February 12, 2013

How Many China Cabinets? Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Tutorial

 
 How many do you have?
This was my first. 
There is a matching buffet across the room.


Got more dishes? 
You know what that's like, right?
Need another cabinet.
Love the curve across the front of this one.


This is the one I am working on right now.
Pink inside!
Annie Sloans Old White and Scandanavian Pink mixed with old white inside.

This is my newest love! 
 What a treasure.
 
Love the chicken wire on the side doors.
Also nice that it comes in two pieces.
Makes it much easier to move.


OK, Back to the one I am working on right now.
Notice the difference in the color on the top and the bottom

This is a better shot.  The piece has already been waxed with ASCP Clear wax and left to dry, then buffed.   On the left I applied ASCP Dark wax lightly, with a brush and rubbed it off quickly.  On the right I have not used the dark wax yet.  The way I do it the wax just darkens the paint slightly.  Some gals use lots of wax and get an even darker finish.  All I want to do is darken it slightly.
 
You can see here that I mixed probably 1/3 cup of Clear wax with 1/2 tsp. of dark wax to get this color.  I never use the dark wax without mixing it first with clear.  It is just too dark for my taste.

 
I ever so slightly dip my waxing brush in in the dark mix.  Just a tiny bit on the tip of the brush.  Then I sort of dry brush it with the grain across the surface of the piece.

 
With a clean rag I wipe the dark wax off.
In the crevices on the right you can see bits of the dark wax.

 
This foot has not been waxed yet but above it has.
This is just the technique I use to get the finish I want for my pieces.


Here she is all finished.  She will sit for 24 hours then I will buff her and fill her with dishes!
She is sitting on the big wall in the sunroom.  This room is becoming an extension of my kitchen.
Wait till you see what I do with this room.
This is another pic of the top with the dark wax and the bottom still to do.
I remember before I started using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I was scared to start for fear of messing up a piece of furniture.  After a bit you get fearless, so don't delay, jump right in you will love the results.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
 
Party Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

February 1, 2013

Large Embossed Metal Box?

 Hello Friends,
I went antiquing with my friend Joy on Thursday and this is one of the treasures I came home with.

 
 It's a large embossed box.  It is 20 X 13 X 16" deep.  It has a wonderful cottage on the top.  In the right hand corner it says "Ann Annaways Cottage.  Guess I'll have to do a little google research and see what I can find.


The ends are just hammered metal.  Nothing fancy.


It is very clean on the inside.  I wonder if it had a specific purpose or if it was just for decoration and storage.

It has a little chain on one corner so the lid stays opened.

 The back.
The front has an English street scene.  There is a pub on the left with a sign handing out front.
Sweet!
In my mind I am seeing it painted Annie Sloan Old White then rubbed with a little dark wax to bring out the pictures.  Then maybe a little rub of gold.  Any other suggestions?  I would love to hear your ideas.   What would you do with it?
Thanks for stopping by
~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~ 
 
 
I am linking to these parties this week:
 
 
 
 
 

January 23, 2013

Sweet New / Old Crystal Chandy

 
 A Dream Has Come True!
Isn't she a Beauty?

 
 I have been wanting an old crystal chandy for so many years.
A few months ago I want to an auction and there she was. . .calling my name.
"Ahrisha. . .Do you see me hanging here in the corner?"
"Take me Home."  She whispered.
 
That's a reflection of the Christmas tree in the mirror.  Yes, it's still up and I am lovin' it.

There is a tiny little metal tag wired to the top labeled "SPAIN".
Lots of bronze and crystals.  Just like I requested.
I am considering replacing the candles with new creamy colored ones with the drippy wax running down the sides.  What would you do,  Keep it original or replace them?
 
I hung her in a corner of the livingroom by the sofa for reading light.  I love to curl up here with a book.
 
I am sharing at these wonderful blog friends.
Stop by for a visit.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
 
 
 

December 31, 2012

Joyeux Noel


Holiday Greetings to all my Wonderful Blog Friends~ ~ ~


I am in love with my flocked Silver and White tree.

 Wishing you Shining Days and Nights
Filled with the Peace and Joy


Of this Blessed Season.
 
 
May 2013 Be Your Best and Happiest Year Ever.
 

I am so looking forward to it.
 
See you all in the New Year.
~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~
Stop by these great blogs for a visit.
www.savvysouthernstyle.net

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
 

October 23, 2012

A SERVER AND ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT


Hello Friends~ ~ ~
I found this great little server and it is perfect for the small space I have.  The above picture is the finished color after I painted it with ASCP in Scandavian Pink first then Cream and a mix of cream and olive to make a sage color over the pink.  I did a sort of stippling over the pink with the cream and sage.
 The finish after waxing looks amazing.  Here is a close up.

 I love how the pink pokes out here and there.  I was careful not to fill in all the spots with the stippled colors.  The finished color looks like leather or suede.

The below picture is the beginning of the process.  Have you tried ASCP in Scandavian Pink yet.  I love the old world shade of pink that it is.


 
 
 
 
 
 










 

 
 
This pic above is the stippling that I did with the Cream and the Sage color that I mixed up.  It looks just awful till you first wax it with clear wax then with the dark wax to really blend the colors.  Then I wax it again with clear wax to further remove some of the dark wax.  I did not use the dark wax until I mixed it with a lot of the clear wax to tone the shade of brown that it is down to a lighter brown.  This technique works the best for me and makes it easier to remove most of the dark wax.


 After each waxing I let the wax dry overnight before I buffed it to a shine.  I'm not sure if you have to wait that long but it just worked for me.   Now scroll back up to the top picture to see the finished server again.  What a difference.  This technique is not for everyone but for just one piece here or there I love it. 
I am off to the garage to finish painting my new/old bedroom suite.  Gotta love this ASCP !

Sorry about the spacing of this post but I have yet to understand how to load my pictures.  If I attempt to move them around after loading I get big spaces.  I am at my wits end.  If you have suggestions I would love to hear them.
Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

July 5, 2012

July 4th. Picnic


Hello Friends~ ~ ~
I was looking for a creative way to set up my picnic table.

Instead of a centerpiece I did an arrangement at one end of the table.
First I covered the table with a French Provencial cloth.

 I placed the napkins in an old crock.
You can purchase great big colorful napkins at Ikea.

 The silver in blue ball jars. . .
 The glasses in my Pottery Barn carrier. . .
 and the white dinner plates stacked all at one end of the table
under the old oak tree.
Everyone helped themselves from the bounty and found a place to sit under the wonderful oak tree.
The shaded coolness was appreciated by all.
Hope you are enjoying your holiday week.

TIP:  A centerpiece doesn't have to be in the center of the table.
Think outside the box and have fun!

I am linking to these great parties:

Happy 4th. Of July Week~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

June 13, 2012

A Little Of This And That

Hello Friends~ ~ ~
Sharing some of the fun things I have seen and been doing this Spring.
How do you like this Beetle?  Isn't she a Gem?


Saw her for sale on the way home from the beach.
She is PINK so she has to be a girl, right?


There was a red one too.
I can't stand it how  cute they are.
I love my silver Beetle but this is amazing.
Think I'm A little to old to be seen driving it but it sure does pull at my heartstrings.


While at Ocean City, MD I found this candy shop on the boardwalk.
Their candy is hand made and I purchased a pound of dark chocolate caramels


With sea salt on top! I highly recommend this candy.


Last fall Mom and I took clippings (slips) from our gernaniums.  They were first put into water till they grew roots.  Then we potted them into tin cans, just like Grandma used to do, and grew them on the window sills all winter.
They are now planted in the garden and doing well.
Pictures to follow.

This is a close up of Moms pride and Joy.  A lamp she got right after she and Daddy got married many years ago.  Actually there were two matching lamps but Daddy broke one of them many years ago but he blamed it forever on the cat.  So funny.  Daddy was quite a character.  Miss him very much and honor him this Fathers Day.

Wishing all of you a lovely Fathers Day.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~