Under $100 Linky Party

Are you a Design Star addict like me?  

It is some new television to look forward to in the summer months and I love being a critic, deciding how I would have done it better and wondering if the judges will think like I do.  I have noticed that the contestants are a little more professional than they have been in the past, they seem to have more credentials.  And yet, I don't necessarily see a higher level of design compared to when there were some amateurs in the line-up.  Those of us who are doing it at home, have small home decor businesses, design for friends--we have it going on too.  We have an eye for form and color, we know how to decorate on a budget. Be your own design star, enjoy the process, and share what you love like some of these fabulous bloggers did:

New twist on PB knock-off from This and That from Tami

Fantastic farm chairs from The Ironstone Nest

Spring green from Weathered Pieces

Weathered pallet bench from Homeroad

Sweet, beautiful NO SEW bedskirt from Free Stylin'

Pina colada popsicles from The Pinterest Project

Absolutely adore Remodelaholic's antique ladder plans

Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:

1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!

2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.

3. Please include a brief description in link up.

4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.

5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.

6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!

My First ASCP Encounter

A few months ago I was thrilled to learn I won a giveaway on the sweet Miss Mustard Seed's blog.  The fabulous giveaway from the DC Metro area ASCP stockist included: 2 quarts of ASCP paint in colors chosen by the winner, one can of clear wax and one of dark wax, the New Waxwell wax brush, Annie’s new Craqueleur System and an Annie Sloan apron.  There were some shipping issues and after a few attempts the dear and helpful Celeste from Catfish Creative Furnishings (isn't that a fun name?) personally packed up my winnings and shipped them out.

Picking colors was a challenge and I ended up choosing Louis Blue and Coco.  Celeste let me pick a few sample pots as well, and for those I chose Antibes Green and Barcelona Orange.  Here is what arrived on Saturday (the crackle system and apron are in another box that haven't come yet)--look at those beautiful brushes:

A friend had given me this little side table.  It was in decent condition, had about 4 or 5 layers of paint.  I did lightly sand a few gouges out of the top.

 

I used the Louis blue.  It went on smoothly, dried quickly (despite the snow and raining that were falling), and covered the white paint in one coat.  I sanded it with an electric sander and I was over the top with how it sanded on this piece--a perfectly beachy, weathered look.  I have tried homemade chalk paint and while it seems to stick to many surfaces, it did not sand up this like the real stuff does.  

However, I had also painted a fairly glossy cupboard door and pretty much all of the paint sanded off.  I am not sure if I didn't allow it to dry long enough--I have not found much on the internet on cure time.  I also read on the wax can where you should wax, sand and then wax again to have more control over the sanding--but I am all about saving time and if I have to do this I don't see how it is different from using a primer.  I am going to repaint the cupboard door and let it sit a bit longer than I did.  I also see many videos with people hand sanding, but hand sander I am not.  I then applied the clear wax, let it dry and buffed it as directed.

The finish is so smooth and beautiful.  I was happy to see a little red pop through from the previous owner.  

I adore how the finish feels and the quick drying time and if money wasn't an issue, then yes, ASCP would be my paint of choice.  However, because money is an issue, the jury is out.  I will love using the cans I have and will probably continue to have some on hand (currently no one stocks it in my area) for some projects, but until I get discovered :) and make a little more cash, I will not be able to use it on everything and will save it for the glossy, challenging pieces.  In the meantime, I will continue to have loads of fun playing with the paint--I can't wait to do some color mixing!

Happy Memorial Day

 

Happy Memorial Day--take a moment to remember all those who have served or are currently serving our country.  We especially remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.  This is my daddy who served in the U.S. navy during the Korean war.

Sunday Verses

Prairie Sisters Recap

I realized I never did show you pictures from Prairie Sisters that I attended nearly a month ago.  The Prairie Sisters are so sweet and shared great hospitality with us.  This is the first years they have been putting on shows and wow, they do it right!  The show was held in the great old barn buildings at the Missoula County fairgrounds.

 

In typical Montana fashion, it had been 80 the previous week, only in the 40's the day of the show (speaking of, 3-6 inches of snow are in the forecast for tonight).   But, we layered up and stayed warm for the most part.  I sell with a dear friend, Tina, so this is OUR booth.  Here is a post about our beginnings.  As you can see, our space was packed!

 

And here is an after picture.  The potting bench sold, it just hadn't been picked up yet.  The ladders and shutters were props and the cupboard back and things in the corner on the left belonged to the lady next to us. Yep, I would say it was a successful sale!

Here are a few pictures form my employers, The Antique Barn.

 

So yes, it was a fun and fantastic day and we will be returning to Prairie Sisters!

Under $100 Linky Party

Thanks all for your kind words on my "retirement".  This is a retirement from teaching, not working.  I will probably be working harder than ever on my junk, and I will be a happy clam.  My good friend calls my garage my happy place, and it really is (okay, on sub zero days, not so much!).  It is when I am in there building, painting, creating that I lose track of all time, feel no hunger, and get in the zone.  I so look forward to more time to do just that.  Please know, your links, you sharing your ideas and projects truly does inspire me and make me smile.  Thank you for linking up, linking back to me, for commenting on other's links.  You are appreciated.  Here are a few of the many things that caught my attention last week:

OM goodness!!! belt mirror from Twigg Studios!

Yummy PB cup smores from Cookin' Up Good Times

Funky and hip rings from Chapman Place

Tri colored table from Leone Design

Fabulous pallet table from Weathered Pieces!

Vintage picnic baskets from Shabby Love

 Restyled Junk's wonderful bucket planters

Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:

1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!

2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.3. Please include a brief description in link up.

4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.

5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.

6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!

New Adventures of Old Becky

24 years ago I became a teacher.

 

After teaching 1000+ students in grades preschool-8th grade I am "retiring".  I haven't figure out how to do this (maybe I need the book):

 

so I am going to pursue more building,

 

and crafting (and I am sure I will look this sexy doing it-ha!).

 

And I might be a crazed woman,

 

but I am excited and look forward to my new adventures!

Flower Bed and Drawer

Here is a flower bed that I took to Prairie Sisters with me back in April.  I picked up the headboard on half price day at the thrift store--it was this color when I got it.  I used a drawer for a planter and added some front legs.

And here is another fun thing item to plant in--a drawer attached to a shutter.  This would also work great in a kitchen, hold recipes in the shutter, cookbooks or wine in the drawer.  Or how about in a bathroom for towels, fun baby bath pictures in the shutters?

 

What fun things do you use for planters?

Find more planter ideas at Funky Junk Interiors.

Sunday Verses

Have a Seat

When I picked up this little folding chair, it did not have a seat.

But hey, for $1 I decided a seatless chair was worth it.  I painted it white and thought of making it a planter chair, but I have so many junky planters in the works that I decided I didn't need another one.  Then I spied some slats that had been part of a shutter long ago.  Some fun paint colors and my chair is seatless no more.

I think it makes a great porch chair so I hung a little chalkboard on it to welcome guests.

 

Find more ideas at Funky Junk Interiors!

Under $100 Linky Party

Summer lovin' had me a blast...I can smell, feel, taste summer in the air and I am looking forward to it.  My daughter said the other night, "Last summer went way too fast."  I agreed and told her they usually do, but that we need to savor it and make the most of the days we have.  What do you do to savor the season?  How do you "slow time down"?  I also plan on doing lots of creating this summer and bloggers like you all inspire me so thank you!

Fresh cabinet from Turnstyle Vogue.

Center of Attention Deficit Disorder's tomato cage turned basket.

Sweet chairs from Shabby Girls.

Lots of great ideas from Decolab,

Knot All That I Seam's amazing chair makeover.

Great sign from 3 Mango Seeds.

Fun labels from Knick of Time.

Thanks for linking up and for sharing you with us :) !!

Under $100 Linky Guidelines:

1. Please link to the specific post, not your blog!

2. Please only post ideas that cost $100 or less--it would be great if you share the cost of your project, but not necessary.3. Please include a brief description in link up.

4. Grab my Under $100 button on the sidebar and include it in your post or a link to Beyond the Picket Fence so people can find you and more great ideas.

5. Please check and make sure your link works. If it doesn't you can delete it and try again.

6. Please no direct links to sales sites, i.e. ETSY or just a plain ol' commercial site, we are looking for inexpensive ideas we can recreate, thanks!