Organized Clutter Featured In Europe (France & Norway)
July 19, 2021
This is a first! One of my projects was featured in a French crafting magazine!
The project was my drawer house plant tray. The magazine contacted me about featuring this project in an upcycling/recycling section of the magazine.
I don't read French so I don't know what it says! It's still fun to be featured and such an honor.
Here a repost of the drawer project, in English!
I found this old drawer in my shed.
I purchased these curtain rod holders and finials at the thrift shop. There were no rods.
I am going to use them as feet on my drawer.
I simply screwed them from the inside of the drawer into the finial/foot. I used a washer to keep it tight and straight.
Next I painted the drawer with Dutch Boy Chalky paint in Vintage Ivory. I purchased the tint base and had it mixed to Vintage Ivory at Menards. I used two coats of paint.
(I no longer use Dutch Boy paint on projects. Now, I would use either Dixie Belle Paint, or maybe Fusion Mineral Paint)
After painting the drawer I pulled out my buffalo check stencil from *Old Sign Stencils. I also used the fringe stencil along the edges on two sides.
All prices on the *Old Sign Stencils's website are listed in Canadian currency, but there is a handy conversion link for your convenience.
*Old Sign Stencils provided me with complimentary samples. All opinions about these fabulous stencils are my own.
I used my Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint in Trail Tan
for the stenciling. I think it's very close to the color of burlap.
for the stenciling. I think it's very close to the color of burlap.
See the fringe edging? It makes my buffalo checks look like a runner or mat in the bottom of the drawer.
I also sanded the edges and all over the drawer/legs with 100 grit sandpaper. I sanded the drawer bottom before stenciling and did not sand the stenciling this time.
I sealed the drawer with Varathane Crystal Clear Water-Based Polyurethane in Satin Finish
. (I don't use Varathane clear poly as much anymore either. It can pull some stain up through white paint. If I use a poly with white paint, I use a primer first to prevent stain or knot bleed.)
. (I don't use Varathane clear poly as much anymore either. It can pull some stain up through white paint. If I use a poly with white paint, I use a primer first to prevent stain or knot bleed.)
The plant in front is a golden pothos plant. The dusty miller in the pitcher is a faux plant.
I have several real houseplants but they never seem to grow that well in my north facing living room unless they are low light lovers.
My drawer/tray is just the right size for my dining table at the end of the living room.
I love crate or drawer contained vignettes for my coffee and dining table. I can pick up the whole vignette at once to dust or to clear them off for use.
I love crate or drawer contained vignettes for my coffee and dining table. I can pick up the whole vignette at once to dust or to clear them off for use.
I didn't change the drawer pull. I just painted right over it with my Dutch Boy Vintage Ivory.
Below is the front and back cover of a Norwegian book that my Grandma's treadle sewing machine was featured inside.
A few years ago, I was contacted via email by Håvard Mossige, a Norwegian author, about using a few photos of my Grandma's Husvennen antique treadle sewing machine in a book he was writing.
Håvard had seen some of my blog's photos of the old sewing machine on the internet.
The portion of the book with the sewing machine was about Norwegians in Minnesota, and specifically about Decorah Posten, a Norwegian language newspaper. In the 1890's, Decorah-Posten arranged with a sewing machine manufacturer to sell his product under the name Husvennen.
It's a beautiful family heirloom! Thanks for visiting!
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Carlene, your grandmother's sewing machine is a beautiful treasure. You are so lucky to have it. I wish that I had my grandmother's sewing machine. She made so many clothes for me and my brother and sister when we were children on that machine. Sadly, she and my grandfather had to move from their home very hastily when he became ill and moving into a mobile home had to leave much of their furniture. I did end up being able to buy back their dining room buffet when the woman who bought their house sold it and had a yard sale. But a lot of their things she had gotten rid of and I didn't think to ask about the sewing machine at the time. Anyway, you certainly have a special piece in your grandmother's machine to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYes I am very lucky to have the sewing machine! I also have her Norwegian trunk and my other Grandma's china cabinet!
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS!! I bet you were very proud when you got the magazine! It’s cute as a button too! I do love that sewing machine too. I used to sew a lot and I’m going to drag mine out and do a little sewing in a few days. Just some mending but it’s been years since I’ve used it. Several years back, hubby bought me a new machine that is all electronic. I have no clue how to run it so I put my sewing aside and haven’t touched it since. One day I’ll figure it out but I need to get my old one out and do some mending anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I don't sew at all but I love how beautiful the sewing machine is!
DeleteCongrats Carlene!! Well deserved!!
ReplyDelete