Country Cottage Living

So, the top photo is “jazzy”, our new outdoor cat?

She has been hanging around our house for some time and finally I was allowed to feed her. She is lovely and very thankful to be fed.

The outdoor photo is of a scene at a local park just down the street from us.

The last 2 photos are of my new booth at the Candle Baker store. Hope if you’re local, you’ll come take a look! The Candle Baker is in Lynden, Wa on Front. St.

Melanie

picyou.com

just a couple houses away – from ours – are these adorable newborn lambs and their mammas…

I uploaded them at picyou.com and chose this cool instagram like effect!

Melanie

Mel’s Homemade Chalk Paint

Hi there!

Today I’m telling you about my chalk paint. You use less paint. You save old furniture. You save time. You could start and finish a project in 4 hours if you really want to!

Here is some directions and pics to inspire..

Use furniture that is stained or painted already. As you can see here; this furniture is stained and painted!

Wipe off dust and cobwebs.

Paint piece of furniture with a coat of chalk paint and let dry. On a cold day in spring in the garage this may take 1 1/2 hours? Chalk paint does dry faster than regular paint. Then paint again and let dry. (On a nice warm day, it will dry in 30 minutes!)

When furniture is totally dry…sand with fine sandpaper by hand or with an electric hand sander. When you see wood stain, stop so that the raw wood doesn’t show next. I like to distress most edges and little sections here and there. You do what you like!

Maybe have a strong person help you if you are feeling tired and weak (like me!) Thanks husband!

After sanding, wipe grit off.

If desired and to bring out the wood stain and finish the piece, lightly wax with furniture wax (and an old rag) found at Hardware Stores (I used Johnson’s found at Home Depot.)

Let dry 30 minutes and wa lah!