Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Distressed Cabinet

I bought this table at a garage sale, several weeks ago, for $20.00.  It is made of oak and from what I can tell, it looks like it was part of a buffet and hutch.  It was in good shape and I could instantly see it's potential.  It measures 31" high by 30" wide by 17" deep and it had nice glass doors.  As you can see, I started to dismantle it before taking a picture.



The process was simple...I gave it a good sanding with 100 grit and then 220 grit sandpaper.  Then I applied two coats of Sand Bar paint.  (no priming).  Once it was dry, I sanded some more to remove all my hard work of painting!  I then gave it an antique look by rubbing dark walnut danish oil over the entire surface.  To darken the edges, I rubbed in a bit of burnt umber oil paint.  (this is a tube of paint used by artists) 



I decided not to reuse the glass in the doors and opted for chicken wire, which I sprayed with Krylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze.  Also, the white knobs were too white for the finished look, so I also gave them a coat of  Oil Rubbed Bronze.


I think it gave the cabinet a whole new look.



Thank you for stopping by.  Have great week!

Lesa

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Pretty in Pink Bucket

Here's what I started out with...



a wood bucket that had a coat of white paint on it.  It originally had a wire handle, but it went missing so I "manufactured" a pine handle and secured it to the bucket with nails.



I gave it a quick sanding and then gave it a basecoat of "Raspberry" by DecoArt.  This doesn't have to be perfect because it's just the base color.



Once dry, I applied my favorite creamy white paint, Sand Bar, to the surface using an old stiff-bristled brush.  I dry-brushed the paint onto the bucket going in one direction and then the other direction.  Just continue doing this until you get the coverage you desire.








I gave it another light sanding to rough it up a bit and then I antiqued it using Medium Walnut Danish Oil. 

Next, I cut three pieces of scrapbook paper, 2" wide.  I antiqued the paper with the same danish oil and let the paper dry.  Using modge podge, I secured the paper to the bucket.



For the trim, I used macrame jute.  The natural color wasn't going to work, so I mixed equal parts of water and Sand Bar paint in a paint tray.  Then I soaked the jute in this mixture.  I placed the jute outside on a piece of kraft paper to dry in the sun.  Some of the natural jute color will show through, however, I think it adds to the antiqued look of the bucket.




Once everything was dry, I hot glued the jute to the bucket, adding two rows of jute to the top and bottom.  I made two flowers (supposed to be flowers) with the remaining jute and hot glued them to the front of the bucket.  I added buttons to the flower centers to add a bit of detail.  That's it! 






Here's what it looks like without the flowers.

I have NOTHING pink in my house, so I'll be selling my little bucket at "Girly Junk Restyled's" first sale in July. 

I hope you have a great week and, thank you, for stopping by!!

Lesa

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Rusty Labels and Basket Liners

I found these wire hanging baskets at our local "feed" store and thought they would make great storage containers- for something! 




So, I pulled out my trusty burlap and canvas and created these liners for the baskets.   They were very simple to sew and if you're interested, here's how I made them...



First, you need to make a pattern using brown craft paper, newspaper, or anything you have to draw out a pattern.  The idea is basically the same as if you were making a lamp shade cover...tape one edge of the paper to the basket, roll and make an outline with a pencil. 



Then cut out your pattern.  Place it onto your canvas (or any desired fabric) adding about 3" to the bottom (you'll see why in a minute) and approximately 2" to the top so you can make a finished edge. 



I know, this is burlap and not canvas...the rest of the pics are using canvas.
Once the fabric patter is cut out, sew the edges together.





Gather to bottom approximately 1/2" to 3/4" from the edge and pull tight; secure by sewing. 




Place the liner in your basket with the right side facing in an decide how much fabric you want to drape over the basket edge.  Sew a hem to finish the edge.




I made some burlap cording and sew to the finished edge.






Clear as mud?!?  Now, repeat this process with your burlap and make the cording using canvas.

Now, onto the numbers! 




I used canning jar lids and lightly sanded the surface with 220 grit sandpaper.  I then painted them with Lamp Black (DecoArt).



Once dry, I lightly sanded them again to remove a bit of the paint.  I then applied my "Rusting Paste" (recipe to follow) used a sea sponge.  Once dry, I sponged on a bit more Burnt Sienna and then sanded some more to expose the edge.





Apply the numbers using a stencil and some Light Buttermilk paint (I made the stencils).  Rough them up a bit more by pounding the edges with a hammer.  Use an awl to make a hole at the top of each tin label and attach to the baskets with wire.





Rusting Paste Recipe:
6 parts dry concrete powder
3 parts Raw Umber paint
2 parts Burnt Sienna paint
1 part Bittersweet Chocolate paint
Mix together...you can add a bit of water to make the mixing a bit easier.  Use a sea sponge to apply to the surface, as it gives it a more authentic rust look.



That is it.  I hope you like them. 





Thank you for stopping by...have a great weekend!

Lesa

Monday, May 16, 2011

Burlap & Canvas Monogrammed Banner

I really love the look of burlap and canvas and I love the look of "anything" monogrammed, therefore, I came up with this idea to combine all the elements...my burlap and canvas monogrammed banner.  It was very easy to sew and only took a short time to complete.  I also had all the supplies on hand, so there was no expense. 



Here's what you'll need:
Canvas
Burlap
Craft paint
Heavy jute
Dowel

The first thing you need to do is make your banner pattern.  I made mine by drawing a pattern onto craft paper and then cutting it out.  It measures approximately 14" wide by 15 3/4"" long (from the top to the tip) and the sides are approximately 11 3/4" long.




Pin the pattern to the canvas (doubled) and cut out. 



Now you'll need to make the burlap cording...using a piece of jute, roughly measure around all the sides of the banner, just not the top edge, and add about an inch or so for safe measure.  Cut a piece of burlap approximately 2" wide and the same length as your jute, wrap the burlap around the jute and sew in place.  Now you have burlap cording.

 
Pin the cording in between the two pieces of canvas and sew in place.  Turn the banner right-side out and press with an iron. 



My "leafy wreath" pattern was a stencil I made from an image on the computer.  I just printed the image and then covered the entire piece with clear packing tape.  Then I used an exacto knife to cut the stencil.  I used the same technique to make the letter "M".  Just a note...I like to cover the image with tape because it helps protect the paper from the moisture from the paint...I can then use the stencil more than one time.  Position the wreath on the front of the canvas and apply your paint.  I used "Celery Green" and then added some shading using "Light Avocado Green" by DecoArt.  Once dry, stencil your letter in the center...I used "Burnt Umber".








Cut a piece of burlap 6" wide by 16" wide for the top of the banner.  The extra width allows for a finished hem at each end.  This piece will finish the top of the banner and have a pocket to allow the dowel to go through for hanging.  I used a piece of 1/2" dowel approximately 21 1/2" long and painted it Celery Green.

I wanted a tassle for the tip of the banner so I made one out of jute.  And, I made the "bead" for the tassle using dowel.  I just cut the dowel about 1/2" in length and drilled a hole in the center.  Gave it a quick sanding and painted it Celery Green.  I attached the tassle to the banner by sewing it in place. 

After inserting the dowel into the top pocket, I wrapped each end of the dowel with jute and made a hanger. 







I thought this would look good on the front door or hanging in an entryway.  Also, I think if would make a great gift as it can be personalized. 

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look...I hope you like it.  Have a great week!

Lesa