanted so I took a deep breath and asked the seller if they were up for grabs.  Gladly she told me I could have all three for 5.00.  Joy!  I had an old door panel that I want to mount them to and then I had this wood cut out Etc. that I was to attach to the top.  I got to the point where the word etc. was to be attached and it broke in two pieces ......rats!  So I left the project over night and figured I would come up with something.  Light bulb!  I got it !  I had some coasters that were wood and cork and thought ....paint them so they sort of look like type writer keys and paint the letters on them!!!!!!!Yeah thank you God for my imagination!

I painted the piece white and glazed it with brown to get the worn and antiqued look. I can just picture it full of mail and miscellaneous stuff.

                                     

Telephone Table Make Over

I painted this phone table solid black several months ago. It didn't sell so I brought it home to give it a make over. I had noticed the fabric on the seat was going in the wrong direction.....what? I get going so fast working 2 jobs that sometimes I mess up...it happens. I painted the whole thing white and glazed it in dark brown. 

It didn't have a design on the table part before so I thought I would add one and I am so glad I did, it adds so much and matches the fabric on the seat.

The seat opens to for storage which make this piece useful and pretty to look at! Is that bragging? Sorry, its just I am always delighted when something gets a make over and it comes out.

Red, White, and Blue

Only a few more days and America will be electing a new President or renewing the current President.

I have made a lot of patriotic things to sell and all of them are usually gone in a week.  Americans love their country as I do and love to display its colors in their homes.  I am not sure how I will vote, the important thing is to justget out and exercise that awesome right we have that so many Americans died to give us.  I am so proud of my sons who served proudly in Iraq to show others democracy still works.  The chair below is one of my very favorites. It reminds me of Old Glory and our beginning as One Nation Under God.

This bench or coffee table is a very versatile piece that would make a very nice center attraction in any room or porch once again remembering right from the beginning Liberty for All. 

                      As you go to the polls this November remember one thing whoever is elected..........
                                      

The Cat's Meow

I tried several times to get a good picture of this table I painted but black is so hard to capture.  This table has three shelves for books in the front and a magazine rack in the back. I painted it black and then painted on a sassy black cat with polka dots.

 On the top I also hand painted a French sign I got from "The Graphics Fairy" that you can see down below.

               I love "The Graphics Fairy" and love to paint their designs all over my projects!