Whitewash Painting

Sorry it's been so long! My hubby has been out of town, which means, yes I'm getting a lot of crafting in, but no time to blog about it... uh hummm... kids! :)

I have so many things I want to show you, and most of them are about 50% of the way done... I have this problem of starting something, then I find another project that I get too excited about and end up with way too many things at the same time! 

But for today I'm going to share a little about WHITEWASH PAINTING. 

For those of you who have never even heard of whitewashing, basically it allows you to sill be able to see the wood underneath, yet give it lightly brushed painted look also. I think it looks super rustic and SO cute!

My sister in-law is super crafty and incredibly good with tools/saws/you name it! She was nice enough to help me make this frame for me the other day in just about 10 minutes! Here's the background- I bought this picture a few years ago and LOVED the picture but HATED the frame. I've never got around to getting a new one for it because I thought it would cost a ridiculous amount of money to re-frame something that big, but just recently decided to make one instead.

Start to finish:

I already started taking the picture out, but you get the idea...

Before & After...

Of course I forgot to take the very first picture, but this is the frame Kym made. I decided to stain the wood in Watco Dark Walnut (I think)...

To stain the frame all I did was use a paintbrush to brush on the stain (super easy, you can see the wood change color immediately) and let it sit to dry. If you have a sealed surface you're working with you'll want to sand it down, then start the whitewashing process. After staining, I mixed 2 parts paint to 1 part water. You really can use any color of paint, I chose one that I already had in my stash, which was just an off-white (sorry, getting the name of the color would require me to get my bum off my couch :) ) Mix it up really well and dip your brush VERY lightly into the paint. Using a soft touch, brush the paint on in long strokes, it doesn't have to be even.

This picture is super dark, I know, but you can see on the side how light and uneven the paint is on the first coat...

 After you brush it on, while the paint is still wet, use a rag to wipe off some or all of the paint. The paint will soak into the wood so you won't be able to wipe it off completely. It will dry a little darker so wait and watch the color. You can add however many coats you want. This is after the first coat...

 I still wanted it a little whiter, so I added one more coat and this is the final...

 I LOVE how the wood still shows through...

Total cost of my new frame: $6

Cleaning Dried Up Paint Brushes

Ok, I'm cheating today. I found this post that I loved from Infarrantly Creative. I'm sure there's lots of you out there, like myself, that forget to clean your brushes until it's too late and you've let them dry too long :(. I have plenty of those brushes, just sitting in a bag waiting for me to clean them! Anyway, HERE is a great post on how to clean them and what to use.

*Tip: When you're done with one coat, put your paintbrush in a zip lock bag so you don't have to rinse it out before your next coat. It always takes too long for your brushes to dry and if you use them too soon they'll usually drip water into your paint.

Bedding Issues & How to Solve Them

If you've ever had any problems with the following, then this is a must-read post...

1. Is your pillow-top mattress too big for your sheets to cover completely?

2. Does your comforter slip inside its duvet cover?

1.

We have a big king size pillow-top mattress that has NEVER been able to keep the sheets on and it drives me crazy. Let me just add that the mattress is silky, so EVERYTHING slips. Anyway, you get the idea. A little while ago, I came across THESE fantastic things from Bed, Bath & Beyond that work great! We never have a problem with slipage (yes, slipage :)) anymore! Hallelujah! They also sell other accessories, so if you need something similar check out their other products.

2.

What's with us and the silky, but yes, our duvet cover is silky/satiny also! Which means my duvet slides all over the place and drives me CRAZY! Luckily while I was at Bed, Bath and Beyond that same day I got the other things, these were on an outside isle and jumped out at me immediately. So to fix my problem of my slipping duvet cover I purchased THESE , which have been AWESOME! It comes in a pack of 4 that attach to each corner, but I'm actually thinking about getting 4 more to put in between also- just for good measure.

**And no, B,B&B is not paying me to advertise for them (unfortunately), I just have loved these products and hope to help any of you!

Does anyone have any better suggestions? Like anywhere to purchase sheets that actually fit your bed? Last time I checked this is the 2010's, shouldn't they be making more customized sheets by now?!? :)

Ridiculously Cheap Wall Art

Sorry to keep you in suspense with the toilet paper rolls!

I found this idea on Design*Sponge a long time ago and recently remembered it and decided after looking at some bare walls of mine to recreate what they had done.

Total cost: $2.00

Tutorial:
(you can also read the Design*Sponge tutorial here)

Collect lots of toilet paper rolls (I asked friends and family to contribute... thank you again everyone!)

Make sure you get all the toilet paper off of them :). Squish them flat and cut into 4 equal pieces- doesn't have to be perfect. I did 3 pieces but I wish I would've done 4.
This is what they all look like...

Start arranging them in whatever pattern looks good to you. Mine started out looking like a small animal :) ...Glue them together and use laundry pins to hold them in place. (I was too anxious to start the project so I did what any hairdresser would've done- I used bobby pins! Worked like a charm!) ...

Once your entire piece is done and the glue is completely dried, flip it over and chip of any glue residue that you can see from the back. Again, doesn't have to be perfect, just get the big pieces, if there are any...

I laid mine on a good ol' Costco box (I knew keeping those would come in handy) and spray painted it...

And the finished product...

After finishing and placing it, I've decided I either need to make another one to go right next to it, make it bigger, or put it in a different place. But, for now, it's above my bed, where eventually my headboard will go. Don't worry that I've had all the stuff to make it for a good 5 months now... whoops!

Maybe the bathroom would be a more appropriate room!

What do you think? Not too shabby considering the cost, eh? And by the way, the cost was just from the spray paint.


Questions/Comments:
Click the comment link right below this post or email me at ashleysfurniturefix@gmail.com

Sneak Preview...

Of the project I've been working on! It involves these ...

It's been sitting on my table for far too long so cross your fingers it will be done soon! :)

The Beauty of Modge Podge

One way to spice up your furniture is adding paper, fabric, paintable wall paper, etc. to your piece. Modge Mod Podge is basically glue that dries clear and is awesome :). Great definition, I know. It's super easy to use and adds lots of character to whatever you're doing.
*****
I kept this little table in my sons room right next to my rocker, but it was originally somewhere else in my house and never matched the rest of the room. So one year later I decided it was time to match! I, of course, forgot the before picture, but this is just after it's been sanded down just a little...
*After I sanded, I primed with KILZ spray primer and spray painted with Krylon black satin sheen. I only used the KILZ because I didn't have anything else on hand, but since I was painting the table black it would've been smarter to use a gray primer (just so I wouldn't have needed more coats). No big deal though, it's a tiny table.

*After the table dried I turned it over onto my piece of fabric, traced around the outside of it and then cut it.
*After modge-podging 3 different pieces I had cut out I finally decided I was too big of a perfectionist for the fabric thing so I ripped it off and went with paper instead... I know, lame, but every time I glued it it bugged me that you could tell the fabric wasn't PERFECTLY round. Note to self: if you're using fabric, maybe stick to squares and rectangles. Or maybe just don't be too picky like myself!

*My table was too big for one large sheet of paper so I decided to do a little patch-work. I first modge-podged all of my scrap paper together, then turned the table over onto it, traced around it, cut, then glued to the top of the table. Here's the final product...

Do you like?

A helpful Modge Mod Podge tip:

Be careful not to use too much!! If you use too much it causes air bubbles or can seep through your fabric or paper. Just brush on a small amount, then wait for your paper/fabric/whatever to dry, then reapply another coat on top of whatever you used. I always like waiting for it to dry because I swear you get more air bubbles if you reapply right over the top! I think it's personal opinion though, I know lots of people that reapply right away. So really just do whatever your little heart tells you to! :)

*By the way, after I mod-podged and laid the paper down, I waited for it to dry, then applied 2 more coats on the top, allowing dry time in between coats. I haven't yet, but will also add a layer of polycrylic to give it an extra layer of protection just in case... let's be honest, it's in a kids room, so it will probably need it!

WHAT THE HECK IS GLAZE???

I get asked this question a lot, and quite frankly I couldn't have answered that myself just a couple years ago! Hopefully this info will help some of you!

******

*For starters, if you have absolutely NO clue what glaze is, it's a translucent liquid that can be tinted or mixed with paint to create an antique look, which, to me is probably the quickest, easiest method there is.

*It can be used on anything that has more decorative designs (crevices :) )that you want to see stand out and if you don't want bother with any sanding for distressing. Here are a few examples:


*Ok, so if you've never used or even seen the stuff, let me explain it:

I think it kind of looks like thin glue when you first open the can, but maybe that's just me! It comes in many different brands and colors. You can buy plain glaze and have them tint it for you in the color of your choice or you can buy a can of glaze and separate cans of paint (color of your choice) and mix it yourself. I usually prefer to do this because glaze goes a LONG way so it allows you to use multiple colors for different pieces of furniture. HOWEVER, if you're using black glaze you'll want to have them tint it for you! Why? Because the glaze is white so if you buy black paint to mix into it it will only go a charcoal gray. It's science :)

*Where to buy it: I usually get mine from Home Depot or Lowes depending on which is closer. It's in the paint section, ask someone if you can't find it. There are different brands, but so far I've been happy with this and this. And trust me, a quart will almost always be more than plenty!

So Now what?
1.
After your piece is completely dried and you've properly mixed your glaze if needed (4 parts glaze to 1 part paint) using a paintbrush or rag, wipe the glaze in small sections across your piece, making sure to get in all the crevices (man I hate that word!). If your piece has a lot of crevices make sure to use a bristle brush to make it easier.
2.
Using your rag, wipe off the glaze however you choose, leaving however much color you like. This is all personal opinion, but you usually don't want a ridiculous amount of glaze ... unless you like that kind of thing :)

If you're scared at first, try using a damp cloth to start out with, it's easier to control the glaze that way. I like to brush it on dry, wipe off, then use a damp cloth if I have to. I also keep a small bowl of water next to me just in case.
*And p.s. don't use colored rags, they always get little fuzzies on the piece.
3.
Continue in small sections until your piece is finished. If you need to wipe any glaze off, do it quickly using a damp cloth. Glazing in small sections is always best when you're getting used to the glaze because it's harder to work with the longer you let it sit. If it sits too long it will dry and get flaky.

*If you would like to see photos of the process, go HERE for a great tutorial on All Things Thrifty


** Did any of that make sense to anyone? And does it help?? Your comments are appreciated! :) **

Rocking Chair Re-Do

So I'm still posting about my mom's house! This was another one of our weeks worth of make-overs, just a random chair she had sitting in the guest bedroom with a blanket covering it:

So we glued a wooden applique on it, primed it, spray painted, and glazed it and now she looks like this:

p.s. Sometimes appliques are hard to find. I've found that a lot of store workers don't know what you're talking about, but you can find them in Home Depot or Lowes by the lumber section in accessories. Or if you're lucky enough to live close to a Hobby Lobby (which, I can THANKFULLY say that I do now!!!) they usually have a bigger selection for cheaper, but don't sell many big appliques. And, I apologize, but I can't remember which section they're in.

And again, I'm sorry, but more on glaze later. I've had a lot of people ask what it is and how to use it, so I'll get to that soon I promise!

A "New" Toy Box

My husband got me this chest a few years ago for blankets and what not, but slowly it just turned into a toy box... that's what happens after you have kids I guess :) ! Anyway, it was in major need of an update, and after considering just getting a new one I decided to be cheap and make due for now. So this is what happened...

About a yard and a half of fabric and 45 minutes later, she turned into this...

I know what you're thinking, the top TOTALLY needs paint, but I haven't decided on that one yet. My 3 year old likes to color on this and, let's be honest, isn't the best colorer (not a word, I know!) so it gets a lot of marker, paint, crayon, you name it marks. Sooo, until I decide what to do with the rest of it, or what to do with her, it will stay half ugly... and I'm ok with that.

So how did I do it? ...

1- Measure out your fabric to make sure it will fit!

2- Remove the top and handles

3- If your fabric will go all the way around, fantastic, but I just used some I had already in 2 pieces... so I folded the edges around the back and hot glued them (just to make a seam, without having to sew) and it ended up looking like this:
Look closely in the center of the picture and you can see the seam down the middle. If your fabric fits all the way around then just have your seam in the back of your chest or basket or whatever it is that you're covering.

4- Pull your fabric over the edges of the top and staple, making sure your fabric stays even and leaving enough room to staple it to the bottom also.

5- Staple the entire top, gathering the fabric a little on the edges, then once that's tight turn over your piece and staple the bottom, pulling the fabric so it's tight again.

6- Once you're finished stapling you can go back on your seam (where the 2 sides come together) and hot glue it shut if you need to. You might not have to, though, if you've stapled your fabric tight enough.

And wah lah! You're done! So easy!


Stuff Ya Need:

Fabric
Staple gun
Glue gun
Screw Driver (to remove the top or any handles)

*I now feel like my toy box is bearable, although my daughter did not notice at all. Should I be offended? :)

My Great Grandma's Chair

Some of you have probably already seen this on my family blog, but I had to add it to this one because it's probably my favorite favorite favorite thing I've done!

I was given this bedroom set from my sister (of my great grandma's) a few years ago and this chair came with it. It sat in my garage forever until I finally decided to put it in my kids bathroom and reupholster it with the same fabric I used to make my shower curtain. Took me long enough to decide, but I'm glad it did, I loved how it turned out...

What I Did:

1-Ripped off all the old nasty upholstery

2-Sanded with fine sand paper (since the piece was so old it didn't need a ton of sanding)

(no, I did not prime this piece)

3-Painted with Behr primer and paint in one
**P.S. I would not recommend paint and primer in one... Why? Well, I do hair, so I'll use this as an example- Shampoo & Conditioner in one?? Why mix them together for a mediocre result when, really, each of them has their own specific job that should be done separate?? ... Same goes for paint and primer (at least that's what I think, but I'm not a professional painter, so what do I know? :) ).**

4-Glazed
**more to come on glaze later**

5-After the paint dried, I bought new foam, covered it in fabric and used a staple gun to staple it to the bottom. Then we (my sister in law helped me with the reupholstering) stapled the back panel on, stuffed it as we stapled, and hot glued the decorative ribbon stuff (can't think of its name right now! ha!) around the edges.


You like?