Pay Dirt!!!

Today was almost as awesome as you could get. I found the motherload at a community yard sale. I stole bought a solid wooden chair, sturdy oak table, 2 unstained wood panels, 2 small wooden shelves, an unusual, ornate printing block, 2 silver platters, 2 mirrors with beautiful ornate frames, a brand new lantern cord, and an oak chest of drawers, all for $41. Plus, I sold my French chest of drawers and a French sign. Plus, I picked up a dry sink in excellent condition right up the street for *FREE*. It only needs 2 nails, and of course, some chalk paint, so I was tickled pink, or Old White, or Paris Gray. I have my work cut out for me, and I'm SO looking forward to it. 

The dry sink:

The chest of drawers:

This needs a little sanding, minor hardware tightening, and waxing of the drawer runners. Then, I can go to town.

Half round table (which is currently mixed in with everything else):

Wooden shelf, which was expertly dovetailed by a cabinet maker, who told me that he lives right around the corner and has lots more where that came from, and that he'd cut me a deal if I was interested in more. Did I just just die and go to Craft Heaven???

Here is the latest project.

I am so into keys lately. I just love 'em. I've been feverishly designing and love using them in my furniture decorating. This is an original.

I painted the board white, then put the vinyl key on top and painted over it with Martha Stewart Geyser. I decided it needed something on the border, so I cut out words in French and applied the vinyl.

  

I can't stress enough how important it is to center your design. It would be a real bummer if you placed your vinyl on crooked or off center. Of course, I would never know about that. Once your vinyl is in place, you can't pull it up and re-position it unless God was looking down on you with even more Favor than he already does.

This is also extremely important. You must burnish all of your letters. This keeps the paint from seeping underneath, thus messing up your intricate design. Once you've burnished it, go over it again just in case.

Now you're ready for the fun part. Paint it. I tend to use a dryer brush because I don't want the paint to seep under the part that I forgot to burnish.
  

This is the second really fun part. Pull up your vinyl, taking extreme care not to let it fall back onto your letters. Also, remember that the paint may still be wet (I like to do this before the paint is totally dry so the paint is a little bit more forgiving). I like to "collect" my vinyl as I go by crumpling it up in one hand.

 

Then, carefully pull up the letter inerds. Remember that your paint may still be wet, so be careful.

 I just love how intricately you can make a design with vinyl. It gives it such a delicate look. 

And, here's the finished project, complete with some mahogany and oak Briwax. Do you like it?

Thanks again for stopping by. I'm thrilled that you all like my stuff! Fondly, Tami

Today, I'm linking to:

Dittle Dattle

Coastal Charm 

Handy Man, Crafty Woman 

Beyond the Picket Fence