Riding Out Hurricane Sandy

I'm just heartbroken for those on the shore during this terrible storm. Praying that lives are spared. We're riding this out here in SouthEastern PA, specifically Lititz. It's a scary time, but we still have power. We're waiting for the worst of it to be over, which won't be until tomorrow sometime. Please consider praying for our East Coast. Fondly, Tami

Ikea Table Re-furb and a Word about Briwax

So, I didn't know this table was an Ikea table until I had to tighten a bold, and realized I needed the Little Ikea Bold Tightener Thingy, which HubbyDoc so conveniently had in his tool box. After minor adjustments and lots of sanding, I ended up with this:

 (Sorry for the blurriness. The camera had just come out of the AC into the lovely, steamy miasma*)

I'm loving the different drawers on both sides.

This is my attempt at an artistic shot. You know. The "diagonal approach".

Now, there has been a lot of blog activity lately concerning making your own chalk paint vs. buying it, CeCe Caldwell’s vs. Annie Sloan, cost, latex vs. chalk, etc. And, I’ve seen some comments presented in a vituperative* manner…over PAINT. Sheesh!

So, if you disagree with me about what I’m going to say, be nice! I’m not getting paid by anyone to endorse anything. Just sayin’.

I just recently bought some Annie Sloan clear wax, mainly because I wanted to see if the effects would be any different than when I use Briwax.

Final verdict? I didn’t like it any better. I used it on the Queen Anne table that I re-furbed, and it applied just like Briwax and buffed just like Briwax. The only real difference was that the Annie Sloan wax doesn’t have noxious fumes, and the Briwax can get a little stinky.

And, the Briwax is about $9 cheaper per can.

Bottom line? I’m saving my AS wax for when it gets cold outside and I have to wax inside this winter.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Here's how I transformed this piece:
1. I sanded the top, using a palm sander, to remove the sheen and top coat of whatever they use. I made sure that I sanded the whole top down to the bare wood.
2. I used a base coat of ASCP Emperor's Silk.
3. I painted on a coat of ASCP Old Olive.
4. I brushed a coat of Antique Mahogany Briwax on the Old Olive and then buffed.
5. I sanded some random areas to reveal the Emperor's Silk.
6. Then I did the really fun part. I rubbed several coats of the Briwax on the sanded wood top, revealing the lovely wood grain.
I hope this inspires all you Froggers to transform something just plain useful into something useful and pretty.
Fondly, Tami

*words learned while helping my daughter study for the SAT.
I'm linking to:
DIY by Design 
Primitive and Proper

Updated Queen Anne Tables

I've been living with these tables for a long time, just waiting for the day when I could lighten them up. Darkeness, Oh how I hate you.

Don't get me wrong. I really liked this table at one time, when they were affordable while I was a young single nurse. I was able to buy them at an affordable price. They were in good shape, but my tastes have changed dramatically, and I want to lighten things up.

Here is the dramatic difference after just a few hours of work.

Another side by side.

Here's my favorite part. I sanded the top to get all of the dark color off, revealing a beautiful wood, ready to be waxed with my favorite Oak Briwax.

Here's the beautiful top. I will add a few more wax coats to give it some more durability. The legs were painted with ASCP in Old White, and finished with a light distressing and a coat of oak Briwax. I can't wait to do the second one, but alas, they may have to find their way to Building Character or a new venture in Lititz, which I will tell you about very soon.
Thanks for checkin' in!
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking to;
Miss Mustard Seed
Beyond the Picket Fence

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

A few more cute baby pics...

Hey, Froggers. Here are a few more pics for your viewing enjoyment. My daughter and I had SO much fun doing these, and Joshua really cooperated well!

I hope you like them!
Fondly, Tami

Baby Pictures Anyone Can Do

So, our friend came to visit. She has a newborn baby. My daughter and I had fun.

We took advantage of his newborn reflexes. We just put the strings in his hand and he grasped them.

We just looked around the house for simple props to match the ideas we had. My daughter had a collection of scarves and stuffed animals that came in handy.

My husband (yes- HUSBAND) had just made these German stars out of ribbon. Of course, we HAD to use them.

I admit that I saw something like this online. I can't remember where. Sorry. But, a lot of our ideas were original.
The key is to time this just right. Since our model was so young, we needed to take the pics when he was sleeping, after he had just eaten. Of course, the room needs to be warm. He loves to be bundled, so we obliged. ;)
We have SO many more ideas and we can't wait to try them out. Thanks, Joshua, for being such a good sport!
What ideas can YOU come up with?
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking to:
Crafty Confessions
Kammys Corner
A Diamond in the Stuff
The Tip Junkie
Savvy Southern Style
Stuff and Nonsense
Feathered Nest Friday 
Creative Me

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