{ChicByTab}

Monday, March 25, 2013

Just My Luck'etts Green Table

I love it when the pieces fall into place. I have been using Homestead House Milk Paint, which are the manufacturer of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. The last piece I did gave me some trouble with flaking, but not this time.

I started off wiping the tables down with T.S.P, I couldn't believe the years of grime that were washed away. Once dry, I painted a coat of paint. {for mixing, I use the 1:1.5 ratio paint:water} I find on dark colors, this works. But I was painting a vanity white, and the color was soooo see-through. After first coat dried----> which is super speedy, I put the second coat on. Next day after work, I lightly distressed both tables and waxed with Miss Mustard Seed Clear Wax. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! I smells great and goes on easy. I have tried Minwax, but found it harder to work with.

For some reason, I always forget to do my handles. In the before picture, do you notice the problem? One handle was broken. "Lucky" for me, I had another similar set. I gave them a good scrub and a fresh coat of Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze. Good as new!

Perfectly aged end tables. Next time, I'll skip the bonding agent, and let her chip away!

I party at

kammys korner
between naps on the porch
boogie board cottage
classyclutter
its so very cheri
a diamond in the stuff
elizabeth and co
knick of time interiors
not just a housewife
linda-coastal charm
diy by design
savvy southern style
gingersnap crafts
handy man crafty woman
my girlish whims
domestically-speaking
the thrifty home
the 36th avenue

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Snow....AGAIN??

Can you believe this? Snow again! For those that don't live in Alberta, this is what you are missing.

This is the view from my office downtown. Not sure if you can see the massive amount of snow falling. And this is on top of the 12 inches we received last weekend.

Looks like I'm gazing into a snow globe.

On the plus side---- I will be posting some pics later today of my latest Milk Paint project!!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Weekend Off

Bad news...I didn't paint any furniture this weekend. Good news, I put in some quality family time. Friday, my daughter was in a gymnastics festival. Then after we headed out to the mountains. Our destination, Lake Louise. We had a tone of fun and sore legs by the end of the day.

Here's our first chair ride up after lunch....up into the clouds. The two in front, are my husband and youngest daughter.

This was to the side, while we were going up. If you haven't been to the Canadian Rockies, you should really make a trip.

Lastly... my oldest daughter, lovin the fresh powder we tracked up all day!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as I did!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

First Chalk Paint Hutch

Decisions, decisions. Why do I find choosing colors sooo hard? Is it because I will never come across another hutch of this style? Or because I paid so little, and don't want to waste my saved dollars on multiple coats? DO others take time to ponder the rainbow? I would love to let this beauty sit in my formal room, but unfortunately I'm tight on space. So this is what I have.

I love every detail on this beauty. Now do you see my dilemma? I don't want to waste such a work of art. Some of my ideas include.....Blue, teal, aqua. See the pattern?

This is a great color choice from Marty's Musings.

I love the 2 tone blue, from Stiltskin Studios.

This could work, from The Shabbiest Chick.

What do you think?

On a side note....it's almost Friday! Hello.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Hello Mint Dresser

On Friday, I was stopping at my usual Junque stops and came across this beauty. I immediately called my husband and told him to "start the car!', or in our case the truck.

I should state:

THIS IS MY FIRST DRESSER PROJECT!

That's right, very first one.

It all started last week, when I discovered the Turquiose Iris blog. If you have been checking out furniture blogs, I'm sure you have seen her work. I am totally in love with her colors and style. Back to the point... She inspired me to move past my usual end tables, and test the water. Little did I know this water would be deep. I started by sanding all flat surfaces, and wiping it down with TSP. I've heard quite a few DIY'ers mention this stuff. If you have not tried it yet, I would. It worked great. The only down side I found, was it made some of the finish soft at the edges. If anyone knows how to prevent or why, please let me know. In case your rushing out to buy some...I found mine at Home Depot.

Next step, mix paint.

Paint Recipe:

1 cup paint

2 Tbsp Plaster of Paris

I am way too cheap to buy brand name chalk paint, and our local shop has limited hours. Don't get me wrong, I have tried Annie Sloan and LOVED it. I just can't take the price. I found this recipe somewhere online, and it works great. I find the key to smooth paint, is let it sit after the initial mix for 15 minutes. After that I would give it one more mix. I use a hand held mixer thing-a-ma-jig. Works amazing!

I put on a few coats, and lightly sanded with 220 Grit paper. Then wiped down the dresser one more time to remove the dust. I used Varathane Water Based Clear Coat to seal everything.