Spiffing Up a Silver Tray

 

I love silver.   I would pick it up whenever I came across it and have accumulated a few boxes.  Well, now it’s time to give it a little love.

 

So I pulled out this lovely, ornate tray and gave it a spray of white.  Then sanded the raised parts.  (Of course, no “Befores”, I’m working on that.)

 

I applied a graphic using the wax paper transfer method which can be a bit challenging.  Very slippy, slidey.    When I tried to apply the image the first time, I smeared it.   I quickly wiped it off and tried again.  Success.  I then let it sit for two days thinking it would ‘set’.  Not so.  It was still wet.  What now?  I had some Mod Podge spray sealant so I applied several very, very light coats.  (If you use this, make sure you use it outside.  It is the most toxic smelling stuff ever.  Effective but smelly.)

 

I used a final coat of clear spray and voila!

Weekend Finds

 

Since I seem to repeatedly lose or forget to take before pictures, I’m trying a new approach.  I’ll take pics of the items when I find them.  Then I’ll have a record.   Which may also serve as a way of guilting me in to dealing with things in a more timely manner.

 

A quick, last minute jaunt into thriftland on Saturday yielded these…

 

Matching deco side tables (probably part of an old vanity)

 

…..and a sweet little bench.  Love the detailing!    They’re usually pretty plain.

With the weather starting to cool, I hope to at very least deal with their ‘issues’ (like lifting veneer) soon.  Let’s see how I make out.

Chair, Fabric & Chalk Paint

 

At this time of year, with summer fading away, I like to prep a few things for a time when it becomes impossible to work outside.  I have a million projects going at a time with glue & clamps, sanding & priming, etc.   Nothing finished.  Just waiting their turn for love and beauty shots.  Then, when their turn comes up, I have no before pics because I took them so long ago.

Sometimes I get tired of looking at all the unfinished projects and decide to tackle one.  Out of the blue, I feel the urge to do an itty bitty project and get it done lickety split.  Usually I can cherry pick something in the garage.

 

One night last week I went out to the garage to get something in the fridge and spotted a chair that needed love.  No sanding (good thing because using an electric sander at 11 o’clock at night is kind of “frowned upon” in the ‘hood.   I’m OK with it but…..)  So I gave it a quick coat of spray paint and took the seat in.

The first layer of fabric was easy to remove.  There were very few staples and …..masking tape(!) holding the fabric in place.  I could tell that there was at least one other layer under the 1st.   I anticipated a few hours spent prying out staples and tacks.

 

My to my surprise, the next layer was in very good condition!  That never, ever, ever happens!  An off white with a little texture.  The perfect candidate for attempting to paint the fabric with chalk paint.

 

First coat of Paris Grey using a water dipped brush and then dipped in paint.

After a second touch up coat.

             

A little silver guilder’s paste on the curlicue on the back.

 

I’m going to run it into the shop to go with a desk that is already there.

They make a purty pair don’t you think?

Chunky Monkey!

 

As I sat writing my last post it was raining and drizzly.   I was sitting at my desk which overlooks the backyard.  At a distance I noticed something creeping across the yard towards one of my little garden boxes.  It disappeared for a second and then plunked itself in my zucchini bed!

 

The next thing I see is zucchini leaves flailing about  and a groundhog going to town!  I was going to run out to shoo it away but before I did I grabbed my camera and took a picture through the window (through the screen).

 

There he is on the left side board having lunch!  Chunky monkey!  Cheeky too!

 

By the time I got outside, she/he had left the scene of the crime.

With a full belly I’d say!

Grey & White Love!

Imagine a lovely, curvy French provincial side table from the 70’s in all it’s dark wood splendor……unfortunately you will have to imagine it because I don’t know what I did with the pics.  Again!

 

Whenever I shop the hardware stores I check out the “Oops” paint.  It’s hit or miss.   While shopping at Lowes last week I came across a gallon of grey.  It was so light that I had to compare it to a white color card to see if it was really grey.  It was!  Just a whisper of grey (called Bay Waves).  Sold.  Not only was it $10 a gallon, when I took it to the register it qualified for a $5 rebate – awesome!

I painted the “frame” and legs in the grey.  It still looked almost white.

Taped off the center sections of the table and drawer and painted those white.

Now it shows!

The handles were painted white then highlighted with silver guilding paste.

 

Waxed and ready to go.

Installed in the shop.

 

I have a feeling there will be a lot of grey furniture in the coming days.   This table barely made a dent in the gallon!

Cape Cod Lobster Crate

I picked up this authentic lobster (pronounced ‘lobsta’ in this neck of the woods!) on Cape Cod last summer. 


WARNING:  The only ‘after’  picture that I have is not even worth showing because the lighting inside the shop (or my less than spectacular photography skills) completely messed it up.  Ditz!

First I washed it by spraying it down with bleach and then I attacked  it with my mouse sander.  I liked the “Lobsters” on top but the fisherman’s initials on the side had to go. 

My mighty Mouse sander to the rescue.  It was a glossy enamel red paint so it took some elbow grease but where there’s a will……

 

Dry brushed with white paint.

Installed some wheels…..

….. and this is the only ‘after’ish’ photo.   I added hinges to the top for easy opening.  

I went back a couple of days later to get a pic but it had sold!

Milk Paint

 

Just a quickie post to keep in the swing of things.   I’ve had the chance to play with MMS milk paint and I’m starting to get the hang of it. You know what they say about teaching an old dog new tricks…..well, they’re wrong…..you can…it just takes a little more patience!

 

This is Shutter Grey.  It has a beautiful blue undertone which doesn’t show up well in this photo because of the blue carpet in the shop.  I dry brushed white over it and I am loving it.  More experiments to come.