My FIRST Antiquing project

It has been a few days since I have had time to work on projects.  That's what happens when you start a new job.

I am happy my prayers were answered and I got a job with almost perfect hours.

No matter how perfect they are, it is still time away from home which takes away from MY fun project time. 

The people I have come to admire the most, are the ladies I know who work full time jobs and still create BEAUTIFUL homes, raise WONDERFUL children that are fun to be around and have a sense of who they are as happy Christian women.

BUT, that's a whole other post.  ONTO MY FUN PROJECT.

Here is how I found it. Such a great color of gold, don't you think?

When I was cleaning it, I discovered all that gray was some kind of chalky powder. 

 I have no idea what it was.  Kinda weird.  Anyway, I taped and covered the mirror then set up my "spraying booth"

I used Kilz spray primer and I am not sure how I liked it. 

 It left that rough texture.  On something else I could have sanded it, but not really on this piece.

Any suggestions from other bloggers on what would have been better to use would be great.

Once white, all the cracks in the wood really stood out. 

At this point I wasn't too excited.  I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision in going white.

But, I went ahead and sprayed the top coat.  I used White Semi-Gloss.  It really didn't change it much at all.

Then I glazed/antiqued it with raw umber craft paint mixed with water.

Went a little heavy in the first spot but was easily fixed.

  

I do like the finished product.  How about you?

Camera Bag for the Chic with Style!!

I enjoyed making this bag so much...I just love it!

I hope it's Chic Stylish Lady (who took these) enjoys it as well!

How I put it all together. Autumn Dining Room

Like I said in the first post, it is a very simple design. 

Not elaborate, which makes it that much easier to achieve. 

First, I used a few yards of burlap.  I didn't trim the edges, I just folded it in half to get my desired width.  As you may know, if you trim it, it will create a big mess and shed all season long. 

Then I just placed the chargers around the table.

 

Next, I started to put the centerpiece together.  Any Professional Florists, just go ahead and click another link NOW.  I am sure the way I put this together is going to drive you insane.

BUT it works for me!!

First, I found a box that fit in the container and punched holes in the bottom of it.

I used duck tape to keep it together.

Then, I added some flowers as a "base".  This cracks me up just actually writing about it.

Then I stuffed a garland of leaves around the box.

From there I added the "main attraction" flowers, aka the expensive ones, and some more accent stems of berries and twigs.

I really like the long twigs.  I placed them mostly on the sides to help extend the arrangement down the lenght of the table.  Also, so they wouldn't poke someone in the eye.  Ha!  I think it turned out great!

Then for the napkin rings, I just used twine. 

I folded about 18" of twine in half and brought the loop underneath the napkin to one side.

Then tucked the loose ends into the loop and also pulled them up and over through the loop again.

When you pull the loose ends tight, in makes the loop twist.  Kinda like this.

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!

Sneak Peek Fabric

I love this fabric so much that I couldn't wait until I finished the project to show you! 

I honestly don't know the designer or the manufacturer cause I would tell you if I did. 

Isn't the texture so wonderful!!

I am using it to make a camera bag for a photographer friend.

Won't she be so cool at her photo sessions!

I have so many other things running through my head that I want to do with it.

What would you make/cover with it??

I would love to hear your ideas!

Chargers used in Autumn Dining Room

Just a quick note to let you know where I found these great chargers and matching tray.

Yep, good ol' Wal-mart.  I don't go there often but I was glad I went that day and found these. 

Napkins and Freezer Paper!

Recently, I found a set of 6 cloth napkins for $1.99 I could not pass these up.  I bought two packs. 

Then a blogger friend, Julie posted how to use freezer paper for a stencil.  I just had to try it.  The napkins would be the perfect thing to experiment with.

I followed her instructions and since she has already taken the time to write them out, I will let you go to her page to read how to create your own design.

I did use fabric paint since my napkins would need to be washed...you know just from time to time...instead of craft paint.

I traced the letters onto the freezer paper then cut them out with scissors, because, I did not have an exacto knife.  Sometimes you just gotta go with what you have on hand.

At first, I was stumped on how  to make it work for letters like "B" that have circles in the middle. Once cut out, the circles would not be attached. 

It worked just fine to iron them in place separately. 

Then just use a pin to lift up the center once the paint is dry.

I used them in my Mother-in-laws dining room. 

Believe me, I will be doing this again!!  So easy and fun!! 

Autumn Dining Room

  

 

Here is my mother-in-laws dining room that I decorated for her.  It is nice and simple and not overdone.

Since, she is my mother-in-law and ofcourse we have the same last name, I let her use the napkins I just finished.  I won't be using them this year.  She threatened to hide them we we move. 

 She is too sweet to do a thing like that...or is she? 

 

Just kidding, she is very sweet.  She loves to cook and take care of her family any way she can.  She does a very good job!  I am very thankful for her!

In October we plan to add pumkins and some gourds around the table as well.