I Can't Stop!

I'm finding it impossibly hard these days to keep the lid on the can of ASCP in Paris Grey that I bought a few weeks ago. 

It started innocently enough with this project, 

                                    and then it moved over to this project,

                                                                          and now look what has happened.  

It's gotten all over an old lamp set.  

To make matters worse, I've discovered the joy of the ASCP sample can.  

I couldn't resist bringing home a small can of the Emperor Red.....but where to try it.  

I just love it when my husband discovers my stash of thrift shop junk I've got hidden in secret corners all over the garage.  

Like when he ran across these beauties and I got the, why-on-earth-would-you drag-those-home look on his face??

"Well, the price was right, you didn't want me spending hundreds of dollars on a pair of lamps now did you"??  Seriously, $4.99 for a pair of working lamps!  

That usually satisfies him temporarily.  

This pair of lamps was the perfect place to try out my new Emperor Red paint.  

But first I started with a single coat of Paris Grey.

The brush strokes were horizontal around the lamp for the grey paint, and the red paint was brushed on vertically.

I was hoping it would create some interesting patterns when the lamps were later distressed.

After I sanded the pieces I was a little worried that the color was to rosy, pinky, not the deep red that I was look for.  

But after a coat of the clear wax was applied, the deep red color came out.  

You can really see the difference the wax made in this photo.

I wasn't sure the distressing would look all that great on a metal piece, but for $4.99 what have you got to lose??

I actually really like how it turned out.

I added a new table cloth to my round table.

Is this look too 1984?

(On second thought don't answer that, I still like the skirted round table........ and Cyndi Lauper.......and........ scrunchies)

After the lamp was distressed, the you could see the different direction of the brush strokes really added a neat effect.

Then the lamps were topped off with a  pair of sea grass lamp shades from World Market.

So there you have the completed $4.99 lamps.  Of course I'm ignoring the cost of the paint, brushes, lamp shade and table cloth.  (It's so much more fun to brag about $4.99 lamps.)

That about wraps it up another edition of the ASCP obsession.

Don't look now but a sample can of ASCP Aubusson Blue followed me home last week.

Where will it end???

Linkin up to Wow Us Wednesdays

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,

     





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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