Charity shop lamp and the Garden

First of all I am alive...... I have been rather busy and did not have anything worth posting I hope you all forgive me. We have been enjoying the last of the summer weather and a lot of time in the park hitting the tarmac on skates so far I have managed to get out every day and embrace the sunshine. Little man is coping ok in his new bed so we are all back on form, this also means mummy creative time in the evening. We spent a few days in Scarborough this week with family and friends and not to mention some adult conversation which I miss so much. On the way home today I popped into a newly opened charity shop and found a free standing lamp. I have been searching high and low for one of these but nothing really cropped up.

This little treasure only cost me £25 which I think was a bargain, most free standing lamps these days are either chrome or too modern looking. What also caught my eye was the fact that she was off white with a hint of pink, Basically the exact same colour of the two Annie Sloan paints which I use frequently. I was so pleased that I didn't have to touch up or transform for once. 

The lampshade is a little too small for this style of lamp but I am hoping to either create something or buy a lamp shade on Etsy. If any of my lovely followers have seen something which would look nice with the lamp let me know.

The perfect Annie Sloan match.

Check out the pop up tent...such a lovely feature to our front room.

On to the unfinished garden.

So the decking was complete and I then started on the bench, I mixed two cuprinol paints to achieve this very pale duck egg colour. Everything looked fab until the next day it rained, and the bench looked like someone had tipped Beer all over it. The only thing I think it could be is the original stain seeping through the wood. 

I put fixed trellis up against the fence and painted it Country cream, I then added lights for a bit of sparkle. The garden is beyond being completed I have so many things to find in order to make it look cheerful for example plants, shrubs and a wishing well the list goes on. 

I hope you are all well and putting your busy little minds into action I have a few things lined up for the weekend and yes it involves a paint brush!

Tracy x

Annie Sloan vs Cuprinol on Decking

Just a quick update pictures to follow this evening, I decided to apply the chalk paint to the decking it looks rather patchy but I intend on giving it a white wash after. I painted it with Antoinette "Pink" and a Original "Off White" wash over the top. Its not adhering to the wood very scratchy and the slightest brush and its coming away. I think maybe I should of not diluted it trying to get as much stuff painted out of one tin is obviously not a good idea. Annie Sloan team emailed me advising to leave it to dry for three days in dry weather. I am too inpatient to see whether it will hold up, I looked at cuprinol shades in sweet pea but its far to pink I wanted to achieve that dusky look. I hate to think that I am wasting valuable time on something that wont work. Trial and error! it seems that I am the only person to tackle decking as there isn't anything online.

So this is the decking prior to Annie Sloan a dirty violet colour.

Sat out on the decking, beaming sunshine with Wellington boots on this is what you call style.

First layer of Original on.

And then the Antoinette Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

After sitting on the decking for over twenty minuets I decided it was not going to work.

So off we trotted to B&Q and ended up with a tin of Cuprinol which I didn't want to do but managed to get a colour mixed closest to what was on the decking and came home with Pale Thistle.

Its on and its "BRIGHT" jees you can probably see it from moon. I must of been eating too many raindrops this week because everything is screaming colour.

Pale Thistle wood paint.

I like the colour but it does not have the aged feel to it I cant sand and distress it but I guess over the next year it will start to gain some character. 

I painted the fence too in Sea grass.

I had my sofa throw covers out drying on the line I love the colours from the material next to the fence. 

Now everything is so crisp and bright everything else now seems so drab. The pavement needs a jet wash and the concrete surrounding the fence area need a paint. Something in the garden is bugging me (Purple slating) I want it all painted. I had a great idea of filling up a bucket with chalk paint and a touch of water pouring all of the stones into the bucket, swish them around and then let them dry in the bucket. It would work but I would be there all day. I now need to decide on the right plants, purchase a wheelbarrow and some other pieces for the garden. Once its all completed I will post up some pictures. 

I will leave you with a funny thought......Have you ever painted a fence and then wanted to paint all your neighbours fences the same colour because they are CLASHING with your fence? 

Have a beautiful Sunday folks.

Tracy x