Saturday 4 June 2011

a bits and bobs week...



Feels like I've been away from my blog for a very long time again, must do better in future! This week has been a week of all sorts really. Have been working on some more magazine projects which obviously am not allowed to share with you yet, but I have also been doing all sorts of other bits and bobs too.

I had a massive clearout last weekend, filled 7 huge bags which went off to the charity on Tuesday. Also filled a good few rubbish bags... Oh I do like a good clear out every few months! I don't feel like I buy that much new stuff but I seem to just accumulate so much clutter so it is really liberating to give some of it away every now and again. Anyway with all the organising that came with sorting through everything, I also thought it was about time that I tackled another project that has been on my to do list since I bought them from a junk shop years ago... my old table and chairs.


 
They were bought out of necessity when we moved house one time and I've actually been using the them as my sewing desk (disguised with a nice table cloth) ever since. I've been wanting to pretty them up for so long now, but you know how it is, some things you just never get around to, but I decided the time had come for a makeover!

So I dug out my old painting clothes, sanded them lightly to give them a key, undercoated them and then gave them a top coat of cream gloss (plus extra touching up bits that I'd missed first time round.) This took 3 or 4 days in all, because both the undercoat and top coat were oil based - took absolutely forever to dry and stunk the whole house out!

But eventually they did dry and I then oilclothed the top of the table in a pale duck egg spot. I was originally going to staple the oilcloth onto the underside, but we actually used wide double sided sticky tape instead which seems to hold well and will make it much easier if I ever want a change!

So here they are... Ta-dah! What do you think?



I'm really pleased with how they turned out, so much nicer than what they were! (By the way this isn't where they usually live, in the middle of the living room but just where they were painted). I'm using them again as my sewing table for now but am hoping to get a new one soon - an extra long one - and these will be used as our kitchen table and chairs instead.

To be honest, I'm really glad I've finished them. Don't know about any of you but I always like the idea of revamping and painting up old furniture, but the reality of all that sanding, painting, waiting for it all to dry, touching it up, waiting some more... is always way more tedious than I imagine. So I may not be doing any more painting for a while, though I still have half a tin of paint left which I'm sure to want to use on something or other soon enough!

Anyway, apart from my table project, also had a little splurge on some pretty new fabrics this week (but it's alright - I'm a textile designer, so I always need new fabrics right??)


The top fabric here with the little birdies on was actually a charity shop find. It is a massive piece of really good quality cotton (it is actually a curtain, still has the heading tape on) but I was so pleased with it, and for only a pound! 

The big blue spot fabric below was also a charity find - it was a huge panelled skirt with so much fabric in you wouldn't believe, but the top had been cut off so it was only 50p! Have now cut it up into usable sections, and am very pleased with my finds!



Oh and I'm also now learning to crochet!! I've been wanting to make myself a granny blanket now for years and years but I have absolutely no clue about crochet. One friend at Uni did try and teach me but I couldn't even make a slip knot so she gave up. Since then, have been keeping my eyes open in charity shops but have never found one I like... So anyway after some encouragement from some lovely Facebook and Twitter folk, I have decided to have a proper go and make my own! 

I've bought a couple of balls of wool and a hook and last night I set about watching You Tube videos to try and learn the basic stitches. I have also bought the highly recommended 'The Happy Hooker', but haven't done much more than flick through it yet.


Anyway I gotta say crochet does not come easily to me! I was feeling so baffled with it all and it took me about an hour before I could even produce a chain! But I had the house to myself and persevered with it, and this morning, I was the proud owner of one wonky, uneven granny square!! Wonky maybe but nevertheless it is a granny square! 

I will evidently need a lot of practise but I think I've just about got the hang of it, so will be experimenting a bit more before I dare put up any pictures on here! I will also need to buy some more yarn - I have a colour scheme in mind so really looking forward to choosing my colours! Will let you know how I get on :)

Anyway this has been a very long post, so if you are still awake, thanks for getting to the end! Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, I will be back soon x

19 comments:

somewhere on the avenue said...

The table looks fabulous xx

bellaboo said...

I LOVE your table and chairs makeover!...really worth all the hard work involved.Gorgeous fabrics too. :0)

Sew,ray,me said...

Ooh I'm very jealous of your charity shop fabric finds, they're fab!! I've been scouring the car boot sales lately and have managed to find a couple of nice pieces.

Love the table and chairs too, I've also been lusting after all the cream/White painted tables ive been seeing on blogland.

www.sewrayme.co.uk

Scented Sweetpeas said...

Fab table! And yey for the crochet book, you have done really well to do a wonky granny square already, that took me ages! I am now making cute little hearts from Attic 24's blog and that is only 3 weeks after starting that book so keep going - yey for crochet! x

Home Accessories said...

The happy hooker!!??
that made me smile.

littlekittenhomemade said...

Love the table, right up my street and the new fabrics are lovely! I too have a crochet book on order, not quite sure WHEN I'm going to find time, but I'm sure I'll sepnd many a happy moment looking at it..tee hee! Sarah xo

Maria - A Playful Stitch said...

Absolutely love your table and chairs - what a transformation!! Gorgeous!

Good luck with the crochet - when I first started to learn crochet, I thought that it really wasn't for me... it just didn't seem to come naturally - but in the last month or so something just clicked into place! I would still say I'm a novice, but it is easier than it was! Check out my blog for pictures of African Flowers I've been crocheting - I love them, they look great, but are so easy! Definitely something you could try! Good luck with your granny squares, I'm looking forward to seeing pictures on here! :o)

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Love your recycled table and chairs Jenny...and your charity shop fabric finds...so pretty!
I have the 'Happy Hooker' book too...but have yet to make a start so I will be following your progress and hopefully it will encourage me!..
Susan x

artworkbyangie said...

Your table and chairs look great Jenny. I admire you for sticking with it - I have similar 'revamp projects' on the go which never seem to get much further than 'shabby'...one day I hope they'll finally reach 'chic' status! As you say, waiting for paint to dry is tedious, its also awkward with small children running around. Have a great week, A x

Dizzy button said...

I adore your table and chairs makeover!

Sarah Gibbs said...

Love the makeover much better in white

Crafts @ Home said...

What a wonderful table (now), it always seems to take so much effort to change something for the better, doesn't it..... but so worth it :) I love your fabrics, and you have one of my most favourites in there, the pink lecian fabric :)
Sue Xx

Unknown said...

I have been giving some objects a makeover with paint recently and got hooked on the results. I love what you've done to the table especially the oilcloth idea.

Helen Philipps said...

Hello Jenny - how gorgeous your table and chairs look now!! Love all the fabrics too - the birdie one was such a great find. I've just ordered the Happy Hooker after reading Scented Sweet Peas post about her holiday crochet! I do want to learn but it's finding a moment away from all the other crafty things isn't it. Maybe this will be the year, and we'll both make a crochet blanket..perhaps?! Hope so! Have a lovely crafty week.
Helen x

Anonymous said...

Oh Jenny your table and chairs are gorgeous, I do like a bit of duck egg blue!!! I know what you mean about the painting though, I did a chair last summer, just one chair but it seemed to take me forever sanding and painting and painting again.
Good for you learning to crochet now not only will you need more fabric you'll also need lots of yarn too ( it's terrible this addiction!!)
Have a great week,
Vivienne x

Pipany said...

It was a lovey post Jenny. The table and chairs look great. I always like the idea of doing makeovers more than the reality too. Good luck with the crochet x

elibeegifts.co.uk said...

Wow,that table is fantastic,so beautiful!Your website is great as well.
Elisa.x

Anonymous said...

love the table and chairs :)

The Chimney Pot said...

Hello, I love what you have done with your table and chairs - the oil cloth top is a really good idea! Especially for kids! Also, love your sideboard in the background xx

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