Easy Mirror Transormation

Several years ago I came across some old mirrors at one of my favorite thrift stores.  This set was in really good condition, and were only $10 each... so I snapped them up thinking I would make them over for the store. 

I didn't get to them or awhile, and the longer they were in my garage, the more I thought I wanted to keep them.  So I did.

I finally got around to paying them some attention, and am really happy with the results!

 

There wasn't anything wrong with them before their transformation... they just looked very 1976 (which is what they are date stamped on the back).

 

I made them over in layers of CeCe Caldwell's Grand Prairie Sage, California Gold and Alaskan Tundra Green.  These colors coordinate with the colors in the wool rug that I have in that room.  (Another nice thing about DIY projects with CeCe's... you can custom select or mix your colors!) 

 

 

This is the what the final result of the color layering looks like after being sealed with Satin Finish.

First Coat Grand Prairie Sage, next random application of areas of California Gold, then about a half coverage coat of Alaskan Tundra Green, then a final coat of Grand Prairie Sage.  Damp distressed.  And finally sealed with Satin Finish.  That sounds like a lot of steps, but this isn't much surface area and it went very quickly! 

The total project cost with sample pots of paint: $20 for the mirror set, 3 paint colors @ $9 each, and 1 Satin Finish Sample @$12, for a grand total of $59. (Even less if you have left over paint and finish from another project like I do!  This project does not take 3 full sample jars of paint, or a full sample jar of Satin Finish.)  Thrift project happiness!

Now the set looks a bit more 1876 rescued than 1976 discarded!

CeCe Caldwell's Stain + Finish for Aging Effect

In my last post, I gushed a bit a CeCe's Satin + Finish, which I LOVE.  This is yet another way that I love using this product. 

All of the candlesticks below were painted with 1 coat of Santa Fe Turquoise.  Two of them are done in this photo.  To seal them and "age" them,  I have used a combination of 2 parts Endurance Finish mixed with 1 part Walnut Grove Stain + Finish.  I applied this mixture directly over the paint while simultaneously wiping back the stain and distressing highlighted areas.

This was a very quick, one step sealing, distressing and aging process for me.  Sigh.  Not a ton in life goes so easily... so it's really nice when there are techniques that are truly that easy and fun. 

Notice how the finish stained the paint, changing the finished color.  If you want more control over the aging and less color change, simply apply Satin Finish, Flat Matte or Endurance Finish over your paint first and let dry.  Then apply the Stain + Finish/Endurance mixture.

It is also fun to be able to take things that didn't originally go together, like these candlesticks, and make them into a grouping with paint. 

Happy painting!

CeCe Caldwell's Stain + Finish: 3 Uses in 1 Project!

You can't really see how bad these actually look.  I first bought this pair of end tables at a thrift store with the intention of painting them, and converting them into extra seating... but I also wanted to be able to use them as tables if needed.

 

They came BEAT UP, and with.... I don't know how to say this delicately, so I am just going to put it out there.... Smoked Glass tops.  Yes, sad, but true.  Smoked Glass is one of those things we just need to say no to in life.  Not now.  Not ever again.  I was actually in full support of the comeback of wedge heels, bell bottoms, and the colors of gray and yellow in décor.  But we have to just take a stand and draw the line sometimes.  And Smoked Glass is where we need to draw that line people!

 

 

 

  I had the plywood cut by the nice gentlemen at the big box store.  Plopped it in.  Bought two square pillows in a completely wrong color, but they were the right size and the right price... and nothing that a little quality time with my sewing machine couldn't turn into custom cushions. I didn't get much farther than step one for awhile... and I am glad that I didn't!

 

Well, I was busy (aren't we always busy?).  So they sat.  And then CeCe Caldwell came out with her lovely Stain + Finish.  And that was a game changer for these little guys!  I realized that the color of the wood, where it was intact, went really well with a Habersham Plantation Armoire that I have in that room, so I thought I would see if I could make these lovely again with stain instead of painting.

 

How do I love CeCe Caldwell's Satin + Finishes? 

Let me count the ways! 

1.  Over Bare Wood

 

 

 

2.  For Stain Touch Up

 

 

Yuck... really needs touch up.  It looked like this all over.

 

This is what it looked like 30 seconds later

after 1 coat of CeCe Caldwell's

Walnut Grove Stain + Finish!!

 

 

3.  For Wood Repair

 

 

So that lumpy little mess of wood filler got a second layer.  I had to recreate more than 1/3 of the ball foot, so it had to happen in layers. Then I sanded it.  And then... check this out! 

 

 

Yep, looks and feel pretty much exactly like the other feet after putting the Stain + Finish on....

So much so, that the only way I could identify which foot it was, was to turn both tables over and search for any trace of wood filler on the bottom of a foot! 

Yeah, I am pretty much in love at this point.

 

One

Two

Three

 

There are other ways that I love Stain + Finish as well.... but that is all for today folks.

Now I just need to get sewing and my little revived, custom, convertible seat/tables will be done!

 

And, nope, No Stink!  Have you ever used stain before that didn't stink?  It is just lovely! 

 

love, love, love....

 

The Bluebird of Happiness... aka CeCe Caldwell's Santa Fe Turquoise

When the sun starts warming us up a bit more like it has the past few days, I get the itch for Spring.  And there is no better way to welcome Spring than with some fresh, new to you, or freshened up pieces that you already, have done in CeCe Caldwell's Santa Fe Turquoise.  It is just uber-fresh and happy making!  This set is done with a reclaimed Lane drum table and oval mirror.  It transforms traditional to a new kind of zestiness!

CeCe Caldwell's Now at Unlisted in Centennial, South Denver's Premier Artisan & Boutique Market!

If you haven't yet been to Unlisted in Centennial, here is another great reason to go!  They have lots a great vendors with beautiful, unique items... and the store is now fully stocked with CeCe Caldwell's line of luscious paints and finishes!

(There is still paint at Not 2 Shabby in Littleton, but I am phasing it out there, so make sure you call ahead.)  Happy painting!

Felted Wool SnowMan Ornaments

 

Those of you who know me, or who have followed any of my creative meanderings, know that each year we make an ornament on Thanksgiving.  It has grown to be a beloved tradition, carried on for close to 20 years now.  So each year, when we are unpacking our Christmas ornaments, we can think back on the people we have shared life and our Thanksgiving table with.  I am so thankful for the immense blessing of genetic and chosen family and dear friends.  These ornaments really become something sacred to me.  They represent love and the shared journey of life.  Each ornament is unique, and none perfect, but beloved none the less, just like the people who made them.

 

Materials:

3 consecutive sizes plastic Christmas balls
Doll sized hats
Black felt dots (pre-packaged)
Old 100% wool sweaters
Embroidery floss and needles
Hot glue

 

This year, we made these snowmen... and snow ladies with dollar store Christmas tree balls for the bases.  We nipped the necks off and then hot glued the balls together.  Then we used squares of felted wool sweaters.  I picked them up at the half off sale at the thrift store.  (Make sure to get 100% wool...  cashmere makes a really nice snow person.... who doesn't like cashmere:)  I felted the wool in the washer and dryer and then cut the squares out.

 

Position the "head" of the snowman in the center of the square.  We secured the corners to the base of the bottom end of the snowpeople with hot glue.  Then, tuck the spare fabric in, aiming for a somewhat even look.  The next step is to nip them in between sections.  We did this with embroidery floss, and tied it off.  Then we glued on little top hats (I picked these up in the doll making section of the craft store.  Make sure to use a needle and embroidery floss to create a loop to hang it on the tree with before attaching the hat.)  Hot glue the hat to the head.

 

Then glue on the dots for eyes, mouth and button.  Little word to the wise.... put your dab of hot glue directly on the snowman... don't try to hold the dot and put glue on it...nothing good will come out of that for you... my sister in law would be happy to show you her blister:(   The put on a scarf and either tie it or put a dab of glue to secure it.  It is fun to cut the scarves out of ribbed hems on the sweaters to give them some visual interest.  If you want, you can stich up any felt that you don't feel is behaving properly, or give it a dab of glue.  And that is all there is to it.

 

3 guesses as to which one JP made.  Wink. 

Wishing you a holiday season full of Thanksgiving, whether circumstances are peaceful, hard, wonderful, perplexing,  or whatever life may have thrown you way this year.  Peace!

 

 

Love this Finish.... Love CeCe Caldwells!

 

Julie and I just finished this piece, and to be honest, we are pleased as punch with how the finish turned out..... love it!! 

 

This console is a reclaimed Drexel piece, super solid with great storage inside but the finish was outdated. 

This is how we achieved this look.  (All CeCe Caldwell's products) 1st coat Cinco Bayou Moss, 2nd coat Mississippi Mud.  Then we dry brushed:  1st coat Vintage White, 2nd coat Young Kansas Wheat.  Then we took old washrag scraps and damp distressed.  We let it dry for 24 hours and then applied Endurance Finish.  For a little extra boost, we used CeCe's Walnut Stain + Finish and wiped it on the shelves inside that had some wear.... and it spruced them right up.

 

Well, we both want to keep this piece, but it's not nice to fight your friends for furniture;)  So off to the store it went.  If you are looking for a great heirloom piece to add to your home before the holidays, you can find this at Unlisted in Centennial, CO.