Preparing For An Outdoor Party- Part 5…

OK…so the outdoor birthday party was almost a month ago and I still haven’t gotten around to posting everything I did in preparation for it.  I never got around to hanging the drop cloth drapes but I did get around to painting the wicker furniture… and here it is!  I will get to posting the actual party within the next couple of days.

1. Plant Flowers
2. Paint Wicker Furniture
3. Make Lanterns
4. Fix and Paint Picnic Table
5. Make Drop Cloth Tablecloths or Buy Flat Sheets from Wal-Mart
   
6. Make Drop Cloth Drapes for Back Porch I NEVER GOT AROUND TO THIS ONE

Plain and boring. I didn’t do anything special to prepare them before painting.
I just wiped them down and fixed any loose wicker.

I used Zinsser spray primer…so easy!!

You could roll on primer…but why??  This is so much easier.

Cheap glossy black spray paint. It took anywhere between 4 to 5 cans for each chair.

It really soaked in the paint. Using a spray can handle makes the job easier and cleaner.  I paid less than $3.00 for mine at Wal-Mart.

I love the black.  I only managed to paint the 2 chairs and small table.

I never got around to doing the loveseat that goes with it.

And here it is at the day of the party at the make shift table.  You can read that post HERE.

Getting Inspiration From Other Blogs…

I LOVE looking at other people’s blogs.  I get so much inspiration from them.  It’s funny how you can come home from work tired and worn out, surf through some blogs and BOOM you wanna grab that dusty old dresser from downstairs and paint it!!!  At least that’s what it does for me…  Here are some blogs I HEART and draw so much inspiration from.

Speaking of dressers…this one from Drab to Fab is so freaking cute!! See it HERE…

This blog has the best Before and After projects…and the blog is aptly named “Better After”…

For those of you who like to make your own furniture, this blog is for you.  “Knock-off Wood”.  The things this woman makes is incredible.  I in no way can make my own furniture.  I prefer to buy it beaten and bruised at Goodwill and then give it some TLC.

The next blog I love to visit is all about FOOD…this woman is an author and one heck of a cook!!  You will find down-home, rustic and satisfying recipes on her blog.

http://chickensintheroad.com/

These are just a few of the MANY blogs I love.  Got any you draw inspiration from??  Let me know!!

Steals and Deals in North Carolina…

If you’re a regular reader then you know I LOVE a deal.  I clip coupons, I shop the discount racks and I love thrift stores.  I also love to eat at restaurants on the cheap too.  Here are some places I find my half off dining, spa and entertainment deals.  Got any places you go to online to get a great deal?  Let me know!!

Real Deals Now

Half Off Depot

Piedmont Triad Perks

Restaurant.com

Local Great Coupons

News and Record Bargain Blog

Triad Scene

Coupons 4 the Triad

A New Old Table…

I found this really cute table at Goodwill a month or so ago.  I love the legs on it and when I saw that the price was $ 2.49, I grabbed it!!!  The top had veneer chipping off and there were water marks on it.  But I knew that with a little primer, paint and sandpaper I could turn this dud into a stud!!

I took off the veneer on top since it was chipping anyway.

I disassembled the table to make the rest of the job easier.

I love using Zinsser spray primer.

My $4.00 Ooops paint from Lowe’s .  Lyndhurst Duchess Blue Interior Semi-Gloss.  I would describe this as a “Robin’s Egg Blue”.

I used Pewter Grey acrylic paint to tone down the blue.

I used a sponge brush to apply it and wiped it off with a damp rag.

I love the end result.  I distressed it to make the primer and wood show through.

LOVE it!!

I chose the perfect spot…

Much better now.  I love the finished look. Very vintage and colorful!!

I will be linking this project to the following posts:

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/06/diy-project-parade_20.html

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-75th-metamorphosis-monday.html

http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

http://sewcando.blogspot.com/

Preparing for an Outdoor Party- Part 4…

This next step I modified…mainly because I ran out of time.  Instead of getting drop cloths and making cute tablecloths, I purchased $4.00 twin flat sheets at Wal-Mart and called it a day.  I paired them with a long olive green table cloth I had and said…looks good to me!!!  I made the long table by stacking Rubbermaid containers from my basement and 2 closet doors I had…And Voila!!!  An extra long table.

1. Plant Flowers
2. Paint Wicker Furniture
3. Make Lanterns
4. Fix and Paint Picnic Table
5. Make Drop Cloth Tablecloths or Buy Flat Sheets from Wal-Mart
   
6. Make Drop Cloth Drapes for Back Porch

If you don’t have sawhorses containers can work wonders.

I used 2 long closet doors as the table tops.  Remember to remove the door knobs.

Once you cover up the containers and doors you’ll never guess it isn’t a “real” table..