Saturday 24 May 2014

Time for another Coffee Table


This coffee table is HUGE! it's 3ft square and really heavy the wood on the top is nearly 2 inches thick!
I had to sand down the top which was no problem and didn't take long at all - but there were marks and a lot of wax on there, which soon disappeared once I got cracking with the sander!


I removed the top from the base as I find this much easier for painting and for Laura to work on the graphics. - a good tip is to always number parts when you take out screws - I use chalk to mark the numbers - it's easy to see and can be rubbed off easily when you have finished your piece.


As this table had so much wax on it I decided to use Autentico Chalk Paint again - I had plenty left after my last project Autnentico Chalk Paint to the Rescue  and I knew it would soak up and cover over the old wax residue.

Laura has done a fabulous job on the graphic - yet again! she is so clever and has such a steady hand - it looks amazing! We used The Graphics Fairy as usual.
I have projects stacking up now and will post as soon as they are done.
CJ

Tuesday 13 May 2014

Potty with Pots - Milk Paint Workshop - 20 May, 10am - 1pm


Come along to the Potty with Pots workshop at Lovingly Made, near East Grinstead, and learn how to turn these...
Into these...
There are lots of different looks you can achieve with Milk Paint, and a few other magical products, to achieve crackled effects, naturally aged & distressed or a flat opaque finish to name but a few!  I'll show you how you can transform those old pots in no time at all!


Hope to see you there.
CJ

Quick Coffee Table Makeover with 'Kitchen Scale' Milk Paint

I have had this little coffee table hanging around for ages - I knew it would be a very quick job to turn around once the wobbly leg was fixed - and in  fact once I actually got around to it fixing the leg was easy and I managed to do it in-between other jobs one Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago.
So with lovely new strong legs - I set to work with my favorite Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint colout - 'Kitchen Scale' it's such a great colour - not too bright and has that lovely vintage muted tone, I would describe the colour as a soft 'Teal'  shade.
Kitchen Scale really looks great against dark wood when it has that great 'chippy' affect - it really does  look like its been around for years and has chipped and faded over time.
When painting anything with legs - tables or chairs - I always turn them upside down for the first  coat - by doing this  - once you turn it back upright you can easily see if you have missed any bits - and cover those with your next coat.
I have found these amazing sanding pads on eBay - they are 'super' fine, and great for rounded surfaces like legs - so much better than a stiff sheet of sand paper as they gently fold around the surface giving a really even finish - using them leaves the paint so smooth.  
and for my next little tip!... - I then dust off the sanded paint dust using these 'micro fibre' cloths - they are 'cheap as chips' and really clean away all the dust so quickly - leaving it beautifully clear ready for the Hemp Oil! 

Lots more Milk Paint projects in the pipeline!
CJ

Sunday 4 May 2014

Brilliance in Blogging Shortlist!!!


I have just found out that I have been shortlisted for the BiB awards - Brilliance in Blogging, in the 'Style' category! I am gobsmacked, shocked and honored to say the least!
I have been writing my blog for 3 years now and sharing my vintage inspired furniture make overs and up cycling projects has been, and still is something I really love.  I hope I have inspired my readers to 'have a go' themselves - it is so rewarding to see something evolve from an ugly drab piece of furniture into a piece of furniture you love, and to give it a new lease of life, and I hope my detailed descriptions and photos of before, during and after show what can be achieved with a little imagination, elbow grease & paint!
If you would like to vote for me please follow the link here - Juniper & Roses is shortlisted in the 'Style' category which is No.12 - only one vote each!
Thank you so much to everyone who has already voted, I really appreciate your support.
CJ