Paint Reviews (Latex, ASCP, CeCe Caldwell's)

I have been experimenting with different paint options for my furniture painting endeavors and have finally completed several paint trials, so I thought I would share my reviews...

Latex Paint~

First there is the regular ol' latex paint that I have used on tons of projects and have always been pleased with the results.

Dresser with Ribbon Pulls

To get the best results with standard paint you will definitely need to spend quality time with your piece of furniture.  It requires patience...sanding, priming, painting and then painting again.  I always recommend using a paint conditioner to mix in with the paint to prevent brush strokes.  Latex paint is your cheapest option, but will also require the most amount of effort.

DIY Chalk Paint~

I used Liz Marie's recipe to make my own chalk paint. 

DIY Chalk Paint

I was very happy with the results of these chairs, but I definitely did not enjoy the grittiness of this paint.  It required quite a bit of sanding to smooth it out.  It did distress beautifully and gave a very unique finish though.  This was a perfect solution for these chairs, but I will not be going this route on a dresser or table - I wouldn't have the patience to get rid of the grittiness.  However, the effort is worthwhile to save a bit of money to come out with a beautiful piece of furniture. 

ASCP~

Now for the real Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...I was actually surprised how difficult it was for me to get the hang of this paint.  Being that I was so used to regular latex paint, it was a real learning curve for me to get used to the thick feel of the chalk paint.  It is definitely great not having to sand and prime, but the actual painting itself took me a bit longer than it would have using regular paint.  I am sure the ASCP experts out there are much quicker at getting their pieces finished.  Overall, I definitely recommend ASCP for the beautiful finish it creates, but I certainly need some practice with it. 

Grandfather Desk

CeCe Caldwell's Paint~

The most recent paint that I have tried is CeCe Caldwell's Paint and I have to say that I am in love!!

Side Table Makeover

This paint compares in cost to ASCP and I thought would be very similar, as the finished product has a similar chalky and unique finish.  This paint requires no sanding or priming, but unlike chalk paint it goes on just like latex paint.  I love that it is thinner and easy to work.  Another great feature is that it has no VOC's and no odor.  I was really shocked at how quickly it dried and it comes out looking completely different than when it was wet. 

All in all, CeCe Caldwell's paint is my paint of choice for the moment.  It makes re-doing a piece of  furniture a cinch and I absolutely love the color choices.  It does cost a bit more than standard latex, but I find that a can seems to go quite a bit further and there is no need for the additional expenses such as primer and paint conditioner. 

Although I would choose CeCe's over ASCP, I definitely would not rule out the use of standard latex.  There is something about pouring blood, sweat and tears into a piece that make the results seem that much sweeter :-)

Hope this was helpful to some of you wondering whether or not to invest your money in one of these other paint choices on the market today.

In the end, it is a completely personal choice and will depend a lot on the look that you are trying to achieve.

Feel free to add your thoughts and comments on your paint of choice. The more input the better :-)

Linking up here.

Side Table - From Trash to Treasure

I am absolutely in love with this little table after it's makeover! 

This was an old and abused table that my dear dad helped put back together for me so that I could make her over.  I almost told him it wasn't worth the effort, but I am so glad I didn't...

I used a little sample jar of CeCe Caldwell's paint in Santa Fe Turquoise and then did a top coat of dark walnut stain.

Sharing this post over at Moms Fun Money and linking up here.

Friday Funny #7

For today's Friday Funny I just had to sare these cites from Court Reporters.  My husband sent them to me via email and I was seriously laughing so hard reading through them.

I hope you all think they're as funny as I did and have a fabulous weekend!

Court reporter cites

IT CAN BE HARD KEEPING A STRAIGHT FACE AS A COURT REPORTER These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place. ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning? WITNESS: He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?' ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you? WITNESS: My name is Susan! ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory? WITNESS: I forget.. ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot? ___________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep , he doesn't know about it until the next morning? WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam? ____________________________________ ATTORNEY: The youngest son , the 20-year-old , how old is he? WITNESS: He's 20 , much like your IQ. ___________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken? WITNESS: Are you shitting me? _________________________________________ (My Favourite) ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time? WITNESS: Getting laid ____________________________________________ (Another favourite) ATTORNEY: She had three children , right? WITNESS: Yes. ATTORNEY: How many were boys? WITNESS: None. ATTORNEY: Were there any girls? WITNESS: Your Honour, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney? ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated? WITNESS: By death.. ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated? WITNESS: Take a guess. ____________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual? WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female? WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male. _____________________________________ ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney? WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work. ______________________________________ ATTORNEY: Doctor , how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people? WITNESS: All of them.. The live ones put up too much of a fight. _________________________________________ ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral , OK? What school did you go to? WITNESS: Oral... _________________________________________ ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body? WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time? WITNESS: If not , he was by the time I finished. ____________________________________________ And last: ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing? WITNESS: No.. ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy? WITNESS: No. ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor? WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless? WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

 

Ultimate Blog Party

 

If you are stopping by for the first time from the UBP12 I'd like to take a minute to introduce myself.

My name is Brooke, I'm a mom to two adorable daughter's and a wife to the most patient husband who puts up with all my crazy DIY ideas :-)

I started my blog last year on a journey to make our house a home.  I am always on the search for creative, unique and budget friendly ways to decorate.

One of my absolute favorite things is to garage sale hunt and turn someone's trash into someone else's treasure.

Here are some examples of my favorite projects...

Click on the links below each picture to be taken to the original post. 

Dresser with Ribbon Pulls

 

Tea Light Wall Art

 

Wall Decor from a Dresser Top

 Hutch Upcycle

Pinterest Inspired Bathroom

I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile.  I would love it if you choose to follow along and I absolutely love your comments, I read each and every one and respond by email.

Have fun at the party!  There are so many amazing blogs linked up!

Springtime Porch

Whoo Hoo!  Spring is finally coming with 80 degree weather in the forecast!  I am so impatient for nice weather this time of year, but it definitely helps brighten the mood when I see fresh flowers and colors displayed on our front porch.

I love my old ladder that I can spruce up for any season or decor.  You can view my Christmas ladder here and fall ladder here.



I painted some old clay pots for a colorful, but distressed look and added some cheerful flowers.

How about you all?  Are you are itching for summer like I am?

Linking up here :-)

Spring with Shabby Apple

I am so happy to share some new styles from one of my sponsors.  If you haven't heard of Shabby Apple, you are really missing out!

They have some of the cutest clothes for every occasion, even for maternity and little girls.

There newest line is fabulous.  It is called The Block and the colors and styles are so much fun for spring time!

My favorite look is this Crosswalk Skirt, which they are now offering at 25% off! 

Make sure to enter the code "color" to receive your 25% off, just in time for spring!

Old Window turned Chalkboard Menu

Hi all!  Hope you are having a fabulous Easter!! 

We have had an amazing weekend full of sun shine, celebration and way too much chocolate :)

I also finally had time to work on an old window I had lying around...

Before...

After...

A simple spray of chalkboard paint, and sprucing up the color created a perfect place to keep the week's menu, shopping list and any other reminders that may need to be recorded.

Although this window was a cinch to makeover, I was true to form in making even the most simple a disaster! 

If you follow me on Facebook then you already saw my first window I was working on.  If you haven't seen it, you are in for a real treat!

Beautiful, isn't she!?  Yes, only I could have a drop cloth with a single window lying on it in a wide open garage and manage to trip and step right into the middle of it!  I never cease to amaze myself sometimes! 

Lucky for me, I had another window that I was able to work on, but sadly this shattered window was my favorite :(

Please don't tell me I am the only klutz out there...

This post will be featured at Mom's Fun Money this week.

I will be linking up to these Parties.

 

Amazing Grace

I have chosen not to do a Friday Funny post today, because today is "Good Friday..."

Among all the eggs, bunnies an pastels that are being prepared for Easter Sunday Celebration, we often pass right over "Good Friday" as though it is just another day.  I am often guilty of focusing on the rejoicing, rather than the suffering and life that was laid down for me {and you}.

We would have nothing to rejoice about if it wasn't for the suffering that happened prior.

It is hard to comprehend the true gift that we have been freely given through the death of Jesus Christ.  A guiltless and perfect man was ridiculed, tortured and crucified because of His desire to save us from the repercussions of sin!

John 17:1-3 ..."Father, the hour has come, Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.  For you have given him authority over everyone.  He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.  And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth."

via

A crown of thorns was placed on His head, He was beaten, whipped and mocked and eventually nailed to a cross. 

  John 19:30 "It is finished!"  Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

I have chosen to be a follower of Jesus Christ because I know I am a hopeless case without Him.  I am destined to sin and fail each and every day.  No matter how hard I work, I will never be able to earn God's favor.  God will always look at my life and see my sin as scarlet. 

However we have been given the gift of grace.  God sent His only son to die for us so that we may have eternal life and our sins shall be forever paid for! 

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let's settle this," says the Lord.  "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as wool."

God has freely given us grace that we don't deserve and can't ever earn.  Jesus gave up His life to save ours and to spend eternity with us! 

Today can be called "Good Friday" because we have been given unmerited grace so that we can choose to live in a relationship with Jesus Christ and know that God our Father will no longer see our sin, but see us white as snow...

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Grey Dresser Makeover w/ CeCe Caldwell's Paints

I used a new paint from CeCe Caldwells  that I purchased from Mindy at Pretty in Paint and I must say I absolutely love this stuff!  A complete review will be coming in a future post. 

For this dresser I used Seattle Mist, Dustin Gulf Green and Spring Hill Green to create a fun look for any room...

I absolutely love the beautiful, light shade of grey of Seattle Mist and the subtle pops of color make it a unique and fun piece for any room.  

This post will be featured at Mom's Fun Money this week.

I will be linking up to these parties.