Sidetracked!

I had a different post altogether planned for today, but got motivated and side tracked by Joy's Paint Party. It was just "...to much fun!..." {Where have I heard that?} So I went shopping!!!!! In my basement! Let's see what I found.... Well let me tell you, a lot of stuff! But I will not go there today. Just one or two small things at a time. (Joy these projects are not black!)

Being a photographer I have a lot of frames (why I spent so much time looking at all those junky walmart frames at the Alabama Thrift Store last week, I have no idea! I even found one I donated!) and in my basement I found one that was silvered patina and there was nothing in it. One of my suppliers let me have it for a song b/c they were being discontinued and she knew I had several just like it with DD's and my Niece's photos in them. I also found some 11x14 foam core. Lucky me!!! I usually have it in very very large sheets. I thought I was going to have to cut foam core or rag board down to size and I wanted this project to go fast.

I first spray painted the frame with "Light Sage" that looks cream to me. Then I sprayed the foam core with chalkboard paint.

Then I had an idea.... Remember those old silver plate bread baskets from the late 80's early 90's? I still have them and use them. I hate to polish them. I don't know why I still have them, but before giving them to a thrift store, why not... welll...

The primer is drying on the underside of one right now. It is really humid outside so the only thing drying fast is the chalkboard paint.

Using Screaming Meme Tutorial I mixed glaze and blue paint(that I found left over from a project I did about 6 years ago) and I am not afraid (I shop in my basement! The next step for this stuff is Goodwill!) to experiment and to tone down the blue a little I mixed some toffee brown delta coat I happened to have on hand. Just a tad. (I do know acrylic to acrylic - I do fear that I should have primed or liquid sandpapered that frame first. It might have had an oil based silver paint on it. On well..)

I rubbed it on the glazed mix with a dry rag, wiped it off with a wet rag. Looks beautiful! Put a second coat of chalkboard paint on the foam core. (there are a couple of dents in it, I might have to purchase or find a new piece to cut down.)

Well the next thing I know, I have a beautiful chalk message board!

And the silver plate bread basket did not turn out too bad either!

And what else did I find while shopping in the basement! My MIL's Piano Lamp. I used a little gorilla glue to fix that arm and I think I will clean it up and put it in the dinning room. My FIL gave it to me after she passed away. I think this lamp is beautiful like it is. Some of the prisms are missing. But I know where I can get some. more. What do y'all think, should I shabby chic it or leave it like it is? This is one I will probably have to think long and hard on.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Chandelier Project

I linked up with Joy's Paint Party, but forgot to add her link in my post. I am not getting geekier (well, I was upset that SG1 was interrupted in for weather (Fay) reports yesterday) or anything like that. I am just trying to get more organized by writing my posts a few days ahead and scheduling them. Here is a link to Joy's Place. She is great with paint! And check out all the links, they are also great/masters of decorating on a dime with spray paint!!!

I have been looking for a new chandelier for my foyer for a long time. Looked every where. Let's just say, I have champagne taste on a beer budget. Furthermore, I would find these bargains. Beautiful, perfect in every way... except for the color or the size... Well, size I could not do anything about. The one hanging here is original to the house. Holds 3-25 watt bulbs and puts out no light. Is a bear to change a bulb, or clean.

But fellow bloggers, you have inspired me! Last week, I went shopping. I found a chandelier on clearance, perfect in every way.... except for color. (I never thought about doing this before blogging.) I was asking the sales man about the sales price of the fixture, and I said, "Well, it's not the right color... I know what! I can spray paint it!!!" Then I said, "Can I bring it back if my husband says I cannot keep it?" The man said, "Just don't spray paint it first." I thought, "huh?" I donno. I guess people actually do that. (I mean, buy something, take it home, spray paint it, bring it back for a refund...???!!!???) Sooooooo

$44 bucks later and a can of spray paint (actually I had to go buy some black fussion paint for the cord. The regular was not drying... that could have been b/c of Fay though). And after a little hard work from my sweet DH, I have a beautiful new chandelier hanging from my ceiling in my foyer.

This one little change has really given the foyer a different look. And I am really pleased with the result. This photo is not good. You cannot see the detail of the chandelier. And, BTW, I am not through! I have some more work to do. :D Y'all will just have to check back. ;-)

Deco Project Inspired by Blogging!

Thrifty Decorating inspired by you! And talk about thrifty! I went shopping in my own house.

Quick disclaimer here. I took these photos with my cheapy point and shoot. It just works faster and photo shop works faster with the photos I get out of it. And you can still see some of the detail. :-)

We have many old things. They belonged to our parents, grand parents, great grand parents. We are not hoarders. We are treasure keepers. Sometimes we want to keep something b/c of a special memory or b/c it has the finger prints of a loved one gone one to be with the Lord.

After my dear MIL died, my FIL was going through some things. (Even though he has remarried, the house is much the same as she had it.) And he put some things out that he did not want anymore. This tired old umbrella stand was one of them. I needed an umbrella stand, could not find what I wanted, he said I could have it. :D

I have let it sit just like you see it, in my foyer for 12-13 years.

My intent was to let it go, when I find what I want to replace it, at a price I am willing to pay. It is one of those really '60's vintage brass things. This has some rust and a couple of dents one it. But, that adds character don't you think?
I started with rustoleum sage (will have to look at the can for the specific color) but looks like cream to me color of paint. I tried wiping it, to make the brass show thru, but didn't work. That's OK. I have another plan.

I added the "black dress" Rustoleums (sp?) textured spray in black on top of the cream. And tried to wipe away the areas where I wanted the detail to come through, it did not work like I wanted. Not to worry. I had another plan that might just work. :D

I re-highlighted with the cream and went back and sprayed the black at an angle. It brought out more of the detail of the hammered design on the umbrella stand.

Ta Da!

See how nice it looks with a collection of my Grandma's canes and my Grandpa's walking sticks? The cream paint brings out the hammered design underneath, though you cannot see the detail well in this photo. Now I need to find an handsome black umbrella for this handsome black umbrella stand! :-) And only cost a little paint.

I have more to show in a few days! I have been really busy. ;-)