Friday, March 6, 2015

DIY Chalkpaint Mason Jars



 
Its Friday y'all! I think this calls for an easy DIY!
Seriously...
You can't get much easier than this!
I love mason jars... and chalkpaint... and DIY's! So, lets put 'em all together!
You can decorate with them just as they are or tie some jute around them to add a little pizazz. You can even put some flowers or stems in them!
 
Here is what you need...

 
Mason jar
 
Chalkpaint- you can make your own, like I did! 2 parts paint, 1 part plaster of paris paste (mix a little water into your plaster of paris to create a pasty consistency) Mix it together and voila! You have chalkpaint!
 
Paintbrush
 
Newspaper, wax paper, etc. to protect your work surface
 

 
I decided to paint my jar that had become kind of foggy.
 
Paint the jar, with vertical brush strokes, covering the entire outside of the jar. The rim can be painted with horizontal brush strokes for good coverage.

 

 
Let it dry completely, then paint a second coat.

 
I don't paint the insides, but it looks better if you just paint the inside of the rim. Let it dry.

 
Now, be ready for some really fancy craft work... use your fingernail to lightly scratch some of the paint off of the raised designs. Of course you can use a butter knife or something else if you would rather not use your nails.

 
Once you finish scratching the designs, scrape off a little from the rim.




If you use a color other than white, you can dry brush a little white paint onto the jar to make it look distressed.

 
Just a little here and there.




Try more colors, different brands of jars... get creative!
 
Enjoy your weekend!
 
XOXO,
Ashley

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

20 minute Envelope Pillow Cover

 
I love to make things myself. Especially when it can save me money and give me options I wouldn't have when buying it. Even more, I love projects that are quick and easy!
 
For those of you who would like to sew but need a beginner project, this seriously is perfect for you! I spent around $5 for a yard of fabric (using a coupon at Joann) and it made 2 pillow covers. You can buy pillow inserts at a craft store, basic throw pillows at Wal-Mart, or do what I did... I bought mine for $1 at goodwill. Seriously, just wash them in hot water and bleach and you're good to go! 
 
Here are the super simple steps!
 
 
Lay your fabric right-side-up on the floor or table.

 
Put your pillow or insert on the fabric. Leave about an inch of fabric along the side of the pillow for a seam allowance. Flip the edge over the top of the pillow, as shown. You should cover about 3/4 of the top of the pillow with fabric.

 
Now, flip the other side of the fabric over the top of the pillow and cut the fabric so a little over half the pillow is covered with that side. (be careful not to cut the fabric underneath if you didn't flip the other side of fabric back onto the floor or table)

 
Cut along the top, leaving an inch for a seem allowance, just as you did the bottom.

 
Flip the left side over the pillow and fold the fabric out about an inch.

 
Leaving the left side over the pillow, flip the right side and fold out the edge of the fabric just as you did the left.

 
Now, pin the top fabric layers together on each side (be careful not to pin the pillow) Try to keep the fabric in place while pinning so your finished pillow cover will fit properly.

 
Carefully slip your hand into the pillow cover and, without shifting the fabric, pin the layers together in the center. Your hand should lift the fabric layers so you will not pin the pillow.

 
Make sure your pillow cover is fitting properly over the pillow so that it will not be too loose when it is sewn.
 
 
Now, with your right hand, pinch the bottom and top layers of the pillow cover together and hold it taut as you slowly remove the pillow.



Sew along both unfinished sides of the pillow cover. Trim the excess fabric.




 
Turn the pillow cover right side out.

 
Here is what the back should look like.



 
Now insert your pillow and toss it onto your favorite chair and admire your hard work... or at least that's what people will think! ;)
 
 


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

DIY Chalkpaint Chair

 
It's a snowy day in Cave City. I have a love-hate relationship with snow. I like days like today. Big, beautiful flakes of snow, falling slowly to the ground... Then MELTING! Ha! Don't get me wrong, I like the occasional foot of snow as well, but only a couple of times, then I'm ready for spring! 

Today, I am enjoying the privilege of making flags while watching the snow fall outside, with the kids playing around me. Really, it doesn't get better than this!



C is watching the snow with me!

See that beautiful blue wingback chair he is standing on? Well it once wasn't so beautiful. Here is what it looked like before...



And I have two of them!



They are in great shape, but the rose pink is one of my least favorite colors. Mostly because it has haunted me my whole life! When I was a kid, my bedroom carpet was rose pink... Yikes! NOW, my master bathroom floors, walls and shower are covered in rose pink tiles! Aaahhgg! Those things aren't as easily changed as these lovely chairs. 

Yes, I said easily. And rather quickly too! 

It's simple. I'll break it down for you. 

1. You will need your your favorite chalkpaint (bought or homemade)
 
I make my own. I wish I knew the source of my recipe... I have seen the same recipe on several blogs and kind of just tweaked it to my liking. I began using the calcium carbonate mixture, and I swore by it. BUT, I had a couple of pieces that didn't hold up too well. While there is a good possibility I did something wrong... maybe something to do with my two year old having a tantrum because his Scooby Doo Band-Aid fell off, or maybe because my 3 year old and 6 year old were playing superheroes and one shot the other in the face with a Nerf dart. I mean, it is quite possible that I got distracted while adding an ingredient...
 
Anyway, my new favorite recipe is now 3 parts paint (I use Valspar paint samples for small jobs, these chairs took several so I would have been better off buying a quart), 1 Plaster of Paris (before mixing it into the paint, make it into a paste by adding a little bit of water). It rocks! I have had nothing but good luck with this recipe so far. And it is cheaper, so win-win!
 
Here is where you can feel good about all the plastic whipped topping containers you kept in case you needed them... These seriously are great to mix your paint in, considering you can just pop the lid on when you are ready to call it a night and open that baby back up again when you are ready.
 
2. You need a cup of water. As in, a cup with water in it... not necessarily 1 Cup of water measured out... The water will be used to dip your brush in.
 
3. A paintbrush. I am telling you, I don't get fancy when it comes to this stuff. I used a cheap brush from those craft brush multi-packs you get at Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby for like $4 or so. You know the ones that look like small house brushes... yep, that's what I use! 

 
4. Either a bowl of water and sponge or wash cloth, or a squirt bottle with some water in it. I didn't have a squirt bottle, so I started with the wash cloth and water... not my favorite part of this project. However, I did get the bright idea to use a brush and try to brush on the water. It actually worked fine until I had to do the side, and the water just dripped in the floor and practically none of it went into the fabric... so I was back to square one: a wash cloth and water.
 
5. A drop cloth, newspapers, plastic tablecloth... etc. You're gonna want to keep this stuff off your floors. I have a spot on my hard woods to prove it. Yikes!
 
6. An upholstered chair. haha! I couldn't resist.
 
7. A sanding block or light grit sand paper.
 
8. Wax. I use Minwax paste finishing wax.
The fumes are harsh, so I suggest opening the windows or waxing your chair outside.

 
I'm going to keep this simple for you.
 
First, you need to get the fabric damp so that the paint will easily soak in. Start in sections so it doesn't dry before you can finish painting. Either spray the chair with your squirt bottle, making it damp, NOT WET, or you can dip your wash cloth or sponge in the water and lightly ring some of the excess water out. Wipe the chair down, using some pressure to get the water into the fabric. I will warn you, I used a wash cloth and bowl of water, and when I was finished, the water was pretty dirty. We could think of it like we are just glad to get it clean... not the fact that we had our hands in this water... ick! Hey, lets add latex gloves to the list! Yeah!
 
Next, you will take your paint brush and dip the tip into the chalkpaint. I'd say the bristles will be submersed about 1/4 of the way. Then quickly dip the brush into the cup of water. Let some of the excess water drip and brush it onto the damp fabric. There is no "secret" as to how you should brush it on. You will get the hang of it as you go.
 
Just keep brushing it on until you have a coat on the entire chair. Now let the chair dry completely. I let it dry over night. Once it is dry, use your sanding block or sand paper to lightly sand the entire chair. When you sand it, keep rubbing the fabric with your hand to see when to move on. It doesn't take much sanding at all. When you feel it, you will see exactly what I mean. Like, one or two swipes, rub with your hand... wow! Feels smooth!
 
After you sand it, wipe off the dust... there won't be much, and I'm not really sure wiping it is that necessary, so don't freak out if you forget.
 
Here is a picture of the chair after the first coat:

 
 
 If you are like me, you will get so excited about the process at this point, painting the second coat will be a piece of cake.
 
For the second coat, you don't need to wet the chair, just paint it! Let it dry, then sand it again.
Now, wipe it down to remove any dust from sanding. Then, using either a brush or wash rag, get some wax (you will need to press into the wax to get a good amount on your rag or brush)
 
Rub the wax into the fabric, using a circular motion. Get into all the cracks and crevices. Allow the wax to dry maybe 10 minutes or so, then using a clean rag, buff the chair to get a smooth finish.


After the chair dries, rub it with your hand and feel the amazing smooth texture... Can you believe it!?!? My biggest fear was that it would be hard and uncomfortable and that it would crack. No way! 


We have already sat in these chairs many times and they still look and feel wonderful! I am so happy with them! Thank you to all the amazing bloggers who gave me so many tips! I would have been lost without you!


 
So, are you going to conquer your fears and chalkpaint an upholstered chair? I say, Go For It!!
 
XOXO,
Ashley


**Remember, this is just a diy, please use your own discretion when doing this yourself. I am not responsible for anything that goes wrong or if it doesn't turn out the way you hoped. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Antique dresser coffee bar

 
In the summer, I began a search for a dresser to hold my coffee makers. I originally had a long dresser in mind and wanted to paint all but the top. 
Although I searched locally and in surrounded counties for one that was affordable and had the look I wanted, I ended buying something totally different. 


THIS beauty caught my eye at an antique store in Smiths Grove. I never thought I would be able to afford anything there because it is very pricey! But to my amazement, it was priced at $150. Of course I had to see if they would take less, and the kind man took 15% off. 


The top ended up being in the worst shape, so rather than leaving it wood, I painted and varnished it and left the bottom original. After a lot of wood filler, sanding, and paint, it looked perfect! 
 

 I love the way it turned out!
 

Have you tackled any dresser projects?

XOXO,
Ashley