union jack love

This is the second item to come out of the lean to/workspace/studio. Furniture painted with Union Jacks is a big trend here too - I guess it started because of the recent royal wedding, but it's great to see it being used everywhere in blogland.
Pandy gave me this little table and said it was crying out for a makeover.

I actually decided NOT to paint it white !!! But I did decide to paint a Union Jack on the top and do it slightly 'in' from the edge because there was a natural line, created by the way the table was made.

I didn't take many photos (thank goodness, you're all thinking because your photos are rubbish !), but basically I sanded, put on two coats of primer, then painted the white, red and blue - taping as I went.

I found a great link that told me how to draw out the flag - this was actually a suggestion from the lovely Danielle at Silver Pennies who painted up a great chest of drawers with the Union Jack (she is married to a very cute Brit).

Yes, I distressed it A LOT - I love the old, vintage, distressed, shabby, scruffy, slightly soft round the edges (no, I'm not describing the old geezer !). I added a dark wax, you can see it at the top, before I covered the whole thing. I buffed it, then added a couple of coats of clear wax.

I love it, but maybe not so much, because I am actually going to try and sell it. If I manage to sell a few things then I can actually stay in the 'lean to' a lot more ! And it didn't cost me anything as I had ALL the paint, although I will be giving Pandy a percentage !!!

Linking up with -

Knick of Time Tuesdays @ Knick of Time

Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays @ {Primp}

Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond The Picket Fence

Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence
Pot Pourri Friday @ 2805

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday's Best @ My 1929 Charmer

faux antique tin !

 I've been thinking about some decoration for my little hatch

doors for some time. I really like patterned tin, so I was thinking

of a way to replicate it, at very little cost. I looked at tin foil roasting

trays but they had too many ridges, then I checked out some wallpapers.

I found a few that I liked in a large store, and as you're allowed to take samples

I tore off about 18 inches !

I did a test piece first and it worked really well, so then I stuck two pieces

on one side of the doors - using the pattern like a mirror image.

Then I cut the main pattern in half to use on the other side of the doors.

I cut a little cross in the paper, to go over the screw heads. We don't need knobs

on this side because we just push the doors open if necessary. The bumps will

disappear with the painting.

I stuck them both on, using a glue stick, in case I want to take it off.

I painted them 'liqourice' using a match pot I had.

Then I used a candle to rub wax over the pattern. This resists the paint and

helps to protect the paper, when you come to rubbing it back.

Then I painted three layers of white on all the wall-papered sections

and rubbed them gently with sandpaper.

I'm really pleased with how it has worked out on both sides.

The living room side will fit in more with the gallery wall I am working on.

And the kitchen side gets a little bit of detail, that is just enough.

Not quite chipped and shabby antique tin, but I'm happy and the dear

old geezer and his daughter have both given me the thumbs up

and that's good enough for me !

And what's more, this was one of those 'no cost' projects !!!

Linking up with

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays @ {Primp}

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond The Picket Fence

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense
Pot Pourri Friday @ 2805

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Spotlight Saturday @ Classy Clutter
Sunday's Best @ My 1929 Charmer
Debbiedoos Newbie Party @ Debbiedoos

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Terrific under ten Tuesdays @ At Home With K

Take-a-look Tuesdays @ Sugar Bee crafts

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm

Show me what ya got @ Not Just a Housewife