More Furniture Makeovers

I found some more ugly furniture that I thought had great potential.  These little end tables just needed some paint.

I forgot to take any after pictures until I already had everything placed at the antique mall.  Because I'm smart like that.  I really like the way they look with the cream paint though.  All I did with these was a couple of good coats of spray paint.

Then there was these horribly ugly chairs.  They were super cheap so I thought it was a good time to practice my upholstery skills.

Pretty hideous, right?  They actually look better in the pictures than they did in real life.  Yikes!

Ahhh, much better.  Again, I just gave these a couple of good coats of spray paint.  My sweet hubby cut new seat bottoms for me.  I added new foam, batting, and fabric and ta-da. 

The fabric wasn't my first choice but someone had given it to me and for my practice run, I was trying to keep the cost down.  All in all, I guess they didn't turn out too bad.

Painted Credenza....and a Milk Can

Today I'm sharing my second attempt at painting furniture with chalk paint.  I thought I would share my before and after photos and also a few lessons I learned along the way.  First, the fun stuff....
before

 Pretty awesome, right?  Okay, not so much.
after

Just a little better.  I really liked the detail of the cabinet, just not the wood tone.  Same with the hardware, I liked the detail, but not the finish.

I got out some black homemade chalk paint that I had made earlier and stirred it up.  Lesson number one learned- homemade chalk paint is awesome but it can't be stored.  So only mix up what you are going to use right then.  All the plaster of paris settles out to the bottom and when you stir it up you get a bunch of chunks in your paint.  Lesson number two-if you do end up with paint like this, don't go ahead and put a coat on.  I did because I didn't want to go get more paint, thinking it would somehow be okay.  It was not.  So I had to sand off all those little bumps (not fun!) and go get more paint.  Lesson number three-not all black paint is black paint apparently.  The second black paint came from a different store and as soon as I opened it I wasn't in love with the tone.  But I went ahead and put it on, thinking that it would dry to the tone I wanted.  It got a little better as it dried, but it wasn't quite what I wanted.  Oh well, it was painted, and it really didn't look bad, so I spray painted the hardware, put on a coat of wax, put the hardware back on, and called it good.

Love that detail now!
I really didn't want to throw away all of the first paint that I had mixed up (the lumpy stuff) and I had a milk can that I was planning on painting.  I decided the gritty of the paint would actually look good on the milk can since I was going for that primitive look.

It worked.  I made a stencil out of newspaper and spray painted the star on, then touched up around it.
Both of these pieces are now for sale at our booth at the Factory.

V-Stitch Cardigan for Barbie

Today's pattern is a cardigan sweater for Barbie.  This pattern will fit both the tnt older style barbie and the belly button newer style Barbie, although the fit will of course be slightly looser on the newer style.

My blonde barbie is the older style.

My brunette barbie is the newer style.  I actually don't like this sweater as good in the pictures as I do in real life. Huh, I guess it's just one of those things that didn't photograph well.

Size 10 thread
Number 5 steel hook

One note before we get started.  When I joined the seams, I used the same thread and just worked a sl st.  You could also use a regular needle and thread. (I was just too lazy to go get one.)  Also, there are going to be a LOT of threads to be worked in.  At places like seams, instead of doing all that weaving in, I cheated and tied the threads securely, then trimmed close.  Again, I'm lazy.

Ch 53
R1)  Work 3 dc in 6'th chain from hook, and in every 3'rd chain across, ending with 1 dc in last chain.  Ch 3, turn.
R2)  Work 2 dc into the space between dc and 3dc in previous row, then work 3 dc in every space between sets of 3 dc across, ending with 3 dc worked into ch 3 space.  Ch 3, turn.
R3)  Work 3 dc into every space between sets of 3 dc across, ending with 1 dc into ch 3 space.  Ch 3, turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 8 more rows-11 rows total.

Right front:
R1)  Work 2 dc into space between dc and 3 dc in previous row, then work 3 dc into next 3 spaces between sets of 3 dc's.  Ch 3, turn.
R2)  Work 3 dc into space between sets of 3 dc across, ending with 1 dc into ch 3 space.  Ch 3, turn.
R3)  Repeat row 1.
R4)  Work 3 dc into next 2 spaces between sets of 3 dc, 1 dc in last space between sets of 3 dc.  Ch 3, turn.
R5)  Work 2 dc into space between dc and 3d, work 3 dc into space between sets of 3 dc, and dc 3 into ch 3 space, ch 3, turn.
R6)  Work 3 dc into spaces between sets of 3 dc, 1 dc into ch 3 space, finish off.

Left Front:
Sl st to ch 3 sp on opposite side, ch 3.
Repeat rows as for right front.

Back:
R1)  Skip first space between 3 dc's, sl st into next space.  Ch 3, 2 dc into same space.  3 dc into each space across, stopping at second to last space.  Ch 3, turn.
R2)  3 dc into each space across, 1 dc into ch 3 space.  Ch 3, turn.
R3)  2 dc into space between dc and 3 dc.  3 dc into each space across and into turning ch 3 space.  Ch 3, turn.
R4)  Repeat row 2.
R5)  Repeat row 3.
R6)  Repeat row 2.
R7)  2 dc into space between dc and 3 dc, 3 dc into next space,  1 dc into next space, sc into next 6 dc, 1 dc into next space, 3 dc into next 2 spaces.  Finish off.
Stitch together at shoulder seams.

Sleeve:
Ch 17
R1)  Work 3dc in 6'th ch from hook, and into every third ch across, ending with 1 dc worked into last ch.  Ch3, turn.
R2)  Work 2 dc into space between dc and 3 dc, then work 3 dc into every space between 3 dc across, ending with 3 dc worked into starting ch space.  Ch 3, turn.
R3)  Work 3 dc into every space between across, ending with 1 dc in turning ch 3.  Ch 3, turn.
R4)  Repeat row 2
R5)  Repeat row 3
R6)  Repeat row 2
R7)  Repeat row 3
R8)  Work 2 dc into first space, work 3 dc into next space,  work 3 dc into next space, ch 1, work 3 more dc into same space, work 3 dc into last 2 spaces, ch 3, turn.
R9)  Work 3 dc into each space across, including space created by ch 1, work 1 dc into turning ch 3, ch 3, turn.
R10)  Repeat row 2
R11)  Work 3 dc into first two spaces, work 3 dc, ch1, 3 dc into next space, work 3 dc into last two spaces, dc into turning ch, ch 3, turn.
R12)  Work 2 dc into space between dc and 3 dc, work 3 dc into every space across, including space created by ch 1, ending with 3 dc worked into turning ch 3, ch 3, turn.
(for 3/4 length sleeve, stop here and continue to sleeve cap)
R13)  Repeat row 3
R14)  Repeat row 2
R15)  Repeat row 3, but ch 4 and turn.
(row 16 begins the sleeve cap)
R16)  Work 3 dc into each space between 3 dc across, triple crochet into turning ch, ch 4, turn.
R17)  Repeat row 16
R18)  Repeat row 16.  Finish off.
Stitch together long sides of sleeve, beginning at bottom of row 1, and ending at top of row 15.  Turn sleeve right side out and place into armhole of sleeve, right sides together, and making sure that sleeve seam is centered at bottom of armhole (space between 3 dc's), stitch sleeve into armhole. To make sure that you are getting sleeve stitched in evenly, the middle set of 3dc in last row of sleeve should line up with the shoulder seam of the bodice.
Repeat for other sleeve.

If you want, you can stop right here and you will have a perfectly acceptable sweater.  Or you can keep going for a different look.  Like this.

Haha!  A sweater that actually buttons!

Front band:
Left Side)  Join with sl st to bottom of left front, ch 2.  Work 21 hdc evenly up front edge.  Ch 2, turn, skip first stitch, work hdc in each stitch back down front and in beginning ch 2.  Finish off.
Right Side)  Join with sl st to bottom of right front, ch 2.  Work 21 hdc evenly up front edge.  Ch 1, turn.  Work sc in first 2 stitches, *ch 2, skip next 2 stitches, sc in next 3 stitches*, repeat 3 times.  Ch 2, turn.  Skip first st, hdc in each stitch, working 2 hdc into ch 2 spaces.  Finish off.
Sew buttons, 4 of them, (approx. 3/8" size,can be slightly smaller but I don't recommend going any larger) onto left side of band to coordinate with the button holes created on the right side. 

The back view.

Front view on the other doll.

And back view on the other doll.

Etsy Shop is Open!!!

Hey all, not a very long post today, but I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that I have been busy today getting my Etsy shop open and stocked with some doll clothes.  So far I have jeans for AG/18" dolls and a couple of dresses for Barbie.
Now it's back to work for me while ya'll get to go shopping!

P.S.  If the above link doesn't work please let me know.  Thanks.

More Wood Crafts and Some Other Randomness

Hey all, apparently I am in painting mode lately.  First up, remember that little wood shelf I painted the other day?  There was a part that the hubby removed from it that I thought could be turned into a cute little key shelf.

That, plus some white paint, plus some little white hooks, throw in a little sanding on the corners, and I ended up with this.

I think it turned out kinda cute.  On a side note, you know how the projects that should be super simple end up being the most complicated.  The hubby volunteered to put the hooks on for me.  I'm glad I took him up on that because it turned out to be a not so simple thing to do.  Oh, well.

Next up is my first attempt at chalk painting, furniture painting, and antiquing.  All in all, I guess it didn't turn out too bad.  (Sorry, I was too lazy to go get my camera and take a before picture.)

Next we have some assorted odds and ends.

Really love this little caddy thing.

The little caddy thing, all painted new and pretty.

 Really love how this turned out.

Wouldn't this be great on your desk to hold your pens, paper, rulers, etc?

The little shelf.

The little wood box.

 It had holes on the sides where I guess it originally had some handles.  I was going to make some rope handles but then I decided that these pip berries would make cute little handles.

I packed the tree away in the Christmas stuff box before I remembered to take a picture of it.  Maybe ya'll will get to see that later on.
These bowls I had painted earlier.  But I'll still show you a picture of them.

And here is a couple of little things that I fixed up.  The little candle holder was white a la rusty before.  The little scoop I just tied a little rag bow to and the cute little jar I filled with some mini spools of thread.

And while we are at it, a couple of pics of stuff I picked up while out at the thrift stores the other day.  (In addition to the wood pieces that I painted up there. ^)

 That great big K I have sanded down and repainted black.  It had glue or something all over it.

 Love these little pumpkins!  Got them decorated up with some pip berries and packed away for now.

All these cookie cutters in a bag for 75 cents!  Can you believe that bargain?  Usually I have a really tough time finding stuff in the thrift stores in my area so this was pretty exciting.
And that is it for tonight kids!  Goodnight, everybody.

More Crafty Stuff

Hey everybody, I have decided to try expanding what I post on this blog.  The hubby and I started a new antique business together a while back-in fact, it is on the teetery tottery edge of being one year old!- and I decided it would be fun to share some of the more crafty projects that end up there along with the other stuff I do.  I've also started a brand new blog here to feature some of the unique and interesting antique pieces we find.  It's still a very new blog but hopefully it will soon be filled with all kinds of interesting stuff.  And, last but not least, the name of our business is, what else, but Haven Cottage Antiques which is located in The Factory Antique Mall in Verona, VA, booth AP2.

And now, for some of the craftier stuff I've been working on lately.

 We both loved this biscuit box but the label was literally peeling off as we bought it.  So I did something that is usually a complete no-no for old boxes like this.  I decoupaged the label back on to save as much of it as possible.  It was either that or have a box with NO label on it.  I'm really happy with how good it looks considering the condition of it before I started working on it.

This little shelf was just a run of the mill, boring wood shelf I found and decided to paint.  It originally had a piece going across the back of the top with a heart cut out in it.  Not really all that bad except that whoever put it in there had cut it a little too short and it just didn't fit.  So, the husband pulled it out and I have plans for another project with that piece.  I spray painted, sanded the edges, added a hanging bracket to the back, and now I love it!

Oh hey, and don't forget your fruits!  Again, spray painted, sanded down the edges, tied a bit of fabric around for decoration, and now they are ready to hold someones somethings.

This was basically my first attempt at stenciling so I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  I did two of these, the other had a round base (see last picture down there).  Everybody is doing stars on their primitive stuff, which is fine, but I didn't have a star stencil, and I did have a rooster and hen stencil, and I thought it would be fun for a different look.  I'm surprised at how much I really like the way these turned out!

Hubby did the little ABC block.  It was originally a music box of some sort, but was no longer functioning in that capacity.  He did a little remodeling, and now it is a cute piece to hang out on your shelf and collect dust. :) The black bowls I also spray painted and sanded.  I think they are my favorite!  The bird house we get no credit for except for cleaning it up a bit.  (Can you keep a secret?  There is actually a bird nest in there from days gone by.  Love that!)
And there you have it, the whole kit and kaboodle of crafty wood stuff.  It's all packed up and ready to go be placed in the booth tomorrow.

My Granny Square Purse

 Do you remember those granny squares I was making a while back?  My ultimate goal was to make a granny square purse.  Mission accomplished.
The view from one side.

 The view from the other side.

The inside.

The inside, but even closer.

Construction of this purse was pretty simple.  I sewed the granny squares together in a pattern of
R1) 3 across
R2) 3 across
R3) 7 across
R4) 3 across
R5) 3 across
Then the extra two on row 3 on each side were sewed to the ends of the other 3 across rows to create a bag.
This sounds so complicated.  It's really not.
Next I sewed a lining to the measurements of the sewn together squares, adding some pockets to the lining.  All pretty basic purse construction, nothing fancy.
I used an old belt for the handle.  I just cut it in half to create two handles.  Just make sure the belt you choose is long enough for that.
And that is pretty much it.  So how about just a couple of more pictures.

A Seven Shirt Quilt

I have been in love with this idea since I stumbled across it on pinterest and have been meaning to make it forever.

I'm obsessed with any idea where I can cut up old clothes and make something new and that is exactly what this quilt is!  It's made from seven shirts.

 Even the back is made from the shirts!

 I love how it turned out and can't wait to make another one.

I decided to tie mine to finish it.  For all the instructions on what to do, go here.  Seriously, go.