“Emma’s” new home!

How much FUN it was–

Atlanta, and back now!

While I sort and edit pictures to show you,

and recover from the little bug I picked up traveling -dang it-

“Emma” traveled home!

-It was planned that the cabinet would be placed in Emma’s room, but a pair of Big Brothers intervened with another arrangement!

A few REvisions to the original design—

My cousin asked that it have a combo of hooks and shelves.

I thought small, simple, corner shelves would be cute!

Since she mostly wants to put books on them–I created “book stops.”

B.U.T.  Ultimately– I didn’t quite like the “visual balance.”

–The final REvision and design.

I grabbed more wood, duplicated the side contours (with a few alternative cuts), and routered in the bead detail–

closing in the shelves!

*None of these cabinets have exceeded 48″ in height– until creating this arch.  This cabinet tops out at 55″.  Yikes!

Catherine

I’m sharing “Emma” with these linky parties!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Building “Emma”

**I sure hope this isn’t considered REgifting!

Just more than 2½ years ago, this lovely grandmother asked if I would consider a partial trade for a custom cabinet for her baby granddaughter.  She had something I coveted in her flea market space–so we worked out a deal!

She loved the elements of two cabinets, so I sketched out varying designs until we came up with a winner, and I began building a couple weeks later!  In the process of construction, I had a few other ideas and wanted to confer with her—but I couldn’t reach her.  For more than a year and a half, I  left messages on her home, cell, and work phones–with no luck.

At last, I reached her to learn that health issues, family issues, and a major move happened.  You know -LIFE.  But I was happy to hear the chaos was settling down.  —We talked about the cabinet, the design, my new ideas–but also how I could take my time, ’cause she wouldn’t be able to pay me right now.  And I haven’t been able to reach her, or heard from her since.

I’ve been patiently storing the partially-built cabinet.  Remember, she gave me this incredible “traded” item–it wasn’t going to kill me to have patience.

But—my cousin has a baby girl now,

–and I’m leaving for Atlanta Friday to visit,

–and I wanted to build a cabinet for her little sweetie-pie,

–and it’s been soooo busy these last months,

–and these little cuties take some time to build and finish,

–and. . . .on, and on, and on. . .

So why do I feel kind of guilty now for finally finishing this cabinet —for another little girl–?

. . . look at that little face—-awwwww. . . .

These are the two primary cabinet designs she wanted us to meld together– Rachel & Brooke!

She liked the scalloped sides, but preferred a drawer, and WE made a lower deck for her little one to sit on.  She wanted a more solid paint pallet in a peachy-pink, not the design patchwork, but she still wanted the “Oooh, la la!”  And she wanted a combo of shelves and a hook for a coat.  I’d been wanting to build an arched top for a while, and she liked that change-up!

Here was the beginning of the design–

Figuring out the beveled cut/angle to create the arch was quite a challenge.  I tried several approaches before figuring it out–and since I haven’t done it since—I don’t remember how I got it!

But to revamp the design for Miss Emma, I DE-constructed the base.    No more drawer–it now has a flip up lid.  I gutted the cavity and opened it up entirely–much more storage capacity!  I left the “look” of the drawer (a dummy-drawer front), and added a 3-leaf clover drop.

I haven’t quite figured out the paint scheme–that’s today’s project!

Catherine

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Miscellanious projects–

I was really needing a “mindless” day of projects– and I had a few things at my immediate reach.

~The 1st Monday of the month is St Vinnie’s ½ price sale.

-You already know about the chairs I’m making into a banquette—  more coming on that.

-I also found all of this china–service for 8, plus platter and vegetable dish– $20.

-And several really cool cable knit sweaters that will be made into pillows–each was 75¢ ~seriously!  Aren’t they pretty textures and colors?!

So do I feel like sewing pillows. . ?

And I got two chandelier shades for $1.  Great shapes, but  pretty ugly right now.

I’m planning to cover them with some flea market monogrammed linen, but I want the undersides to have a little more pizazz!

Many years ago, I painted the inside of a lamp shade~but didn’t like it.  I painted it with something else~still didn’t like it.  Tried another paint~and got a really happy accident!  A chemical reaction of the paints!  When I want that “funny, crinkled texture,” it’s my go-to recipe! ; D

Maybe I feel like playing with this. . ?

If you want to get that weird, crinkly texture (a cool look in the lamp-light)—

*I’ve seen these textured shades with some hefty price tags in lamp shops.

#1-“Hand-Hammered” spray paint, paint the interior with any color, it doesn’t matter, you’re doing it for the texture!

#2-Rub’n Buff.  Use this to cover over the (well dried) spray paint.  I like to use cotton pads or cotton balls–it’s just easier than a rag.  I like to go over it lightly–twice.  And by the time I’ve made my way around the whole interior, it’s dry enough for that 2nd coat.

#3-Liquid Gold Leaf-ing paint.  I use it within minutes of the rub’n buff—probably the reason for the “texture.”  Use a 1″ fine artist brush (a throw away), it fits in the little jar easily, and you can control the “brushstrokes.”  The reaction happens pretty quickly!

*I’ve also done this with just   #1 & 2   and   #1 & 3   –btw~I’ve noticed that this finish looks better with a gold finish than silver.

**Btw–  the spray paint (even plain) makes an opaque foundation.  When I’ve skipped this step, I could see a lot of streaking through the shade when the lamp is on.

But maybe I should get crackin’ on this project, huh?

Girlie-poo was being especially sassy–got sent to her room.  In a tantrum–kind of wrecked the bed I made for her.  Uh-oh, wuz my niece UP-set.  “It’s “okay” –I can fix it.”

*girlie-poo not quite living up to the theme of her new bed~ heehee, 3yr olds!

I stumbled on to this cherub wall paper border in a clearance bin–99¢.  I just thought it was kinda’ sweet~~su–cker!

I saw this bed out on a curb one night.  Couldn’t believe someone would toss this!  Next morning, went outside to admire my “curbie” and saw a note taped to it saying “$5” —ooop-sies!  Didn’t see THAT in the dark.

–Painted it pink, painted some clouds and sky–and paaaaaatiently, cut out the little angels to decoupage on to it, and sealed it with whatever I had on hand–that you can see yellowed the white paint.

 

So when I get off the computer, I’ll sit quietly watching some backed-up DVR-shows and  c-u-t  o-u-t  more/replacement angels!

And seal the sucker sooooooo good, she’ll never be able to do it again!  How could I ever be mad at this little curly-head?!?  And YES–she’s playing with more of the crystals I painted but haven’t shown you yet!

Catherine

 

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Just returned from quick Atlanta trip…..

…..OMG!  Sooooo much fun antiquing-thrifting-shopping,

especially at  A Classy Flea.

Found lots of great parts to build new cabinet designs–

already busy sketching new ideas!

♥  ♥  ♥

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The reason for the trip was to personally deliver a specially-built cabinet to

Music for Megan!

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Hope you like it!

Such a good feeling to make this contribution for a very worthy cause!

Catherine

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◊ The raw frame and then deciding on the finish and details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This is a standard cubby frame–it can be built many different ways to make it customized just for your little one(s)!

◊  by height, width, and other design choices!

◊  This basic cubby sells for $295  —  – –  -and adjusted based on alterations and customization.

◊  Shipping is available to contiguous US

 

-Other customized versions-

Contact me about building one for you!

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