Cute Little School Chairs

Hey, Froggers! I'm sorry for the delay in posting. I have had my hands in so many projects that my head is spinning. I'm gearing up to get my inventory up and running so I can do a few craft shows this fall. Perhaps I should have started in May! Uh. Oh.

Here's what I've been working on lately.
I started with these four adorable chairs. I found them at a yard sale (actually there were 6, but I'm saving 2 for another project). They came from my small town local elementary school that had been torn down and re-built. I'm just sorry, but I can't imagine any new chairs that would be cuter than this!

Since they were so adorable in and of themselves, I didn't want to change them up much, but of course, I had to paint them a little!

I used my favorite stencil technique. Even though I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite, and you're not supposed to have to sand the wood, this wood was pretty smooth. So, after I painted them, I kept the stencil vinyl on top, mixed some graphite with clear Briwax, kind of slathered it on, waited, pulled off the vinyl, and then lightly buffed the letters. Some of the paint did rub off, but we crafters like to call that "charm". Seriously, I did want some to come off, so it did look naturally worn.

And, I wanted it to look like someone was singing the ABC song, so I painted them accordingly (sing as you're reading them).

I wanted to include an artsy diagonal shot, but Google is telling me that I need to buy more storage space for my pics. I WILL find a way around this, PEEPS! ;)
Anyhoo, I hope you enjoyed this short little blurb.
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking up to:
Miss Mustard Seed

Tired Two Tiered Table

Hey, Froggers! It's been a while since I've last posted, but life has been busy. I've been doing a lot of biking (the kind where my feet actually go around and around and around), and I'm finding that it's taking up a lot of time! My long rides used to be about 10-12 miles, but now I'm up to about 30. I'm pretty excited about my progress, but it's not without its aches and pains. Sheesh!
Here's my latest endeavor.

Got this beaut at benefit yard sale. It has seen better days. My pup, Jessie, is often by my side. She has had a coat of many colors.

My mom always told me to see the potential in something. I really had to use my imagination with this one. It sat in my garage for over a year (I know, I know) before I knew what to do with it.


And this is the final product.

I live in Lancaster County, and this is just a taste of what we're all about here. I used my favorite technique to dress it up.
Here's the top. I'm having lots of fun with the font package I bought a while back.

And, I needed to include a profile picture just for fun.

I want to keep this one as well (I know, I say that all the time) but alas, it will be going to my Howsewears space at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER.
And, it occurs to me that I haven't posted any recent pics of my business, so whether you like it or not, here they are. Sorry they're not the best. They were taken with my cell phone.

My space is rather tiny, but, along with custom orders, it keeps me busy enough for now.
And... if this post wasn't exciting enough, I have a little surprise. Remember my Pottery Barn knock off from this post? Well, I messed up came up with a brand new technique that is really cool! I can't wait to share it with you!
As usual, let me know what you think!
Fondly, Tami

I'm linking to:
Between Naps on the Porch
Under the Table and Dreaming
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Craftomaniac
Today's Creative Blog
Coastal Charm
Stringtown Home
The Tip Junkie
Thrifty Decor Chick
The Trendy Treehouse
Domestically Speaking
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Primitive and Proper
Miss Mustard Seed 
Sisters of the Wild West 
No Minimalist Here 
A Diamond in the Stuff 
My 1929 Charmer Blog 
Beyond the Picket Fence 
The 36th Avenue
Embracing Change
Elizabeth and Co. 
2805 
Simple Home Life 
The Southern Institute 
Knick of Time Interiors 
DIY by Design 
Primp Junktion

Damask Design Chair with Matching Pillow

Hi, Froggers! It's 9:10 PM and I JUST sat down for the day. I'll keep this brief.
Here's the newest addition to my space at Building Character!
As I often forget, there's no before pic. Just imagine an ugly dark green thing with a very dirty fabric on the seat. I stripped the seat (that just sounds wrong), re-padded it, and covered it with our trusty ol' drop cloth fabric.

I painted her with ASCP Old White, but she needed a little something more, thus the damask design from the Graphics Fairy. I cut the threesome in vinyl, weeded out the "inerds", placed it on my chair, and very lightly stenciled with a dry brush.

Here are the designs up close, with a little distressing after waxing with clear Briwax.

When I sanded it, a beautiful shiny gold color showed up. Yipee! It was under the ugly green stuff. Yup folks! It doesn't get better than that!

Of course, it needed a matching pillow. I made this with a drop cloth, cut the design out of Grafix craft plastic, and stenciled with a VERY dry brush. Pouncing only, Peeps!

I was kinda tickled with the twosome.
And now, I'm making some popcorn and watching Parks and Rec!
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking to:
My Simple Home Life 
Feathered Nest Friday 
Miss Mustard Seed 
My 1929 Charmer Blog 
Craftomaniac
Under the Table and Dreaming
Sumos Sweet Stuff 
Between Naps on the Porch 
DIY Showoff Parade 
House of Hepworths 
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Somewhat Simple
The Brambleberry Cottage
The Southern Institute
Funky Junk Interiors 
Primitive and Proper 
Sisters of the Wild West

Half Round Table Transformation

Hey, Froggers. Wow! Two posts in a week. I’m on a roll. Actually, I’ve been biking with my neighbor, and we all know what THAT means! It means that I’m so sore in the evenings, that all I do is sit around. Yup. As the old Binary Philosopher said, “I sit, therefore, I blog.”

I’ve also had a little bit of energy to transform this little pretty. I found her at a yard sale. The only blemish that she had was some minor water damage on the top. She’s solid oak.

 

I decided to keep her rather simple- just a few coats of ASCP in old white, and a reverse stenciled design on the top. I just waxed her with clear Briwax.

A little distressing later, she was ready to go to my space in Building Character.

I wish I could keep all of the pieces I transform. It's not as bad as if I'd have to give up my children, but it's a close second.

I hope you all have a Craftastic day!
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking to:
My Simple Home Life 
French Country Cottage 
Miss Mustard Seed 
My 1929 Charmer Blog 
Knick of Time Interiors 
Coastal Charm 
Beyond the Picket Fence 
The 36th Avenue 
A Diamond in the Stuff 
Tip Junkie 
The Frugal Girls 
Sisters of the Wild West 
House of Hepworths 
The Brambleberry Cottage 
Under the Table and Dreaming 
DIY by Design

Subway Art Bureau

Hey, Froggers. Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can concentrate on what I REALLY love to do, which is painting and designing. I was inspired by some furniture I had seen on some other blogs, and I had the perfect bureau to try it on. I used the same techniques on my other pieces here and here. I'm super excited about how this turned out. It will be for sale as soon as I can transport it to my space at Building Character in Lancaster, PA.  I'm the Howsewears booth (look for the Howsewears banner). If you're interested in purchasing it and are fairly local to Lancaster County, let me know. I can't wait to find a loving home for it.
Unfortunately, I forgot to take a before picture, so use your imagination. It was just a plain old brown bureau with some scratches.

This piece is near and dear to my heart since I spent so much time in Lancaster. Some of the landmarks don't exist as businesses anymore, which gives it a more vintage feel.

I LOVE wooden knobs. I can do so many things with them. These are painted with Paris Gray mixed with a little bit of Graphite (as is the top). They're distressed and waxed with Briwax Antique Oak.

The body was painted with Graphite, with Old White lettering. It was waxed with Clear and then Antique Oak Briwax, followed by buffing for a nice patina.

I love the detail in the upper drawer, and accented it with Old White.

It almost seems at home here next to a field in Lancaster County.
It's a delightful size:
Height- 3'4"
Width- 2' 5"
Depth- 3' 5"
And, as always, let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!!!
Fondly, Tami

I'm linking to:

Skip to My Lou
Embellishing Life
Sisters of the Wild West
Today's Creative Blog
Tip Junkie 
Vintage Wannabee 
Not Just a Housewife 
Hope Studios
A Stroll Through Life
Topsy Turvy 
Domestically Speaking 
Trendy Treehouse 
The Thrifty Home 
Fameworthy Shot
Savvy Southern Style
Blue Cricket Design 
Handy Man, Crafty Woman 
Polka Dots on Parade 
No Minimalist Here 
A Diamond in the Stuff 
House of Hepworths 
The Shabby Creek Cottage 
Brandyscrafts 
Centsational Girl 
Miss Mustard Seed 
The Shabby Nest
My Romantic Home
Tatertots and Jello 
My Repurposed Life 
Fingerprints on the Fridge 
French Country Cottage 
Funky Junk Interiors 
Sisters of the Wild West 
Under the Table and Dreaming 
Homemaker on a Dime
I Heart Naptime
Between Naps on the Porch
Meg and Mum's
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
The DIY Showoff
Craftomaniac
Embellishing Life
Delightful Order 
brandyscrafts
sweetpeasandbumblebees
The 36th Avenue
Somewhat Simple
Primitive and Proper 
At Home With K 
HomeSavvyAtoZ 
Chic on a Shoestring 
Creating Really Awesome Free Things
Crafts Keep Me Sane
boogieboardcottage
The Girl Creative 
The GunnySack 
Homemaker on a Dime 
Polly Want a Crafter 
The Southern Institute 
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Singing Three Little Birds
Beyond the Picket Fence 
I Am Only 1 Woman 
Flamingo Toes 
Ginger Snap Crafts 
It's Overflowing 
One Woman's Haven 
DIY by Design 
Designer Garden 
Finding Fabulous for Less 
Be Different, Act Normal 
Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom 
My 1929 Charmer Blog
Embracing Change 
The Vintage Farmhouse

Mrs. Goodwill

Don't you all just LOVE Mrs. Goodwill. She's SO generous and loving. She lets me practially STEAL furniture from her. Good stuff. She's one of my besties!

Here's something she gave me while I was dropping youngest off at college. I was apoplectic to find a Goodwill in the very town where we are paying college tuition. The SECOND college tuition.
A few years ago, my dentist told me that after we started paying college payments, a new car payment would look like nothing. He was right.
So, here's the winner from Mrs. G. I call him "Stumpy."

He didn't have any ailments, except for some dry skin, resulting in a few cracks, but I soothed his aching, cracked dermititis with some filler. Then I sanded to reveal the wood, as smooth as a baby's derrier.

Blogspot is not cooperating with my photo uploads, so there's a nice break. Isn't that professional looking? Ugh. Anyway, I liked Stumpy's drawer. The hash marks make him look like he's been in a fight, but I think those are just symbols of the ladies who admired him in the store.

Here's the top. I used the reverse stencil technique, of which I am so fond. He needed a design, and I hope I didn't give him a gender identity crisis by putting on a few swirls.

Again, Froggers, the horizontal lines are not really part of the design.
The paint is Paris Grey and Graphite chalk paint. I distressed this guy a little, and applied clear Briwax. Don't tell him I said so, but I think he's pretty.
Thanks again for looking!
Fondly, Tami
Linking to:
Craftomaniac
Skip to my Lou
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Between Naps on the Porch
Savvy Southern Style
Beyond the Picket Fence 
Knick of Time Interiors 
Miss Mustard Seed
Sisters of the Wild West

Primitive and Proper

Oak Chest

Hey, Froggers. I've been busy getting more stuff ready for my NEW SPACE!!! Yup, I've taken the plunge. I've taken over some space in Lancaster, PA called Building Character. I am uber excited about it. My new business is called Howsewears- Wearable Art for your Home. I'll have pics of my space in a future post. Here's the newest item that will be placed in this funky warehouse:

She started out like this:

All in all, she wasn't bad looking.

She was a little roughed up.

She was missing the top key medallion, but never fear. I had a plan.

She needed some filling and sanding.

I started using some graphite chalk paint, having some idea of what I wanted, but I wasn't quite sure.

After much contemplation, a few sketches, several prayers, and some raw nerve, I started painting, using a dry brush technique and some old white chalk paint.

This was a lot of fun to do.

The key medallion was refashioned. I was going to just leave them off, but they added some character.

When I chipped off the existing 2 medallions, one of them was intact, so I used some mold n pour to make a mold, then I made 2 more out of Fimo clay. You can bake the clay in these molds, so that was incredibly useful. To unmold the clay would have distorted it too much.

Since the top didn't look too bad, I sanded her down, added several coats of mahogany Briwax, and buffed to a lovely luster. The top turned out so gorgeous, if I do say so myself.

The flaming is so lucious.



And here she is in her full glory. I'm kinda likin' her. But alas, she must take a trip to Building Character to find a new home. Do you like her?

Fondly, Tami

BTW, I'm linking to:

Somewhat Simple

Brambleberry Cottage

House of Hepworths

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Savvy Southern Style 

Beyond the Picket Fence

My Romantic Home 

Finding Fabulous for Less 

Simply Designing 

Coastal Charm 

Chic on a Shoestring 

Be Different, Act Normal 

Remodelaholic 

Sisters of the Wild West 

Tip Junkie 

Between Naps on the Porch 

2805 

French Country Cottage 

Miss Mustard Seed 

The Shabby Nest

The Southern Institute 

Knick of Time Interiors 

Today's Creative Blog 

Primitive and Proper 

A Diamond in the Stuff 

My 1929 Charmer Blog