$13.74 Fireplace

It didn't start out to be a copper penny tiled fireplace. The wrong stone arrived as we were building the house. I looked at the space and decided that it was a blessing in disguise. Stone would have been too big of a material for the space allotted. I needed something small, perhaps round,with some texture. Pennies popped right into my brain! A mixture of old and new and dull and shiny would be perfect.

What could be cheaper? 

I spent about a few hours for three days jamming to my favorite tunes adhering the pennies to the backing with mastic. I used a sandless cinnamon grout. This was my first penny project which has lead to some other projects such as penny topped tables. I'll show you those on another day. 

  

Buffet with a Surprise

Here is another before and after project. How I love to take an ugly duckling piece of furniture and make it over into something to treasure! This was painted a pickled yellow...It was nasty in my opinion. I obtained this piece from a friend that is downsizing. I thought I could update it with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

Button table/Before & After

Media Center/Before & After

This used to be a dresser.

This dresser was in sad sad shape. That said, it is over 60 years old. It has had many homes. It used to be in my grandma's bedroom. Then it was in my sister's bedroom. After a little TLC, it now resides in my sister's living room as a media console. 

My sister and I took off those funky drawer pulls. We gave it a little sanding as it was getting a little chippy. We applied two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in my personal favorite color of cocoa. We applied some clear wax to give it a sweet finish. Then we added these awesome knobs that we found at the Restore in her town. 

We now call this a media console. It houses her many movies, video games and equipment. Her flat screen TV sits on top. 

We were quite pleased with the result.  What do you think?

Furniture Facelift/Before & After

This was my Grandma's furniture. 

 It is 60 years old and lives at my sister's house. It was in desperate need of a facelift. My sister and I took on this project last week. First thing we did was prep the surface by cleaning it well and sanding some chipping pieces of wood.

 We purchased some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in downtown Nanaimo. We used old white on this dresser. We painted two coats then waxed with Annie Sloan Clear Wax. We took a trip to the Restore in downtown Nanaimo and bought some fun knobs. We felt good about reusing perfectly good merchandise and saving lots of money while helping out Habitat for Humanity. 

Here's the finished dresser! We were quite happy about the result.

after

 

Cupcake Display

Dawn's 50th Birthday

This is the year that a lot of my friends are turning 50....it's a wonderful time of your life...halfway to 100!  Anyhoo, my good friend, Carol, owns a bake shop called Whipt Cream in Chesterfield, MO. The shop bakes beautiful cakes, cupcakes, mini-bites, cookies, etc. Whipt Cream made the goodies for our friend's 50th birthday party. Carol and I made and painted the displays for all of the delectable treats.

Old drawer on pretty legs

This drawer used to belong in a cabinet but after it's makeover it is a beautiful server for delicious treats!

Old sign on a pedestal

 This server used to be a sign that said "Welcome Friends". After a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and a "50" decal (that was removed) and a hot glue attachment to its base...It is transformed into a brand new one of a kind server.

The dessert station

This is the whole presentation. Carol and I had lots of fun making this day special for our good friend, Dawn.
Should you ever find yourself in Chesterfield, MO, please stop by Whipt Cream. You will not be disappointed...everything is beautiful and delicious!

My First Craft Fair

My sign 

                                                                     My booth

The Market at Innsbrook was held on Sunday over Labor Day weekend. I had never been before and there I was...a first time vendor. I was a little anxious about having enough to sell, having my space look nice and approachable and frankly worried about not  having any sales at all. There were lots of people milling about. I had many compliments on my booth and my products. I also had some offers to help me drink more wine to gather the wine corks I use to make wine cork monograms and peace signs. I did make some sales. The experience was a good one. People are just fun to talk to!
I may do this again.

ChicagoFest end table

Top view

Front view

I'm always on the lookout for a fun project. This special piece started out as an album storage unit. It was given to me by a friend that grew up in Chicago. I just so happened to have a ChicagoFest poster circa 1983 that was needing a new home. I painted the piece black except for the legs as you can see. I also took out the album dividers inside the unit. Now it can be used as storage. The poster was adhered with Mod Podge (I still love the smell of that stuff!). Guess what? It is back in the original owner's home! What comes around goes around. :)

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Latest Projects

These are my latest projects...

Annie Sloan workshop/Chicago weekend

I just had a fabulous weekend in Chicago! It started in Oakbrook with the Annie Sloan workshop. It was truly wonderful to hear her speak ( I'm a fool for a British accent). I enjoyed learning about the history of her company and what is yet to come. I really admire her as she is an artist and successful businesswoman all in one. It was a hands on workshop so it was fun to get a little messy.  I learned some new techniques that I hope to put into practice very soon. The most interesting thing was talking to others that do the same thing I do. It's always fun to look at others' work and to show pics of your own favorite projects. I left wanting to get to work! :)

After the workshop, we were off to downtown Chicago, the most wonderful city in the world. It was a privilege to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria (formerly known as The Elysian). We enjoyed dinner at Bistronomic with friends. Sunday was a day of shopping bliss! Monday morning I treated myself to a massage at the hotel, a tad more shopping, a nice lunch before heading home.

That was quite a weekend....still smilin'!

Springtime at The Robin's Nest

 This pine bookcase was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (old white) then finished with a clear wax.

 This coatrack was painted with ASCP then finished with a dark wax.

Whoooo wouldn't want this charming coatrack?

 Salvage wood was used to create this one of a kind piece.

 Monogram wine corks...for your favorite wine lover.

Yardsticks

I have been collecting yardsticks for quite some time.  I love the different colors and the advertising on them. One day I looked at the pile of yardsticks and a mirror that was in my basement and inspiration struck! I had a frame made for the mirror. I dusted off the miter saw and started sawing away. I pieced together quite a good looking mirror. I am pretty pleased with it. I have it at the shop to sell. I decided that if it doesn't sell by Christmas, I will keep it myself. :)

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update

beer cap table

coin table

map table

lingerie chest

thermos lamp

coat rack

penny table

cupcake plates

button top table

black sewing table redo

So, I have myself a little job. I work at a cute little shop that sells vintage furniture, home accessories, baby gifts, some jewelry and my eclectic mix of painted furniture, resin topped tables, framed art and unique vintage finds. It is called The Robin's Nest and it's located in Cottleville, Missouri. I work at the shop one day a week. The other days I am sanding, painting, and waxing furniture in my garage. Totally love it! It makes me very happy. Here are some pics of my past projects...