Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

EssexHebridean

Have a steady and safe trip SH. 

SandyShores

Hope you get home safely savingholmes. 

Curtain hooks and rings are a bit of a pain to me - they seem to disappear, only to re-appear after you've bought new ones.  I've never worked out how to measure the pole sizes either.  I did buy some new rings a couple of years ago, not sure where from though - possibly Argos or Ikea.  My current curtains are Ikea, they don't have rings or hooks as the pole goes through the nylon loops on the back.

savingholmes

Thanks EH and Sandy

Got home safely. 

Took a break from painting the room to paint 1k3a chair cushions. For those of you not following me on my previous diary - I managed to get 2 sets of the same chair with the same cushion colour - although one in better condition I bought for £30 (shown below) - and a dirty, more well worn one I got for free. I started my experiment with the free one.



I used some J0hnst0n3s furniture paint (£7.99). The teal was more topaz which was a slight disappointment... but matched the description when I looked at it closely. I sugar soaped it clean - and then applied a coat of paint. It probably took less than 20% of the can. I now need to leave it to dry and then potentially apply a second coat - possibly with a 'light sand' in between. I also still need to paint on the reverse side. It's an improvement and was very easy. The bottom picture is of the head rest. I'll show you the final version when I'm done.



I have the ingredients to make my own chalk paint - and have some  emulsion in a peacock type of teal which is more what I wanted. TBF I could have stopped after a test patch but I decided to go for it regardless - particularly as I have been debating using 1 or more of these chairs in a future upcycled version of my potting shed. I therefore wasn't overly wedded to the final colour - I just wanted to brighten them up.

While in BnM earlier - I bought a few tester pots of different paint colours - and I bought some glass jars a week or two ago to make my own chalk paint with. I am therefore planning to give that a go within the next few days. I also bought measuring cups for paint mixing to make the whole process easier. The teal I mentioned above - is probably around 10-15 years old so not sure how well it will work out so may try a small amount first. Similarly I found some old metallic paint from around the same time that I am going to use in a small batch and see if it works. Either way - it's my version of messy play and I'll have fun.

EssexHebridean

That last sentence! Yes, you will indeed! 

Embarrassing admission- until reading Milann’s diary I had no idea you could get paint suitable for leather furniture! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

savingholmes

EssexHebridean said:

That last sentence! Yes, you will indeed! 

Embarrassing admission- until reading Milan’s diary I had no idea you could get paint suitable for leather furniture! 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Hi EH - messy play is such fun. Why did we ever think we had to grow up and stop?

I didn't know until last year that you could paint leather either although it makes sense. It was all the lockdown upcycling stories that inspired me. It's 1k3a so not sure if it's pleather but either way looks good today. Only bit I might have to sand is where a paint brush hair got trapped and made a mark. Will paint the back later.  Thinking of taking the dog for a quick walk before Ex picks her up around lunchtime. Will need to go for DD as well though and given Ex no longer has a key could have a time clash.

savingholmes

Collected DD - done at least 80 miles for her this weekend. I now know why my parents complained so much about taxi-ing and fuel £!! Trying to see it as paying it forward

I have painted the reverse of the cushions now. Really happy with it. There are a few runs where I might have to sand a little and then touch back up - but other than that I think one coat will have done the trick. It was dangerously easy so I can see myself wanting to do more - a lot more. I have a brown leather style sleigh bed where the original coating has been flaking off for a while. My bed linen and carpet gets covered with dark brown bits. Not helped by visits from the cat when it can get in my bedroom and its walks along the top - which really freaks me out if it's ever got in and stayed in overnight and I hadn't realised - particularly when it jumps down in the middle of the night!!

I bought some Fr3nch1c paint in a warm navy a while ago. It's a relatively small tin which makes me a bit nervous - but I am considering painting at least the top and bottom ends of the 'sleigh' in it and seeing how far it reaches. Because the bedframe is so heavy to move - I will end up 'sacrificing' the carpet to paint runs - but I hate it anyway (it's a dirty pink - from the previous owners 15+ years ago). I have been considering buying a turquoise flecked carpet... I think it would be a nice combination - and matches nicely with my new fl0r3sta bedding. However, if I did all that - I would like to repaint the wall behind my bed too - although that could wait a little as I probably wouldn't buy new carpet until Jan sales. I would use a 0% CC to pay for it initially to spread the cost a little...

Again for those not on my previous dairy - I have 3 active CCs. One 'target cc' where the 0% runs out end of March which is my focus to clear asap. Should clear by Feb - possibly even Jan. A second CC where I have 0% on purchases over £150 for 6 months which I think takes me to April payday period / early May. I am partly making purchases on that - to free up cash to pay the target CC. I have a third CC which gives me cashback points - and has 3 months interest free on purchases. Without the carpet purchase - I'm due to balance transfer circa £500 at the end of April based on current projections while keeping a £2Kish EF intact. Alternatively I could pay it from EF if I am feeling more comfortable with my budgeting / situation by then.

Ex has just picked up DD to take her out for a meal so I am going to take the dog to chase squirrels! See you all soon!

girlatplay

Oh now you've piqued my interest.  My bed is an ottoman bed with pleather headboard and sides.  It is chocolate brown which was the in colour when I bought it but I now really want to change it.  It's a great bed so don't want to get rid.  I am not artistic or crafty in any way and I was trying to think of a way to do this with minimal effort.  I would never have thought to paint it.  I'm really interested to see how your chairs turn out.  Might have to take a look @milann 's diary too!

EssexHebridean

You’ll need to go back a way GAP - it was when she was revamping her chairs though, and there are photos which will make it easier to spot. 

girlatplay

EssexHebridean said:

You’ll need to go back a way GAP - it was when she was revamping her chairs though, and there are photos which will make it easier to spot. 

That's useful, thank you

savingholmes

Another busy day.

• I found a £50-60 dog crate I'd asked Ex to keep for me - outside rusting in the rain - despite the fact we had a shed and a garage it could have gone in. Mad!
• I went back in the shed today and it wasn't as bad as I remembered. DS moved DD's bike out and it's made a huge difference. If I can give away or sell my bike then most of the floor space is now usable. The stuff on the worktop is half used oils, radiator cleaner and that kind of thing. I'll have to take it all to the tip. I'm assuming decade plus oils and stuff won't be any good? I have no idea what oil my car even takes... I'll ask next time I go.
• I took doggie to chase squirrels and she loved it. Always brings a smile to my face. Saw beautiful red berries on the way back - may post a piccie later. I haven't done enough walking without her and I feel I've lost fitness! She's gone again now.
• I knocked my open tin of chalk paint on the kitchen floor and part over a white wicker basket - so decided to use the spilled paint to finish it. I now know that painting wicker is hard!! Still I prefer the colour... LOL. It wiped off the ceramic floor okay.
• I've arranged for someone to come and measure for carpets on Tuesday - that way I can weigh up the costs  before I ruin the carpet in my bedroom. I figure I can always paint the sleigh bedframe over the holidays rather than cramming too much in at once. 
• I finished painting the study - bar a tiny bit of touching up. I've hung a forest print on the wall for now. 
• The post divorce fatigue (exacerbated by a heavy cold) seems to be lifting which is a relief. Tonight's job is to hoover the study - and set it up ready for both my day job and craft activities. 
• I also need to get the washing on.   
• Having beefburgers from the freezer, chips and beans for tea. 

BIL recommended a basic drill than can also be an electronic screwdriver - £40. Once it arrives, I/DD can put my sit/stand desk together - and take the TV wall hanger down... 

Getting there. I will feel like I can breathe again once all office related stuff has gone from the front room.