Follow the leader...

The Holder of the Jewels

I have a confession to make.  I AM A FOLLOWER. Yes, it is true.  And I’m not ashamed to admit it.  I love playing follow the leader…ring-a-round-the-rosey…Simon says and countless other kids games.  It reminds me what its like to be young without a care in the world.  And more than I like playing kids games, I like to follow trends.  Not always mind you…I do like to be a trendsetter too but sometimes there is a trend that is so AWESOME that I can’t help myself and I NEED to jump on the bandwagon and try it for myself.  Chalk Paint is one of those trends.  I have followed other people’s blogs for months researching this amazing paint.  I have stockpiled countless pieces of furniture that are just dying to be the 1^st piece to get to try on this new paint.  To see what if feels like to be covered in this rich, buttery paint.  To know what it is like to have its true self revealed WITHOUT having to be sanded to death.  Doesn’t that sound divine?  Today, my chalk paint arrived!  (Cue the sounds of harps strumming and angels singing please).

Isn’t she beautiful?  I couldn’t bring her here all alone so it was necessary to buy more than one at a time.  You understand.  And who would I be if I did not get the Clear Wax to help protect her beautiful finish?  Just plain irresponsible if you ask me!  And who is to be the lucky recipient of this paint?  It was a tough decision actually.  I wanted to go all out and tackle every piece at once but in the end my rational side took over.  Start small it said.  See what this paint can do then move on.  So without further ado, I give you my first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint makeover!

I LOVE IT!  This paint is everything it said it would be!  It went on smooth and easy.  I did not sand this frame at all before I painted it and this frame was slick…as in high gloss kind-of slick.  Normal paint would’ve scratched right off this frame without some sanding and priming.  So let me show you her humble beginnings. 

Not much to look at.  I think I bought this frame in the 90’s sometime.  It’s kind of a reddish color.  But she has potential.

After one coat of Duck Egg Blue…she looked a little white to me.  I was worried so I put on a second coat and then distressed her a bit.

Whistle.  Looking pretty good if a do say so myself.  All she needs is a little bit of “aging”.  I didn’t want it looking all fresh and new so I ran and grabbed my all time favorite stain – Dark Walnut by Minwax.  My intention was to put a small amount on a cloth and just put it kind of here and there.  Well, that did not happen.  I set it down on my table and proceeded to spill it all over the frame.  I did not get a picture of this absolutely horrifying fun step as I was too busy running in circles trying to figure out how to fix it.  I ran inside and grabbed my kitchen sponge, covered it in soap, dunked it in water and frantically carefully rubbed it all over the frame trying to get the stain off it.  This took about 80% of the stain off.  I then applied the clear wax over it hoping to soften the look.  IT WORKED and it made the blue “pop” even more!  SCORE!  After I finished the frame my intention was to add chicken wire to the opening and use it as a small message board.  I put the chicken wire behind it and it looked BLAH!  No character AT ALL!  Then I decided to add some fabric behind it to liven it up a bit.  THEN it went from being a message board to a jewelry holder.  I'm glad that it worked out this way.  I’ve always wanted a place to display all my jewels!  And I am not one to not “finish” a project so I had to fancy up the back a bit too.  I added a little ribbon to hide the edges after I hot glued the fabric on to the photo mat.    

Here is a before and after just as a reminder of where she came from...and how far shes come!

And some photo love just for the fun of it!

Its so feminine and fun!  I love the way my jewels are displayed now!  Hope you like it as much as I do!  And if you've been afraid to try this Chalk Paint trend.  Fear no more!  Go out and tackle it head on!  You'll be glad you did!  I am! 

So tell me your thoughts?  Do you like it?  Would you do this?  What would you do differently?

This project is partying in the following places.  Go join in!

Debbie Doo's

The Girl Creative

Skip to My Lou

Craft-O-Maniac

Todays Creative Blog

Savvy Southern Style