Rocking Chair Reupholstery Part I

Do you remember the rocking chair I posted about awhile ago? It was my mom's that I found in the attic. Well, I finally got around to reupholustring it! It was my first true reupholustery project. Here's how I went about it:

First, I stripped the chair of the fabric and padding. I carefully saved the fabric and labeled it in order. Mine only had three pieces, which made it a simple first project.

Then I ironed the original fabric flat so I could trace it onto the new fabric.

Here's the chair:

I had removed the burlap from the back, so I added a new piece. I think it keeps the foam in place and from sliding out between the rungs on the chair's ladder back.

I cut foam to fit the back of the chair. I used an electric knife straight out of the kitchen!

Then I just went for it! I started stapling (using a manual staple gun; I've read it is better to use a hydraulic gun but I do not have one.) I started at the bottom of the fabric. I also read it is important to keep the fabric pulled very tight while stapling.

I needed more hands, so I had to get my hubby to help me hold the fabric taught. I was excited at how the back turned out!

I did have to hammer some of the staples flat b/c they didn't quite make it into the old wood. My dad says wood dries and hardens with age.

Here's what the back looks like so far. Don't worry; I'm going to cover it up soon!

We did the seat's bottom next. Here's how it turned out!

All that is left now is the bottom and back of the chair. Stay tuned for Part II of this post to see how it turns out!

Butter Chicken Recipe

I highly recommend this recipe for butter chicken. We went out for Indian food last Friday and ordered this for our son to eat--I ended up eating most of it and just HAD to have it again! I made it last night and it was fabulous.

Try it!

Vintage File Drawer Repainted

I rescued this drawer from my parents' barn. It had rusted (it was from a 1960's style office) and was dark green with a brass colored handle and various scratches and chips. Unfortunately, I was in such a hurry to sand, prime and paint it the other day I neglected to take a 'before' picture.

But here is the after picture:

I really love how it turned out. I think I might use it for recipe organization. It's for 3x5" cards.

Painting a Bookcase: Before & After

I rescued these two small bookcases from my parents' barn. I wanted to use one in our little boy's room. I chose the one on the right for this purpose.

I may make the left one into an art cabinet...but I have to figure out how to remove the bottom part. It was apparently a radiator cover.

Here is the 'after' picture of my bookcase.
You can't tell very well, but I did a glazing technique.
Here are the steps:

1. Prime the whole thing with plain old interior wall primer.

2. Paint the whole thing with interior semi-gloss paint.

3. After it dried, for the glaze, I used a gel stain meant for finishing wood, let it sit on the paint for a few minutes, and then wiped it off. It gave it a grainy look. I don't love it, but it is more interesting than plain off-white.

4. To do the blue back of the shelves, I used a satin finish spray paint. I masked the sides really well, shown below:

I applied quite a few coats of spray paint to cover the white and the glaze I'd already done. I really like it and can't wait for our house to be finished so we can use it! By the way, the blue shelf backs were a last-minute decision. I wouldn't have painted and glazed them if I thought I was going to spray paint them.

Update: See this post of my toddler's room to see this shelf in action! Love it.

Want to Make: Wall Art II

There are so many great ideas out there. I can't wait to decorate the walls of our new house! Here are some ideas:

kitchen

message center

Initials with denim for a baby!

Nursery Canvases ... love these.

World Market knock off...love it.

modge podged baby sign. Love that stuff.

I must make these (same idea, at least...not same designs)

love this color!

with ribbons. Sort of looks like a message board!