Back in the Saddle Again

Do you ever have the feeling that you just can’t get anything done? It’s been over two months since I’ve posted and really it’s been because I haven’t had the time to complete a single project.

Yes, I’ve started plenty but the final push just hasn’t been coming though. It seems like life has gotten in the way a lot lately and the blog is the thing that has had to fall away.

I’m going to make my new years resolution early and commit to posting at least two times a week. For me that might be a bit much but I really want to build this blog and my painting business. It takes time but it has to be a priority. I guess something else will just have to fall away...how about cooking dinner every night :-)

So this post is to show you all that I have not been sitting around eating bon bons. I’ll call it a sneak peek of future finished work...now that’s a glass half full statement :-)

This little puppy has given me some fits. I’m still trying to figure out how to pull it together.

I’m also working on this desk for my daughters room

Getting close. Just some waxing and buffing left to do.

This headboard is for my nephew. I've got a great idea for it and then ran out of paint. One step forward and two steps back :-)

I’m real excited about this one. It’s going into the toy room and I plan on using chalk board paint on the top so the kids can draw on it. The storage will be great for all the blankets that are always laying all over the place.

I think my unfinished work is contagious. My great hubby started this tree house for the kids early in the summer. And then it turned so hot for so long that he couldn’t work on it. Bless his heart he finally got the roof on it last weekend. I love that man for the way he loves our kids!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Day to enjoy family and friends. I've been blessed with many great people in my life...that's what I'm most thankful for!!!

Toy Room Buffet

WOW! I've been MIA this month. Once I finished my show I was spent and had to take some time to clean my house! It had been completely neglected for about a month and was trashed!!!

I've been wanting to paint the T.V. buffet in our toy room for quite a while but was too busy getting ready for my show and had to produce products to sell. So I knew this would be the first project on my list of things for the house. I LOVE decorating my home. It's truly my passion.

I pondered what color to use for quite some time. The room is orange. I mean REALLY, REALLY orange. Not every color goes with orange. Of course I was going to use an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. So I considered Old White but this buffet gets used a lot...with kids. The art supplies are housed in here as well as many other toys. Something darker would work best. I had Aubusson Blue on hand and I went with it. I loved this color on the dresser I finished right before my show.

This is not the best before pic ever. I went through all my photos and this was the only one I had. I think my son was doing one of his newest dance moves...sorry buddy. But if you can look behind that fabulous stance you can see what the buffet looked like before.

I did a little distressing to this piece as usual. I figured it would probably get a little more distressing the natural way so I kept it light. I also decided to use the original hardware; frugal as always. My husband is a lucky man :-)

When I purchased the buffet to use for the new T.V., I knew right away that I wanted a large shelf above it. This shelf is 7 feet long and made by my "other" hubby, Tom. He's a fantastic woodworker and is always willing to indulge me in all my "great" ideas. He custom made it to my specs and I think it's just perfect for the wall. On top of the shelf is one of my newest collections...globes!!! I'm loving this collection and still have plenty of room for more! I'd really like to find a black one. One thing I'm learning with collecting is that it takes a great deal of patience.

I just couldn't resist putting this pic in. Gosh...he's so darn cute and growing up way to fast!!! I love you T. Finn and my other babies too! Now make sure to keep the toy room clean :-)

I'll be linking to some great parties this week. Check them out!

The Longest Project EVER!

This was the project that would never end! And although I'm happy to be done; I'm also a bit sad. The Red Robin got sold last weekend and now I kinda miss her.

I picked her up late last winter in a small town thrift store. She was the very first purchase when starting my new adventure into furniture painting. And I actually remembered to take a before pic! She had good bones but needed some work. The drawers were solid wood but two of them needed to be reinforced with some wood glue and another had to be completely rebuilt with a new bottom and more glue...thanks hubby :-)

If you look closely at the veneer on the bottom of the dresser you can see where it was bubbling up terribly. It was truly beyond repair. So I did what I've done so many times before...I searched other blogs for help. I found instructions on how to remove the veneer with a moist towel, a very hot steamy iron and a paint scrapper. It worked like a charm! And since I was painting her anyway you could never tell!!!

I painted her using Annie Sloan chalk paint in Emperor's Silk. When the paint first goes on it has a pink hue. I was a little nervous that it would stay too pink but as always I'm never disappointed with this paint. And when I added the protective wax the red color became even more rich.

I went to Hobby Lobby to find some new drawer knobs. As you can see from the before pic she was missing some pulls when I got her. For those of you who may not be aware, Hobby Lobby is a great resource for drawer knobs and pulls. They have a huge selection and some really unique items. Also, they tend to go on sale for 1/2 price every three weeks or so.

Here is Miss Red Robin in her finished state and ready for the taking. I was so happy to be done with this one. But along the way she started to feel like a girlfriend sitting in the corner of the workshop just watching all the other projects come and go. I'm glad she's off to a new home where hopefully she will enjoy her new life!

I'll be linking to a few parties this week. Check them out!

What an awesome weekend!!!

I've have just had the most incredible weekend! I participated in my very first craft fair as The Painted Turtle and it couldn't have been more fun or successful!

My town hosts an annual Art Fair and Balloon Festival every year. It's a wonderful event that has grown even more successful by adding a flea market and craft fair several years ago. I thought this would be a great time to introduce The Painted Turtle to the community.

I had soooo much support from my family and friends throughout this weekend. I couldn't have done it without the help from my great hubby, my friends Melanie and Guyla (and to their husbands who let them get away to help me out) as well as Jeff & Brenda. You guys are the best!

I'd also like to give a big "thank you" shout out to Red Hen Home who did a post in July about what she had learned when doing her first few shows. I kept all her advice in the back of my head while preparing for the show. Thank you so much!!! Your advice was soooo very helpful!

So these are all the projects I've been working on for the past few weeks. Lots of late nights but gosh I love it so much!

Two things I heard over and over this weekend were: 1. "I didn't know you did this." and 2. "Do you have a shop somewhere?" Well, now more people know what I do in my basement workshop. And, I'd love to have a shop someday. Thank you to everyone who gave me so much encouragement.

Now, I'm ready to get some sleep!

Seeing Red with Lemonade and Cookies

Do you ever have one of those projects that just won't end? Well, this has been the one for me and I'm still not done! But I wanted to post something!!!

I don't think I can remember all the steps this project has taken. It's been one step forward and two steps back. The picture below shows the latest step back. I drilled a hole for the knob just slightly off...ugh! The good news is I'm very close and think it will be fabulous when it's done!

Here's a sneak peek at the fun knobs I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

And what's better to get one out of a bad mood than lemonade and cookies? My sister-in-law Mary Kay, the kids call her KK, came to visit this last weekend. The kids LOVE it when KK visits. She does all sorts of fun things with them. Whenever KK is here the kids rarely hear the word "NO".

So my son came up with the idea of having a lemonade stand on Saturday. Of course KK said "Yes". And then my daughter added the idea of a bake sale with the proceeds going to the ASPCA. I can't tell you how proud that made me!!!

On Friday the kids and Aunt KK headed to the store to get all the needed supplies. Once home they started baking. I'm not into baking but I LOVE baked goods. Luckily my daughter loves to bake. They made two different kinds of lemon cookies...why?...because KK just can't say "NO" :-) Then my daughter made the most amazing chocolate chip cookies. They were to die for!

It was a huge success! I'm sure it's because my daughter is also very good at marketing. She made up a flyer announcing the stand and stuffed them into the neighbors mailboxes...all before I even knew she did it!!!

Everyday my kids amaze me more and more! School starts on Friday and this year all 3 go! My youngest will be in preschool. I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry.

Have a great week!

Enjoy the Ride!!!

Isn't that something we all need reminded of from time to time? Kinda of like the whole stop and smell the roses idea. Well, this little table can remind you every time you set down your drink or magazine.

I first painted the table with some turquoise paint you've seen on several other pieces. I'm loving me some turquoise these days! I then traced the bicycle and wording onto the top of the table and painted those white.

Did a little distressing for a time-worn beachy look. Sprayed some poly all over for protection and done.

I promise my next project won't be blue. I've actually got a bunch of other colorful projects coming down the pipe line. I'm feverishly getting ready for my first show during the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival on August 26th, 27th and 28th. For more information you can check out the Lincoln, Illinois website. I will be in Scully park at the craft fair and flea market. I'm super excited! I hope to see a bunch of you there. It's really a great festival!!!

I'm linking up to the DIY Show-off Party, Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays and Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday. There are some great ideas on these blogs!

Prince Charming

Here's a cute little kids chair. Of course no before pic...forgot again!!! Maybe I should put post-it notes all over my workshop...TAKE BEFORE PICS!!! Anyway he started out as a plain wood chair. I knew he needed a little fun...he is a kids chair after all!

First he got a fresh coat of red paint. Here's what I'm finding with red paint...it's hard to get good coverage without many coats of paint. It seems like most of the projects I've done with red take at least 3 coats! The problem is...I love red!!! The brighter the better. Good thing I like to paint!

Lately, instead of just painting and distressing something, I've been adding additional touches. The night I painted my postcard table I was so excited with how well it turned out I immediately decided to paint a crown on this little guy.

This picture is to give you an idea of it's size. I think this piece could go just about anywhere...in a kids room or toy room. He could be used as a plant stand. I even thought about hanging him on the wall! How fun would that be?

I'm linking up to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday. Have a good weekend everyone!!! We are having some great friends over for breakfast tomorrow. They live in New Jersey and we usually only get to see them at Thanksgiving, so this is a real treat!