Update!

So on a previous post, I told you I had an idea for the backboard part of the hutch I was building for my newly acquired dresser for my sewing room.  So I thought I'd post some pictures of current progress.

 Like a dummy, I bought the wrong grade of plywood, so unless I wanted to use an entire tub of filler, I had to do something different.  I decided to go with paintable wallpaper.  I first tried just to wet the paper and apply it to the backboard, but it didn't stick very well.  That's my little inspector Gabby.  The right side moved on me as it was drying, so I decided to pull it off and redo it, but this time I used Mod Podge to make sure it stuck and didn't move.

Then after allowing it to dry overnight, I used an X-acto knife to trim the edges.  Then I put on a coat of primer and painted it.  That's my little friend, Emma.  She loves to paint.  She really loves anything crafty, so I always love it when she comes over to help me with my projects.

Here is a close up of the painted paper.

And this is what it looks like assembled atop the dresser.

The sunlight was really reflecting in this picture.

And another picture with the drawers in.

That's my dowel rod laying on top.  It's going right up top to hold my ribbons.  I will have a shelf directly below it and possibly another shelf below that.  I'll know once I get the dowel installed.  I have to go get another drill bit, since mine wasn't large enough to drill the hole for the dowel.  I decided to use blocks of wood on either side.  One block will be just a simple round hole while the other is notched out allowing me to take it on and off.   I looked and looked for brackets, but all of them were shower curtain size and too big.  I also have to get a pocket jig to attach the hutch to the base.  Then I'll probably repaint it.

I absolutely hate the color!  I sooooo wish I had gone with flat black.  I will never, never, never make that mistake again.  I may try to distress it first with some sand paper, and if that doesn't work, I'll just sand it completely and repaint with a flat black.  I have a couple of other simple ideas to make this piece super functional in my sewing room, but I'll update once I have those in place.  I have one more little thing to build to go inside one, maybe two, of the drawers to maximize the space.  I'm not sure if it will work yet, so more on that later.  Right now, I've decided to let it sit so I can regroup after the painting fiasco.  I'm disappointed, so I need a break.  My friend, Donna, suggested I use magnetic paint for that back wall, which would have been a great idea if I hadn't already had a plan.  But for anyone else interested........

I'm also working on two quilts, one for Robbie's room and another surprise one.  I almost have the top for Robbie's finished.  I have the squares cut for the other.  I will also be building a new bookshelf for Robbie's room, since he has so many books and doesn't want to part with them.  Yay, right??  I have also been working on my tatting.  I bought a smaller needle and much smaller thread, and it is much, much harder to work with.  But it is turning out so pretty.  I'm excited to be able to attach it to a collar on my next day gown.  I have a new pattern for a baby bib, blanket and bonnet that I want to try too.  Emma is coming today to help with a few more baby burp cloths.  I've bought two other dress patterns from Pintucks and Petticoats that I want to try and haven't gotten around too yet.  I also finished Britt's bench and recovered two of her chairs which I'll post on tomorrow. 

I'll also have a few sneak peaks of the quilts sometime this week and my tatting progress.

Angela

The Bench is Finished!

So you remember this bench from previous posts.  Well, I had a difficult time finding foam for my cushion.  Who knew that would be so hard?!  Joanne's had it, but it came in a big piece, and it was really expensive.  Then I started looking around at upholstery places and custom car shops.  They were less expensive, but they only had big sheets of foam, which I didn't need.  So my friend, Cheryl, came to the rescue.  She found a twin size foam mattress pad at the dollar store for $6.  I had enough to make 5 layers in the bench to give it plenty of stability but still remain soft.  I'm uber excited, and Britt will be too.  She'll be able to take it back to Athens on her next trip home!

I think she will like it.  If I had a place for it, I'd keep it! lol  This was very easy to make, so I could definitely replicate it if needed.  I'm actually thinking that since I need extra space around my table at the holidays, this could sit right under my bay window and give me that added space.

Angela

Progress on my hutch.

This is the piece of furniture that I found on Craigslist for $35.  It had some dings, and it's not the prettiest piece, but I knew I was painting so it didn't matter.  I didn't want to invest a huge amount, since this is my first finishing type project.  I put a little wood filler in places to make sure I had a smooth surface.

Here is the painted piece now.

This will be my base piece.  My only regret is not finding a piece of real wood furniture.  This is laminate.  I also bought gloss paint at the suggestion of the girl at Lowe's.  I won't make that mistake again.  Gloss is very difficult to work with unless you are using a paint sprayer.

And these little babies will be the hutch.

I wanted a curved top and sides but wasn't sure how I was going to get symmetry.  So I decided to use Robbie's headboard as a guide.  I used tissue paper to trace the design of his headboard then cut it out and transferred it to the big part which will be the back part of the hutch.  Then cut it using a jigsaw.  I used a portion of the headboard to create the side design, but it took a little more freehand to get it right.  Lesson #2: do not use plywood if you want a smooth surface.  See that primed piece in the middle.  That is after I sanded and sanded and sanded.  The black piece is a piece of 1x12 that I had left over from Britt's bench.  And since I have already invested the money for the back piece, I have something a little different in mind for it.  I hope to have pics of it Wednesday.  I hope it turns out the way I've envisioned.  So I have that to finish and the one side piece left to cut (again) and paint.  Then I'll put it together.  I hope to have it completely finished this weekend.

And my awesome hubby bought a new jigsaw for me last night!!  Now I won't have to borrow my friend's any longer.  He almost bought a sander and work table too.  Yay for me.  I guess since I'm not in the kitchen so much anymore, he doesn't mind my new hobby!  

I am also working on Robbie's quilt.  I cut out the sections yesterday and hope to start piecing it together this week.  I am also making another quilt, which I'll have more on later.

Angela

Sweet Progress!

So this is my progress thus far on Britt's bench.  The original pattern called for aprons on the sides.  I didn't want those, since I was covering the top.  I've been searching for the right foam for the seat cushion, but alas I didn't realize how expensive foam is!  So now wanting to be as thrifty as possible, I'm on the hunt for either some old outdoor cushions or even a boat cushion.  I found one small piece at Joanne's over the weekend, but it was not the right density, and I didn't think it would hold up with repeated sittings.  I also haven't decided on whether or not I want to distress the paint.  I think it looks kinda cute just like it is.  I'll let Britt decide since it will be in her house.  She chose the fabric.  She did a good job didn't' she?

I am also almost finished with the embroidery on Angie's tote bag.  Those little woven picots are taking longer than expected.  I just finished the last one yesterday, and all that's left is filling in the middle of the flowers.  I'll have pics hopefully tomorrow.  Or I may just wait until Thursday when I should have the whole thing finished.

And yesterday, I took Robbie with me to Joanne's.  I knew better, I knew better, I knew better.  I couldn't leave without buying his UGA fabric for his new UGA themed quilt.  Then I had to sit down at home later and sketch out the rendering based on his instructions.  And let me just say, they were terribly explicit!!!!!  I did offer some advice.  Some he took, some - not so much.  I hope it turns out the way he has envisioned.

So although I haven't posted in a few days, I have been busy with projects.  I'm beginning to think that Jeannie Baumeister is on to something with her "do one thing at a time" motto.

Angela

Sneak Peak!

 This is the wood.  I have drilled my holes and filled any imperfections with wood filler and sanded.  Robbie helped.  We had a blast.  I have also marked my sides where they'll be cut with a jigsaw.  I should have that done later today.  Those are my back steps and happened to be the perfect height for my little project.  I don't have a work table, so the steps had to do.

Once I cut the legs, I can attach them to the top.  Then I'll attach a support piece in the middle.  Then a little paint for the legs and support.  But I can't decide on the color.

Here is the fabric.  The floral will be the bench cover just on the top, and the stripe is the coordinating fabric for the other chairs.  All will be at the kitchen table.

So what's your vote?  Keep it neutral?  Or go with bold?  I think the yellow would be a good color and that's the one I'm leaning toward.  I like the coral too.  I even tossed around black, but I think I like color for this one.  The yellow would make a nice distressed color.  All the other colors in the house are pretty neutral, but it's college.  All their furniture pieces are hodgepodge anyway.  We'll add window treatments and pillows with coordinating fabrics later for cohesion.  The table is is rustic with a mahogany top and distressed ivory legs.  So a distressed look on the bench wouldn't be out of the question.

So let's have your vote.  Which color?

Now that I've begun this project, I have a hankering for a circular saw, a table saw, a work table, a jigsaw of my own, a Kregg jig and all sorts of other tools.  Lowes will be my new favorite place to shop.  haha  Won't my dh be excited!?! lol   And they have much more expensive stuff than Joanne's or Hancock's!

Angela