What to do with Grandma's antique headboard

Hello everyone,
Have you ever wondered what to do with Grandmas headboard? It's an antique, absolutely gorgeous, but it doesn't fit todays' size of bed. You would love to keep it as a momento, but gosh...it can't stay in the basement or garage.

Well...let me lead you thru a fabulous upcycle.  Now, I can try to convince you that I made the bench all by myself...but I won't. 

First, if you are handy with your own power tools, then you don't need a David or a Tobin.  I would rather get it done quicker, then trying to struggle thru it myself.  So I am very very lucky to have my David and my Tobin.  

Darn darn darn darn....my photos keep loading up sideways....grrrrrr!  Ok...I will figure this out!  

So, as you were told, always always measure twice and cut once.  I don't do that, so don't listen to me. Listen to David and Tobin. 

Believe me, I can't even read a measuring tape correctly.  Honestly.  What in world is 1/8" of an inch.  I can't even see 1/8 of an inch.

As is obvious, I think,  the headboard is used for the back of the bench.  The footboard was cut in half, then decided where to place the ends.  Having two people working on this is a must.  

Can you tell I'm new to Blogger world.  Ugh!

Onwards...

After you have secured the parts together, now it's time for the seat.  For this, we did have to use new wood.  Decided to use a nice pine, just cause of the look and feel.  


Back to the measure twice stuff.  Need to decide on height of seat.  

As a side note...isn't Tobin such a cutey?  

Ok...back to the building of the bench.  

A voila!!!! another darn sideway photo.  

Oh well...I hope you get the picture.  The seat is now finished.  

On to deciding which colour to use, which paint to use, and the feel of the bench.

Decisions, decisions.....love this part!  It's play time.  Phew...all of the hard work has been done.  Tired now...teehee....
Here she is folks....ta da....drum roll please!  Isn't she a beauty?  Painted using Annie Sloan chalk paint, in French Linen.  

Thoughts?  

Well...this is all for now.  It's taken me a very loooooonnnnnngggggg time to finish this post.  No wonder I take so long between posts.  

Bye bye for now...stay tune to my next project....and of the zany world of Deuxieme Debut.

xoxo
Dorothy

Here we go..ASCP vs CeCe Caldwell

Well...it's done. I've tested both paints. Been using ASCP for over a year now, and finally ordered CeCe Caldwell paints.

Both made in the USA.

I was thinking, how much difference can there be when both paints claim to be chalk paint.

ASCP is a good paint. A bit of a learning curve to use, and sometimes it's quite frustrating to get a perfect finish. The colours are nice if you are into the European french look.

ASCP requires alot of work to get a perfect finish. Sanding, sanding and sanding.

If you are like me, and have various ailments such as Carbal Tunnel (in both wrists), Tennis elbow (even though I don't play tennis, but that's what its called...go figure), and to boot, Degenritive disc diesase in my neck, all of the sanding makes it a tough go.

What was frustrating for me, was that the directions on the can are not very good. When I started using it a year ago, it was relatively new on the blog world. Couldn't find much information on it's uses. Thankfully, I purchased the paint from a Stockist in Bath, Ontario. Elizabeth, from the Melon Patch, was very helpful over the phone. Offering little tips on the "how to". If you are in the area, please stop by and say Hi to Elizabeth.

See, this is where ASCP gets you. Information is not shared easily, so that you feel you must take a class to learn how to use the paint. Smart eh?

Now that I have used CeCe Caldwell, I do notice a difference.

CeCe Caldwell is a "silkier" paint. Applies smoother, and dries relatively smooth. To be honest, I simply love the wax more than the ASCP. Same as the paint, the wax applies without much elbow grease. Buffs up nicely.

The CeCe Caldwell colours are fabulous.

Alot of bright, fun colours.

What I find the most difficult to swallow are the prices on the paints and waxes. ASCP at $50/can, and CeCe Caldwell at $45/can.

What is nice is that we have a Stockist of ASCP located in Pte Claire, QC. Piorra Maison. It's a gorgeous boutique, so if you have some time..you must go a visit.

We do not have a Stockist of CeCe Caldwell paint here in Quebec. I order mine from a Stockist in St Thomas, Ontario called Anniez Things. Received the package in two days..which was impressive.

Chalk paint has been used for years and years. It's not a new innovative paint.

In the last few weeks, I have come across a new chalk paint on the market. It's called VanGogh chalk paint, and thankfully, made in Canada. Nice!

Haven't tried it yet though, so can't compare to the others.

The other paint on the market (which has been around for years and years), is Milk Paint by Homestead paints. Also Canadian made. All natural.

Haven't tried it either...but it's on the agenda.

So that all said, here's the bottom line. I don't have a blind allegiance to either paint. I use what fits me at the time. The nice thing is the option of different colours. Either ASCP or CeCe Caldwell.

Since I prefer the wax from CeCe Caldwell, that is what I use even though painting with ASCP.

Abit of advice, don't be fooled into purchasing the expensive paint brushes from either company. Home Depot has a very good brush and it works just a nicely.

Also, don't feel that you need the "wax brushes" either. Both waxes can be applied by hand with a cloth. Alittle bit more elbow grease required, but that's ok.

I purchased the wax brushes just to see if they work any differently than by hand. Alittle easier, but that's about it.

My little rant is more about the ASCP company vs the CeCe Caldwell Company. I have dealt with both. You see, I don't like to feel I am being held captive by a large corporation... The other thing is that until a certain company starts paying my mortgage, they do not have the right to tell me how to run my business.

Now, that is another post entirely.

If you have any questions about either paint, and it's uses...please feel free to contact me, or drop by the atelier.

Why oh why binges!

It's quite funny really...you see...I go on these binges. I become obsessed with
re-purposing something. Then spend days on searching the item, then I end up with this.

Believe me, there are plenty more then those in the picture.

So, what happens is that I then get busy with other projects. The wine boxes sit, and sit, and I move them, and they sit. 3 months later they are still sitting. Humph.

Well, finally have a day where the inspiration is flowing. So I start putting the wine boxes together.

Not easy, as they are alllllll different. So playing, and playing. Then I start getting this:

Now, I think that is a start. The inside of the boxes are painted a robin eggs blue.

So, onwards we go. Ran out of steam and quit for the day, but the boxes are still stacked in my atelier, waiting to be inspired.

That's all for today.

talk later
Dorothy

Where did summer go?

Well, here it is, about two months after my initial post. I don't know what happened, but as always, summer flew by.

I have this atelier, where I do all of my work. I'm lucky that way. Plus, I have the bruises to show for it. It's always jam packed with stuff.

Then there's this...

So, this will give you an idea what I am alittle about.

Supplies are getting low again, and have to head out to do some picking. My usual haunts are slim picking right now. Oh what to do! I guess it's garage sale time.

That's it for now

Going to see if I can get some people to follow my blog.. Is there a way of doing that?

lol

hugs for now
Dorothy

Hello Blogger world.....so..here we go.

New to this blogger thing.

But, after spending a fun Friday evening with Suzan of Simply Vintageous, and Caroline of Piorra Maison, thought I would jump in with both feet.  When you spend an evening with these two...time flies!  It started at about 7:30 p.m., end time... well, I think it was somewhere around 2:00 a.m.

We are of like mind, strong women that would love to succeed and become super successful, all in the age of somewhere around 50ish.  Let's just say that's all I will give away at this moment.

So....now have to figure out how to get this post published, and for someone to read it.

Stay tune... this should be very interesting.

Chat soon
Ta and hugs all
Dorothy