Romantic trim curtain and the dreaded dressing table

What better way to start with a beautiful picture. So I have searched the whole web looking for a effortless but pretty romantic style white curtain, when I say searched I have spent countless of days sifting through google images and nothing. I did have my eye on a frill curtain from Target but unfortunately here in the UK we can not purchase from most American stores on line. So as always my brain is always ticking and decided to make a set of curtains myself.

I came across this flat sheet with a crocheted trim I instantly knew what I was going to do with it, my friend who was shopping with me was a little puzzled and I assured her everything will go to plan. I opted for a super king size sheet as a girl can never have too much ruffle. I picked up a pair of curtains from Ikea £10 sheer white but strong enough to keep their shape. I took out the flat sheet and cut straight up the middle, I added wonder web and ironed a nice neat hem on the cut edges.

Whilst in Ikea I picked up two packs of curtain clips for £4 I neatly attached the hemmed sheet to the Ikea curtain and luckily it was the exact size to match up width ways. Once lined up I carefully clipped the two curtains together to form one solid curtain. Once I am happy with the desired amount of gather I will wonder web the two curtains together on each side. As we are moving I decided to leave them as I wont know the exact size of the next window. I bought two trimmed sheets so I will be definitely be making another set of curtains.   

I am so pleased with the way they turned out they are so unique and nobody has the same pair of curtains.

Although they will need a good iron I feel they will hold up well and washing them wont be a problem either.

If you fancy making these curtains get your self to Home sense fast these are retailed at £55 per sheet I grabbed these at £19.99 "Bargain".

So in my last post I made over a Louis style dressing table, this was sold quicker than it took me to paint it. I have had endless calls asking if it is still for sale. I believe I came across a rare bargain and I was straight down to my local junk shop in search for another. Unfortunately nothing so I came home with this dressing table instead. Its not as pretty as the last but at £45 I could do wonders with it. I attacked it with the paint brush and to my surprise..........

What the ............

I shouted into the kitchen "ANSON.... WOODWORM ATTACK" Jesus I have never come across woodworm in all my experience of old furniture renovation. My heart sunk I added heavy thick layers of Annie sloan and it worked but I just was not happy in selling something on in this condition. I opened the drawers and they were full of dead Beatles. I was itching and scratching and had to get it out of the house fast!. I called the furniture shop up the next day and he insisted I sell it on with wood worm but this was not good enough as he did not tell me prior to purchasing and I could not see the holes when I bought it. He said if I removed the paint I could have a refund. So I confidently assured him Annie Sloan could be removed easily with water and sponge. Anson handed me a degreaser spray in which he uses at work to remove heavy residue. It took it off in one clean sweep, not only the paint but the varnish too. I was in panic mode as they arrived to collect it, they would not give me a refund and took the dressing table back to the warehouse. As we drove by later that day he had it on show at the front of the shop for sale. Gutted to say the least but who is going to buy this?. I have been given a credit note but do not feel hopeful in buying anything without the owner doubling everything. So this is a lesson learnt and in future folks please check for wood worm. I had visions of falling through my floor boards on the way down the stairs the next morning haha. Have any of you had any experiences with wood worm and do any of you mind it? Let me know below.

Tracy

x

Paris Grey and Old Little White

Hello Everyone so I have been a busy girl again this week and managed to bag a bargain at the local junk shop. As always heading past my favourite junk shop on a late Saturday evening and asking Anson to slam on the breaks. I swear they put these things out just for me. They all have a name for me down at this shop "The delectable Tracy" I spend no time tarnishing furniture once I see it there is no negotiating "Its mine". They are usually pretty good at delivering its at my door within minuets as I only live down the road. 

So here is my latest project a Louis style dressing table complete with a three way standing mirror isn't she pretty.

She smelt rather old and was soaking wet as it had been raining heavy here in Manchester. I think this piece of furniture had come straight from a house clearance as the ladies items were still inside the drawer. I felt rather emotional sifting through her belongings. A pair of earrings a little draw string bag of old lavender and a few ornaments. This time around I could really feel the connection if you know what I mean.     

So within minuets of the dressing table being lobbed into the workshop "Kitchen" I attacked her with two chalk paints by Annie Sloan "Paris Grey" and "Old White". I could not decide what to do with it. First it was painted all "Old White" then the embellishments "Paris Grey" then I decided I wanted it to be a statement and have block colours. So I painted it grey then white then part grey ect. It has about 15 layers of chalk paint on this. After numerous amounts of sanding I settled for grey sides and a grey drawer with white establishments.

I literately had to hand paint all of the embellishments with a fine paint brush and also the outer edges and alongside the base. This took some time but I popped in my headphones and played some relaxing music. This for me is my favourite part about painting is the relaxation, no children or TV just me and the paint brush.

She sat all pretty in my front room overcrowded by toys ect and I would sit and think should it have been white? I hate deciding and Anson was not too keen on the chosen colours but I went with my gut feeling.

That evening I had stuck it on gumtree, Anson had bought me this as a early Christmas present bless him it was a bargain £55 but there is always something not quite right about painting something for myself. I can sit a pick errors with my finished pieces, I think it is more the thrill of transforming that gives me the satisfaction.

This was the finished result.

So within a few days she was sold and I am so pleased as someone will be getting a beautiful piece of furniture for Christmas. I sold this piece for £125 so I will be treating myself to a even bigger Christmas present this year.

I just want to let you all know that I will be drawing my give-away this week! I have not forgotten I hope you are all well and getting ready for Christmas.

Tracy 

All things bright and beautiful

I have not been seen in the blogging world for quite some time now purely down to planning a house move.

I did mention that I would hold back on the shopping trips, however I have been purchasing a few things for the new house. All of these purchases are to be added to a new conservatory but at the moment we are all falling, tripping and complaining that they are all in the way. 

These mini green houses are huge and very heavy, I have been looking all over for these for some time now. As always I could not leave one without the other. The large one had a smidgen of green paint on the top I received 20% off, I feel rather cheeky saying this but if at any time you find a fault always ask them if they can discount. In fact 99% of the purchases I make end up with discount only on house hold items as usually they are dented, chipped, distressed and miss match, but isn't that what "Shabby Chic" is famous for?.    

I bought these distressed keys they are rather large and heavy I cant wait to find them a new home.

The heart shaped key is my favourite of the bunch.

Ok ok ok...... I was so unsure about buying this cherub sometimes they can look tasteful and at other times can look quite frightening. I knew I wanted to paint him so I opted for Annie sloan in Paris Grey and Old White a hint of dark wax and a good buff. I love how all of the colours blended beautifully and the effects were amazing. Now how strange is it that in the first picture he looks sad, but in the second he looks happy! he must love Annie Sloan as much as me. At the moment he is sitting pretty in the dresser but will be placed somewhere much more appropriate. Anson on the other hand is not happy with him :(. 

I am not afraid to say I feel comfort from cherubs and find them very pretty to look at I guess you have to be a cherub kind of person to actually have one in your front room "Rolls around on the floor laughing" I will use Christmas as an excuse to keep him here.

I will return soon until then god bless

Tracy 

x

Blog Giveaway!

So as promised I did mention a while back that once I hit 60 followers I would hold a blog giveaway. What once started as a personal journal of make do and mends I did not know how much interest I would get and did not really intend on people finding me. To be honest I didn't realise that there was a network of people out there who was on the same wave length as me that shared the same interests. Well I was wrong and not only have I learnt so much from other bloggers and my followers I have enjoyed reading all of your personal posts too. So I guess in a way this is a little something personalised to say thank you for all of your kind comments and interest over the past two years. A friend of mine has started making these lovely personalised plaques and sells them in Whitby and Scarborough. I asked her if she could make one personalised to the winner and have decided to pick two lovely followers. She has heart shaped and rectangle plaques all customised with coloured gingham ribbon. This would be such a lovely gift for Christmas if you chose to pass it on, either way good luck.

The Wood Mouse Plaques

All I ask of you is that you are a follower on my blog and you leave a comment on this post stating you would like to participate in this give away. *ALSO PLEASE ADD YOUR PERSONAL QUOTE OR MESSAGE IN WHICH WILL BE ADDED TO THE PLAQUE, THIS CAN INCLUDE NAMES*

ALSO I WILL BE ADDING A SURPRISE GIFT ALONGSIDE THE PLAQUE.
Give away ends on the 9th December 2012.

If you are not a follower on my blog you can join by clicking the follow button. I would also be over the moon if you shared a link on your blog. Thanks again for all of your support and good luck!

Tracy

x

P.S I am now dragging myself back to the kitchen to work on painting a child's stool "the paint brush is back out"