Tuesday 30 July 2013

Table for firewood?

This is my kitchen table. We've had it for about 6 yrs, and it was really starting to show it's wear and tear. A couple chairs had some minor damage and the top looked terrible, thanks to my children using their cutlery to "trace" things into the finish.


I went ahead and clamped and glued the fractures, and filled the spots with gaps and sanded it all smooth. Then I took to painting the chairs....all 8. This was my first attempt with a paint sprayer and once we got it all figured out, I was quite impressed. I did the first coat with the sprayer and the second coat with a brush. Because I wanted really minimal distressing and a fairly smooth finish, I opted to dry sand the chairs. It feels like I have been painting chairs for weeks....oh wait, I have!



This was the first time I had worked with Endurance Finish from Ce Ce Caldwell. I started with the Satin Finish, but I wanted something a bit more durable as the table clearly takes some serious abuse.I was SO impressed with this product. It dries to a really tough finish and applies like water. Then as I got to the bottom of the can, things took a turn.....

(Remember that I have been plugging away at this for the entire month of July in small portions. It's been a VERY time consuming project and I am completely bored and over this stupid table. Keep that in mind as this post continues.....)

 After 2 full coats of Beckley Coal on the table top, I decided to wet sand the top and edging as it was still in my dining room. Dry sanding makes a HUGE mess, but leaves a great finished product. I wanted to avoid the black dust on the dining room floor. Soon as I started wet sanding, the paint started pulling up instantly. (ahhhh crap) This was one of the few times that I should have listened to my instinct and done a light sand. The top was clean, but had a really laminated finish on top. It just didn't adhere. So I repainted that spot and then went ahead a dry sanded the ENTIRE table. Then it took me an hour to clean the ENTIRE floor. 
Soon as I started to apply the Endurance to the top, it started to bubble in certain spots. (great! just what I needed)

 
I did a light dry sand over the entire top again and smoothed out the bubbles, and applied my third and fourth coat on Endurance.....then the bubbles CAME BACK! (not kidding about turning it into fire wood at this point)

Then finally at 10:00 last night, after kids went to bed, I set to using the last bit of Endurance on the apron and legs of the table. When I turned the can I noticed a thick "sludge" at the bottom. It was too thick to even stir evenly into the product with my brush. I needed a spoon. Once mixed, I started to apply it and noticed it just wasn't applying smoothly. As it dried, I noticed it took on a gray chalky appearance. (awesome...just great)


So, after 2 FULL cans of Beckley Coal, and one entire can of Endurance Finish I am debating setting this jerk of a project on fire in the back yard. I am SO OVER this entire thing that I can't even muster up enough steam to want to finish the stupid thing.......

So......off to Spruce I go today to pick up another can of Endurance, which I will thoroughly stir, not "swirl in the can" as suggested in the instructions.
This is not a reflection of the paint or the product. The Endurance on the table top is AMAZING. I am really impressed with the sealing properties of this product...I am less impressed at ignoring my internal voice that told me not to half-ass the table.
On a bright note, there is no problem with the chairs and although time consuming, turned out BEAUTIFUL. Thank fully...maybe I'll spare the four I have completed from the fire and only burn the four half finished ones....maybe?
I will keep you posted as I attempt to finish this project by the end of summer!
Thanks for enduring my rant, and hope you learned something from my error. :)

Monday 29 July 2013

Sunshine and Chevron

So my hubby stumbled upon this little gem while working. She was a bit banged up and drab. I wasn't quite sure what she was going to grow up to be......so she sat.
It took me a VERY long time to be struck by inspiration with this one. When it finally hit, it was worth it!!
I decided to try a Chevron Print for the first time. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try not only some different color combos, but start trying some new techniques. I'm not going to lie, it was a giant pain in the @#$.......
Once I figured out a system, it went much smoother. However, it was still more difficult than I had anticipated. Mostly because it involved math. Not my favorite!
Once all the stripes were dry, I did a combination of wet and dry sanding to complete the aging process. 


I finished it all off with a coat of Endurance Finish from Ce Ce Caldwell. Because it's a table, I wanted a little stronger finish to prevent any paint chipping or scratching. I LOVE the way the Carolina Sun looked after the sealer was applied.
This little beauty is on her way to my virtual showroom and is available for purchase. 
Thanks so much for popping in! 



Friday 12 July 2013

The Big Winner!

I have drawn a winner for the FREE PAINT CLASS on Saturday at Spruce Collective. 
I used the random number generator, and here's what was drawn.......
Number 10 on the list is BARB KARK! If Barb is unable to make the class, I have drawn a runner up.
Kristy Wiebe Butterworth you are second in line!

Make sure you stay connected with Refresh on my FB page, and check in on the blog to see all the tips, tricks and newest items posted in my showroom for sale.

For more information about the class, please check out Spruce Collective on Montrose in Abbotsford






Friday 5 July 2013

July's Big Giveaway

This month, Refresh is working with Spruce Collective to get the word out about Ce Ce Caldwell paint! I will be giving away a FREE SPOT at the next Level One paint class, on July 13. Just Like and Share Refresh at my Facebook page here, and you're entered to win.

This package is a valued at $170.00! 

  • 4 hours of hands on education with Ce Ce Caldwell Chalk & Clay Paint.
  • Take home starter kit
  • 10% off any paint purchase
  •  Lunch is included
Summer is the perfect time to start those projects you've been putting off, and refresh your roost! 
Contest closes Thursday July 11 at 10 pm. Winner will be announced here, on Friday July 12. Check in to see if you'll be enjoying a day in the classroom with me at Spruce!