Revamping Cabinet

My daughter Laura gave me a white  cabinet that was just "too white". So I decided to revamp it by painting it using chalk paint and destressing it. I forgot to take a before pic when hanging on wall but have a picture I downloaded. I think it turned out great. 

Found My Picture

I found the Billy Jacobs "Antique Barn" picture today that I wanted for my bathroom. It looks great. I have to decide if I want to paint, stain or leave the shelf as is. I'm not sure. 

Making New Look Old

I read that White Vinegar would make shiny metal age so I thought I'd give a try. I have this shiny small bucket that I wanted to look old. I soaked the bucket in vinegar overnight and it worked. The bucket is no longer shiney. I love the new look. 

Changing Home Decor - Kitchen

Well, I've gotten the redo home decor bug. For every room. Get rid of the cluttered and overly lived in look and go for simple country/homespun/primitive look. It's slowly coming together. Problem is I'm not focusing on one room start to finish but jumping around room to room. But I'll get it done. For the kitchen I got new balances but now I have to figure out how to install a curtain rod on a steel door. Do i need a special drill bit? I don't know. I bought new blinds but of course got wrong size even though I measured. Typical. But here a pic of the somewhat finished kitchen window. I love these valances.

Chalk Finished Distressed Picture Frame

I made this cross stitch picture several years ago and had it in a plain wood frame. Lately, I've been re-doing my home decor. Taking it to a more homespun/primitive look. The wooden frame was plain dark brown and looked blah so I decided to chalk paint & distress it. I've found out if I mix a little cream chalk finish paint with acrylic paint I still get the chalk finish for a quarter of the cost and a wider range of color options. I have to say that I think it turned out good and makes the cross stitch picture "pop". This was a test project. My next project is to chalk paint & distress a white wall cabinet that my daughter gave me. If it turns out like this, I'll be tickled.

Believe in Family Primitive Sign

I decided to try my hand at making a primitive sign out of pallet wood. I took a board from a pallet and painted with Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint. The first coat was in a light green and then I took a dry brush and spot painted a light top coat of a creamy yellow. After the paint dried I lightly sanded with fine sand paper to get the distressed finish. 

For the lettering I created a stencil using my Cricuit Explore and poster board. I placed my stencil on the board and using a pencil outlined the letters. I mixed a little of the cream colored chalky finish paint with dark brown acrylic paint. This made the acrylic like a faux chalk paint and using a small brush painted the lettering. I then used a red acrylic mixed with the the chalk paint and painted the hearts. For my first time doing this I think my project turned out really good. I'm planning on making more of these signs.

End of 2014

I can't believe it's the end of 2014. Seems only yesterday I did my last post announcing my grandson was born. Time has a way of getting away from me. Here is it almost a year later and I sit down to write. So much has happened in the past year. The bridge project I'm on is going great. My grandchildren are growing fast. I found then lost a love in a whirlwind romance. Lived in Lexington, Va for a time. I've made wonderful friends. Had a great vacation in Myrtle Beach. Bought a horse. Finished a few projects. Started a couple more. Getting over my lost love. Redecorating my home. Moved back to Edinburg. Gained a new granddaughter Emily Jo, my son's adopted daughter. Looking for a new love. It's funny how during times of sorrow, time seems to stand still yet when happy time flies by. I wonder if I settle for just being content if time would move at a more steady pace.

I have decided that I need to be more diligent at posting on my blog. Even if no one but myself reads it, at least I have a "journal" of my accomplishments. My children and grandchildren can read it. Who knows, maybe someone will read it and be inspired to do something. With that said, I am going to commit to writing at least once a week what I've done for the week. Perhaps that will help me get projects I'd like to do completed. Let's see how disciplined I'll be this year.