 Painting furniture is fun and so easy to do. However, occasionally we can run into a project that can be a little tricky and require an extra step or two.   This dining table was one of those pieces. My plan was to paint it but with the finish on it peeling and easily scratching off, the paint was not going to adhere. Painting over an unstable surface is problematic. If you happen to have a project with the paint or finish peeling off, don’t worry, I have some great tips to help you make your project a success. Here are the steps to take and materials to use if you are working with a tricky piece. Materials
Step One The first step is to remove the finish (paint or topcoat). Use your favourite furniture stripper, wear gloves, grab your spatula and follow the product instructions. Once you have removed the unstable surface use a damp shop rag to remove any of the residue from the stripper.   Step Two Once dry, use your hand sander to remove any residue that may have been missed and to give your surface a smooth feel. The goal is to remove the unstable finish. Use a damp shop rag to remove any dust and let it dry.  Step Three With the original surface now removed, it’s time to start over. Since the table was laminate I used Slick Stick first over the whole table top to help the paint adhere. After 2 hours, I applied another coat and left it to dry overnight. I was cautious about the possibility of bleed through (the tannins in the wood causing brown or yellow spots in your painted surface) coming through the Slick Stick. Since I didn’t have any bleed through, I was able to move onto my next step. If you do notice any bleed through on your furniture stop and apply Boss over your surface before moving on to the next step.  Step Four With my surface now properly prepped, I began painting the whole top in Cotton. Once dry I applied another coat and let it dry for approximately 2 hours.  Step Five Since this was my dining table I wanted extra durability and used Gator hide over my painted surface. For a seamless finish I used the blue sponge applicator to apply it. After a couple of hours, I applied another coat for more durability. After approximately 21 to 30 days my surface had cured.  I am so happy with how my table turned out. It has been transformed from a peeling and worn tabletop to a crisp, clean surface with a durable finish that won’t peel or scratch off. Every so often we can run into tricky pieces like this table. Following these steps and using these materials will help you salvage your piece and create something beautiful and long lasting. Happy painting!   
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The leaves have started to change colour, the nights are getting cooler, fall is finally here! It’s time to start thinking about bringing some fall inspired thrifted finds into our homes. I love hitting my local Salvation Army thrift store whenever I am looking for unique and fun items. Check out what I found on my latest trip and thrift haul to get you inspired. Caffeine Please!  Everyone needs a favourite mug. Whether you are a coffee or tea drinker, this fun coffee mug will help get you ready for early morning wake ups. Cozy Craft Corner    Looking to pick up a new hobby or need materials for a crafty idea? Thrifting is a great option to try out something new or to find inexpensive materials. This paint by number kit would be a fun craft to complete, or pick up some yarn and learn how to knit. Mood Lighting  Bring a calming feel into your space with a trio of thrifted candles. Setting The Dinner Scene   These gorgeous warm yellow West Elm bowls are the perfect way to serve warm pumpkin soups or stews.  This gorgeous moody, bold, floral tablecloth is right on trend and would be a beautiful contrast against the yellow bowls or other autumn inspired colours. Fall Flower Power   Creating a fall flower arrangement is so easy to do. A thrifted vase, a bunch of grocery store flowers and this thrifted gold artificial arrangement is all you need to make a beautiful arrangement. Curbside Appeal  Make a colourful impact on your front door with a thrifted autumn wreath.
Make sure to head to your local thrift store to get fall ready with some great finds. Happy thrifting!  Creative inspiration can come from anywhere. I was stuck on where to go with this outdated side table, but after watching “Motel Makeover” a series on Netflix documenting a motel renovation, I was so inspired. I knew exactly how to transform this table. The vintage 70’s feel, the warm tones of the corals, terracotta and rusty reds, reminiscent of late summer sunset that they used in the Motel Makeover's colour palette, was the perfect vibe for this table.  Here is what you need and how to create this warm, fun, vintage feel for your next project. Materials Step One Give your furniture a quick prep. Use White Lightning to remove any grease or residue, give it a scuff sand with 220 sandpaper and wipe off with a damp shop rag.  Step Two Use Dixie Belle Mud and a spatula to fill in any holes or damage. Let dry it completely and sand to a smooth finish.  Step Three Since my surface is laminate and very shiny, I applied a coat of Slick Stick to the whole surface to help the paint adhere. After 2 hours, I applied another coat and then let it dry overnight.  Step Four I wanted to replicate an abstract, curvy, vintage 70’s design on the table top. I used an image I found online for inspiration and as my guide to free hand my design on my table top. I used a pencil to create my design over the whole table top, making sure to give it a flowy look. Pro tip- Don’t be afraid to try out a free hand design. Abstract art does not have to be perfect. Keep an eraser on hand in case you feel the need to change your design and have fun.     Step Five To replicate the colours of a late summer sunset, I used a fine artist brush to apply paint colours in Lemonade, Terracotta, Apricot, Flamingo and Rusty Nail on each of the curves. I continued this sequence of colours until the tabletop was completely painted. Once dry, I applied another coat of each colour and painted the base of the table in Saltwater.     Step Six I sanded the top of my table to give it a smooth finish, wiped off the residue and used the blue sponge to apply a coat of Glossy Clear Coat. Once dry, I applied another coat of Clear Coat and let it dry.   I love how this end table turned out! The curvy, 70’s vintage feel, and the combination of warm corals, rusty red and soft yellow is reminiscent of late summer sunset. This is a fun way to try out freehanding a design. Happy painting!      Please note these are affiliate links.
 Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s time to add a little fall flair to your decor! I was so inspired by Dixie Belle's gorgeous new fall colours and had the perfect DIY to use them in. Here is how you can use these rich colours and transfers to create a fall centerpiece.  Materials
Step One Clean the pumpkins with White Lightning to remove any oil and grease. Wipe off with a damp rag and let dry. Step Two Since the surface is slick, apply a coat of Slick Stick to your pumpkins. Let it dry for 2 hours and then apply another coat. Let the Slick Stick dry overnight.    Step Three Paint each pumpkin in one of Suzanne’s fall colours- Cashmere, Juniper, Merlot, Latte and Pumpkin Spice. To get the best result, after approximately 30 to 45 minutes apply another coat of paint to each pumpkin to get a highly saturated colour. Let the paint dry overnight.      Step Four I love the Alice transfer and cut out a few small transfers to add more detail. Working with one pumpkin at a time, I pulled back the white backing and placed the adhesive side down. Rub it in place with your hand and then burnish it with the applicator. Gently pull back the adhesive, leaving the image on the surface of the pumpkin. Use your finger to gently rub the transfer into place.         Now find a spot on your dining room table or on a mantel and create a grouping or fall centerpiece. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired. Happy crafting!  An organic fall feel   A modern take
 I love trying out new products and was thrilled when Dixie Belle released their new Silkscreen Stencils from their Belles & Whistles line. Silkscreen stencils are a great addition to your DIY project. They are easy to use, adding visual interest to your project. Each package contains three 8" x 10" sheets with 7 design styles to choose from.  They are so easy to work with, they have an adhesive backing so no tape is needed when securing it in place. The silkscreen creates a crisp, clean, highly detailed stenciled image, without the worry of your paint bleeding through your stencil. Silkscreen stencils can be used with paint, gel mousse or gilding waxes on surfaces like furniture, decor and even fabric. They can be reused up to 8 to 10 times. Here is how I used the Silkscreen stencil and transfer to transform a thrifted pitcher and bowl into farmhouse decor. Here is what you need and how to use it.  Materials
Step 1 I started by cleaning the pitcher and the bowl with white lightning, wiped with a damp rag and let it dry. Step 2 Since the surface of the pitcher and the bowl were very slick, I applied Slick Stick to help the paint adhere. I painted both pieces and left it dry for 2 hours. Once dried, I added another coat and left it to dry overnight.    Step 3 Using my synthetic brush, I painted one coat of Fluff on both the pitcher and the bowl. After about 30- 45 minutes, I applied another coat of Fluff and let it dry.   Step 4 My plan was to place the silkscreen in the middle of the bowl. I started by peeling off the white backing of the stencil and placed it aside. I put the stencil in the middle of the bowl and made sure to press it firmly to help it adhere to the surface. I placed a small amount of paint on a paper plate and used the Thing.a.mig.jig to evenly spread the paint over the entire stencil. For best results, make sure that you place your Thing.a.mig.jig at a 45 degree angle. Wipe off any excess paint with the Thing.a.mig.jig.      Step 5 I carefully remove the stencil while the paint is still wet. Then let it dry. Once you're done, clean your stencil with soap and water to remove the paint and allow it to dry, adhesive side up. Once dry, place your stencil back on the white backing.   Step 6 I decided to add a small furniture transfer to the pitcher. I cut out a small transfer to go in the middle of the pitcher. I placed the adhesive side down and rubbed it into place with my hand. Once it was secured in place, I burnished it with the applicator. I gently pulled back the transfer paper, leaving the image on the surface. I added some Best Dang Wax in clear to add some sheen and softness to the pitcher and bowl.     That’s it, Silkscreens and transfers are so easy to use. Make sure to try them out on your next project. Happy painting!      Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral paint and Silk All In One Mineral are beautiful paints to use on your DIY projects. You can achieve any style from rustic, to a coastal feel, to a sleek contemporary vibe. It is easy to use and creates a beautiful smooth finish. However, if you find it difficult to get a sleek finish without the brush strokes, I have 3 great tips for you to help.
 The type of brush you use will have a big impact on your paint finish. Synthetic and natural bristle brushes are two commonly used brushes in furniture refinishing. A natural bristle brush will give lots of texture. It’s a great option for rustic finishes but not when trying to avoid brushstrokes.   Use a synthetic brush, the soft bristles will leave a smooth finish without any brushstrokes.   It’s also important to ensure that you are using good quality synthetic brushes. Inexpensive brushes can be coarse, causing lots of brushstrokes. Good quality synthetic brushes will last longer, are more absorbent, hold more paint, and are a dream to use to give an even finish. Here are some of my favourite Dixie Belle brushes to use.  Dixie Belle Paint Synthetic Brushes  Scarlet Brush 2. Paint Application How you apply your paint onto a surface can really affect your paint finish. If you are applying your paint in several directions on a surface you will create texture and brushstrokes. Additionally, painting in small sections on a large surface like the top of a long dresser will show very clearly where you (started and finished your paint strokes) stopped and where you started painting.  To minimize brush strokes, apply your paint in long even back and forth strokes over the length of your piece, and not the width. When using Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral paint use a Continuous Spray Mister to help smooth out your paint. The Mister will help the paint move more freely while giving you a seamless finish. When applying Silk All In One Mineral paint make sure that you have enough paint on your brush to get to the opposite end of your surface from where you started. Do a final finishing stroke to smooth it out before moving on to the next section.  3.Relax & Don’t Overwork it! One of the biggest culprits of getting brushstrokes in your finish is overworking the paint. Going back over a spot that is almost dry will cause texture. This can be really frustrating, as the more you try to "fix it" the worse it gets. Here are a few ways to deal with this.
 Remember the great thing about painting furniture with quality products like Dixie Belle paint is that mishaps can be easily fixed. Have fun and happy painting!
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