Sneaky Monday Off :)

Posting on a Monday this week as I decided to take a sneaky day's annual leave. We have been remodelling the back garden this weekend, and I finally got round to painting the garden shed where I store all my treasures while they are waiting to be transformed :) 

Shed painted in Hammerite Cornflower

Russell has sunk the posts for the decking that leads out from the french doors, and the decking boards are being delivered next Saturday. He bought a lovely new kettle barbecue yesterday so we are looking forward to the first barbecue in the new house soon. So, now to show you what I have been up to this last week -

 I finished off the clock table for my friend at work. This is the second one I have painted for her and she is using them as quirky bedside tables. I also gave the red chair I showed you last week a second coat of Emperors Silk. This will be a bit of an experiment as I have never left furniture unwaxed before, but Annie Sloan assures me that it is not necessary if you want to leave a piece of furniture outside and watch it gradually weathering. I will let you know how it goes.
Yesterday I made a start to this cute little pie crust table (so called as the edge looks like a crimped pie crust). Painting in Old White, but I am considering putting a clock face on this one to see if it sells.

Last week I showed you the gorgeous dressing table with the oval mirror. It took me ages to decide on a colour for this one. I do get fed up of using white all the time, although it does seem to be the most popular shade. I decided to mix my own colour by adding a little English Yellow to some Old White to make a soft pale creamy lemony shade. Difficult to see on the first coat.

 
Just started to paint this lovely piece, and wanted to show you something that is going to save me soooooo much time!! Do you remember how I used to use lots of little pieces of masking tape to fit the curve on a mirror?

Well I have discovered curved masking tape!! It's probably been around for ages, but I didn't know about it ! It is crinkled like crepe paper and you can stretch it to fit round curves so easily. Made masking the dressing table mirror a doddle :)

Not sure if I will get this one finished for next week's blog, but I will keep you updated on it's progress. Yesterday was lovely and sunny so we went to two car boot sales in the morning. First thing I saw when I got there was a beautiful dressing table and matching chest of drawers, and I would have bought them if I had space to store them, but I have been going a bit mad buying things recently and the lovely airy workshop/extension is looking like Dagfields (our local second hand furniture emporium).

I really need to hold off buying any more big stuff until I have cleared my feet a bit. It's so difficult though when I see things I would love to paint :) I picked up my 3rd dressing table last week, a cute vintage style, might use some pink or turquoise on this one and keep with the retro look.

I also bought this old wooden storage box (got it dead cheap) as it's a bit the worse for wear.

I was having a closer look at it once I got it home, and noticed the strangest thing! There is what looks like a secret panel/compartment on the back ! Not sure why it is there, or what it's for!?? If you have any idea please let me know.

It looks like the box has been made out of a tea chest. Paid £1.50 for it and not sure what to do with it yet. I also bought a big shoebox filled with old dolls house furniture. Like little miniatures of the ones I paint :) I love the detail in them, tiny taps and bath plugs !!

Well my lovely sneaky day off work is nearly over, but it has been lovely. I will soon be trying out a job share trial at work and will be cutting my hours (and salary) in half. This will give me and extra 2 1/2 days for my hobby. The trial period will be for 3 months from end of July, and they will then decide if it works or not. I need to see if I can afford to do it!!

Thanks for reading, and see you next week !!