Faux Painting, a Shabby Chic Tutorial

I needed some shabby chic furniture to use for display for some of the items I make for my etsy shop.

I had this country bench from my younger days, but, I was just never really thrilled with the color of the stain.

So, I thought I would update it with a new look and give it some great, shabby chic styling. :)

First, I sanded it down with a rough grit sandpaper to remove the sheen of the stain and to give it some tooth to allow the paint to adhere well.

Then, I gave it a good dusting with this paint brush. 

I use this a lot when my minis get dusty from being left out too long, it does a wonderful job of removing any dust. Did you know, that is how museums keep a lot of their artifacts clean? With a paint brush, yes!

I picked out a green paint to use as my base color.

I love these little jars of acrylic paint that you can pick up at the craft store inexpensively.

The one I chose was Folk Art "Yellow Citron" by Plaid.

Well, I decided it was just too yellowy for my liking, so I grabbed another green, America's Mint Julep Green from DecoArt.

I mixed with my favorite and most universal tool, the bamboo skewer. I use these skewers for everything, they are just so handy for so many different applications. 

These dispose-able food containers are great for mixing paints in. Just make sure you mix enough paint at one time so there is enough for your entire project. The lid can be placed on the container while you wait for a coat to dry, saving your paint from drying up.

I wasn't trying to be matchy matchy with the items for my etsy shop, as I would be keeping the bench, but, as so many of you know what I mean, I had a color in my mind's eye and that was what I wanted.

I call it Vintage Green. ;)

Finally, I was happy with the shade of green.

Two good coats were just what this piece needed.

Next to begin the shabby chic process.

I diluted Folk Art "Wicker White" paint from Plaid with water to make a white wash.

I didn't want a solid coverage for the top coat of paint.

Another coat of the white wash or two.

It looks more like a solid coat than it actually is, there is some of the green visible on the bench, it just didn't photograph as well, as I thought it did. ;)

Lastly, an all over sanding with a fine grit sandpaper to show some age, wear and tear.

I didn't add any type of clear coat to this, as I preferred the rustic, matte finish.

I think it has a lot more charm and character than it did before, wouldn't you agree?

Now, it's perfect for using in displays for my minis for sale and eventually, it will end up in my dollhouse in the shabby chic bedroom.

So, don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your minis. It doesn't have to be all rule oriented, do what you want! 

You don't even have to be an expert painter to make use of the shabby chic styling.

Would you like to see some other tutorials I have made?

Click here, to find a tutorial on how to faux finish some resin planters to make them look aged.

Click here, to find a tutorial on how to make replacement cushions for a popular rocker glider.

Enjoy! :)

.

Featured Artisan: Richard of Minibydesign

So, if you've been following along, last month, my husband and I went to a wedding down south and along the way we met up with three of my fellow miniaturists/teammates from TeamMIDS on etsy.

I wanted to share with you all some of the pictures I took of Richard of Minibydesign's  projects.

This is his art deco bar. I helped out with the bar stool cushions and helped him find the animal print rug.

Didn't he just do a fabulous job with it? 

You can find more on the art deco bar on his blog post here.

From his modern house, which is huge and he wired the entire thing.

I love these stairs! 

See the spots to turn on the lights at the bottom there? Normally, that's covered over with a bit of gardening.

Peeking in!

After he painted these modern bath fixtures black, then, they began sellling them in black.

Of course, I'm thinking his modern sectional should be graced with a few of my pillows. ;)

Kinda gives you a better idea of how big it is. I'm thinking it's just a bit bigger than a card table. This was the first house that Richard built. 

Pretty good job!

I'm impressed. :)

Now on to his latest project, another house. This time, it's a colonial revival that will include some modern updates in the interior.

Think he'll be going for the stainless appliances in the kitchen? lol ;)

To see more of this project being updated along the way, see his blog.

I made him a runner to go up the stairs in the last picture.

It was so nice getting to finally meet Richard and his wife Gail in person.

And, their dogs, too!

They have too senior dogs, one is a retired grayhound named Wade and I fell in love with him at first sight. He's the strong silent type. lol! I should have gotten a pic of Wade so I could pine over him. ;)

Until next time, my friends! :)

.

Christmas in July Sale!!! :)

Running all month long in both my etsy shops.

Use this coupon code when checking out CIJ611BS in either shop and receive 20% off in the mini shop and 30% off in dalesdreamsII at etsy.

Happy Shopping! :)

Road Trip!

The excitement continues on! ;)

Last month, amidst all the other activities, I made a bridal veil for the daughter of a gal I went to school with. Many many moons ago, I had a custom bridal veils and headpieces business, back when the hair was big and the bridal veils were bigger. ;)

Well, a lot has changed in the bridal world since then, I found out to my dismay. :( It was virtually impossible to find suitable trimming. But, I remembered a hint I got from Casey of Casey's Minis. Take an existing trim and trim it down. That advice was meant for miniatures, but it proved to be my saving grace for the trim issue for the bridal veil. I found a trim kinda like rhinestones, but it was three across, I trimmed it down to a single row and voila! I had it. :)

Next time, I will have pictures of the bride in her veil, no early peeks before the wedding, which is this weekend!!!

On our way down to the wedding, we are stopping along the way to meet three mini peeps and I am so excited! 

We're going to stop by and see Anita, she has a shop on etsy. 

I got these wonderful stacking mixing bowls from her. I love how they look like fiesta ware.

 I bought a snake from her and sent it to Sans! 

I felt for sure an Indian tribal house would have a snake charmer some where in it. ;)

Richard from MinibyDesign, shop and blog.

I got this modern dining room set from him, isn't it cool?

We've also collaborated on pieces together in the past.

I upholstered this deco couch for him in red, white and silver. It's striking.

He's also going to help me out with wiring one of my dollhouses. Yippeeeee!!!!!

and

Jody of PeachBlossomHill, shop and blog.

She makes wonderful upholstered couches and chaises. Seems I don't have anything by Jody, I'll have to fix that of course! :)

We are all members of TeamMIDS on etsy, Miniatures In Dollhouse Scale. We've all been chatting online for quite some time now.

So, the excitement continues on for a bit longer! :)

I'm so looking forward to meeting my mini friends, attending my girlfriends daughter's wedding and being off with just my hubby. :)

Daughter has graduated, seen on the right with a gal pal.

I also took all my kids to the photographers for pics for my hubby for Father's Day. They came out grand, and as soon as I can figure out how to share them with you all, I will.

Life should return to our normally scheduled programming soon! ;)

As always, every pink word is a click-able link, have fun! :)

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming! ;)

The past month and half a been a whirl wind!

I hardly know where to begin.

Let's start at the very beginning.... ;)

 (if you leave, don't forget to come back)

I received my swap items from Cecilia! 

all the way from Mexico.

Look how precious!

Nesting baskets and nesting bowls, look at the tiny painted pigs!

I love them! :)

And, how cool is this? A handmade table cloth in one of my favorite colors from Cecilia's own personal line. So sweet of her to make this for me. :)

Thank you so much, Cecilia! :)

I also heard from Jaana. :)

Jaana gave to Sonya. Aren't they just lovely? :)

I've hired a business and life coach to help me expand and/or take my business to the next level. It's a twelve week program where she works with me one on one. It's like taking a college course, lots of information and lots of reading and hopefully, learning a bit along the way. ;)  I'm directly in the middle of it, as of today.

My middle daughter went to her senior prom. :)

Another reason it's been a whirl wind around here.....

... were the many awards ceremonies we attended along with Grace. She has received more awards, honors and recognition than anyone I know. She's been a straight A student, in the top of her class and has excelled at pretty much everything she has tried. The majority of her awards were for academics, art (she's a painter) and television production. In the fall, she will be attending Tyler School of Art, at Temple University in Phila. where she will be studying Visual Arts so she can paint and do tv production. Immensely proud of her. :)

My  oldest did not come home for the summer as she has a research position at Penn State. Very proud of her for garnering that position. It will continue in the fall when school picks back up as well, that will be her third year at Penn State studying meteorology.

So, next year, we'll be down to the boy and he will be a senior and the year will breeze by I am sure!

On a sad note, my aunt passed away on Grace's prom day. She's on the left with my Mom Mom.

It's an old picture, but, I love it. She was a pretty lady and will be missed.

oh, there's more... it will have to wait until next time though! :)

Epic Failure! :(

Yup, this was a big ol' failure! :(

I was making this for a friend and the fabric proved to be just too thick, even though I've used it in upholstery applications in the past, 

like here;

and here;

 

The sectional proved to be more difficult than this;

and this

and even this;

But, I'm not going to give up all that quickly.

I'm far too stubborn! lol ;)

Kim was our lucky winner in the giveaway and she chose the blue set.

With any luck, she has already received it. :)

So, what do you do with the failures and the things that just don't cut the mustard?

Save them as a reminder of where you started?