North Star

I have worked on this old nightstand for awhile now.  It's still not all the way done but it's getting close.  

Here it is today.  Here is the old girl when I began a few months ago. 

I think it looks a little neater now, what do you think? 

I started by cutting out a vinyl design on my Silhouette Studio.  I then wood burned the image onto the wood table top. 

I then colored all of the compass and  I did an overall dark stain with Americsn Finishes Java Gel stain.  I liked it but I wanted to fade it out just a bit.  

The top is the more faded out look.  I did go back in later and apply more stain. 

When I had that big primer day, this was one of those pieces I primed with several other pieces. 

Then I went in and I sprayed it all "old white" color.  I used the Annie Sloan color and I had Home Depot match it in Behr paint because spraying chalk paint doesn't work well but I wanted the same color.  When requested I do use Original Annie Sloan but it's one I paint on without a sprayer. 

I sprayed the handles in Rustoleum in Oil Rubbed Bronze finish.  It still needs another day or two of work. (and a few more screws for the handles)  once I spray one more finish coat on the sides and clear coat the top it will be done but I just wanted to show it to you today. 

Have a great day, 

Lori 

A painting predicament

Last month I purchased a whole bunch of paint test colors.   I was so excited to buy little project sized paints in blues, greens, pinks and all the colors I only needed a little sample size of. 

After tax each comes to about $4 and that includes them tinting it to any color you choose.  I was super happy,  until I opened one a few weeks later.  It was completely solid!  Then I opened them all,  this is a picture of the best one. 

It just looks like it needs to be stirred, right? 

It's turned to paste.   Now this wasn't chalk paint or specialty paint,  it was just latex samples.  Then I went and checked my custom paint I had made and put in bottles,  they were completely solid as well.   I have had paint in cans that I have stored in the garage and it has lasted forever.  I am not sure why but plastic and glass containers seem to make the paint get hard in a short amount of time because of the temperature changes in my garage.  

    I am blogging about it just to let you know my mistake so if you are doing projects at home you don't throw money away like I just did.  It was only about $25 dollars but when you have a tight budget that can really hurt. 

On a good note,  I had splurged and paid about $4 for this scented paint additive before, and I tried it today.  I love Glade's scents for my home and I wanted to see if this made the paint smell as good as the air freshener and candles I use.  It does!  

I only added a couple of drops to an unfrozen sample. (it was in my laundry room, where I am going to start storing my paint from now on)  I am glad my tiredness/laziness of not wanting to go back in the cold saved this little guy.  It smells great and less like stinky paint!

   I had the hubby and kids smell the regular scent sample and the additive one and say which one they liked better.  It was unanimous.  The packaging said your project is supposed to retain the good smell for several weeks,  on walls or wherever you paint.  I will be trying the other scents in the future,  it was a really pleasant smell and I enjoyed painting much more with using it.   

   I am not getting paid to mention any of these products so when I tell you that I like them,  it is genuine!  

  I did get some work done on a dresser that I am staining/painting and I should have more photos tomorrow.  

Lots of luck with your projects!  

Lori