I Just Couldn't Wait.... I'm Impatient Like That

I was so anxious to see how this whole project would look that I honestly rushed through the entire process. It did, however, provide me with a valuable lesson (or two) learned. 



Be patient with the process and know that if you do everything right your vision will be fulfilled. 



Always use the right tool for the job.



Unless you want a numb forefinger (like mine) I suggest using a paint that you use a paintbrush with.



Follow all directions. 



Allow paint to dry before trying to put the hardware back on.

Rethink the use of dark colors if you live somewhere dry and dusty (I'm just sayin').



Try to refrain from painting every single item of furniture in the house until you've got it down to an art (again, I'm just sayin').

Anyway, I still have quite a few touch-ups to do with paint. I also need to add a shelf somehow. Then, I'll add a thick glass top for protection. Once that's done, it will go in the den with the sofa I bought at my friends' mother's sale last spring.........

Meet "Ugly Betty".... A Before And After Love Story

This last week I went to a local consignment shop and found an old beat up TV cabinet but they wanted $50.00 for it. What? After pointing out all of the problems with this piece (including the fact that TV's that size are no longer sold), I worked the *fleecer* down to $10.00, which is far more than it was worth in its original state. I didn't want to spend much on my first piece, just in case I totally screw it up. And, it is one heavy SOB.





So, here she is in all of her non-existent glory. However, the moment I saw her I knew she had "good bones". So, this weekend I shall attempt to give her a total, fabulous makeover, to be revealed early next week. I should have taken a picture before I ripped the weird back off and threw it in the dumpster. It was awful and there were spider eggs everywhere. (shudder)







Anyway, I bought some ply-board, had it cut to my specifications, sanded it, and nailed it to the back, so as to have a *faux* backside. (No one will ever know, right?.)







The hardware has been a real bugger to get off but with the help of Mr. Snoots, we were able to finally remove all of them. Whew! Who knew it could be such hard work getting screws out? Actually, I was the one who STRIPPED the wood screws by using the wrong tool, but Mr. Snoots was still able to get them out. Unfortunately, he's now in a horizontal position for the remainder of the day. It's football season....


 
I learned last week about covering up when you spray paint, so here is my *new look* for the fashionable painter paintress. I even went to the hardware store looking like this. I think I scared people. First time ever for that.




So, what are the rest of YOU weekend warriors doing this weekend?

Ooops! During A Spray Painting Frenzy.... I Might Have To Paint The Entire Patio

Yes, it's true. In my spray painting frenzy of the patio furniture, I forgot about that little breeze. You know. The tiny little 5 mph breeze. Thinking I had more than enough plastic sheeting (I suppose I should have checked with Dexter first), I proceeded to spray paint my 60 year old patio furniture a new, shiny black gloss. 

After painting 3 of the chairs, I noticed a bit of a problem. I - um- apparently didn't account for that little breeze, if you get my drift. Yes, I'm still an idiot after all these years. What was I thinking? Perhaps I was thinking that the patio floor (cement) looks like yuck anyway, so maybe I should paint it too. Or. Not. The jury is still out on that one.



You can see my *oops* in this picture:



My arms are going to be in such great shape after all the shaking of spray paint cans! I just love unexpected exercise surprises. I'll take it wherever I can get it, right? On the other hand, the tip of my forefinger is still numb after holding down the wicked spray can button for so long. I suppose I'll use my left hand forefinger tomorrow.

Anyway, tomorrow I'll move the pieces I haven't painted yet out onto the lawn, since it isn't really growing with this year's heat and drought. I'll still use the plastic sheeting but at least it won't permanently damage the yard. The damage is already there.

I also made a new cover for the porch swing cushion (all done with hot glue) and made a little pillow too, for all those friends who drop by to visit. Not. We have someone drop by maybe once every other month, if that. Furthermore, it's been too hot to sit outside, even at night. So, don't ask me why I thought this was necessary, but I at least like to pretend I have a life.




On another note, the painter is still painting the carport after 2 weeks. I'm thinking we might be ready to put our house on the market by the year 2013, if we're still alive... or sane. Honestly, I'm beginning to feel the agony of defeat, as if we'll never have this house ready to put on the market. I just try to stay busy in order to stave off depression. The frustration is already there. Help. Mr. Wizard.



Sooooo.... What have you been up to lately?