Another Homemade Chalk Paint Project

Today has been catch-up day on my painting. The weather is nice and I can get outside under the carport and paint. Of course, when I got out the spray paint, the wind started blowing so that was put on hold. I am trying to salvage a Pottery Barn mirror that I unfortunately decided to paint. I am hoping that some silver metallic paint will restore it. Also I am working on a chalk board for my granddaughter.

A friend of my niece's had this little table for sale at a yard sale; we swapped some items and I ended up with the table. It has been in my craft room/guest bedroom waiting for a new paint job. It had been stained and varnished numerous times; generally in pretty bad shape.

I had an sample size Valspar oops paint from Lowes. It was my first time trying Valspar paint and I am quite impressed with it.

I added ¼ cup of plaster of paris to the entire jar of paint. It seems that the addition of the plaster of paris gives the paint better adhesion. On a previous project, I used a 50/50 mix of paint and plaster of paris. It was definitely too thick; after adding water it was still just OK. I saw Sherry's "recipe" and changed my ratio to more of a 75/25 mix. Sherry uses calcium carbonate rather than the plaster of paris, but since I have a 4 lb container I will stick with the plaster of paris for a while.

I did not do any sanding; just gave the piece 2 coats of paint and a light sanding after the paint dried.

Here it is drying on the carport after a coat of polyurethane. I usually don't use brush-on poly, but I wanted this to have better protection from water rings since it is being used as a bedside table. I am going to lightly sand the top again and use another coat of poly.

I  have been quite happy with my projects using the plaster of paris added to paint.

I will be joining some blog parties this week.


    

Roomspiration: Master Bathroom

I saw the party going on over at Homemaker on a Dime. This week the subject is bathrooms.

Boy, do I have a bathroom for you to see. We remodeled an old farmhouse (built in 1940s) 7 years ago and added a bathroom and walk-in closet to the bedroom. We originally thought we would just move in, but it turned into a massive tear-it-down-to-the-studs renovation taking 7 months.

Here is a photo of the original house just so you can get an idea of the scale of this project.

This next photo is during the addition of the closet and bathroom. The blue ladder is sitting the bath area.

And then the carefully drawn plans for the layout of the bathroom.

And finally, where we are today. I would never get this shower enclosure again; it is back-breaking work keeping it clean. The paint is a Ralph Lauren Suede; the mirror is from Pottery Barn Outlet.

I can't wait to document the rest of the renovation during this roomspiration party. I am just sorry I did not find the party until after the living room was highlighted last week.

Homemade Chalk Paint

I absolutely love chalk paint. I was wandering around bloggyville and stumbled across a recipe for chalk paint. I was excited to find it since I wanted to paint some smallish projects.

I mixed up a batch using the recipe; it came out pretty thick so I added water (too much). I left it sitting uncovered on the carport overnight and it was just right the next day. I will have to say that it is not as smooth as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but it does the job. After sanding, it leaves a perfect finish.

I saw this on Pinterest (where else?) and decided that my knife block would be the trial project for the homemade chalk paint. I put 2 coats of the too watered down paint on and left it overnight. The next morning, I sanded the block and put the thickened paint on it. Perfect. After waxing,  sanding and distressing, I am pleased with the results.

My Morning Visitor

This morning as I was sitting at my desk, I happened to look at the front door. Since it is such nice weather I had the interior door open and saw this through the storm door. I grabbed my little point and shoot camera and took these photos with whatever setting was on the camera.

I though he was leaving at this point, but he turned around and got closer to the door. I finally had the sense to zoom the camera and got this shot. Isn't he cute??

About that time, Roxie (the Jack Russell and protector of the home turf) saw him. I thought sure she was going through the glass after the poor rabbit. The little guy took off; Roxie saved us again.

Pinterest This and That

Nothing like another addiction. Pinterest is my new one. These are the projects that I found there.

I saw this

Source: thenester.com via Rosie on Pinterest

and made that

I saw this:

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Rosie on Pinterest

and made that:

After adding the lemon, I decided to use some Twisted Peppermint Oil too. Smells so good. It is packed in Italian canning jars tied with twine. The pint jar has a vintage Queen Bess II teaspoon and the small jar has a vintage child's spoon for dipping.

I saw this:

Source: simplemom.net via Rosie on Pinterest

and made that:

Utter failure. I love oil face wash, but this was too oily even for my very dry skin. I used it for the sugar scrub, so it did not go to waste.

I saw this:

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Rosie on Pinterest

and made that:

I really don't have a spot for this so I guess it will be going to the daughter's house.

Visiting Gina at Shabby Creek Cottage

and