Sometimes I get distracted.

I started a blog about 6 months ago but only did 2 posts. Why??? Because I have been busy creating all the projects that would be really great for a blog. Unfortunately I am a very easily distracted person and I gave up on the blogging part. So here I am  do over/ take two.

I acquired some free chairs from my husband’s grandparents.

They had already been recovered about 20 years ago but they were still sturdy albeit dated. I decided to totally strip them to the bones.

Not a great idea since I had no experience in upholstery but with a bit of help from Google I figured it out. However I really do not recommend that you do this unless it is already in terrible condition.

I got fabric, foam, batting and staple board at JoAnn's over the next week with coupons making the total for both chairs about $100. It is hard to tell but the fabric is an textured black zebra pattern.

Ultimately it took about 3 full days to finish both chairs ( though notice the christmas tree in the picture they have been done for a while!) I had quite a few of mistakes on the first one so #2 was much faster. I love the edgy modern fabric on such a traditional chair. I do not think however I will go into the upholstery business anytime soon. It is really tough on your hands!

 

Have a great day and do something for you!

 

My first time at craigslist.

In the process of redoing Alexis' room I stumbled upon my first Craigslist keeper. I loved the lines and the old fashion feel and I knew I could make it something amazing. I had also been looking for a dresser for months and was prepared to bite the bullet and buy a new partical board,overpriced, cookie cutter dresser from the furniture superstore. Yuck. This little charmer was only $45. The universe is looking out for me.

Unfortunately I did not think to do a true before picture but you can see it taken apart here.

Next I cleaned it all up with some liquid sand and took off the hardware but to my shock this jewel had been redone before with all of the hardware on so it was stuck on and there were imprints from the stain/poly combo that had been used before. So I had to hand sand (didn't work)and reuse all the hardware which was crazy tarnished.  What is a girl to do but go online and learn from the internet that if you soak tarnished metal in ketchup overnight then it will turn into the beautiful brass you see now (makes you question ever eating ketchup again).

 I painted the dresser 2 coats of Behr paint plus primer mixed from my own stash and then gave it a couple of coats of poly to protect it. It did turn the paint a bit yellow but I had expected that so no big deal. Anyway here are my after pics. I love it and so does Alexis. And it was a steal at $45.

Close up of the hardware. I wish I had taken a before shot of the hardware because you cannot believe how well the ketchup worked. Anyway thanks for letting me share my craigslist find now I am off to find a linky to fulfill my 12 month dream of adding a post from my own blog. Have an amazing day and do something just for you! 

Make something Monday! I made a blog!!

I love a good blog. I mean I truely love the idea sharing and friendship that permeates all of my favorite blogs but until now I have never participated. Actually I have never actively participated. I have made lots of projects inspired by my favorite sites but to post you need a blog and I have never had a blog.  Guess what? Now I do. This blog is something for me and someday maybe something I do will inspire just one person to do something  just for them.