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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What's Up Yer Alley?

Is there something you really want to make, learn, transform, or need a few more ideas to help you finish your project? I'd be delighted to help. Leave me a comment about it and I'll respond the best I can.

6 comments:

  1. Alright Zan, I have one for you. I have a wardrobe type of dresser. It has a door on the left side (with shelves inside), three small drawers on the right and two larger drawers on the bottom. There is a wooden scroll-work at the top. It stands about 4.5 ft tall and about 3 ft wide. This is for my 9-year-old daughters room. She wants her main colors to be purple, grey and black. I'll send a pic if it helps but I would LOVE your amazing input!

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    1. Oh Angela that sounds like a neat piece. A pic would be great if you can. I'm going to do a little research today on that and get back to you ok. Are her walls a certain color? Bedding and bed frame a certain color? That will help me as well.

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  2. When you painted your crib did you strip it first? What kind of paint did you use so if they chew on it it won't chip? Your stuff is way cute by the way!

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    1. I tend to get too excited to just get going that I may not do it exactly as you should. But this is what I did. My yellow crib was pink. I ran my hand sander over the whole thing just to get the loose paint off but not all the pink was gone. Don't feel like you have to get down to the bone. Used a high gloss paint from Lowes. You can use spray paint, another blogger did that but I felt like $ wise it was too much for me to go that route. Your preference. If you paint by hand know it will take some time. Easy to get inpatient and rush but then you will fight globs to sand off and have to repaint. To finish it off I did spray some water based gloss laquer over the whole thing and let it dry in my garage for about 2 days. You can buy those clear plastic strips to put on the top rails where wee ones like to chew. Check BabiesRUs. I recommend doing that because I don't know any other way to protect them from the paint. My baby hasn't done that yet but you never know. Seems to be that part that if they do chew they go to first. Good luck and please ask more questions if you need to along the way. Happy to help. And don't forget to take before and after pics to share!

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  3. I have to know about your piano! I am trying to get brave enough to paint mine! My piano looks exactly like your before picture:-) how & what you used would truly be a big help! I am head over heals in awe of your quilting skills! Beautiful! I am looking forward to seeing more from you! Thanks for sharing your talents! Cherie

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  4. Cherie my dear,
    I used my hand sander and just 'roughed' it up. I didn't sand it down to the bone. I would invest in a good paintbrush, not too big, I like to use the kind that painters use for 'cutting in'. Medium size. Use that for the nooks, cranny's, and legs. I did use a roller for the larger surface areas because it saves from seeing 'brush strokes'. The keys are the hardest. I wish I had a pic to help, but just try to tape them up the best you can. Use a nice craft like paint brush (not a sponge one) about a 1/2 inch wide to get around the keys. I actually had to push the keys down while painting behind them because taping was too tough for that section. Is that clear as mud? Please let me know if it's still unclear. All in all, be patient, it's best to have to do another light coat then rush it by doing heavy coats and then you have to fix globs. Be sure you let it dry completely between coats! Otherwise you will 'pull' the half-dry paint and make an awful mess. Check all over before you add another coat for bumps which you can sand off gently with a little piece of sandpaper. Once your done painting use your 'painters' brush and finish it with a water-based poly-acrylic lacquer, sheen to your taste, this gives it some added protection. I used a semi-gloss to help keep it clean because I have wee ones with sticky fingers. Please ask more questions if you need to. I am happy to help you along the way. AND don't forget to take before and after pics. Those are the best!

    As for the bench...I should have taken pics while doing that...der. I will know better next time. I can try to 're-create' the process with something else and take pics, but until then just give me a holla when you get to that point and I'll talk you through. :)

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