First Project

I will be turning 30 this week and have decided that in my thirties I will develop new talents and hobbies. This might be extremely fun and exciting, or not fun at all, but alas it is my new goal/desire. So here is a few pictures of my first project.

Before

I found this little beauty at the goodwill with a sticker on it for $50 smackers! I passed right over it and went home empty handed. That night while lying in bed I kept thinking about the dresser and how it might look perfect in my "dining room". I went back the next day to take a second look and saw that they had marked the price down to $30, I decided I loved the dresser, but not for that much. I went up to the register to purchase a body board (love the beach) and decided I might as well ask if they could sell it for less. **I never do things like that! I hate confrontation or talking to someone I don't know sooo much** The manager came out and without hesitating said I could have it for $19. YES! I was so excited and proud of myself. ;)

And so it began. My first project. I have to admit I got the desire and inspiration from a GREAT blog called All Things Thrifty that you can find here. I have been reading about and coveting a lot of the projects found on this site and after I found this dresser I decided to go for it.

Step 1: Prime it (used Kilz spray primer and it worked great)

ignore the dirty garage please and my lame pose. ;)

Step 2: Paint ( I used Ivory spray paint) several coats.

Step 3: Sand down edges and make a few dings and scratches.

Step 4: Glaze (tinted black)

This is what happend when I went inside to get a clean rag. Alli had "helped" me paint. After this little incident project time was done while she was napping. Lucky for her she is sooo cute. :)

I glazed little sections at a time then wiped it off. I put on 2-3 coats.

Step 5: Put back on the hardware. I looked for different harware, but I didn't like anything as much as the original so I stuck with that, and I am glad I did.

AFTER

It is done! I am almost completely happy with it. ;) I just need to get a few decorations to go on top (flowers shown will not be staying). It was fun, frustrating, and rewarding. I think I made it harder than it needed to be, and I did have to go back and reprime and repaint some things, but I did it and that is all that matters-right?

Derek was such a good sport to help and encourage me. He was a little nervous a few times because I was very, very impatient, but we all made it out alive and now the wheels are turning for the next project. I hope this will become something I can enjoy doing and get better at it.

Here's to the big 30!

**funny sidenote- Kennedy told me today that she liked the dresser better brown. Oh well, you can't win them all. ;)**