Jumping in head first.....

Hi all,

It has been a while since I have blogged but that's because I have been busy painting away. The last I left you I had just started Underground Finds & Furniture.  I am happy to say that with a lot of time & hard work we are finally off & running. Since I last blogged I now have a little shop on the lower level of My Sweet Pea in New City, NY. I sell painted furniture & teach classes using chalk paints.

The classes offered are bring your own piece of furniture & use all my supplies while I help you bring your piece to new life. I will be having classes on stenciling, decoupage & more.

I also have a Cameo Silhouette machine that allows me to cut vinyl and personalize almost anything ranging from wood boards, cups, shirts, bags, etc. This has opened up a whole new side to my business.

In the store I also sell antique collectibles. I have my house filled with them!

Here are a few examples of personalized items...

Plastic mason jars w/ ice cubes & a straw. Personalized names in vinyl

 Painted wooden family sign for your home

Personalized wine glasses for a shower.
                                                                   








My website is underway and would love for everyone to go take a   look. All my social media will be linked to my website. Facebook,   Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube  & my blog. Please let me know what you think. Be sure to stop by the store to say "hi". 


http://www.undergroundfindsandfurniture.com/http://www.undergroundfindsandfurniture.com/

Thanks, Mary                                                                                 

Shutters, Shutters, Shutters....

It has been quite some time since I posted a blog so in my non-existent free time I decided to jump back in.  I spent this past Sunday afternoon with my mom stalking garage sales. She swore she saw signs all over but of course I just ended up driving around neighborhoods till she literally saw stuff on peoples driveways.  I probably would have been thoroughly annoyed if we didn't find some fantastic items.

This week's blog will be about the shutters I found.  We actually got several fun pieces at this sale but the shutters were my favorite find.  

I started on them as soon as I peeled out of my moms driveway.

I decided to try a new technique with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint called dry brushing.  It is pretty straightforward.  You literally just dab the tip of the brush into the paint and blot of the excess. You then paint as much or little of the paint on your piece depending on how much coverage you would like.  I used Annie Sloan's Old White for the shutters.  I really wanted to wood to come through on the slots and edges so you can see that the paint is lighter on these spots.

When the shutters were dry I then sealed them with Annie Sloan's soft wax.

So now that they are complete what can you do with shutters???

There are so many ideas so I thought I would share some with you below....

You can use them to hang pictures frames on instead of just hanging frames on the bare wall.  It also brings in a pop of color if you paint the shutters.

You can use them as an accent piece. Below they have them as the main decor on their mantle.  Adding the wreath gives it some nice dimension.

For the bathroom you can use it as a fun towel holder.  I love this idea!!!

Using clothespins you can simply just display some of your favorite photos.

Shutters in the bedroom either as a headboard or behind nightstands is a unique way of using them.

As you can see there are so many ways to incorporate painted shutters into your home. I love all these ideas.  I had a hard time not keeping these for myself!

Below is the link to my Facebook page & Etsy Shop.

https://www.facebook.com/UNDERGROUNDfurniture?ref=hl

https://www.etsy.com/shop/theunderground4

If you are interested in having something painted please send me a message.  I started this process of upcycling furniture on my own pieces instead of buying all new. Tastes & styles change & painting can give each piece a whole new look.

Thanks,

Mary

Adventures in Painting Fabric!

 As I continue experimenting and trying out new products & ideas I decided to dabble with painting fabric. I had seen this technique discussed in Annie Sloan's Color Recipes book so I decided to watch some videos & research a bit online.

This fabric bench was in need of a transformation so it was the perfect piece for me me dive right in.

I decided to use Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in French Linen.  This is a great neutral color that can blend in with any color scheme.  I filled a spray bottle with water first and lightly sprayed on the area I was painting.  You really have to get the paint in there because it does absorb a lot.  It took 2 coats to get a nice even look.  It took the whole quart of paint as well.

I let it fully dry for 2 days & it definitely felt really course & rough.  My next step was finishing it with Annie Sloan wax.  I did little sections at a time making sure to rub any excess off.  

After this dried the texture definitely changed.  It now has a more leathery feel to it once I buffed it. I decided to paint the legs in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Antoinette ( a very light pink).

This would be the perfect piece for the end of your bed!

So my first try at painting fabric was a success in my eyes.  I loved this transformation.  

Below is the links to my Facebook page & Etsy page.  Please follow for updated items & blogs.

https://www.facebook.com/UNDERGROUNDfurniture

https://www.etsy.com/shop/theunderground4?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Thanks,

Mary

The world of Etsy....

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update to let you know that I have finally started my Etsy shop.  I am just at the beginning stages but would love for you to check it out.  I'm looking forward to the warmer weather & getting out to estate sales & auctions to see what interesting antiques & collectibles I can find.

What started off as a little hobby has now transformed into something bigger for me. I am enjoying the process and hope you will follow my journey & be a part of it as well.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/theunderground4?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Here is the link to my facebook page as well where I update frequently..

https://www.facebook.com/UNDERGROUNDfurniture

As part of this blog I am going to be posting some "How to" blogs on painting & waxing with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. So if you haven't already don't forget to follow my blog.

Thanks,

Mary

Oscar Fashion

I have always loved watching the Oscar's. I love movies & I love fashion. So Oscar day is spent on the couch for hours watching the fashion pre-show & the awards for many, many hours. I lay on my sofa curled up with my pug Ralph critiquing these actors while wearing my pajamas (and eating a bowl of jelly beans). We know we all do this.

Below are my top picks for best dressed...

Emma Watson in Vera Wang.  I love this look, simple but classic.  This is what I would choose to wear when I am invited to the Oscars!



Kate Hudson in Versace.  I missed Kate at the beginning but when I saw her she immediately came on my list.  She looks lovely.  If she only dressed like this when she was nominated for "Almost Famous" instead of looking like a poodle. 

Cate Blanchett in Armani.  This is my favorite dress of the night. I personally probably would never wear it but Cate looks perfect & now has the golden statue as an accessory. Love!

Naomi Watts in Calvin Klein.  I feel like Naomi gets it right every single award show. She has such great style without trying to hard. She is so pretty but at the same time looks so not Hollywood.

Charlize Theron in Dior. Not much to say here she is stunning. 

Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta.  I love Jennifer Garner she seems so normal & laid back.  I love this gown & the simplicity of her hair & make-up.

I do have to say that Jared Leto was my favorite of the night. Talented actor & singer. He will always be Jordan Catalano to me.  Ellen did a great job hosting & kept the long show moving, lots of laughs!

Underground Finds & Furniture

I haven't posted a blog in a long while so thought I was due.  For the last couple of months I have embarked on a new passion - painting furniture.  I have always been a big fan of antiques, painting little pieces of furniture & such.  As I moved into my new home I looked around and didn't love some of the pieces I had purchased through the years ( we all have some changing tastes).  Instead of tossing them out & buying all new I decided that I was going to upsycle these pieces and see what I could come up with.  

As it turns out I had such fun doing this & was really rewarded with the final projects.  This allows me to be creative and actually has really helped with my Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Yes I get sore, but I am always sore so at least I feel it's for a reason!

I have enjoyed this so much that I have started a facebook page showing pieces I have done for myself & for friends & family.  I have turned into an estate sale stalker looking for original pieces to paint & sell.  This has turned into a little business for me as I also paint items I find to sell as well as paint pieces that people already have & want a new look.

Along the way I also am selling collectibles I happen to stumble upon on my estate & antique stops. I also have smaller crafts I have for sale such as decorative trays, signs, picture frames & mason jars. 

I primarily paint with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint which is quite expensive but so worth it int he the end.

Below is my facebook page site - Please take a look & "like" the page.

I have also posted some of the items I have done so far.

Check out & follow my site on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/UNDERGROUNDfurniture

This was a estate sale find and old dry sink.  I immediately fell in love w/ this & new exactly what I wanted to do. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint , distressing & wax. Found these brilliant owl knobs & it was a done deal.

This was an antique secretary that I bought several years ago.  I never liked the shiny veneer finish so finally decided to have a go at it.  I couldn't be happier with the final product.

This I got for a steal at an Antique center.  I envisioned it as my new vanity.  Added a pop of color to this one.  It is now settled lovingly in my room.










These side tables I painted for my sister in law Laura.  The inside color of these tables is the color used on one of her walls in her living room to tie everything back together.

 This was another great find at a sale.  This desk was a shiny bright yellow with loud orange handles.  I painted this with Annie Sloan paint & used a dark wax on the drawers.  I also used the Annie Sloan paint to change the knobs.




These are just a couple of the items I have finished.  Always adding new stuff to the site.

I will try to update the blog more often.

x

Mary

Bachelorette Blog - "The Right Reasons"

Week two brings us dates, tears, fighting, cringe-worthy rapping and one sob story after another. This is starting to get good.

Week two also brings the overload of candy that will be consumed during the course of our "journey"
See below..

This is a problem....

Let's get started:

First one-on-one: Brooks

Brooks gets the first date card and yes he appears to be genuine, sweet & there for the "right reasons" but I have a hard time getting past his teeth.  I don't know why but they scare me.  Their date consists of dressing up in wedding attire (boring), eating dinner on a bridge (a bit better) then finally dancing alone to a singer I don't know (humiliating).  I said it while watching, Brooks is in it for the long haul..final 3, possibly the victor?!

Group Date:

On this date were a bunch of guys I don't know & the ones that count.  Brandon, James, Zak W., Ben & Drew.  This is possibly one of the worst things I have seen on the Bachelor/ette franchise since I have been watching.  Des & crew will be doing their very own rap video with someone called Soljah Boy. (I truly can't stop laughing) At this point I think I may have blacked out for a bit.  I know nothing about rap but I am pretty sure that what I watched as the end result will be forever burnt in my brain.  There truly are no words.

The men bicker just as bad as the ladies do, possibly a bit more.  Ben seems to be getting on everyone's nerves, I haven't figured him out yet.  Is he the sweet Dad we saw at into's of a snarkey Bentley wannabe?

I have to say these men have loads of sob stories, disappearing dads, addict moms, horrific car accidents & diabetes.  Well we didn't get the full sob story on the diabetes since snarky Ben interrupted that one.  Maybe he isn't half bad - good save.

One-on-One:

Bryden gets this date.  Being from Montana Des thinks it would be nice to take him sightseeing around LA area.  Beach, attempting kite flying, fish tacos, top down chewing gum after fish tacos.  Next up our first hot tub scene of the season, awkward talking followed by Des asking to be kissed.  I am not sure if this was a bit hot or totally awkward.  I like Bryden but he really needs a new hairstyle.

Cocktail Party:

Basically more whining & complaining about Ben. A couple of people I don't know get the boot.  

Next week shows a girlfriend of a suitor showing up and losing her mind.  I love it, who is going to get the smacksown.


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