For Better, For Worse Work Bench

Its big, its heavy, it needs some work that includes a torch. But it was free! DH was not/is not very pleased with me and my ideas right now.

Pretty Little Pendant

This was so much fun to make. Everything I needed was included in a kit purchased from Annie Howes'. (http://www.anniehowes.com/056.html ). I used my own paper because I've had my eye on this hummingbird for a while, but the papers that come with the kit are beautiful.

What to do? The Little Treasure wants a dramatic modern look.

One of my little treasures wants a dramatic, modern look for her room. I specialize in cast-offs and freebies so I'm a little at a loss. Anyway, after one horrific trip to a certain Sweedish furniture store, we have a plan. The walls are already blue. The furniture and accessories are white and black. Little Treasure and I have the modern goodies from the Sweedish store and all I need to do is refinish a dresser for her. She wants THIS look for her dresser.....





and I have THIS (already in our posession)

or THIS, to work with. The latter one was given to us by a neighbor and is older, but is of better quality. Which one to sacrifice? Hmmm, I think I will experiement on the one we already have just in case I run into problems.

Dresser sans Drawers

Primed and ready for? For what? Still not sure.

I am in the middle of this project. I am not sure what color I am going to paint this, but I think I want to have fun with it. I will use the shelves to store paper, photos, and other craft items.

Vintage Desk

This belonged to an aunt of my husband's. It used to have a brown faux-wood contact paper surface. We used it as is for several years, then had it in a little house we rent out to tenants. The new tenants don't want it so its back home with me. I love this desk. Its upside down right now because it is awaiting some slight repair work on the legs. Hope to have some In-Progress and After pictures sometime in August. Look at the detail on that drawer!

Wicker Chairs

These are wicker chairs that are from Pier 1, but I got them off of Craigslist or Ebay a few years back. I used them at home for a year or so then passed them along to a family member who used them on a covered porch for a while. They are now back and I'm going to paint them black. Check back soon for the After pics.

One down, one to go.... For the record I used Krylon "Fusion" spray paint. You can use it on plastic and other hard to color surfaces. The guy at the hardware store convinced me it was the best for any wicker that still had shine to it. It took 4 full cans of black paint for one chair and I'm sure I'll have a few touch ups to do. The reason you see only one chair finished is because I ran out of paint. I'll have to go back tomorrow for more.

Here they are finished!

Drop Leaf Table and Chairs

I don't know what to do with these items? I don't need them any longer, but I'm not sure if I should try to get rid of them "as is", or fix them up a bit? The table is a drop leaf table. 2 sides drop down to make a rectangular shape. I have 2 chairs, both like the one pictures. Hmmm. Thoughts?

Youth Desk in Blue

This is another youth desk that I finished a few months ago. It is the same style as the black one. I used a local hardware store brand satin finish latex then finished up with 2 coats of satin poly. I won't use that brand again. It was difficult to work with, but I love the color.

Youth Desk in Black

Finished!

Here are some mid-project pictures of the latest project. I've had this desk for a couple of years, but I'm just now getting around to painting it. It was purchased new from an unfinished furniture place. The paint is a glossy black. I would have preferred a lower sheen but this was all Lowes had at the time. I tried a new (to me) technique on the knobs. I spray painted them red, then sanded them around the edges a bit. I followed up the sanding with a coat of Old English for dark finishes.

Old Cedar Chest

Here are some before and "in-betweens" of the cedar chest I got free off the curb a few months ago. Afters will be up soon! I still have some sanding and one more coat of sealer to do, then I am going to spray a bronze colored finish on the drawer pulls.

Before

In Between

After