Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Happy Birthday to a dear friend...

...she and I served together in the Canadian military, she as a nurse in the Navy, while I was first a medic, then a social worker in the Air Force. She retired twelve years ago; I retired six years ago. We have been friends for many, many years. We watched one another's children grow up, celebrated their triumphs...and ours, grieved their failures...and ours. My friend LOVES tea. I refinished this little demi-lune table as a birthday gift for her, and here's a link to her birthday card. Here's a "before:"

I stripped and sanded it. There was a little damage on the front edge, but I rebuilt it with plastic wood.

Then I painted it with knock-off chalk paint (Martha Stewart Heavy Cream mixed (successfully!) with calcium carbonate...lots of different recipes available all over the internet...). Then I added an image from Graphics Fairy...did the image transfer with acetone. I know there are oodles and oodles of tutorials on the 'web about this technique. Here's how I do it. I've encountered some challenges doing them on painted surfaces. After much experimenting, I've discovered two things: knock-off chalk paint gives a little more "bite" to the surface. I just mix a tablespoon of powdered calcium carbonate to about 2 cups of latex paint, and mix it well in a cheap blender I use just for this. You can certainly use it without blender-ing it, but it seems a little "lumpy." I find that it actually rolls on smoothly though, so the blender is optional. After painting, I like to leave it for 24 hours so it's bone dry, then I lightly sand the receiving area with very fine sandpaper. After placing the toner based image face down, I soak cotton balls with the acetone and dab all areas of the image. I dab with some pressure, not just a light touch.I've found that "rubbing" messes up the image though. Once it's done, I filled in some areas with a dark grey fine point sharpie.

Then I chipped and sanded and waxed with Briwax Light Brown, and applied a layer of Minwax Polycrylic on the top and bottom shelves.


I gave it to her today...she liked it. I'm so happy.

Thanks so MUCH for stopping by again. Your comments on my little odds 'n' ends just MAKE my DAY...you KNOW that, right!? I'll be visiting YOU too, through your comments. Partying here and here and here and with these fine bloggers this week.

Wishing you a week filled with the joy of doing what you love with the people you love...and...

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.

(an Irish Blessing)

55 comments:

  1. This is truly lovely. It's a great gift that she will always look at and think of the care that you put into it for her.
    I always thought the best gifts are the ones that give you happy memories and what can be happier than tea!

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  2. Looks terrific and the image transfer came out beautifully (as your stuff always does).
    David

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  3. Gorgeous! What an impressive job you've done on this.

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  4. Okay, I am going to have to give that graphics fairy a visit- that is an AMAZING transformation!!!

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  5. WOW!!! Beautiful!! I really need to get into this imaging transfer stuff!! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this over at Trash 2 Treasure on Kammy's Korner! This is what the party is ALL ABOUT!!!

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  6. What an amazing gift! You are a very sweet friend!

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  7. I am in love with that image! Such a cute transformation and your friend is very lucky to have such a talented friend :)

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  8. I love this table, you did a beautiful job. I have done xylene transfers onto bare wood, but haven't had any luck transfering them onto painted wood. I just mess up the paint!! Any advice?

    Sunny
    expressionsbysunny(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. This is really cute! Glad to hear the steps you used...some new ones I haven't tried. Thanks!

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  10. Wow, that graphic is gorgeous! What a good friend you are :)

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  11. Deborah, I just love this table. It turned out perfect.
    Karin
    www.artisbeauty.net

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  12. It´s sooooo beautiful!How does this transfering thing works??? Love your blog.
    Kisses from Brazil!
    Alex

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  13. It' so beautiful! I love it! Great job!

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  14. Love it! The teapot transfer fits beautifully with your white aged finish. :) What a lovely friend you are, Debra!

    I've been here before - I remember your peacock! I'm enjoying looking around.
    -Revi

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  15. That's awesome.

    You've been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award. It is yours! Here is the link:

    http://www.turnstylevogue.com/2011/10/versatile-blogger-lafavorites.html

    Shari
    turnstylevogue.com

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  16. Deborah, This is the cutest table ever..love the teapot! I bet your friend loved it. I am happy to see you are using the DIY chalk paint with good results. Thanks for sharing this darling table at the Open House party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  17. Deborah, I forgot to tell you I am now a follower.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  18. This is fabulous, I know your friend didn't just like it I bet she loved it!

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  19. I have that same table, this came out great! Love the tea pot that you added, thanks for including the how to. Laura Cottage and Broome

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  20. I love this, the teapot is perfect! The table does not even look the same! Great job!

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  21. Absolutely beautiful! I'm envious of your friend and I'm not even a tea drinker. Wanna make me one with a can of Coke on it?

    Hmmm...just not the same, is it?! :0)

    Come link this beauty up to Knick of Time Tuesday!

    Blessings,
    Angie@Knick of Time Interiors

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  22. Thanks for such a great post on using latex and calcium carbonate. I am 'gathering' posts that use 'made by' chalk paint mixed with...
    I would like to add a link to this post if that is all right with you.
    Thanks.
    - Joy

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  23. Well how could she NOT like it!? This is just lovely -- what a fantastic present! LOVE the teapot graphic!

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  24. She must be a special lady for you to go to this trouble, and you must be a generous friend to think of such a fabulous gift for a tea drinker! NICE project. TFS~

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  25. Hello and thank you for stopping by my blog and inviting me over...Your table is lovely and I look forward to signing up to follow...

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  26. This looks great! Love it!

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  27. You did a great job with that! It is so pretty.

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  28. That table turned out amazing! What a lucky friend to receive it! Thanks for visiting my blog, and for your lovely comments. We're off today to pick up some more Kijiji finds =))

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  29. Your table is awesome! Thanks for visiting my blog! I am following you back. Knock off chalk paint...who new? So impressed!

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  30. What a great friend YOU are!! Wowsa!!! And what a meaningful gift I'm sure she will cherish!

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  31. What a great idea to use this graphic! :D Very unusual but awesome!!

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  32. This is fantastic.. you never cease to amaze me with your upcycling superpowers!
    Also I gave you a blog award @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2011/10/im-versatile-blogger-are-you-one-too.html
    Hope you stop by and grab it!

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  33. What a wonderful little table, it looks fabulous. Your friend is very lucky. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. hey, YOU are my kind of friend! and a military chick, to boot! hmmm...what other secrets are you hiding up there in nova scotia??

    post a photo of your friend when she sees the table!!

    amy

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  35. Love the way this table is flat on one side, the grahics, the paint..perfection!

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  36. This little table turned out so sweet! I love the teapot graphics you chose. What a lovely gift to give to your friend. I bet she just loved it!Thank you for being part of TTF and have a wonderful weekend!

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  37. What an awsome friend you are! The table is wonderful and I love the teapot so much. Great Job

    Veronica
    Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds

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  38. WOW, this is just stunning. You're an amazing friend for taking the time to make such a beautiful table.

    Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Take care,
    Christina
    designingbynumbers.blogspot.com

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  39. What a precious gift! Love hearing your technique, too. Bet your friend was/will be thrilled. :)
    Visiting from A2D~
    Heidi
    www.heidimilton.com

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  40. Precious! What a great gift! That's an interesting technique you used!

    Thanks for sharing this post and linking to Potpourri Friday. You participation is appreciated!

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  41. What a lovely little table! I'm sure your friend was thrilled to receive this, it's so pretty!

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  42. Looks great and I just love a little Irish Blessing :)
    Tina

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  43. Beautiful! I love the image, what a great idea!

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  44. Wow, this looks great. Love the image you used and the whole feel of the finished project!

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  45. This table is absolutely great love the finished look!

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  46. What a cute design on the table. that turned out great! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  47. This is AMAZING Deborah. Love the graphic. What a perfect touch. Is it tricky to do the design transfer with acetone? I'm wanting to give it a whirl but I'm nervous! Don't want to mess up my table! haha

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  48. i love this tea table its gorgeous, xxx

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