We are getting ready to move again. We are moving to a quaint little log cabin where we can get settled in for a while. The excitement of moving and a lack of household goods has got my mind reeling and I hope to soon be filled with low cost, repurposed, furniture and décor ideas! The only problem is Alaskans never throw anything away and since there is no curbside trash pickup, I have absolutely no materials to be inspired with. So at the moment, my hands can’t work with my brain. I thought I would use this opportunity to show my readers how, a couple of years ago, I turned my Grandmother’s old table into a different sort of family heirloom.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Transforming a table...to uh...well, a table
The first thing I did was spray paint it.
I absolutely loved the way it came out.
The satin finish was the thing that took it from shabby to chic.
Then, I gathered up some of my favorite photos of the family. That was the hardest part. If you read the blog, you know I have a problem narrowing photos down. I decided to focus on just the three of us but I regret not including Jimmi, my pet of 13 years. He was a part of the family too. I should have included him. ANYWAY… I took the photos to a copy shop and put them in a standard black and white style copier and copied onto regular paper. Then, I sat down in front of the table to arrange the photos. I overlapped them and cut them in some instances (around the middle post) to make them fit without covering up anyone's heads or other important parts. After I was satisfied with the arrangement, I pulled the pictures up little by little and painted the back sides with ModgePodge. After it dried, I poured clear epoxy resin (purchased at Lowes) over the entire surface. It was not difficult. The hard part for me was reading the directions and making sure I got the measurements just so…and that is only because I have a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder remaining from my mentally unstable days of youth…ANYWAY. Clear epoxy resin is the stuff that you see on bars (not that I have ever seen a bar, ‘cause I am an angel right here on earth). It sets up thick and hard. Once it dries, you won’t feel at all worried about setting a drink on the surface (unless you are setting a bar-like drink –again something I would know nothing about – onto your kid’s face, that might make you feel funny) because that sweaty drink is not going to break through the resin barrier.
The decorative edge around the tabletops worked really well for this project as they kept the resin from dripping off of the edges. You can still use resin without the little barricades, as it is self-leveling. You just have to work harder to keep the drips smoothed down.
I included way too many photos of this simple table redo, but I am posting photos within photos ?? and I want ya’ll to be sure and see Chuck under the water with his face mask and snorkel on…that one cracks me up every single time.
This entry was posted on Friday, July 9, 2010 and is filed under decoupage,grandmother'ts table,modgepodge,new house,repurposed home decor,resin,table. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.
Your posts are coming more often. Thanks. First thing I do after coffee and shower is check to see if you've blogged. It helps me feel more a part of your life even though we are over 4000 miles away from each other. Of course we could do this over email but you choose to blog for the entire world so I guess I have to share. That's o'kay sweet daughter of mine. I love you so much. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI love this...I really feel inspired to do something like this now when I move. Lord knows I have plenty of photos.
ReplyDeleteHey Haley - You did a great job on the table and the how to instructions are excellant. I remember seeing the table before. Your writings are very interesting and the pics are outstanding. You are an awesome photographer. Tell Chuck abd Charlie hello. You all are in my heart and prayers. Thanks for sharing your experiences and your heart. I think having some anxieties is normal. See ya! Love, Janice
ReplyDeletePsalm 62:8 Trust God, my friends,
and always tell him
each one of your concerns.
God is our place of safety.
Also, the rhubarb pie looks yummy. I am very impressed. I have never made one. I am a little scared to try new things. bye bye
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry I mispelled Charley's name. I got mixed up with Uncle Charlie.
ReplyDeleteHey Chickie...
ReplyDeleteCheck out this site: Local girl...GENIUS! :)
www.knockoff-wood.com
She started her blog last fall...it exploded! :)
Thanks everybody.
ReplyDeleteJanice I am glad that you are commenting these days! I heard you used your connection to the devil's playground so that Laura could see here picture here! Thanks! And honest name mistake. We just HAD to mix it up and change the spelling didn't we?
Karla, I am having trouble pulling that site up because of my connection is so slow. All the photos won't load. But I am anxious to try something. Have you??
This is a very sweet idea!
ReplyDelete