Little Blue Chair Reveal

I’ve been looking for a chair to put on my front porch as part of a ‘porch makeover’.  I found this little beauty at our local thrift store marked $10.00 but all furniture was 50% off that day – yeah!  I decided I wanted to create the look of peeling wallpaper on the seat (not sure I accomplished that!) so I started with this scrapbooking paper that had the original blue of the chair in it (which I loved and wanted to keep).  

I began by using some of my rubber stamps to make ‘stains’, etc. all over the paper. I then lightly sanded the paper to remove the gloss and make it look worn.  Using a  mustard yellow ink and a sponge I rubbed that color randomly over everything.  Next I began tearing the paper into pieces. 

 

 

In order to get the nice, ragged edge on top, you need to tear the paper up towards you as shown here.  That finished, I sponged the yellow ink over the torn edges.

For the chair I had to prime the parts I was going to paint so that meant lots of pain-staking taping off first.  Once she was primed and the paper/tape removed, it was time to start painting.  Since this was water-based acrylic paint, I knew it was going to take several coats to cover – it took four.  In between coats, I was working on the paper pieces.

 

Once I was finished painting the chair parts, I sanded randomly to reveal the blue paint and wood underneath.  The colors were too vivid for my taste so I wiped on several coats of a dark walnut stain using a cloth and did not wipe it off.

 

Next, using Mod Podge I applied the pieces of paper to the seat making sure to have some pieces come down over the edge of the seat.  I also cut out some of the flowers from the paper, punched a hole in the center and made a cut in each so I could wrap them around each spindle.  Once this dried, I applied another coat of walnut stain over the entire chair.  This gave a nice, worn, vintage look to the whole piece.  Finally, I had to apply several thick coats of polyurethane for protection from the elements and to build up a thick layer over the paper on the seat.

 

I love the way this little beauty turned out and let me tell you, this is one COMFY chair so I’m definitely not adding any cushions.  Still lots to do on the porch but this at least is a start!  

BEFORE: 

AFTER:

One Thing Leads to Another and a Little Blue Chair

Thanks to Steph over at The Silly Pearl for filling my afternoon with cleaning and reorganization!  Let me explain . . .  I saw this adorable message board she made using vintage spools and buttons from an old sewing box she snagged.   That reminded me that I have two vintage sewing boxes of my own. 

This one belonged to my Aunt's Mother-in-Law

This one belonged to my Grandma

That thought led me to think I should get them out and display them and that a good spot would be my sewing/stamping room.  THAT led me to realize that the room was an absolute disaster area.  Can't believe I'm posting these pictures!

So that one little bulletin board that Steph created led me to an entire afternoon of cleaning, organizing, rearranging and finally . . .

a fairly clean, organized work space!  I bought an over-the-door shoe organizer for all of my spray paints, brushes, etc. I'd like to add some decorative touches, accent lamps, etc. but that's another project for another day.  

So what's the "Little Blue Chair"?  

Here she is . . . isn't she adorable?! I've been looking and looking for a chair to paint and put on my front porch (which is currently a VERY sad looking place!).  

I found this little gal at our local thrift store today wearing a $10.00 price/name tag but all furniture was half off!  I thought it was amusing they put "blue chair" on the tag.  And believe it or not . . . this is one comfy chair even without a cushion (which I may add when she's finished).  Now it's time for a nice hot cup of tea.  Happy weekend everyone!

Anthropologie Inspired Vases

$28.00 Anthro Vase

$18.00 Anthro Vase

I saw these Anthropologie vases and fell in love with THEM but not their PRICE.  So off to the thrift store I went!  

I found these two vases that had classic design and shape as well as this metal ‘spray’ of flowers.  I cleaned and dried the vases and using wire cutters cut of the flowers I wanted to use (leaving many more on the spray for future projects!). Note: A lot of people think I used silk flowers -- nope.  This is a 'bouquet' of METAL flowers.

First I sprayed the vases and flowers with white primer.  I sprayed the tall vase with Rust-Oleum Glacier Blue (which is very close to the colors we painted our living /dining room).  I sprayed the short vase with Rust-Oleum black primer because that’s what I had.  To achieve the look of porcelain glass, I finished the black one off with several coats of a store brand HIGH gloss lacquer spray paint.  I only did this because I already had the black primer and gloss lacquer and didn’t want to go buy black gloss paint.

For the flowers, I simply got out my acrylic paint stash and began mixing and blending to come up with that same color family of blue/green and the orange which is an accent color in the rooms.  I painted them all over with one coat and let dry.  Then I went back and darkened each paint  color and began adding different ‘shades’ of the original color to give the flowers some dimension.  

I sprayed each flower with several coats of the Krylon Crystal Clear but still wasn’t satisfied that they really looked like “glass”.  I have a wonderful clear glue called “Crystal Effects” from Stampin’ Up!  that provides a very high gloss and stays dimensional.  I spread one layer of it onto the flowers and this really made them look like they are made of glass! Using E6000 glue, I attached the flowers to the vases and there you have it!

Anthro Vases: $47.00 for two vases

My Versions:  $5.00 for two vases (Each vase: $1.00.  Flower spray: $3.00)

Zipper Pins / Hair Clips

These are so cute and so simple, you won’t believe it!  Here’s what you need:

22” – 29” zipper (metal teeth are cool but you can use the ones with plastic teeth if you like.  Don’t buy metal zippers at the fabric store . . . they’re outrageously expensive!  I’ve found bags of them at thrift stores but most of mine have been purchased on Ebay.  You can also use old zippers you’ve removed from hoodies, jackets, etc. so before you toss that old garment . . . remove and save the zipper!

Hand sewing needle and thread that matches your zipper TAPE (the cloth part of the zipper), hot glue gun,  Gorilla Glue or other heavy duty craft glue, glue stick, small scrap of fabric (denim is great), small piece of thick cardboard, approx. 1”X1.5” or a 1.5” circle, small piece (a little bigger than the cardboard) of decorative paper, 2mm (no larger) beads – Optional

Getting started . . .

Now you've prepared your zipper and are ready to start sewing!

Once you finish all of the petals you want, you'll cut off any excess zipper tape leaving a 'tail' approximately 1 1/2 - 2" long (See below)

Starting at the end, begin rolling tightly and sewing a few stitches to secure each time you roll.  Continue this until you have a nice little rolled 'center' for the flower.

Tie off the thread.  Using your hot glue gun, secure the bottom of this rolled piece to the center of the flower.  Trim the excess fabric from the back of the flower.  Using your glue stick adhere a piece of decorative paper to your cardboard shape. Trim neatly and then using hot glue, secure the cardboard to the flower back.

To attach the pin back and hair clip, I used Gorilla Glue. 

If you choose to add beads, you need to sew the beads on BEFORE making your flower.  Be sure to not use larger beads because you won't be able to roll and stitch the flower.

When you take your thread to the back of the tape, weave it as shown and then go back up to the top side to attach the next bead.  If you don't do this, when you make your flower, you'll have long pieces of thread hanging down.

Sorry I don't have any pictures of beaded ones -- I gave them all away!  You can make these as small or as large as you like -- lots of possibilities!