Wednesday, June 22, 2011

'Mr Secret Agent is Afraid to Stand Still' ...A Chalk Paint Story


Hello friends and welcome back to my nest.
I have been working on a couple of projects this week and have lots of photos to prove it.
Let's take a look, shall we?
I bought my Ethan Allen Sofa back in 1985. It was a very big purchase and way over my household budget back then, but I had a plan for the future.
I wanted to purchase a sofa that was well made and would last for years.
Well this beauty has lived up to that and more.
My best advice to newlyweds is to buy the very best quality you can afford. Don't go for the cheaply made upholstered pieces...they won't last.
 In my opinion, cheap will look cheap and you will end up having to replace it sooner than you think.
Especially if you have children.
You don't have to buy new either..I have seen sofas like mine at thrift shops.
All they need is a great slipcover.
I have plans to sew a custom slipcover for my sofa. I took advantage of a 50% sale at Joann's last week and ordered some white denim...lots of white denim!
I'll dress her up with some colorful throws and fun scrap fabric pillows.
Here is another sneak peak of a double project I have been working on. 
I can't wait for the full reveal. This is very different for me.
Last week at my Salvation Macy's I spotted this large quilted Euro sham. 
The colors were so cool and beachy.
I dug threw the pile of linens (who donates just one sham?) and found it's mate.
I love the colors and the pattern. They are green on one side and blue on the other.
And they are from 
POTTERYBARN!
So we are probably looking at around $40.00 to $60.00 each
They are HUGE, very thickly quilted and lined in white cotton.
I immediately knew I wanted to transform them into...
THE LARGEST BEACH BAGS IN THE WORLD!
Ok...maybe not the world, but maybe the largest in Warrenton, Va. 
I wanted to create a gusset so I flattened the bottom corners and stitched across.
Quickly breaking my needle.
A quick setting change and a denim needle fixed that problem.
I left the excess corner fabric to the outside and plan on sewing a large decorative button at that spot.
Like this!
I used a wide cotton strapping for the shoulder straps.
To give the bag extra strength, I sewed the ends of the strapping down about 4 inches.
The X inside the sewn box is your guarantee that this bag will not fall apart.
I left the original sham ties and they are now top closure ties for my beach bag.
She is all ready for the beach...or shopping...vacation or an overnight bag.
Not bad for a $1.99 investment.
*
*
On to the next project!
I love it, but I have too much wood in this space
This is really an end table, but I think it is going to work quite well as a coffee table.
I have quite a bit of oak wood all around my home. Much of it you haven't seen yet.
The coffee table that matches this was just too big...way too long.
I wanted to break up the look of all this wood.
YUP...you guessed it...
CHALK PAINT 
The two tone you see in the metal at top right is the sun shining in
Here she is all painted and I just love it.
I mixed some Provence & Old White and got this beautiful pale blue.
The inlay is accented with a little OW which I watered down.
She looks fresher and more up to date.
Mr. Secret Agent even thinks the paint makes her legs look lighter
He loves it.
He smiled when he came home from work and said..
" I am not surprised that you painted something today...I better keep moving or I'll get chalk painted also"
He is so tolerant of my projects...love ya Hon!
I am really happy with how the table turned out and I think my white slipped sofa is going to look fabulous next to it.
Now tell me what you have been up to this week?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Until next time...be kind and stay creative.

Sharing this week with some creative blogs

29 comments:

w said...

your pictures always make me happy. and then they make me mad. because i can't sew a slip cover. and you're walking waaaaaaaaaaaay to slow.

Annie said...

I bought my sofa in 1984 and love it! It was our first major furniture purchase and it has great bones. had slipcovers made 10 years ago for $300!!! which was lots then and still is now. But my 2 lovely kitties have had their way with them and I was about to get a new sofa. Thanks to you I plan to make my own slipcovers.

Kathleen Grace said...

I like the idea of white denim instead of dropcloth fabric. I have been wanting to slipcover a chair but I think the dropcloth will be too creamy so i will be interested in seeing your sofa in denim. Love the table and beach bags! Isn't it awesome when our hubby's appreciate our projects? I know it always gives me an extra warm fuzzy when mine compliments me on my designs. That's one way to know they're keepers!

MamaMonki said...

Your table is gorgeous. I'm waiting on hubby to get home so I can try to convince him to help me move our coffee table upstairs to become a bench at the end of our bed. He's being difficult. Grrrr!

The LadyBugs Garden said...

I love the table. When I started reading this blog I guessed the sofa is next before you said it. White denim will look nice with your new decor! I can't wait to see the finished product.
xo
Stephanie

The LadyBugs Garden said...

PS...I did it I just ordered some Chalk Paint and Wax. I can't wait to paint my end tables and coffee table for my new sun room....
Stef

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

Love the bag and the table! I'm a big fan of the chalk paint and will be posting my "new" little table painted with chalk paint tomorrow on my brand spanking new blog tomorrow. If you have time, drop by to take a lookie. Tootles, Kathryn
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Leslie said...

You are such a busy bee! Love the fabric on the slipcover project - very fun & modern. I'll look forward to the full reveal soon. And the chalkpaint table facelift is wonderful. I love the colors paired, how you handled the wood on the top. You're photos are wonderful too, so inviting. Thanks Janet for sharing yet another creative and wonderful project!

Leslie said...

Oh, I forgot to mention the beach bag - LOVE! You are my crafty hero. :-)

Little Blue Mouse said...

I love what you've done with the table. It looks so bright and summery now.

Kelley said...

Wow, you certainly have been busy! I admire your creativity and thriftiness. :)

Michele said...

You are terrific! What a great beach bag and so unique! How many pillow shams have I thrown away over the years...........
Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Decor & Harmony said...

Very nice table transformation! I love the colors they mixed well together. Can't wait until the big reveal.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Beautiful job on both projects. And I love the "Salvation Macy's" moniker!

Insensata! by Laura Sners said...

I love both of your projects! but that coffe table is awewsome! I tend to think that nothing is better than a good wood. You proved I was wrong! thankyou!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Smart thinking with the pb quilt, Janet! Looks great! I like the milk paint project, too!
-Trish

Annette said...

That's such a great idea for the pillow shams. I have some sitting in a drawer that will probably come out now! The table is pretty amazing and I look forward to the reveal for the double project! You continue to inspire...:)

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

I do so enjoy visiting your blog and today was no exception. I can't wait to see your slipcover I've been planning to do the same, but having never undertaken anything like that I thing I need lots of practice with the calico first. On top of all this I've nominated you for a Kreativ blog award but please don't feel under any obligation to accept. http://redneedlesewing.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-been-so-long.html

Amy W. said...

B+E+A+U+T+I+F+U+L = BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
All of it!
I also respect and admire your take on
the Jenny Craig commercial!
Pretty is not skinny, it's so much more..
more than I can list here!

said...

LOVE the table makeover---that chalk paint is just to die for! You did an amazing job and it will look fabulous next to the white couch. :)

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Wow your pieces turned out really pretty. How I wish I were as gifted as you my friend.
Hope your have a wonderful weekend
Love ya
Maggie

Claire said...

Hey Janet, you certainly don't let the grass grow under you.............

Those quilted shams are wonderful, love the design and colour on them.
Great idea to make into a bag. A good sized overnight bag is always useful.

Your latest painting project looks fab too and if chalk paint make's legs look lighter', where can I get me a can?............

Back home and all is well, after a gloomy, foggy start to this morning we now have sunshine.............

Enjoy your weekend,

Claire :}

Shaunna said...

The table looks great! And you're right, it'll be perfect against the slipped sofa...thanks so much for linking up to ATF party this week!!
:-)
shaunna

Unknown said...

Love the bag that you made. You always come up with the best ideas. So clever!

Anonymous said...

How clever! I love the beach bags and table! Could you tell me what weight denim you ordered? I bought some several years ago to make a slipcover and it seemed too thin (so it's still sitting!). Thanks for your help! Sara

Thumper said...

You are an inspiration! Love the table!

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

@ Sara..
I bought 25 yards of a 10oz white 100% cotton denim. I can't wait to get started on my sofa. I will be sure to document the process...or mayhem!

Janet xox

Boden said...

Wow, Janet! Your beach bags are fantastic! I'm loving your blog, you've got some great style! I'll be your newest follower, Jen

www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com

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