Sunday 31 May 2015

RedKittenCrafts: Tick Tock

RedKittenCrafts: Tick Tock: Well I didn't think I was going to get a lot done this weekend as I was feeling so shattered after a busy week at work. Also ...

Tick Tock


Well I didn't think I was going to get a lot done this weekend as I was feeling so shattered after a busy week at work. Also thought I was coming down with something so had a lazy day on Saturday, with a nice long lie till lunchtime :) and took it easy for the rest of the day.
No car boot sale this morning as it was pouring rain, so after yet another long lie I got cracking in the workshop and got loads done.
First to be finished off and put up for sale was this cute little child's chair.


I painted it with Annie Sloan Greek Blue, a new colour I bought recently and had been dying to try out. It's a lovely summery sky blue, I really like how fresh looking it is. Little Ted likes it too !






Next I decided to finish off the clock face on a nice little pedestal table I am painting for a friend at work. Here are the stage by stage pics of the stencilling. Face is painted in Old White.





I stencilled by stippling with a normal smallish brush using Annie Sloan Graphite.


The chalk paint dries quickly so I carefully removed the stencil straight away and went to the next number.


I love using stencils, they look so messy before you peel them off, and they never dissapoint.



More than half way there now, remember to measure and mark positions with a soft pencil that can be rubbed out when you have finished.





The stencil sheet also came with a set of clock hands, really pleased with it ! Next I drew a line round the edge of the clock face with permanent marker, and my next job will be to touch up the paint on the outside before distressing and waxing to seal. I will show you the finished item next week hopefully.



This solid pine bedside cabinet was bought on eBay. I decided to use Paris Grey for this one, and it has had 2 coats. The interior is in the lovely contrasting Greek Blue.




Once I had finished distressing and waxing this piece I decided to age it with some dark wax on top.
You can see the difference in colour on the drawer.




and here is the finished cabinet :0) The wax has been buffed with a soft cloth to give it a lovely sheen.


As if that were not enough for today !! I also made a start to a nice oak chair I bought on eBay last week. 



Friend at work has asked for this one to be painted red, so here it is with it's first coat of Annie Sloan Emperors Silk. Should get this one finished off next weekend.

Remember I said last week I had to go and unload my latest purchase from the 4X4, well here it is, and I absolutely LOVE it! Can't wait to make a start, but still deciding on a colour.


Also picked up this second old dressing table this week, so the workshop is pretty crowded at the moment. It has a lovely big art deco style semi circular mirror, and I love the curved cupboard doors.

Photo from eBay listing
Just won this lovely little wooden bathroom cabinet on eBay this afternoon, so have arranged to pick up next weekend. The round mirror reminds me of a ship's porthole.


I sold the lovely table and chairs I showed you last week, and the lady that bought them came to collect in the coolest VW camper van. It had been beautifully restored. She sent me a lovely email and included some pics of the furniture set up in her house. Looked great.
Also sold the little white shelf unit, it will be in a little girl;s bedroom. She was very happy :)

More next week, thanks for reading!!



Monday 25 May 2015

Bank Holiday Monday Fresh Start

I must start with a big apology!
I am so sorry not to have kept up to date with my blog. It has been a busy year getting settled into our new home, and I am only now really getting back into my furniture painting after decorating nearly every room in the house!
We also went on holiday last month to the US again. It was a best of the best holiday visiting Vegas, Orlando and New York in 2 weeks :)

Neon Graveyard, Las Vegas

The highlight of our Vegas trip, apart from tooling around in a VW beetle convertible, was a visit to the Neon Museum. We had a one hour guided tour round the neon graveyard just as the sun was going down, and I managed to take some fab photos with my new camera :) They are a non profit who raise money to restore the old Vegas neon signs. It is so cool and an interesting tour.

Old neon Motel signs

The Orlando part of the trip was not as much fun as previous visits, probably because we decided not to visit any of the theme parks this time. We did however go to a Pirate Dinner Adventure show which was a lot of fun!


New York, where we stayed our last 5 nights, was amazing as always! We used Airbnb to book an apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which was a lot cheaper and homelier than a hotel. It was great to see the family, and we went out for some amazing meals, so if you need any recommendations give me a shout :)

Dumbo

We are thinking of going to Japan for our big holiday next year, so lots of research and planning to be done!
As I said earlier, I am starting to get back into painting more furniture, especially now that the weather is getting better, and the evenings are lighter. Here are a couple of things I have been working on recently.

Painted in Annie Sloan Old White

Cute little shelf unit in Old White also

This little side table has a cute swivel top and the sides fold down to store it away when not in use.

Annie Sloan French Linen with Old White stencilling on top

Just realised the time, and I have to get a gorgeous dressing table I bought today out of the 4X4 before it gets dark.
More to follow next week...I promise!!