Painted dresser...love, love, love

Here's the dresser I painted!  

I used chalk paint, but not the known chalk paint.  I did some research and found a DIY recipe.  I mixed up a quart of yellow latex flat paint with 10 oz plaster of paris and 5 oz water to make up chalk paint.  I mixed the plaster of paris with the water to dissolve all the lumps. Added the paint and mixed well. I cleaned the dresser with a hot soapy water to get all the dirt and grime off.  I bought this dresser about ten years ago at a thrift store.  I could never decide whether to restain it or paint it.  My brother used is for a few years and then it's been sitting in my garage for another year.  I have the space for it in my bedroom so it was time to make a decision....paint it is.

Before

Brushed on first coat

Working on 2nd coat

After the second coat dried I used a roller to do the final coat.  It took away the crush strokes you get when using chalk paint.  I ended up using all the paint.  Next I put on a layer of clear Minwax and I really didn't like the clean looking finish, so I added some brown tint (raw umber paint) to the wax and also sanded edges to give it a worn look.  I put on a layer of brown wax and let it dry and used a old tshirt to polish the wax and it's came out perfect!  I love the finish.  I put the original hardware on & I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Seed bead inspired

While I watched The Voice, big fan of Sawyer Fredericks, who by the way, WON!

 I have been stringing seed beads onto waxed linen cord making bracelets and necklaces.  This has been addicting!  Some I've crocheted and others are strung on with no pattern.  Taught myself to make a sliding knot closure and I love the adjustability that offers.  Big thanks to (Youtube DIY videos).   I've been going through my seed bead collection so the options are endless.  The other thing is making some really cool charms and going through my collection of charms and add ons.  Like I said the options in design are endless.

Getting inspired

Did I tell you I've been taking on-line painting classes?  I love it.  Have you considered taking an art e-course?  I've learned so much and it gets the paint brushes in my hand.  My brain goes on overload with ideas of what to paint, inspires me so much to the point that I can't sleep and all I want to do is paint!   I want to make paintings of my dogs, of my family, artwork for my pendants, I'm inspired to paint more Latino themed artwork for my jewelry.  I want to fill my newly painted walls with my art!! I want to use all kinds of paints, mixed media, fabric and wallpapers....see what I mean my brain goes on overload!

Painted furniture?

I have two pieces of furniture I've decided to paint.  I know most would say never paint wood furniture.  Actually, one piece I built as an entertainment cabinet for all our electronics years ago.  It's painted a deep purple and I'm considering painting it a pale pink and aging it.  It's used as a linen closet and sits at the end of a hallway.  Pink just sounds cool and should go nicely with my newly grey painted walls.  The other piece is an old big dresser I got at a thrift store 15 years ago.  It's a dark wood and it's going to get a coat of vintage yellow paint.  I'll take a before and after photo of each piece.  I have tons of painting projects going on this year...some small, some big.  What's your thoughts on painted furniture?

World traveler???

Why not?

  What are your top 3 destinations?

Avery's 1st Birthday

I was asked to help with Avery's 1st Birthday Party.  Avery likes Minnie Mouse, that was the theme.  I made the banner in the background using a Minnie font and I found the banner template on Pinterest.  I searched Pinterest for cake ideas and boy are there ideas!  Tons of them!!

Here's the cake I made.  I used round ramekisns, which were the perfect size.  I cut the tops off to make it flat and I made it three layers, vanilla, chocolate, vanilla.  I frosted it with white buttercream frosting, which by the way is the best ever frosting ever!  Dropped some sprinkles on the top and the cake looked awesome, if I say so myself.

I was able to catch this great great close up photo of Avery!  She's adorable.

Bike riding

I bought a bike, a hybrid urban bike.  I’m in love love love!  I find it so easy to get on my bike every morning and go for a ride.  My first week it was easy to ride 4 miles which totally surprised me.  The following week I was riding 5-6 miles and today I rode 8 miles!!!   I conveniently live on a really nice bike route going all directions so depending on the direction of the wind determins which direction I ride.  Overall it’s a cool way to get some exercise.  Earlier this year I was walking my local park and found it such a challenge to get 2 miles of walking done.  Plus it’s always sunny and I’m not a fan of direct sunlight on me.  I find riding my bike so much fun and the sunshine doesn’t seem to be so bad cuz I’m moving and there's always a breeze.     Do you ride a bike and do you love it?

Beaded necklaces

I've been making beaded necklaces for the past month.  I have tons of seed beads and thought it was time to see what I could make with them.  I made some charms and found some pretty cool charms in my stash of stuff. This particular collection was sent off to a shop in Lincoln, Nebraska -- Guru Honey.  I didn't take a very good photo of them...not sure what I was thinking, I'm usually pretty good at documenting my jewelry.  I haven't stopped making these cool necklaces.  I'll have to post on my Facebook page when I have more to sell.

Red, turquoise, black and cream colors

I'm losing and finding things all the time

I have this thing about losing stuff all the time....but I also have this thing about finding them.  Well there are three things so far I've not ever found, one heart shaped necklace (Valentine's Day gift), a pair of the coolest blue tinted prescription sunglasses and another necklace...a diamond one...(anniversary gift) but I am open to them coming back to me.  

The other day I was going through my collection of postcards.  In this pile of postcards I found my Best Buy gift cards I got as a  gift a long time ago.  I thought I might of given them to someone, re-gifting is common in my world.  And something even more funny was I put the two cards in my journal and headed out to shop.  When I went to get the cards they weren't in my journal!  Found one at the bottom of my purse but the other one I had no idea where it could be.  Can you believe it I lost one of the cards, so no shopping.  Two days later I thought I might as well check out my car and see if it might of fallen out of my purse.  Low and behold it was under the seat!  Oh yeah I just remember another thing I've lost and have yet to find....my best Bose earphones!!!  I love them earphones, which were also a birthday gift.  Geez, I'm noticing a pattern here...gifts=lost stuff.  Honestly though, I have found so many things that were once lost....honestly I lose things all the time all kinds of things all the time, so the odds of it being found are pretty good and I could tell you some stories about lost and found, haha.

I headed to Best Buy and decided on a Kindle.  I've had several types of Kindles in the past but have passed them on to other reading friends.  I have the original basic Kindle in order to keep my account open for ebook benefits.  I've used my iPad to read using the Kindle app.  What I didn't like about using the iPad is it's heavy and not comfortable to hold and read.  I ended up buying the Kindle paperwhite and I'm loving it!!!!  It's small and easy to read. 

I do love having real books and I have three on my bedside I'm reading right now.  Crazy isn't it??

Labyrinths

I don’t really know too much about labyrinths, but since I started walking and also learning  the practice of meditation I decide why not combine both and walk a labyrinth.  I found one about a mile away from my house.  It’s on a church property but no one was around.  I walked it and it was pretty cool and decided to make it a habit.  I rode my bike there today and it’s gone!  It’s been removed and construction is going on.  Sad face!  I’m gonna need to do some more research to find another one in my area.  Not only did I love the shape but I was fascinated with the rocks.  I did find one heart shaped and that always puts a smile on my face.  You should find a labyrinth to walk and think....let me know if you do.

Hello blog...

It's amazing how time gets away from me when it comes to my blog posts.  I'm constantly using my camera, constantly jotting down notes, and always have tons of blog post ideas....but putting it all together to post continues to be my challenge.  I've been working on beading projects, taking online art classes, reading more, and sorting photos.  This time of year the weather is beautiful around here and that's a big distraction, too.  All & all, it's a fun day everyday. 

Studio time

My mom taught us to crochet when we were kids.  The first lesson was how to hold the thread/tension in one hand and how to hold the crochet needle in the other.  First stitch we learned was the simple chain stitch. We would sit and do nothing but make a long long crocheted chain.  The past few days I've been taking what I learned from that first lesson and making jewelry.  Strung beads on some waxed linen thread and crocheted the chain stitch over and over and over,again.  Thanks, Mom

While out running errands I stopped in one of my favorite bead stores, Beads & Findings International and she had tons of seed beads.  Lucky me!

It's snowing, it's cold but it's pretty

This cold weather sure is tough to be in.  I know I'm a whimp and I'll say nothing more about the cold snowy weather.  

Monday thoughts, on Tuesday

I’m in my hometown for my Dad’s 80^th birthday party this weekend.  My brother and sisters have been finalizing the details of the party.   He's in good health and gets around just fine, so it’s deceiving that he's 80.  On this trip I've noticed he’s slowed some but his mind is as sharp as a knife.  He has an amazing memory of his life and people he has met throughout his whole life.  Each time he steps upstairs from the basement he sings a little tune and honestly he never stops moving.  He’s been that way his whole life.

I drove around town today and it has changed and I hardly recognize anything.  While I was sitting in Mini Lula talking on the cell phone a car drove up to me and it was a friend I’ve known since junior high.  She heard I was in town and she saw Mini and thought it was a good chance it was me.  It was so nice seeing her and having a chat.  She plans to attend the party so we’ll have more time to catch up on each other’s lives. 

The other great thing about being home is seeing my family.  The things that drive me crazy about them are also the things I miss so much.  The icing on the cake is being with my great niece, baby girl Anaya.  She’s so adorable!

I like being home but I also miss my space, my studio, my husband and those three crazy dogs of mine. 

If you are lucky like me to have your parents around please enjoy them…learn from them…embrace who they are.

Monday thoughts

The other day I set up the camera on the tripod to get a photo holding a Happy Valentine's Days sign.  Instead, I used a blank sheet of cardstock so I could change what the sign would say.  I'm going to post a inspirational saying each Monday.  Here's the first one!  I really miss getting lost.  I miss wandering.  So today I'm gonna get lost.

Steal Like An Artist.... austin kleon