Do It Yourself Document Fabric!

Sorry I've been away so long!  It's that busy, crazy time of year with graduations, parties, end of the school year madness.  I have also had some computer issues.  I am currently blogging on my old laptop with a cracked screen.  Not good.  Hopefully my Toshiba will be out of the shop soon, I forgot how slow this one is!

I have found time to thrift though,  that's therapy!  I found a really cool vintage chair that I am redoing and decided to make my own 'document' fabric to recover the seat.  You know, that great fabric that Ballard's sells for $32 a yard! 

I created this image with photo editing software using graphics from The Graphics Fairy and wrote some of my own text using two awesome fonts called Byron and The King & Queen.  Staples enlarged my design to 18"x24" for just $1.99 and then I used Citra Solv to transfer the image to my 'burlapy' type fabric. 

The image is softer than the Ballard's but I love the look~ kind of like a faded grain sack.  Here's a close up.  Sorry for the poor pics, it's night time and I have a lousy camera!

I so hope you'll come back Wednesday to see the reveal of my chair makeover finished with this fabric!  Thanks for visiting!  Linking up to these fun parties!



Clock Makeover

I've been changing up the look in my dining room these past few months and have especially loved redoing the top of my armoire.  I really think of it as a mantle, it has such a nice big top to decorate.  

As it was coming together I was missing one item to be the centerpiece of the space.  I was wishing I had the perfect clock for the spot when I remembered I did have a clock, but not the RIGHT clock. 

  

This clock was a left over from my former life doing home parties.  I always loved it but it had broken second hand and had been up in the closet for years.  I decided to make it over for my new look.

Not such a bad little clock, you might say.  But the brown wood and aged yellow face was not working for me.  I popped off the glass face and removed the hands.  Never needed the that broken second hand anyway!

I then made this face in MS DIP.   The 'Broderick Clockworks' is a nod to my hometown of Broderick, California and the Roman numerals MMXI are for 2011. 

I printed the face out and then spray painted the clock black and added a little silver glazing on the legs, top finial and embossing on the front.  After reassembeling I have this new beauty for my armoire.

So happy with the results!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I would so love to hear your comments and would love to have you as a follower.  See you at the fun parties below~don't miss the fun!



Vintage Suitcase Table

About 20 years ago I bought a vintage suitcase at a rummage sale.  It was metal and funky and I really loved it.  I used it in my then  country style of decor with muslin bunnies and vintage linens.  When I fazed that style out (thank goodness!!) it sat unused for years.  



I had recently seen some really lovely white painted suitcases around blogland so I got motivated to paint it white and use it in a project.  But when I went to get it I found it had rusted through!  So sad!   I was really bummed but determined to find another suitcase for my project. 

Yesterday I found this old gem at an antique store.

It had a few issues: someone had written on it in pen and the trim was coming off but overall it was in pretty good shape.   I glued down the trim and wiped it down then got to work.  I primed it with white spray paint and then gave it numerous coats of satin white with a brush.  I also added a little metal name plate that says boudoir, since it is destined to be a side table in my bedroom.

I am using this fun piece to display it.

It's a Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic luggage stand from Target.  My daughter bought it a few years back and decided she didn't want it so I snagged it.  I knew someday I would find a place for it.  Love it!!   So here is my table.  I am so happy with how it came out!  

Here's close up of my little tag:

Thanks so much for stopping by and  I would so love to have you as a follower!  Have a great weekend.  See you at these fun parties!

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