In between other projects, I've been practicing image transfer techniques.  These pillow cases were inspired by The Graphics Fairy.  Translated, they say "Good Night" in French.   How cute!  I used CitraSolv for these transfers and the graphics from Karen, The Graphics Fairy.

My Search for Citra Solv

I've seen so many posts on Pinterest where they talk about using the CitraSolv technique to transfer images onto fabric.  CitraSolv is not easy to come by!  The CitraSolv website has a listing by state, supposedly showing where you can buy the stuff.  There was one place listed in Maryland but they didn't carry it.  There was also one place listed in Pennsylvania, but I have no idea where the town is and do you know how big the state of PA is!  I even read a post where someone had bought it in Whole Foods so I had my dear Mom go to her local Whole Foods but, you guessed it, no CitraSolv!  Finally, I decided to just order it online and got it in just a few days!  Now I can finally try to transfer one of the Graphics Fairy's beautiful images onto some fabric - maybe I'll try making a lovely pillow.

Antique hutch

I really should post before and after pictures.  This old hutch dates to 1929 and it was stained very, very dark.  My hubby picked it up at a second-hand furniture store about 10 years ago and he was going to refinish it, but never got around to it.  Well, this piece of furniture ended up in My Happy Place and I just finished it today.  I love the way it turned out!  Of course, I used Annie Sloan chalk paint - Old White on the inside and Duck Egg Blue on the outside.  Two coats of paint and a couple of coats of furniture paste wax and it's beautiful.  I love giving new life to old, worn pieces of furniture.  It's funny - my girls never took an interest in any of the old pieces of furniture I had laying around until I painted them and made them beautiful.  Now they want them!  Sorry girls, I'm keeping this one.

Chickadee tray

This little tray was my first attempt at painting in many, many years.  I had an old gold-colored tray that I never used so I thought it would make a good practice piece.  I applied two coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint in the color Old White and roughed up the edges a little with a sanding block to give it an aged look.  I had this little bird stencil, so I stenciled the outline of the image but hand-painted the details.  I applied a coat of clear wax and now I have an adorable little tray that is cute enough to use as a tray or a piece of wall art.

For the Birds

This little bird house was made the same way I made the fairy house.   A premade bird house from a craft store, some wood glue, and supplies from the woods.  The shingles were cut from strips of birch bark.  Don't forget to spray on a protective coating if you plan to put it outside.  They make great indoor decorations too!

Painted Vanity

I painted this old vanity with Annie Sloan's chalk paint in the color Old White.  I brushed on two coats.  Then I hand-painted big, happy, yellow flowers on the drawers, and a cheerful yellow butterfly above the mirror with acrylic paint.  I applied two coats of Minwax paste finishing wax and this piece of furniture is ready for adoption!  I guess I should say auction.  I have donated it to our local Humane Society for their annual auction scheduled for August 18th of this year.  I hope it brings a good price to help out the animals at the shelter and I hope somebody will enjoy "beautifying" themselves in front of the mirror of this lovely old piece of furniture!

Fairy house

This is one of my fairy houses.  I used a premade birdhouse purchased from a craft supply store, painted it with acrylic paint, then decorated it.  The roof is made of pine cone "petals" (I don't know the proper term for them), each individually glued on, beginning at the bottom.  For the exterior walls, I cut pieces of birch bark to fit and glued them on with wood glue.  The door was made with a piece of bark, then outlined with twigs.  I used lichens and the cap of an acorn for the finishing touches.  To make it weather-resistant, I spray it with a protective finish.