Would you believe me if I said that this piece was totally not planned?
It shows up looking like pine in the picture, but it was really painted brown.
But, I loved the detailing and the hardware.
over what later became the "Meh" dresser.
I'm a sucker for detailing.
My first plan was to just paint it with ASCP Graphite.
But it was REALLY blah.
I walked away from it and left it over night.
and by the time I drifted off, I had a vision.
With no idea how to execute.
Enter my handy-dandy Annie Sloan technique book.
In it, I remembered she colored her clear wax with paint.
I decided to color the wax with ASCP Pure White.
I carefully filled in all the detailing with the colored wax, using my wax brush.
I then used a Q-Tip to remove any wax that had gotten outside of the edges.
While it was really cool looking, it still wasn't jumping out at me as "WOW".
So, I left it overnight again.
The thing about ASCP Graphite is that it shows EVERY imperfection in the wood. Its very matte in appearance and for lack of a better word, it's blah.
It just needs a little something to dress it up a bit.
While the detailing looked really neat, the rest of the dresser was just "meh".
That is totally my new word for furniture that just doesn't have the "Wow Factor."
So, the NEXT morning, I was looking at it when it hit me.
to make them stand out more?
That way, they don't get lost in the body of the dresser.
I just added a little bit of paint (think: An ounce) to a huge glop of the AS Clear Wax. Using my wax brush, I brushed it on, being sure to go in one direction. Be careful about this because you can really tell if your strokes aren't even and going in the same direction.
and then colored the AS Clear Wax with ASCP Graphite.
And I would have to say it one of my more favorite pieces that I've done.
And such an easy technique, once you try it.
And it can take something that's "meh"
and turn it into something pretty neat.
that you didn't know where to even start?
That's where I was on Tuesday.
My shop looked like a hoarder's den.
I couldn't get to ANYTHING!
This picture was taken BEFORE we moved in five new pieces.
And I had NO CLUE where to even BEGIN cleaning.
and I needed to be able to actually get to them.
Everything neatly shoved into the back.
At least it's shoved according to the order I plan to work on them.
This is where I hang out for "me" time in the morning.
I do my morning devotions here.
I plan my projects here.
And I keep my records here.
I went to purchase an old worktable out of an elderly lady's garage.
When I met with her son, I saw it hanging on the wall and offered to buy it.
Although now that I'm looking at the picture, I think I stuck it in there upside down.
Then, I have my little space for all my staging props.
Some are tucked into cabinets on the other wall, but I kept these out to inspire me.
So, men have a Man Cave, but I have a Crafter's Cave!
I can't believe that it EVER looked like THAT!
Now, it's my little haven of respite.
Perfect for washing out paint brushes and such!
especially since I've all but ruined our kitchen sink with paint!
I picked up an additional eight tables and 1 desk to join them yesterday.
from this morning's non-forecasted thunderstorm.
None are older than 1912.
Did you know that Restoration Hardware sells old books grouped three in a stack with the binding torn off for over $25.00??!!
I'm still waffling on desecrating the books.
so I don't feel like I'm destroying history or something.
I got a hoot out of a medical book and what they had to say about a woman's "monthly flow" as of 1905. Don'tcha know we should rest as much as possible and get lots of fresh air because not doing so will make us "weak" and "sickly".
Yeah. I don't see that happening around here.
The best part was finding old letters and postcards tucked inside the pages.
Too bad they're written in Deutsch.
The handwriting is pretty though.
I found a receipt from a marble company in Cedar Rapids dated 1897.
I get stupidly excited over that kind of stuff.
The top item is a travel oven.
This was made to take out to the fields while working, so they didn't have to go all the way back to their home for lunch. Earlier models were used by soldiers in war time. They were heated either with steam, hay, coal, or wood.
I thought it was a pretty cool piece.
The bottom item is a smoker's table.
The little depression in the top is for an ashtray. The bottom is a tin-lined humidor. We didn't know what it was when we bought it, but it was interesting. I googled it later. There's even a little hook on the side for a pipe.
The auction season is wrapping up, so I'm desperate to get as many pieces as possible. I'm pretty sure I'm not well liked around here. I know for certain there's one woman that glares when I show up.
Kind of makes me feel bad.
Bid it to get it.
Today, I'll be working on a china cabinet. The client that has been waiting very patiently for it.
It looks like pretty decent painting weather today, so I better get at it.
Tanya, please contact me at ourprairiehome@gmail.com.
I can't wait to get started on it for you!
I literally failed a 9 week portion of Home Ec.
the straps on it were twisted.
I won't even attempt to touch a sewing machine.
I'm afraid it'll go up in flames or something.
So, when I was getting ready for my debut at The Changing Season last week and I had that settee to display, I really, really, REALLY wanted to make some pillows for it.
So, I set about scouring the internet and blogs for a no sew pillow tutorial.
I mean, I found some, but not for what I had in mind.
There were jelly roll pillow tutorials.
There were tied pillow cases over a pillow form tutorials.
But there was NOTHING for a no-sew pillow that actually LOOKED like it had been sewn.
Maybe I was just looking in the wrong places.
Either way, I couldn't find one, so I had to get creative.
and I'm going to share it with you today.
You know... For all of us sewing challenged people.
in the making of these pillows.
1. Wash your fabric. That way, shrinkage occurs, if any. Plus, the ends fray nicely, if you want a frayed edge.
Real seamstresses are going to cringe at this part, but I didn't measure.
2. Lay the piece you just cut on top of the next section of your fabric. Cut that piece, so you have two pieces the same size.
3. Place your fabric "right" side UP and apply the Fabri-Tac 1.5 to 2 inches in from the edges on THREE SIDES. You're going to leave one side completely unglued.
4. Roll your other piece of fabric up into a tube (The "wrong" side needs to be down when you roll it up, so when you unroll it the "right" side is face down.) Put it at the top edge of your first piece of fabric and roll it down, smoothing out wrinkles and kinks in the fabric as you go. Press down firmly along your glue line.
Note: Fabri-Tac dries quickly, so work fast. Also, it doesn't take a lot. In fact, it works better to smooth out the glue into a thin layer, so it adheres better.
You're going to leave it to dry for about 30 minutes, before going on to the next steps.
5. Trim off the extra edges of your fabric, being careful not to cut off any of the glued part. You don't want be able to feel your edge on the inside when you grab it on the outside.
6. Turn your glued fabric squares right-side out and you should have a little pocket (pictured).
Now, if you're using a pillow form, go ahead and stick it inside your pocket.
The insert is too big for the pillow cover. DOH!
Just forget the idea of using the pillow form you got to make the job easier and try not to cringe thinking of the extra money you spent, when you could have just bought poly-fill.
If the sewing fairies smiled on you and your form fits, good for you!
The day is not entirely ruined!
8. Remove each pin section by section, using the Fabri-Tac to glue each section. As you glue each section, place a clothes pin over the glue, along the seam, to hold it in place.
If you used the form, at this point you're done.
You should have a recognizable pillow.
You just have to wait for the Fabri-Tac to dry before you can embellish it.
9. After the Fabri-Tac has dried, fill it with the poly-fill. Be sure to really get it in all the corners.
10. Follow Step #7 and #8 again. Finish up the remaining seam and edge. Apply your clothespins as you go, to keep pressure on the seam for the Fabri-Tac to adhere.
11. Embellishment time! I used left over duck cloth from another pillow to make a fabric rosette (Cut a circle. Cut the circle into a spiral leaving the center about the size of your thumb. Starting with the outside end, twist the fabric as you turn clockwise to form the petals of your flower. Place a dot of hot glue every turn or so, so your "petals" stay in place. Glue the center end to the back to hold it all together.) Hot glue a button to the center.
This one actually turned out right - using a pillow form.
1. Take your pillow form and place it in the center of your fabric. Cut a piece about two and a half times the size of your pillow form. You want to be able to fold the bottom edge of the fabric to the top edge of your pillow and then the top edge of the fabric half way down to the middle of your pillow. Does that make sense?
2. Next apply the Fabric-Tac 1.5/2 inches in ALL THE WAY AROUND your fabric and fold the edges of the fabric in on top of it, so you have a nice even edge. Smooth out any wrinkles. Then, fold the bottom edge half way up the entire piece of fabric and adhere at the corners and down along the side edges with the Fabri-Tac. Apply the clothespins and leave until dry.
4. Your pillow should look like this.
5. Put your pillow form inside the pocket. Fold the top flap down and apply the Fabri-Tac to the side edges and apply your clothespin to hold it until its dry.
6. Put a thin line of Fabri-Tac around the edge of your top flap and place your jute twine on top of it. You can either hold the twine down with your fingers until it holds securely or use clothespins to hold it in place.
7. Make a fabric rosette out of scrap fabric. For this rosette, I knotted one end of the fabric and rolled the fabric around the knot, glueing every half turn or so. Adhere the rosette with the Fabri-Tac.
1. Cut a piece of fabric so it is about 2-3 inches smaller than your pillow. Burn the edges lightly, so it won't fray, but don't blacken it (unless you want to).
2. Cut another piece of fabric in a coordinating color about 1.5 inches smaller than you printed fabric. Print out image/quote using the wax paper transfer method. You can find Home Frosting's tutorial on that HERE that I got from Karin at Art is Beauty. If it turns out a little lighter than you'd like, you can darken it with paint markers or a Sharpie.
3. Make a fabric flower by cutting three circles in coordinating fabric, each a little smaller than the next. Glue together using the Fabri-Tac. Apply a button in the center with hot glue.
4. Apply jute twine to the edge of the center piece of fabric, using the method I discussed above. Leave two trailing edges. Knot them both.
Follow these four steps with Steps 7-10 above.
Really, it's easier than it sounds.
And, you learn by doing.
but somehow it just all came together and worked!
And I had the perfect pillows to display on the settee.
I wish I had known how good they were going to turn out because I would have taken better pictures step by step instructions!
Remember, you can enter to win the Quote Pillow HERE.
so get your entry in today!
what better time to do another one than now?
Well, not EXACTLY this pillow, but this pillow with YOUR decor colors.
A handmade pillow just for YOU!
Each pillow is handmade by me.
Durable Duck Cloth is perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
using the wax paper transfer method and then darkened by hand.
Jute twine frames the quote.
A small fabric flower completes the look with a button center.
for your encouragement and unwavering support over the last year.
A way to share my good fortune.
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Up to NINE entries per person to win!
Do as little or as much as you want!
Lots of opportunity to make this pillow yours!
And I've provided ALL the links in RED!
Easy as a click of the mouse!
so be sure to comment individually for EACH of your ENTRIES.
Start commenting NOW for a chance to win!