Shabby Clothespins

I have the start to a bigger project.  Not sure where that is going, but I do know it is starting with these shabby chic clothespins I just painted!

I picked up a sample jar of Benjamin Moore paint in gossamer blue.

Truth be told I love those little jars of paint, and may have picked up a few other colors on that hardware store trip.  It is a little more grey than the sample shows, and the color I wanted the guest bath to be which somehow I painted more aqua but that is a story for another day.

 I started by taking the clothespins apart and lightly sanding them.  The large pins are vintage, the little ones are new.  The button is one of a large group of painted wooden buttons I am not all that fond of, and figured 'why not' change them?  I painted the top and sides, let dry, painted the backs, let dry, and then gave a second coat to the tops.  Did some laundry while the paint dried.

I used a French script stamp and black ink to stamp the images on the top side of the clothespins, then heat set.  I lightly sanded the top and edges of the clothespins with 320 grit sandpaper and gave them a quick top coat of acrylic varnish.  I let them dry overnight and re-assembled the clothespins.

I'm still working out the details on the

'bigger project' they will be a part of, 

but for now I am just using them in

every little way I can think of! 

I plan to try these in a few other

colors as well, because.....you

know, I just love those little jars

of paint!

That Old Thing?

My 3 favorite little words right after "just take it".  

Those words began my chair project

The finish was shot and the seat was just formed rubbery plastic, not even a real rush seat!  But I knew immediately what I needed to do.  I washed off the bird poop and the old dried bubble gum.  I gave it a light sanding to remove the loose debris.  I got out a jar of my Country Living Caromal Colours Paint in 'paprika' and got to work under the shade of my big oak tree.

If you have never used these awesome finish products you just have to give them a try!  They bond without stripping, have a great vintage feel and you can layer the products to create all different kind of looks.  I gave this chair one good coat of paint, and then sanded away some for a vintage, worn effect.

I added a fun quote by tracing it on the chair with carbon paper and then going over it with a permanent paint marker, then lightly sanding again.

Since it was going to be out in the sun and the rain I used an outdoor poly coat to seal the whole chair.  I had part of a roll of chicken wire out in the shed that I cut up and formed into my 'basket' to hold the dirt and flowers.  This was probably the most tedious part, but I totally love chicken wire, so for me it was worth every minute!   I bought 2 coco-fiber window box liners at Big Lots for $4 each to form my liner to fit the odd shape .  Perfect!  

Added a few plants and voila`

Now enjoying a new life on my front porch!

I am so excited to see how much better it will look as the summer goes on and the plants mature  :D

The old shall be new

On this you can depend

Vintage Rocking Horse Redo

vintage rocking horse, originally uploaded by ticklish_moose.

Latest upcycle- this vintage rocking horse was found in pieces in a barn set for demolition. Since I found all of the pieces the owner let me have her!

My husband put it back together for me, and I refinished it using Annie Sloan chalk paints and chipping creme. It was my first experience using the chalk paint and I have to say I'm sold!! Currently for sale in my space @ The Antique Gallery.

"Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury." -- Coco Chanel

I have to say- I totally agree with Coco on this.  What good are nice things if they are 'too nice' for the people around you?  I have always worked my designs with this in mind.  I wanted to honor Coco in a recent upcycle, and I thought I would share it with all of you.  

 I have a *thing* for boxes and containers of all kinds!  Some because they help hide my clutter, some hold treasures, others help keep me organized.  So, when I saw this outdated jewelry box, I knew I could give it a new life's purpose!

I was inspired by an image I found online called "Chanel Bicycle".
If you 'google' vintage bicycle images, there are quite a few choices.  Evidently there was a design craze early in the 20th Century for high end designers to do bikes.  There is an awesome Hermes' as well.  If you click on the Graphic's Fairy button on my side bar- Karen has lots and lots of great vintage images she shares as well. 




This upcycle was actually one of the easier ones I have done.  You may have a childhood jewelry box of your own that needs a new life- I found this one @ my local thrift shop.  The glass was easily removed from behind by loosening the screws and set plates.  I used the glass for my template for my new fabric insert.  I simply printed the image on my laser printer (you can also use inkjet) onto a product I like to use called  Lazertran .    Then I ironed it onto the burlap piece I had cut oversized, for the insert.  I adhered the burlap to a stiff piece of cardboard, and cut to fit.