Key Purpose

Keys are very much  in fashion whether it be jewelry or wall art they are everywhere. I found a large key at the flea market last summer and have been hanging on to it for just the right project.  I bought a frame at the thrift store some time ago and thought it was time to get the two together.  The problem was I forgot where I stashed the key.  It did not detour me in the least, paint it and it will come or surface in my case.  I painting the frame a dark brown over the original color and then started to paint blue and white over that while each coat was still a bit wet.  I like the smudgy look and yes that is a word !
I used some script paper and a vintage image I got out of my files for embellishments. As I figured all along by the time the frame was done I found the key in my night stand, its all good!  All I wonder now is what did that big old key open............

Gathering Table

I love nothing better than hunting around a garage full of junk. One day I was doing just that and found a wire basket probably from a freezer or refrigerator mounted on a piece of plywood.  I was inspired by the simple fact that it was mounted to plywood, it got the wheels in my head spinning with possibilities (I am literally dizzy now just thinking about it).  I promptly loaded up the basket in my car and continued my walk through the garden of junk or Eden in my case, junk makes my heart race.  I saw in  the corner buried underneath a myriad of broken chairs a changing table that was falling apart. A match made in heaven -in my overactive imagination anyways.

I took both of my new found treasures home and let the fun begin.  I mounted old doors to the top and the bottom, remember in my last post I stated up front ....never enough doors.....I am not in denial!

I painted the whole piece white and stanined it with some Min Wax and there you have it another discarded item given a second chance to please from the mind of a simple country girl!

Paris Hotel Wash Stand

Well this stand is pretty self explanitory.  I had an old wash stand collecting dust in my store room and thought it was time to give a chace to be loved.  I added an old door and there your have it a catch all for more than just dust. I always say you can never have enough old doors laying around waiting to be stenciled and attached to something old. 

Joyful Bird Table

I love birds and thought it was time to paint another table and plaster it with birds. I have done other pieces in the past with birds and they sell right away but that isn't why I totally painted this table with birds it just looked like a table that needed birds. I wanted to use some colors that I hadn't used before and decided on brown with green. I painted the top with an undercoat of brown so the brown shows through on some of the brush strokes.

I found an ornamental pull and painted that green and attached it to the front to add some interest to the piece. I am not sure if you can see it in the picture, the front is wider than the back.   I am still working on my photography skills and didn't think the picture told enough of the story so goes the explanation. Anyways I like the colors and the birds so I am a happy camper today.

Subway Art Trunk

Two weeks ago I found myself sorting through my stash and I came across another hopeless piece that was in such bad shape most people would have tossed in the dumpster, I  say bring it on!  This very old wooden box was so dilapidated, the top was in pieces the hinges were pulled out, and it filthy. Some people think when they hear the phrase make over of a new hair do or shade of eye shadow I on the other hand see junky worn out furniture that needs love. I am so co-dependent when it comes to furniture.  I don't know if it is a gift or a obsession either way I am good with it. 

When it came to this box I had to replace some the of the wood that was missing and the hinges too. I left the old hinges on for ornamental purposes.  Then I gave it a thorough cleaning and a coat of bonding primer my new BFF. 

I like the "Subway Art" that is all the rage so I decided to use that as my design.  I envisioned several shades of blue with gray and white as my complimenting colors. 

I painted the inside Army Green with an over wash of Dark Gray.  I also added the legs to give it dimension and top coated it with the Min Wax water based Poly Coat.

I painted 2 handles Aluminum Gray and mounted those to make it easy to move the piece from place to place.  I also installed 2 eye screw and a chain so the lid would fall back every time it was opened.  When repurposing old wood stuff it is always a good idea to add things like handles and chain catches because the wood may be fragile and your project ruined if not given a little TLC. Prevention saves a lot of heart ache later.  Well, another one saved and tonight I sleep well. Until we meet again, blessing to you and yours!

Life Is Beauty-Full

It has been about 2 week since I finished a project and I can tell you that is not from lack of trying. I have been working right along but it seems that everything I worked on didn't come out the first time. I am a perfectionist and want things to come out a certain way and don't give up until they do. Three of this week's projects are in that category. I grew up hearing if you fail try try again, if you fall off the horse get back up in the saddle , and if life gives you lemons make lemon aid. So needless to say it took me longer but things came out alright and are nicely tucked away at the shop for sale. Below is a night stand that I picked up that had some great character. I love the handles and the modern look. My first inclination was to paint it gray and then I thought why not try a gradient approach in steps of gray.

First I removed the handles and gave them a coat of spray paint and then gave the stand a coat of bonding primer. Bonding primer makes any surface accept paint like magic. It is the best thing I learned on Pinterest so far. There isn't anything I haven't used it on including glass and ceramic. Next I took masking tape and ran it down the stand from back to front all the way down the drawers and all. I painted 2 coats of the dark gray and let it dry. Then I proceeded to do the same with the tape method painting the rest of the stand using lighter shades of gray as I went along.

After the gray paint was completely dry I stenciled on the words first in a coat of bright white and then in black. I top-coated the stand with Min Wax poly coat and replaced the handles.

This solid little piece would be great to by the bedside or as a incidental table to catch mittens, magazines, or craft projects. Life is Beauty-full.