Credenza #2

Here's a fun little thing I picked up at GW last week. Not cute here:

Quite ugly. Okay, it's not THAT bad. I'm slightly dramatic.

Side note: It's actually late and I'm watching Russel Brand on Jay Leno. There is something about a British Accent that I just love. He and Ricky Gervais. Whatever they are saying makes me giggle. They could be talking about something major and I would giggle. I can't "do" accents. And Tom's accent usually ends up sounding like an Irish Pirate. Which makes me laugh as well. In fact we watched a comedian on tv make fun of different accents, and it was hilarious. Of course, in the Midwest we don't have accents. Only the rest of you do. Seriously. Ask Tom Brokaw. He's from these parts. 

Where was I? Oh, teeny, tiny credenza. I need more color in my life. I seem to be on a white kick. Must be summer.

Here's the fantastic after:

I think I need a better place to photograph this stuff. Yikes. As you can see I finished a few projects this week. Now, if only I could sell them....

I haven't decided how I feel about the handles. They are okay. But, the piece may be able to pull off crystal ones. I painted the original ones nickel. And they are awfully masculine. But, I like them. Eh. We'll see.

Little white table.

I've been working on this table for about three weeks now. Not kidding.

Here's how it started:

Nothing fancy. A pretty crappy paint job and a super ugly drawer pull. I knew it had potential.

Look, the sides flip up:

Super cute.

Then a big fat fail. The top was pretty bad, so I wanted to strip it, and I did, but I don't have a photo. It sat like that for a little while because I couldn't decide if I wanted to stain the top or paint it again. There were a few spots that didn't turn out too well on top, so I painted it. Once I painted the top, the base and legs looked crappy so I tried to strip the bottom. Umm...that sucked. (I know, we don't use that word in our house either, but it's true.)

I had to take a break for a few days and sob. I was one day away from throwing it in the trash.

Then I tried sanding the top and sanding all the legs again. That was better. Then I waited a few more days and sanded again. And sprayed a little again. Not bad.

That brings us to this week. I sanded and sanded and beat it up. And now. I love it. It's perfectly imperfect. Just like me.

Extra distressing and some clumps of paint in some spots make it look nice and old.

I tell ya. This was a pain. But, how cute is she?! It's a she. Come on, look at those legs.

Ignore the window. Pretend you didn't see that 9 pane window I scored for ten bucks. Just divert your eyes....pssstt....isn't it gorg?!

Table. New handle. Lots of tears. And time. Gorg.

Before:

After:

Sure doesn't look different. Oh, but it is. I promise you that.

Patio Makeover

We started on our patio project this weekend. We've got tons of people coming in a few days and we just thought it needed a little make-over. So the table either had to go or I needed to fix it. Everyone and their uncles were shopping for patio furniture this weekend, so I wasn't about to go out and try and buy a new set. Plus, who wants to spend that much!

So, I grabbed my favorite colors of spray paint, slate blue and sunflower yellow and our rather old teak table and chairs.

I tried to start and finish but it was too hot, too hot to paint. Just last week it was too cold to spray paint! So I had to stop and wait because by 10 AM on Sunday it was 94. In May. In Wisco. And the paint was bubbling and burning on contact. You know, like frying an egg on the concrete....it was ridiculous. I am not complaining though, because I complain when it's cold. I've told myself it's not okay to complain in both conditions.

Here's a photo of the chairs. Forgot to take a before of the table.

Some of you may think I'm a nutzo for painting teak. I know, but we've had this set for a loonnnnggg time and it was not revivable with my teak stain anymore. And it's falling apart in places, so it was either paint it, or put it here:

So I painted. And then I ran out of blue paint. Twice. Duh. It's such a me thing. You all know that by now.

But, here's the outcome, nevermind that small area on the table that isn't finished because I ran out of yellow too. Twice. FYI teak soaks up paint in the heat.

I was going for the beachy look and I'm pretty sure I got it. I am really loving it. My neighbor thinks it looks like it came right out of the Pier 1 store. Which I'm taking as a compliment. Although I rarely shop there! Mainly because it's a million miles away....

Just tell me you can't see that spot. I know you can, just humor me. It will be fixed tomorrow. Promise. Fortunately the seat cushions still work!

The umbrella is new, I didn't want this one. I wanted a cream colored one, but this one bends and flexes and it showed me its muscles, so I brought it home. Last year our teak one broke in a storm and it was in our neighbors kiddie pool across the way. Oops.

Then, we got this too. It was the floor model. And it has a wobbly leg. I asked for a discount. It came home with us.

Oh! And see that fantastic rug? Floor model. Asked for a discount. It came home with me.

Note to you: ask for the floor model. Then ask for 20 percent off. Yes, things like that rug can just be washed off, BUT, people have walked on it, (this one had pieces of glass in it) and those chairs and table, people have put their tushes in them, and touched them and picked at the wicker - never pay full price for the floor model! In fact, the table and chairs that I painted were a Target floor model a million years ago. And I did get a discount.

And that cute pillow! Garage sale. $5. There are two. But the other one just got a bath in a fruit punch frozen treat. On purpose. By a three year old. Naughty boy. It stained it. Boo-hoo. Note to self: Don't leave said three-year old alone. EVER.

This entire project really started from two things. One, on Friday I was dragging the kids around on a muggy rainy day to some garage sales. This is what I got for $15. Plus those pillows. And this fantastic window that I'll show you later. The chair is PB, but needs a new seat cover and pillow cover...Any takers on teaching me to make them? BFF? You out there? You reading this? HELP! Actually, will someone just do it for me?! I'm too busy hanging out in the baby pool....Oh, seat...

 It's a little wicker chair - it's so comfy! Love it. See those bags of bird seed? Yep, we buy them in bulk! Eh.

And the second reason this started was because we got all the materials to build ourselves something similar to this with designs from Ana at Knock Off Wood.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/chesapeake-double-chaise-cushion/?pkey=cchaises-outdoor

If you remember we have already done two things with her plans. A bookshelf and a hutch. We like them! Handy hubby cut everything it is waiting in the garage for me to put together. I'm nervous. This is a big one!

Of course I'll show you when we're done.

Side note: Thank you for the comments about my questions. Your comments solidified what I was already planning to do, so thanks for following and reading and helping.

Test Tube Flowers

A certain someone thinks this is a little on the nerdy side. I think it's a little nerdy AND a little clever....

I got these test tubes at GW the other day for $1.50. I don't know why I bought them, but I just figured I could use them for SOMETHING.

I know. Who grabs a thing of sixteen test tubes at GW? So, I went to the local Saturday morning farmer's market and got some flowers. Let me tell you....I asked for two dozen flowers. 1 dozen purple tulips and 1 dozen of these yellow and red ones. I know they have a particular name, I just don't know it. I grow wildflowers people. And the rabbits and deer eat all my tulips....give me a name break! Oh, point....I asked for the flowers and a 2 dollar bag of lettuce and I received 30 flowers and a bag of lettuce for all of $13. Yep. $13. Unbelievable.

So, here's what the unknown named tulips look like in the test tubes....

Cute, right? Clever, right? Totally nerdy, right? Now, go find a science teacher and talk him or her into giving you some test tubes so you can make your own nerdy flower vase.

Mom Ramblings #11

1. Cortisone shots hurt. Not much during, but AFTER....holy buckets. And because I'm sure you were all so worried about me, and MY life, because it's all about me, I'm fine. I think....

2. I got my suits from Athleta tried them on, didn't LOVE them, although they were cute, and sent them back. Then I was in Target and found a great suit! Gotta love Target.

3. I've been approached to do a giveaway or a review. And I'm not sure what to do. I don't have any advertising, just my friend's etsy site (Go there!) and I just don't know what to do....

4. If you remember I skipped number three last time because I wasn't ready to go there-it was actually about my website furniture "business". So far I've got all my projects for sale listed....let me know what you think! I can handle it. Maybe. Nope can't. Don't tell me what you think.

5. It's been suggested that I put my signature on my pieces and then I've seen people name them...I just don't know what to do?! Anyone have any ideas on the naming thing? Suggestions? Also, anyone know where I can have a brander...like one for cows....maybe an embosser? Ideas? Suggestions?

6. I'm thinking about my dear friend Leah, from This & That, who lost their dog. Love you, Leah!

7. We had a very busy and hot weekend and we're getting ready for the big one year birthday party and baptism for Gus, (yes I know, he's been in Limbo for a loooonnnggg time....back off.) so postings may be few this week.

8. I'm beat. And happy.

Birdies

So, it's no secret around these parts that I don't really ENJOY birds. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that, well, I watch Alfred Hitchcock when I was in junior high...and ever since....they kinda freak me out. And, you know, bird flu, they eat my grass seed and my flower seed....oh and nevermind the fact that I've been pooped on by a bird. Twice. Not the same bird. Once while rollerblading in high school. AND once while walking to class....in college....the first week...grody.

One of the things that T and I differ on is the love of birds. Obviously he loves 'em. I don't. But, I love him....soooooo, our yard is full of bird feeders.

And, I even went so far as to buy two more feeders just for him.

Then he mentioned that he really wanted a bird bath. Now, that was taking a hobby a little too far....A bath? Really? They are soooo expensive!

So, being the good wife, I thought. And thought. I had a tiny metal base to a side table sitting in the garage all winter waiting.....then the boys and I started looking for a bowl for the "bath" portion and after searching we came up with the bottom portion of a planter.

And here's what we had....

But that color wouldn't do. Because the Orioles really like orange. So we painted it, duh.

And here it is...at night...because I just couldn't wait to show you.

Of course, that's my flower bed right behind it where those crazy birds are eating all my seeds...even though they've got their own!

Back off birds! Hugs and kisses birdies.

The Rooster Bench

My fabulous neighbors had a bench that they didn't absolutely LOVE the way it was and they didn't know where to put it, so we decided to fix it and make it a focal point in their dining room!

Here it is before:

The shape.....ooohhh....the potential...ahhhh......it's there!

Look:

So this bench. Is awesome. I heart this bench. When I painted the first coat I sent a message to my neighbor that said she couldn't have it back. No way, no how.

Then I put the second coat on and I wanted to cry. Or throw it in the trash and then cry. It kept getting dust on it while it was drying and the paint wasn't drying evenly and I was angry.

So I let it rest and came back, and put one final coat on it and I was back to happy. Yippeee!

We decided it needed a monogram because I WASN'T about to paint another rooster on it.

So, I free-handed this M. It stands for mine. All mine. No, duhs. Like I have to explain. It's their last name. So, yeah. Freehanded. Yikes. I was freaked. It turned out fab. I'm lovin' it. I love it. I wish it had my initial on it.

We took it to their garage so it was "out of site-out of mind"....I may just have to go over there and sit on it every once in awhile. Maybe they'll give me visitation rights. Like right now.

Bye.

Crocodile tears at the Spring Sing.

Porter's last few days of his first year of pre-school are here. They've been building up their "Spring Sing" for a few weeks and they've been practicing the songs since February....If you have been reading for awhile, you may remember that he didn't quite survive the "Critter Party Concert".

And....he didn't survive this one either.

This is where he spent a good portion of the concert.

He barely made it past the first few seconds....

His BFF's are the two little cuties in the front row. As you can see he's already starting to get shy....they hadn't even started yet! Poor little dude.

After one of his fantastic teachers tried to talk to him he came running over to me and we snuggled for a little while and I tried to get him to go back here....

But he didn't want to. So he went and sat with Daddy.

Which was just fine with me. . . Cause how can you not love seeing that?!

White Club Chair

I found this chair at the thrift store that I vowed to never go back to because a few items were overpriced. Here's a good example of an underpriced item.

This chair was 5.99. But it was discount day on furniture so I got it for a whopping $3.97. Ummm....yeah. It's ug.....so ug.

It's seems that someone had the brilliant idea to try and paint some green on the frame of the chair. Yikes. Otherwise the chair is in fantastic condition. Perfect under that fabric.

Because of whatever they used on this chair, I had some serious problems. Or, I'm just getting frustrated with furniture and need a break. Not sure.

I painted it gray first and I wasn't thrilled with it so then I painted it white, and it went all downhill from there. It was probably on too thick, or I was too anxious to get going on it... I just don't know. Either way, it's distressed and gorgeous now. In fact I woke up early the day of the garage sale, just to get it done before so I could put it out there with the rest of the furniture.....

I found gray trim. Gray! At Ben Franklin! Not JoAnn's! Ben Franklin! Love it. They had a bunch of colors. I'm so excited I found that out. Except that I vowed to do a corded trim on my next chair.

How pretty is this?!

White duck cloth.

Not for someone with kids that like to carry their sticky s'mores around the house and touch everything....

Yeah.

Or for those with little black and white dogs that like to curl up on soft cozy things....or eat garbage...

Our kitchen after we left to run an errand.

This chair was unharmed in the messing of the house by the dogs....

This is such a comfortable chair. I LOVE it. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

Garage Sale

We had our neighborhood garage sale this weekend. I was so nervous. I realized that I wasn't just putting our stuff out that nobody uses anymore, but I was putting myself out there for everyone to judge and make fun of right in front of me. I was a tiny bit freaked about that.

I put a posting up on Craigslist hoping that I would get a little business from people that were looking for furniture.

Our neighborhood was hopping over the weekend. EVERYONE was out. Neighbors were coming out of their houses, it was fantastic.

I hardly sold anything. I sold some stuff, yes. But not much. I've decided garage sales are not the venue for selling my furniture, BUT, I met a ton of people, got some great feedback and drummed up some business around the neighborhood. All-in-all I would call it a success.

I got more comments on the state of our garage floor than anything else! People thought it was great! Or they lied and said it was great. Okay, so I sold a few things, now that I'm looking at the picture. Two mirrors (the big white one and one of the oval ones), that table (from IKEA) and the bird cage on the right, The blue dresser that I actually painted white for the person that wanted it, the lamp, the tiny blue chair, the green stool and all those knick-knacks on the dresser. Oh and that little black mirror.

I'm know you all wanted to know all that boring info...I'm documenting our life here, so hang on!

I still have that stinkin' settee that everyone loves but no one wants, the pink chair that gives me hives and baby fever because it's the only pink thing in our entire house, and two white chairs, the cane chair and a new one that are  not pictured! Friends were surprised that everything didn't go right away....I was not. I was told I should get a booth at our town's monthly Artisan Fair. Which would be fun, so we'll see.

Off to paint some furniture....

The wheels came off

Big news in our house.

Our first born. My first baby. My little munchkin is no longer little.

Not his birthday. Nope.

We took off the training wheels...on his bike. Duh. It took him all of about 20 minutes to start standing up on the pedals and trying to do wheelies.

IT WAS AWESOME. Tom and I can't stop talking about how proud we are and how absolutely amazed we are that he figured it out. It took no time at all.

Seriously. Ah-maz-ing. We freaked out. We were yelling and screaming and crying....I don't know what I'm going to do at his high school graduation....I'll be a mess.