NEW PROJECTS, A FEW TIPS AND BISCOTTI

I have been a painting fool over the past few days. The Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Class with Stacey lit a fire under me and really helped motivate me to complete basement projects. I am trying so hard not to spend money on new projects until I have made a good dent in what I have. I have chairs coming out of my ears and I have an amazing freebie french piece that I now feel like I have vision for.
Today, I put first coats on two side tables, finished up two painted frames, made a hook out of a cabinet door and began a recycled place card project. 

The finishes on the frames are beautiful. This is a finish that I have longed to master and I feel really close. I painted Paris Gray over gold frames and let them dry really good. I sanded them with a wet rag and then I used a coat of clear wax and then a coat of dark wax. The trick that I learned from Stacey about taking off the dark wax with clear wax made for a beautiful finish. After I coated the dark wax really good, I took an old t shirt and dabbed some clear wax on it, rubbed over the dark wax, taking off all the excess. The result was amazing.










At the chalk paint class, Stacey gave us all cabinet doors to paint to practice our finishes. I wanted to do something creative with mine so I attached a crown hook and made it functional. I used a saw tooth hanger on the back so that it can be hung on the wall.




This is the piece where we sanded with a wet rag. Honestly, the finish turned out way better than if I had used sand paper.



Here is another chalk paint tip.....

I have been using artists brushes instead of your everyday thick paintbrush from the paint section at Lowe's or Home Depot. The paint goes on smoother and it saves a TON of paint. It is is easier to get into the cracks and crevices as well. You can also use a large chip brush.


 
 
 


I also wanted to give a shout out to Bella's Biscotti for sending us some amazing yummies made with whole ingredients. I looked on the back....no chemicals! YAY! She sent them to the class for us to try and they were wonderful. If you love a good Biscotti you can order them here.

Now for second coats...........