DiLucca Designs and The French Hen Farm give away!

Here is a great opportunity to sign up for a chance to win Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!  I have been ordering my paint from DiLucca Designs since I started redoing furniture to sell, have had wonderful comments on the finish and colors.  I am an impatient painter, this paint makes me look like a patient pro.  Shouldn't be giving my secrets away, but this paint is too bright of a light to hide! So here is your chance to win some for your self. I signed up!

New look for a dated Armoire

This has been the largest piece of furniture I have tackled. An outdated pine Armoire that was at one time part of a waterbed bedroom set.  Dated!  It has held my clothes for many years, but this Armorie needed a new look.

 I used Annie Sloan's Country Grey.  Two coats, then the sanding started. I'd like to say that the sanding is an ordeal, but not with Annie Sloan paint. A breeze!  Sanding and Waxing went really fast. New knobs, white didn't work any more. So what do you think?  You can take a closer look at Checkered Corner's this weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  If it doesn't sell, I might add a second color as an accent. Maybe some hardware tinting......  When is a project done?   Good question. I could see myself chasing the piece and its new owner down the driveway with my paint brush waving in the air, and me yelling "What about....??????"

Fall is in the air.

I love this time of year, the days are still warm, but the mornings and evenings are getting that crisp coolness in the air.
For me this is the time of year to start new things. With an increased nesting drive, I clean and freshen and of course re-arrange.  Earlier this summer there was an urge to purge. That has transformed to urge to gather, organize and re-purpose.  Storing for winter?  Maybe.
 
I just placed my second order for Annie Sloan Paints.  It is so difficult choosing colors, I would like them all, eventually.  I started with the kit, and this time added Chateau Grey and Paris Grey to my Pallet.  Later this evening I'll collect a load of treasures from my sister, a mirrored commode and fabrics.  Haven't seen them yet so its a surprise.  Got to love surprises.

With School starting, my time seems easier to organize.  Still have some school shopping to fit in.  The furniture and shop prep are going well. Still so much to do.

In progress are a armorie, a keepsake chest, a desk chair, a dresser and vanity, & foot stool.  On deck are, well, we'll have to see. 

Chair revitalized With Annie Sloan and Pierre Deux

after annie sloan chalk paint & pierre deux

before ascp and pd

The  story of this chair is part of a fantastic outing I shared with a new friend.  Lets start at the beginning.  My son Michael and his Maria were at an estate sale and met Wayne.  Sad to say Wayne is in the process of closing his long established Antique Depot.  As vendors were clearing out their spaces he continued to have "occasional estate" sales at his location, Mike and Maria gave me his contact information and I called Wayne and then called Anita.  We had an appointment to see what was left on that following Tuesday morning.  I was looking for a few doors,(as I was having buyers remorse from selling the ones I had to Anita) and Anita was looking for what ever....    So come Tuesday morning my not very patient 5 yr old granddaughter, Hannah, Anita and I leave for the Superior Antique Depot, IN THE PORING RAIN.  Flood warnings were posted, gale warnings on "the big" lake were posted, high wind advisories were posted, but away we went.  I'm sure to some of you this is not a questionable action, others would have thought us questionable. To our defense we left early in the day when these weather advisories were only possibilities.  Anita brought an extra rain coat, at least one of us was prepared.  Well..... When we got there there Wayne lead us out back to the garages. A line of maybe 20 storage garages occupied by the treasures of different vendors.  As we stepped over the small stream like puddle in front of the garage doors, our eyes were focused at the opening door. By the time we left, three hours later, our heads were spinning.  I dropped Anita off as we all need some lunch and time to process what had just happened. My small truck was loaded with rain soaked picket fencing and shutters. But the majority of the loot was still in the garages.  Thankfully Anita's husband was able the process our transport logistical challenge.  He suggested a u-haul.  That's right, we needed a u-haul.  A fourteen foot u-haul.  We not only recruited Pat (Anita's Husband), but Mike (who got us into this), and my husband, Dave.  We stuffed the 14' u-haul, Mike's cargo van, my Audi sedan, and Anita made two trips with her Aspen. During the loading of these transportation modes the rain continued to fall.  The small puddle we stepped over earlier we now had to choose to stand in, or not cross on foot and straddle the u-haul over. The u-haul of course needed a jump,(thanks Mike) and thanks Pat for bravely driving the u-haul over the bridge in the 50+ mile per hour wind gusts.  

And this chair was part of my loot.  It was so groady that Dave washed it down with bleach water after it was stripped of its tactility offensive 70's covering.  Which by the way was in excellent condition, indestructible.  Next came Annie Sloan Country White, some sanding and Annie Sloan Clear Wax, new stuffing and this wonderful Pierre Deux Country French fabric.  It has a new life and a great story!

update on projects.

Here's an update on the Chair project I started awhile back.   I love the way it turned out.  I plan on making a few pillows with the remaining Laura Ashley fabric, just need to find some trim to match.  I'll be sad to see it go, they say not to become attached to your products, but it is my first and I have fallen in love with it.

It will be displayed with a desk that has been painted with my new toy, Annie Sloan paint and wax.  I ordered a starter kit with three different paint colors and two different waxes, one clear and one with a dark stain.  It thankfully came with a how to book on getting some different looks and finishes. (it comes from across the pond.)  The desk is my first venture with the paint. I just did one color and sanded down to the oak at the edges and other areas creating the distressed look.  The wax was new for me, it went on nicely and created a hard smooth finish. I did use the dark stain on the back board. I found a lamp with the coral flower on it. Together they'll look great!

 


All this has spurred me on to work on two night stands, they have received a base coat of country grey, ( a light khaki color) either a warm white or a soft blue/green will accent and then the sanding and distressing?  
We'll see...

I am so thankful to have an opportunity to explore this new venue. I plan to have a small stock pile of re-furbished furniture to show at Checkered Corners August Sale.  With Anita's help I have been exploring this whole sub-culture of occasional sales. I pray for the patience and diligence to learn about this over the next few months.  For once I'll be testing the waters with a toe and not a head first dive.
 

List is not a four letter word

Do you ever get a streak of defiance? So to get yourself back in line you vow to write a list and follow it.  but if you really look at that "to do list" it is a really negative activity.  You jot down everything you feel you should do, more than what is possible for one day,( setting your self up to fail). Then you do something and cross it off. at the end of the day you have a list hopefully full of ugly crossed out accomplishments.  Try this instead. A Pretty note book or piece of paper, a favorite pen or pencil. Then just write down what you've done. I keep mine on the island in the kitchen,(my command post), and when i walk by I look down and see my accomplishments clearly listed, and I feel great, Inspired to do more, to add to the list. At the end of the day I draw a line under the last item and add the date.  The next day I am reminded of how much I achieved the day before and start the new day on a positive note.  With maybe just a bit of a challenge to out do myself.  One day I had only one thing on my list, but it was a fantastic accomplishment.  I built a pool for a fountain.  Hauling about a ton of rock, by hand, really!  
So this method of make a list is by far more rewarding for me.  try it.....

A Step Closer

After a week in the twin cities, home again and back to the chair project. Before we left Dave had brought me a web stretcher and I had to wait to use it.  I can report that it worked great.  The new seat foundation is in and the padding for the seat is on and it is ready to add the wonderful Laura Ashley Fabric.  The picture doesn't the fabric justice.  The red is really a bright coral, even with the slight washed look the the print.  Can't wait to see it finished.  I have the vignette all pictured with the desk, lamp, and accessories. 

new endeavor

Today I came off a long ago detour in my creative path.  Long, oh so long, ago I did my own refurbishing of furniture. Today I opened my tool box and started again.  I have an idea for a chair and desk redo.  The chair is stripped and ready for a new seat and some wonderful Laura Ashley fabric.  The hard part will be parting with these first new creations, but behind this project already lurks the vision for the next endeavor.  You'll be able to see these creations at the August Sale of Checkered Corners.

a new view of the neighborhood

Once upon a time I had a floral, greenhouse and gift business, all that is left is a few empty buildings. But not for long. I would like to welcome the Checkered Corner to the neighborhood. And thank the owner, Anita, for opening a window on the world of antiques in 2011.  What a view.  I know it dates me but I have been out of that loop for quite some time. And antiquing has changed. Occasional shops and blogs.  Blogging for antiques and crafts and design ideas.  Now I tell everyone I know about this hidden world, and the treasures mapped out on the internet. As I travel the sites and find my way around I hope to define my goals and shape a niche for de'lea designs and maybe dust off and re-establish old dreams of Iris Cottage, in the future?  (That is how I came to have this blog.  Who knew? not I.) For now I feel like I have taken a peek at a world in a parallel dimension, all this has been going on and I just kept walking past the shuttered window.  Check out The Checkered Corner. Other favorite sites are Snowman Hill, Miss Mustard Seed, and the Old White Cottage.

let it snow

Today is April 27th, and we received 3 inches of snow to blanket our dormant grass last night.  Issssh.  I dislike the cold to begin with so this belated gift of white slip-covering is not appreciated.  Many northern Minnesota-ians started the day on the wrong foot.  My day started with a stiff neck, from dreaming of still floating while sharks were  swimming all around me. If you hold still and don't splash they might not notice you.  Then waking to the snow covered ground.  My 5 year old used a comb for a curling iron, untangling took 30 minutes, we were late for school.  I lost the key for the lock box, just in-case the real estate agent wanted to show the house, which I left in perfectly staged condition, no underwear on the floor behind the bathroom door.  So you must excuse me for calling my brother for a weather update in Naples Florida, 90 degrees and sunny, by the way.  and no sharks sited in the gulf.  Hope your day went better.