Pantone Color of the Year Honeysuckle

Looks like pink to me . . .

Happy Quilting, Nancy

New Ornament Pattern #6

We hope you are enjoying the patterns.  We are sure having fun providing them for you.

Happy Stitching. 

I will be making skirts for five little granddaughters, one in a full body cast for a photo shoot they are doing.  I will let you know the details as I progress with that and my furniture painting.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

We should all be so Free

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with quilting or finishing furniture or even our everyday lives.  This just is about having fun and not being afraid to have fun.  This comedian was on Oprah and said "Control the things you can and let go of things you cannot control."  He learned this dance so when he was done speaking to a group of people he could connect with them and show them it is ok to have fun no matter what.  Everyone loves to dance but is afraid to make a fool of themselves.  I just laughed and laughed as I watched this.  Hopefully you will too!
Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Be sure and go to Chez Fifi and enter for her Fabulous Fifi sparkling giveaway.  She is giving away 10 sparkling things that are just beautiful.  Ballet slippers, pink pumpkin, wings, ornaments, this picture is a collage of what is in the give a way.  Fifi does setups for magazines, she is fun, french, romantic and very creative.  In fact, she redid a garage into a guest/studio with just construction help from one man.  She painted the floor herself and everything.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

A Little Finish

Here is the before and after for the Shabby Hutch.  Good bones on a piece makes everything easier.  Painting stationary panels top and bottom is a pain but the over all look is great.  Let me know what you think.  Be brave and just paint it.

I started with this

and ended up with this.

Interior color is Zen, Behr paint and primer all in one.

The Egg and Dart moulding is so beautiful on this hutch.

Original knobs painted black

The center drawer pull was broken so this was used in it's place.  The drawer opens fine with the two outer handles.

Pretty top door pulls with knob painted black.

I found a color I like better than the one shown here.  It is Glidden, Swiss Coffee, from Home Depot.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Finishing Furniture

As you can see, I perfer to paint in a white tone. 

Hint One: Buy furniture with all the handles.  Handles are expensive and can cost $4.00 each or more.

Hint Two:  Use good paint brushes, not the one dollar throw away brush or roller.  The marks from rollers and brush strokes are hard to remove.

Hint Three:  Wash out your brush if it is a hot day, every 30 minutes or so and dry, start again.

Hint Four:  Wipe the piece until it is clean and fresh.  Remove all dust completely or it will be in the paint and try to fix that one . . .

Hint Five: Paint in one direction only, not back and forth

Hint Six:  Use 120 grade sandpaper inbetween coats.

Hint Seven:  Rinse out your painting rag after each wiping episode.

Hint Eight:  Keep away from web paint

First, don't by painted furniture, if it is painted, sand it with a sander. Don't buy furniture from someone who smokes unless you want to leave the furniture outside for a month and then scrub it throurghly with a very strong cleaner, inside and outside and then let it sit some more. All residue from smoking must be removed and then put two Bounce in each drawer daily for a week, changes these everyday, spray with Fabreeze and hope for the best. It is easier to just donate furniture from a smoker than clean it.


I use Home Depot paint. I apply one to two coats of Gripper (like Kilz but will stick to any surface without sanding. I use a eggshell finish, custom mix Spice Delight BEHR paint. I am changing that to a bit more Ivory as for Shabby it is just a bit too white. I do one coat of this paint, sand the edges or wherever I think I am going to finish sanding, wipe with damp cloth to collect all dust between each coat. Do one more coat. Sometimes a third is needed to be sure it looks good. I sand light between coats. Allow 2 hours or more dry time between coats. Sand the edges one more time and wipe with a damp cloth. Apply one light coat of POLYACRYLIC varnish, allow to dry for one day. I have yet me master the matte finish that is so popular. I sell a lot of furniture doing just this.

I have a booth in Main Street Antique Mall, Mesa, AZ, that is currently 8' x 12" but is growing to 12" x 12" on the first of August.  I am dong very well with this adventure since the patterns are a bit slow right now.

Let me know what you think of my change of direction.  I do still sew but this makes money for my family.  That was why I was doing Applique patterns.  I really enjoy this and was not brave for a long time.  Finally one too many things we are doing without and here I am on this fun adventure of painting and selling furniture.  I would have dreamed this for myself.  I have done a lot of things over the years but this is really fun!

Please continue to enjoy the Free Pattern that Grace Jewell has graciously done for us.  Check out our website to see what other fun thing we have there.

Happy Quilting, Nancy

Block Two of our Free BOM

It is the 12th and time for another Block of the Month.  Please click the flower on the side bar and lets all join in on the FUN!!!


Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Apron Fun

I find myself smiling at this cute apron.  Fun, easy and fits everyone.  Two roomy pockets are great with just a hit of fun with the ruffle . . . let me know what you think . . .

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Sister Party

As many of you know, I have six sisters and one brother. It is our tradition that the sisters get togetger once or twice a year to celebrate what else . . . sisters. With that in mind, I am in California with the Sister Party and it is such fun with sewing projects and chatter going on. A few of the daughters, daughters-in-law and nieces has gathered with us to add to the mix a bit more fun!

I shall be home next week with photos and lots more to share. Are you helping with the one million pillowcases in a year project. We are and this would be a wonderful time for you to join in . . . come on, let's sew together and complete this great challange . . . see you soon with more and photos of our great host site . . . you are going to love it!

Happy Quilting,
Nancy