Pirate Flag Dresser

I'm linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.  Check out the other Metamorphosis people have posted.  And thank you Susan for hosting.

And I linked to Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive and Proper.  Thanks Cassie for hosting.

Any one who truly knows me, knows that I love pirates.  Not just the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and Disneyland or the movies, but actual pirates.  I have read and own several books on the subject. One is an actual account of life on board ships and the way they treated victims, etc. 

So after a while I decided I needed to paint a dresser with a pirate flag, since the Union Jack that has become popular. I wanted to copy without copying. Therefore I did Captain Jack Rackhams flag.

I didn't want it to be strictly black so I bought Glidden in a blue grey slate.

I had to enlarge the flag on the computer then I traced on the back with chalk.  Then I centered the flag on the dresser and rubbed over it lightly.  

Next step was to  paint carefully with the heirloom lace paint.  (I forgot the nose and my Daughter noticed and filled it in. After laughing hysterically.)

Then I sanded heavily to give it that wind-worn effect.

I liked these knobs with a little rope detail.

I found an old National Geograpic Magazine map of the Caribbean and burned the edges (and the spot that had the name of the magazine.) Then I decoupaged it to the top with Mod Podge.

I was going to sell it but my son liked it so much that I'm saving it for him.  I'll redo his dresser and sell it instead.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jeannine

Captain America and the Pencil Skirt

On Tuesday, Husband, Son and GF, and I went to the matinee of Captain America.  First off I was thinking it was a beautiful reasonably cool morning and we were going to see a movie instead of hanging out outside.  But if you think about it seeing a comic book character come to life in the movies should only be seen as a matinee!

Personally I loved the movie.  It had a good old fashioned, polite heroic man, with no swearing.

When we came out at the end of the movie, I told my son, who loved it too, that he still needs to be careful. Captain America does not lead his Nat'l Guard unit!

I have been thinking about making myself a classic pencil skirt in black for a while now.  This is just the impetus I needed. Love the look.  So I looked at the basic pattern companies out there, but they don't seem to have pencil skirt patterns with waistbands.  And I like having a waistband.

Here's a classic pattern from the 50's.

And a more recent interpretation of the pencil skirt.

Since I can't find a pattern I like I found a tutorial on making your own pattern.  Should be easy.  Back in college, waaayyy back, I started out as a theatre major and learned how to draft patterns in Costume construction.  (Actually, my favorite thing to do is make costumes even today.) I switched to Creative Writing and Business when I realized I really didn't have any skills as an actress.

So I will go make a pattern and get back to you later on the finished skirt.

Have a lovely day.

Jeannine

Outdoor Table Scape

I love joining in at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.  This week Susan has a lovely beach table on the porch.  Check out all the other links as well.

While I had the table I posted about here in the front yard, I decided to do a tablescape with the newest set of china Husband and I bought at an estate sale two weeks ago.  They were extremely dusty and just piled in a box.  However, after a hand wash, they were ready to go. I love the delicate blues and pinks. The name on the back is "Cannes." There is a complete set for six but several extra plates and bowls.

Please ignore the bits of my neighbor's car.  Its hard to take long shots without getting one or two cars in the photos. Oh, and the garbage cans. Ick, Sorry.

The blue napkins are a recent purchase from an estate sale as well.

The glasses are my everyday glasses from Target, about seven years old, along with the napkin rings.

The flatware is my Community stainless from Oneida, wedding gift that we use every day.

Thank you for stopping by.

Jeannine

Table Refinished-Finally!

I've linked to All Things Furniture over at Perfectly Imperfect. Be sure to check out the great furniture redos over there.


I love joining in with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.  There are some amazing things linked there-check them out.



I love My Romantic Home by Cindy.  In fact her table is kinda my inspiration for this table! She is having a Painted Furniture Party today!


And one more party: Cassie at Primitive and Proper hosts Piece of Work Wednesday.  Look at what she did with mint green paint!

So here's the deal: 

We bought this dining set for $50 about two years ago and it has been hanging around in our garage all this time waiting to be refinished.  Part of the table top had been sanded so there was no way to restain the top; some of the fabulous grain design had been sanded away.

Our daughter was working on moving into a one bedroom unfurnished apartment.  I got motivated to get to work.  I did strip the top but realized I couldn't save the look.  

First, I used deglosser to clean and prepare the rest of the surfaces on the table. Then, I got out my bucket of Elegant Lace by Glidden and my brush, ugh, and got to work.

I loved the shell detail on the legs.  I had planned to use some gold Rub n' Buff to highlight the shells.  

Then Daughter found a cheaper furnished apartment with roommates.  She no longer needs the table. (I will be listing it on Craigslist later today.) Since I would have to order the gold online and I didn't want to wait for it to arrive, I decided to just distress and wax.

This is a shot before the distressing, below.

Husband helped me move all the pieces out under the tree in the front yard.  Backyard would have been better, but I'm not hauling that thing  around to the back!

It had five chairs, one with the side arms.

Shell detail.

On each on the long ends there is a little red lined drawer.  I replaced the handles with Husbands major help.

I recovered all the chairs with a creme colored home dec canvas.

Hope you enjoyed the refurbish.  I'm glad it is done!

And I know what I want for Christmas:  a paint sprayer!

I hate painting chairs with a brush!

Jeannine