I’ll tell you right from the start…today’s post has nothing to do with dolls. It isn’t even about their clothes, or wigs, or shoes. It’s about another side of me that I thought I’d share. I dabble in lots of different things and this was one of those “projects” I thought I’d share if that’s okay… We’ll get back to dolly talk next post.
On the way home from town one day, my hubby and I spotted a couple of dressers out by the side of the road. All the drawers were pulled out of them so we knew someone was trashing them. It wasn’t very far from our house, so we hurried home as quickly as we could and jumped in the truck, hoping that when we got back there, no one would have taken them. YAY… they were still there! Both dressers had the hardware and all the drawers, but both were pretty beat up looking…did I tell you yet… I just LOVE a challenge and this was definitely one!
We hauled them home and my daughter said she’d like the larger one for her room. It took hours of work but we stripped it and stained it dark and it’s beautiful now! I had my heart set on painting the smaller one and even wanted to try some hand painting on it…if possible. I cleaned the dresser up and painted it two coats of a blue/gray chalk paint and then using a piece of chalk I drew on a faint design of branches and cherry blossoms. That way I could see how I wanted the design to look before I started with the paint. I had never tried free-hand painting before and was scared out of my wits, but my sister, Cindy, in Pennsylvania was egging me on and giving me lots of advice on how to do it. (She’s excellent at painting things, by the way!!)
I know, I know, it’s not perfect… it was my first time, but I learned so much and on a FREE dresser, it was okay to try!
The dresser was solid oak and my hubby STILL let me paint it! He sanded the top for me and I stained it a dark walnut. I gave it some distressing and then waxed it with Miss Mustard Seed White Wax.
It turned out better than I thought for my first painted piece and so I decided to see if I could sell it on Craigslist. I listed it for $95 and it sold on the second day.
A man came and picked it up for his wife. He said she liked it the moment she saw it. When my hubby was helping him strap it in his truck, he asked the man if he wanted some kind of padding to keep it from getting scratched on the sides… “No, that’s okay” he said, “I think my wife is going to repaint it!” *sigh*
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
My heart dropped when I read your last sentence.
Your husband must have hated to tell you the news.
But look at the positive side, you gained knowledge,
practice and money. Plus made someone else happy.
Nice going.
Rita
Rita,
My hubby didn’t have to tell me…. I was standing right there when I heard the words myself. When we went back inside, I sort of felt dejected, but dear hubby, knowing how I must feel, said, “count your money again…”
I don’t even think about it now…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my gosh, Jeanne! I had NO idea that last sentence was coming! You did a wonderful job on that chest! I have a sister in Arizona, who does that very same thing, and sells the furniture in what they call swap meets. She does wonderful work, but has to work outside in the hot Arizona sun!
How did Rebecca’s chest turn out? At least you kept that!
HI Linda,
Yep….that’s what happened…
My sister does the same thing in PA and does really nice work. She is very talented and we always are swapping ideas and thoughts back and forth.
I tried to find a picture of Rebecca’s dresser, but somehow can’t find it. I’ll keep looking and if I find it I’ll post it or just take another picture.
Oh well, another project…another day…
Blessings, Jeanne
The ending of your post was a total surprise. I once made long, white, simple linen dresses to sell for Sasha at a Festival along with other clothes I made. My daughter, with a real talent for embroidery, designed and placed motifs on the dresses. I made simple bead necklaces to complete the outfit. The first buyer to reach my table, picked up the four or five boxed outfits and as she paid said she bought the outfits for the necklaces as her granddaughters would love them. I wanted to snatch the boxes back.
Jan
Hi Jan,
I know how you feel… but in the end, what can we do?
That must have been hard to hear when so much work was put into them…
They sounded wonderfully sweet!
Blessings, Jeanne
I think you did a fantastic job! Their loss if they re-paint this treasure….at least you got the money and had the experience to try out your talents!
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the compliment on the dresser! I sometimes wonder if when she got it, she may have changed her mind…
I did it to learn and I did…and I got paid… so I guess it’s okay…
Blessings, Jeanne
Can’t believe what he said. You did such a nice job on it. Maybe his wife changed her
mind when he got it home.
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