Thursday, July 25, 2013

~*Annie Sloan*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I have a confession... I broke down and bought some!  Yes, I kept telling myself, "No!  It is too expensive and you don't need it!  You can get beautiful finishes from the less expensive, latex paint by adding cornstarch or Plaster of Paris."... but then I was also telling myself, "It looks really cool & folks speak so highly of it.  You should at least TRY it!"

So I did!

I traveled down Highway 99 to one of the sweetest, vintage shops... Rhinestones & Rust... which is owned by the most delightful & beautiful bunch of girls... and I bought 2 cans of it!  And... you should know... I am SO HAPPY I DID!  It is really COOL stuff!

Over the last several months, I have been making my own 'chalk' paint.  I like how the mixed paint works and I love the finishes I have created.  However, I did still have a desire to try the Annie Sloan paint.

Making my own 'chalk' paint... Here is my recipe...

Use 2 parts latex paint (any - flat, semi-gloss, egg shell will work) to 1 part regular Corn Starch (yup, just like you have in the kitchen)... or Plaster of Paris.  Either will work.  Mix it well.  If needed, or desired... add a little water to thin it, but is isn't necessary.

Now... before I go on to share my first Annie Sloan paint finishes... I should tell you, Annie Sloan paint does not have any 'chalk' or other additive mixed into it.  The paint is a mixed (or made special) paint.  I felt like it had a 'chalky' look to it once it was dry.  Maybe that is why she, Annie Sloan, calls it Chalk Paint.  Who knows?    

Here are my first projects...

Two hall trees... one was purchased recently at a garage sale and the other we have had for years...
 I bought Greek Blue and Emperor's Red paints.  This is after just 1 coat... yes, I needed 2 coats when using the Annie Sloan paint.  Whereas with my own mixed chalk paint, 1 coat is usually enough.  BUT, the Annie Sloan paint does go a long way.  I barely put a dent in either quart of paint.

 Here they are after...
 I ordered new, matching hooks for the red hall tree.  We are keeping this one (it is the garage sale find)... and the other hall tree was taken to our booth at ReRun Consignments and Mall this afternoon.

Both finishes are nice and I am pleased.  I will be using Annie Sloan paints again.  I LOVE the colors available.  I have tried to 'match' them with latex paints... but haven't been able to do it all that successfully.  So... since I do like the paint & it is so cool to paint with... I will be buying more!  *smile*

Here is a color chart I found online of Annie Sloan's paint.  Personally, I don't think my Greek Blue is nearly as dark as the color chart.  I really wish I would have purchased Napoleonic Blue instead.  Hmmm... maybe that will be the next quart of paint to come home with me!!!  *grin*
 I've been stitching (and crocheting) too.  Here is the cluttered workspace in the living room.  I just LOVE my new rocker!  It is a recent auction win.  Isn't it just LOVELY?!  (comfortable too!)
 Fall stitches... and a few crochet washcloths... have been keeping my fingers busy in the evenings.  Oh, I will share more of both with you soon...
Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

P.S.  I'm trying this new Bloglovin thing now too.  I'm not sure what it is all about yet... but thought I should get involved with it.  

Sunday, July 21, 2013

~*I Cut Another Hunk of Linen*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Yup, that's what I did!  Yup, I have numerous samplers & stitches started that aren't finished... and yet, I cut another hunk of linen!

Why?  Oh, that I'm not sure can be answered... but I did it... and I have a few more things started...

These are expected to be stitched up into a few 'smalls'... and hopefully will be pattern offerings.  Time will tell...

One thing about this hunk of linen... it is a larger count than the samplers that have been set aside.  Yes, like so many others... my eyes are having trouble seeing the small counts.  I do intend to continue working on those samplers, but will probably use less and less of the small count in the future.

This is just a short update and a little sneak peek of more to come... wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty

Sunday, July 14, 2013

~*Hooking!!!*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I'm soooooo happy to tell you that I have been hooking!  I have been working on PRIMS too!!!  

I was feeling a little off my path... and it feels so nice to be seeing the direction get back the way I want it to go!

This past Tuesday was our rug hooking day in Council Grove.  We didn't meet for long because there were family members visiting many of the ladies... but we did meet, hook, giggle, and laugh.

Here are a few of the items I have finished up from the week...


Some reclaimed stools... before...
 And after...
 Sunflower hooked top for one...
 with some prairie grass, green chalk paint on the stool...
 Hit N' Miss hooked top for the other...
 with some barn red, chalk paint on the stool...
 I attached the hooked tops with upholstery tacks.  It was simple... and if someone decides to change out the tops later... they still can.  NO GLUE!  *smile*

This past Friday, Trinity and I had a day together in Manhattan.  We visited the Flint Hills Discovery Center (which was AWESOME!), the mall, stopped for some frozen yogurt... and did a little junking at a couple thrift shops.  It was there that I found this little cradle.  I forgot to take a 'before' picture... but here is the after...
My old, and very well loved doll, is a little big... but it is still prim~cute!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty

Monday, July 8, 2013

~*Latest Projects...*~

Hello Dear Friends!  I do hope you had an enjoyable 4th of July... and my Canada friends a Happy Canada Day... and all the rest of you... just a GREAT Summer so far!

We had a great weekend... and our Summer has been a blur of delight so far.  I've been crafting when I can... and have been posting regularly on Facebook.  Like Primitivebettys if you haven't already!  Please and Thank you!  *Smile*

Tomorrow is the monthly rug hooking day with the wonderful ladies in Council Grove.  Sadly, I missed last month... and was very worried I would miss tomorrow.  Thankfully the host has her young granddaughter staying with her... and Trinity has been invited to come alone and spend the afternoon swimming in the lake.  I'm sure we will all have fun!

I've been working this afternoon to get organized for hooking tomorrow.  My plan is to hook some tops for a couple of auction/garage sale find stools...

 These stools were each purchased for only a couple of dollars.  I plan to paint & distress them.  Then I will attach the hooked tops.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Anita White's booth at the Greenwood Mercantile in Greenwood, MO.  I snatched up a 2 pound bundle of scraps for about $12.  No, I don't need any more worms... but these are better than mine because they are different than my stash of woolly worms!  Anyway, I cut up most of the bundle and will be using these to make hit n' miss tops for my stools...
 I will share the finished stools with you soon.

This vanity was one of my resent finishes.  My dear Mom picked it up at a garage sale and shared it with me.  She told me to finish it for my booth or my shop.  I will be taking it to my booth at Rerun Consignments and Mall in Council Grove, KS tomorrow...
 I had the upholstery fabric and decided to use it for the bench, back, and drawer lining.  It doesn't show very well in the photos, but the fabric is a pale yellow with a pink 'Toile' pattern.  No, it isn't primitive... but is is a great finish for a little girl's room!  Don't you think?
 To line the drawers... I cut a piece of foam core (sold by the poster board at the store) slightly smaller than the drawer.  Using hot glue, I first wrap one side with cotton batting... then wrap it with the desired fabric.  Next, I gently work the covered foam down into the drawer and glue it in place.  Sometimes the edges need a little adjustment to work out any bunching or wrinkles.  A putty knife or 5 in 1 tool does the trick to fix it.  The fabric lined drawers really add a great detail finish... in my opinion. 

I'll post another update soon to share the stool finishes.

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty