Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Fabric And furniture

It seems I've worked in a little time for fun around my church obligations, which included some online shopping. These pretty fabrics arrived last week. Unfortunately all the fabrics I ordered weren't available, which is a shame as it was a collection I ordered, plus the yellow piece. So now I'll need to rethink what I'll use them on.

A lovely parcel arrived last Tuesday from Bonnie. I was on my way to an appointment and just couldn't wait until I got home for the camera, so it got ripped open in the car. A Christmas CD, two lovely kitchen tea towels and a wonderful packet of iron on Scripture verses to use, along with a sweet pattern for a table runner and a very thoughtful card. Thank you so much Bonnie, the timing of this parcel was just perfect.
Quite a few of you have asked for photo's of the furniture I'm restoring, which reminds me I must phone the fellow who's doing the cane work on my rocking chair. Anyway, this desk was covered with that horrible shellac and had a terrible laminate top on it. Underneath all that shellac was a beautiful piece of oak furniture. This has been a work in progress for many months, but I was happy to see it go into it's new home on Monday. Think I should have checked which way the handles were sitting before I took the photo.
This is the current project. Four dining chair were left in the house when we moved in. Again covered in horrible shellac and covered with a very nasty fabric.
So off with the seats and lets get stripping. So far I have one chair at the stage of one coat of varnish. It's going to be a long process, getting into all those little corners, then there's the job of finding the right fabric for the seats, but it's a process that I thoroughly enjoy.
Yesterday I decided it was time I got back to some stitching and as Tammy gave us a quick Christmas tour of a store I thought it might be a good idea to pull something out that needed finishing rather than starting something new. So this is what I worked on yesterday. Am in need of a trip to the store for more embroidery thread and waiting patiently for my new glasses which should make it a lot easier to see what I'm doing.

Lastly, if you have received your bag from the bag swap and haven't let me know, please do, so I can balance the spreadsheet. If you haven't received your bag, and I've emailed to say it's on it's way could you email me and I'll double check on the mailing for you.

Happy Stitching and thank you for hanging in with me while I've been inactive.

26 comments:

Stina said...

Oh...we will hang around until you say us to leave...lol..
You are doing wonderful job on the furniture...and it is quite fun too... ok when its finished...;o)
Good luck with your new glasses...and the stitchery!!

Nancy in Norway said...

Hi
I have received my bag from the bagswap. I'm very pleased. Are your throwing a new swap soon?
Check out my blog. I have nominated you for an award.

Thimbleanna said...

Boy, you've been a busy girl Linda. First the big move and now refinishing furniture! The desk looks great. I love to refinish furniture -- just haven't done any in years.

wonderwoman said...

what lovely presents! lucky you.
your furniture looks great and those fabrics are gorgeous.

x

Jackie said...

Linda, You have been quite busy with your furniture. It really looks terrific! Stripping and refinishing furniture is a tough job, but well worth it in the end.

Libby said...

How wonderful to be able to breathe fresh life into the old furniture. I just love to see things continue to be used and loved *s*

Flutterby Angel said...

Wow Linda....you are a woman of many talents. I have a good friend who restore furniture and he says itis very theraputic....that is stitching for me!
Great job and I look forward to seeing the chairs finished.
Your gift was lovely too! Enjoy!

Karol-Ann said...

I love what you are doing with the furniture. Restoring them is wonderful. our house is full of wood that was once gorgeous, but the previous owner stained it all a yukky orange brown! Sadly DH says it truely is too much work to reverse the process! To think in a short time someone can ruin a piece with a quick stain or coat of paint, but to restore it takes so much longer. Well done on your hard work!

em's scrapbag said...

Your furniture is looking lovely. I really like your applique letters. My you are a busy woman.

Kim said...

Your desk is so beautiful... I often thought of doing some refinishing.. but, that is as far as I got.. a thought. I am happy you found time to stitch...
Keep Smiling!

Ginger Patches said...

Thank you for the furniture pictures I have pieces I need to restore and you have encouraged me to get going on it! I may be e-mailing you for tips lol! I can totally relate to the new glasses thing!!

james said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Stephanie said...

Beautiful furniture. I have never refinished a piece of furniture but have a "hoosier" style cabinet my husband inherited that needs lots of loving care. I can't seem to stray far from my sewing machine!

Julia said...

Oh my goodness, that desk is gorgeous! You are a very talented woman!

I have been doing some hand quilting the last few days and I noticed that it might be time for a little pair of glasses too! :~)

loulee1 said...

Your desk looks fantastic, you did a great job.
So glad you're settling into your new home and you have time for the fun stuff too.

Guðrún said...

The chairs will be great. I would love to see the rocking chair when it is finished.

Marilyn R said...

The fabric you purchased is beautiful! I haven't done much in the area of furniture refinishing. I stripped the paint off of a door that had lots of slats in it and never wanted to do anything else like it again! The desk looks wonderful and I am sure the chairs will too!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Oh my Linda, a lady of many talents, Your desk is beautiful. I've tried my hand at refinishing, but did not liked it to much. Can't wait to see what the butter is all about. I'm glad you liked your thank you gift for holding the purse swap.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Julia said...

I just noticed your new picture. Love it! Very pretty woman, on the outside as well as on in the inside!

Jackie said...

Your furniture is turning out beautifully.

God bless.

Nan said...

You do a wonderful job of refinishing - the desk looks great, and so does the chair! It's amazing what a bit of elbow grease can accomplish, isn't it?
I love what I can see of the 'butter' quilt - can't wait to see the rest of it. I hope your new glasses are here now!

Dresden Plate said...

The 'butter' quilt that you've shown a tiny bit of looks very interesting. Letters arent easy, I find.

Carin said...

great fabric. The furniture looks fantastic.

Little Mysteries said...

The new fabric is very pretty. Your funiture restoration is amazing. You get fantastic results.

Janellybelly said...

I love the updated profile photo, your hair has grown :)
Blessings
Janelle xx

Kathleen said...

I have received my bag and did post pictures. I am not sure if my swap partner received mine as I have not heard from her :-(