Mini Makeover

You've got to be really careful when you open up a can of that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

It just gets all over everything.

It started out simple enough.  I got some ASCP in Paris Grey paint to make over this table.

Before I knew it, I was eyeing this old chair in the corner of the office and thinking, "I wonder what  chalk paint could do for that poor old thing"?

It was in pretty good shape but the cording had come loose and the chair pad was worn out.  And that dark wood just wasn't doing it for me.  

Besides I still had 3/4 of a can of chalk paint to play with.  

So in the middle of the table project, I just couldn't stop myself from taping off the wood and trying a little of the Paris Grey on the chair.  

I do have a bit of a problem with focus.  

It seems I always have about 10 half-finished projects going on at a time.  

The original finish was very worn so I really hit the arms with sand paper,  maybe a bit too much.  

But I do kinda like how it looks like this was someone's favorite chair and the finish was worn down hour by hour from an aging hand running over it.  

After it was sanded I used a coat of clear wax, then dark wax that I really let settle in the cracks.

It was pretty simple to reattach the cording.  I just used a regular glue gun and it seems like it will hold for a while.

At least until I'm ready to change it again.

I unpicked the original cushion cover and used it as a pattern to make a new one.

The fabric I choose had the look of old tooled leather.  It was a pain in the patootie to work with,  just letting you know.

The arm rests also got a touch of the "leather" fabric.  

They kinda remind me of the elbow patches on a tweed jacket.  The kind a college "Professor of Philosophy" might wear.  

All in all I was pretty happy about how it turned out.  Although I think it could use a few pillows to help blend the two fabrics.  

Maybe something in a houndstooth??

But I really don't have time for pillows just yet.

 I can't seem to get the lid back on the can of ASCP.   Even before the chair was done I was dabbing it on yet another project. I've been painting everything that isn't breathing.

They really ought to put a warning label on that paint!!

Sharing at Wow Us Wednesdays, Inspire me Tuesday, Furniture Feature Friday

Another One Bites the Dust

If you've hung around on my blog for a while you may remember the love affair I have with orchids.

You can read all about this one-sided relationship here.
I go over in detail everything I have tried to get them to thrive.

I've tried and tried to get them to love me back, but eventually they all end up like this.

However,  I am calling this last little fella something of a success.

The first orchid was on life-support after 2 weeks in my care,
                 the second lasted a full 2 months
                                       this last guy hung around for about 6 months before checking out.

 Maybe I'm getting a little better at this,
                           I don't know.

But I have adopted a new policy where it comes to orchids.  I finally realized that they only cost about $14.99 and you can pick them up right at the grocery store.  

Heck, I've been known to spend a lot more that that on cut flowers that last just a few days.  

What was I so uptight about??  

It's not like it was on my bucket list to get one to rebloom or anything.

So here is my new thinking on the matter....

“Love the one you’re with”  

Maybe by slowing down and having just have one at a time, I can avoid becoming a two-timing orchid loving tramp.

That's right, just enjoy one at a time, while they last, and let them go when the time comes.

It has taken me a long time to realize that sometimes I just make things too hard when there is a simpler solution.

Ya know what????

I'm really not going to be good at everything...

......and I'm okay with that now!

Truly,

     





Sharing with Random-osity





                          

Tabletop Tweak

Have you given up on me??

I wouldn't blame you a bit.

It seems that my list of things I GOTTA do has really taken over the list of things I WANNA do.

But today the gotta dos are taking a back seat.  I just can't take another BLOGLESS day.

I just did something for the very first time.  Something to this unsuspecting coffee table.

A Wedding Brunch

One of the most fun things about having a morning wedding is following it up with a warm winter brunch.

After the ceremony the guests gathered at the atrium. 

They were greeted with a cocoa and coffee bar with all the toppings.

Then it was on to the main course...

Wedding Brunch Buffet

FLAMING CREPE SUZETTE

 with Fresh Berries and Creme

COOKED TO ORDER OMELET STATION

 Ham and Cheese or Mushroom and Bell Pepper Vegetable

 With Salsa or Marinara Sauce

ROASTED RED POTATOES WITH CHIPTOLE AND GARLIC

 Served with Crème Fraiche Dipping Sauce

SWEET BREAKFAST BREADS AND PASTRIES

FRESH FRUIT MARTINI with SPARKLING PEAR

 And Fresh Mint

 The crepe's were by far the most exciting part of the brunch.

They were so good it inspired me to try making crepe's at home......minus the flames.

I'll share the recipe in a future post.

The potatoes were pretty good too.

I think that's me going back for seconds??

The omelets were cooked to order for each guest.  

They each selected their toppings and watched an omelet appear right before their eyes. 

Just like at home, right?

The fruit "cocktail" was a big hit too.

Best of all, nobody had to call for a taxi ride home after downing a few of these.

....and then there was cake!  

...and not just any cake,

         it was cake with it's own fancy brooch.  

Three tiers of yumminess, 

                         each a different flavor.

                Red velvet,

                                Snicker Doodle,

                                                   and Mint Chocolate.

You couldn't go wrong with any of those choices.

I think everyone agreed it was a pretty fantastic brunch...

...down to the very last drop.

Bon Appetite,

In case you have missed out on our wedding fun, here are links all the wedding posts.

The Dress

A Cozy Little Chapel

Winter Wedding Flowers

Sharing at On the Menu Monday

Winter Wedding Flowers

"So what's your best price on the white candlesticks?"  
                                         we causally asked the attendant at the estate sale.

"Let's see, they are marked $8 each I can let you have them for $7,"
                                         he replied, as he tried to read our got-to-have-it factor.

Ravenberg Photography

"Hmmm, we'll think about it," 

                         we answered and then quickly turned away before he could spot our wanton lust.

My daughter and I had been browsing the estate sale looking table decorations for her winter wedding.   We could just picture a big ball of red flowers on top of those candlesticks, they were perfect!

Oh, they would be going home with us but not until we had haggled the best price.  

So we casually walked away and acted a bit uninterested.  

Ravenberg Photography

We meandered around the place plotting out our strategy.  Those professionally run estate sales make it tough to walk away with a steal.

 When we could take it no longer we went back to the original sales guy. 

"So what's your best price on those white candlesticks now?"  

                          we asked,  just hoping he'd had time to think it over in the full six and 1/2 minutes we were gone.

"Like I said $7"

             he shot back.

"Wrap them up, we'll take 'em all,"

                 ..we congratulated ourselves on a well fought battle.   

Ravenberg Photography

 On the day of the wedding, the flower-topped candlesticks were just as stunning as we had imagined on that summer afternoon at the estate sale.   

The florals were used to decorate the chapel for the ceremony and then moved to the atrium for the wedding brunch.  

Ya, I'm cheap like that!

Ravenberg Photography

Later on we discovered these beautiful wax tree sets at Costco.    

They came with a battery operated tea light inside and we could just picture a glowing flicker in the center of the guest tables.  

Ravenberg Photography

We never stopped to think that it would be a beautiful sunny morning and the flickering candles would be almost imperceptible.

Well they were pretty centerpieces anyway.  

Here's a look at how they appeared the next day at our family Christmas party.    

My sister-in-law set a beautiful table and we finally got to enjoy a little electric candle glow.

There was no shortage of flowers.

Ravenberg Photography

The flowers for the head table were used at the chapel  too. 

 The table runner was made from left over fabric from the bridesmaid dresses.

I love how their last name initials are a mirror image of each other.

How fitting!

Ravenberg Photography

But most of the arrangements pulled double duty.  

Ravenberg Photography

Like this arrangement on the sign-in table.  

It was later used as the tossing bouquet.

                                            See, I told ya I was cheap!

Ravenberg Photography

Ravenberg Photography

The bridesmaid bouquets and boutonnieres each added their own special touch.

Ravenberg Photography

As I look back on that summer day when we found the candlesticks,  I have such warm memories of the journey to the wedding day.


It seems a little silly now to be trying to save a couple of bucks on a day that was so completely priceless.

Love and kisses to you all,