Thursday thrift...

Mother Nature has decided to have a bit of a tanty in our neck of the woods-and with wind speeds of up to 120km/hr being endured it is a good time to be indoors.

 

More than 20 years ago His Lordship & I bought a timber kitchen dresser and that dresser has travelled with us eversince. She is looking a tad older-and a bit worn around the edges ( yes,yes I am too!) and at times I have been close to rehoming her. However, she is still serviceable-and with a little facelift I'm sure that she will be attractive for years to come ( a facelift for her is cheaper than one for me-at least one of us should age gracefully!).

 

As I have meandered around the internet, stalking admiring various blogs and the talented people out there I have constantly read references to "chalk paint". This "chalk paint" had me intrigued-the finishes appearing on the projects I was stalking admiring resonated with me.

However living in a country town in Australia has meant that this "chalk paint" would not be easy to obtain..........so when I started to see upcycled furniture using homemade or DIY chalk paint I started looking at my kitchen dresser with desire.

 

 

I have to go to work in the afternoon, so I decided to remove the 3 glass doors and try the DIY chalk paint on them.

 

 

I had half a tin of white latex all in one primer and paint ( 500ml), so I gathered the rest of the supplies:

 

Painters tape ( scotch blue)

Paintbrushes ( use cheap ones to toss out if you like-this paint is STICKY!)

Old floral sheet  Drop cloth

Special paint stands Plastic cups

Baking soda/bicarb soda

Raw umber acrylic paint

special paint stirrer chopstick

 

 

 I stood the old door on the special paint stands plastic cups

 

and taped around the edge of the glass.

 

then added 1 cup baking soda/bicarb soda to the paint and using my special paint stirrer chopstick, stirred it until it was smooth. I also added a few blobs of Raw Umber paint to take the brightness off the white latex paint.

 

 

I applied one coat over the entire door ( chased the cat away), admiring it's rustic chalkiness and alluring farmhouse charm ( too far?) Have I mentioned that this stuff is STICKY?

 

Later on I added some fabric I had left over and hung my baby here:

 

This is me being impatient- I have yet to sand & wax the old door  new frame!

 

I can see those of you who already knew about the transforming powers of chalk paint sagely nodding your heads as you read this. Please don't judge me for coming late to the fold- I live in Australia...it sometimes takes us a little longer to learn about such things!

 

 

 

 

Struggle street.

Today the sun shone. Normally I would be filled with joy-planning to spend spare hours outside ( especially considering the sodden winter we have had to endure...); but not today.

Last week I aggravated an old ankle injury when I tripped over a tiny massive piece of metal and am still hobbling limping around.

Thus, instead of sharing a post where I have managed to get the weeds under control and have prolifically planted for the season ahead...... I'm wallowing in self pity grumbling instead.

I coped for 30mins whilst I did manage to wave my magic poison wand weedsprayer before traisping hobbling sobbing with pain back inside.

Ankle is now strapped wrapped like a mummy for some assistance......recovery is expected some time in the future. ;)