Nursery Dresser. Operation {DIY} Part two.

Here we are with part two of my chalk paint dresser redo.

If you missed part one, you can go here to read the story behind this sweet little dresser.

 

I knew that I wanted to use chalk paint for this dresser and checked out Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to see if we could splurge on it. My lack of patience and cheapness left me in search of a home recipe.

 

 I found several on Pinterest and decided to go with this recipe:

 

1/2 cup Plaster of Paris

1/2 cup of hot water

1 1/2 cups of flat paint

*Mix the hot water and Plaster of Paris together and then add your flat paint and mix*

 

This turned out great, I actually doubled the recipe for our dresser and didn't use exact measurements.

(again, I was too impatient and excited to get started!)

The paint was a bit runny and thinner than regular paint, so just be warned!

 

I went with Valspar "Urban Sunrise" flat paint.  

 

I still want to try out Annie Sloan's chalk paint, I'm curious to see the difference!

I'm sure hers is just amazing!

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Here is our dresser when we picked it up. It has a mirror that goes with it.

We ended up taking the mirror off because we are using this in Eli's nursery as his changing table.

 

 

 



For this piece I wanted to have the top of the dresser a very dark stain color to match Eli's crib. The crib color is Espresso so it needed to be pretty dark.

After removing the mirror and holder we began sanding the top of the dresser.

We had to really sand it down because of the oil stain that's on the lid

(Kinda hard to miss!)

We weren't able to get the stain out, but I just stained over this part very lightly and it ended up matching up with the rest of the stain.

After sanding only the top of the dresser down with 60 grit sandpaper

 (using the sander-no hand sanding here!) I went back over it with a softer 120 grit sandpaper to make sure that it was really smooth and even.

Make sure that you do this! I have ended up with surfaces that are too rough because I didn't make sure that I was happy with the texture of the wood at this point.

-You want to be happy with the texture!-

Staining time!

I used Minwax Dark Walnut stain, I use this color for almost everything. I love how dark and rich it is!

 

I applied this stain twice, I just had to be very careful when I went over the oil stain so that it wasn't too dark over it the spot.

 

 

From here we applied the paint. Remember that I said it needed two coats, so we applied the paint twice.

I was really impressed with the different look that the chalk paint gave.

A flat finish and very vintage looking!

 

 

 

 

After the paint was dry I used the sander to distress the edges of the drawers and different areas that I wanted to show through.



 

 



We applied a couple of coats of polyurethane to the dresser and three coats to the top, letting them dry in between. 

 

 

I picked up new knobs and handles at Lowes for about two or three dollars a piece.

Once everything was dry we moved it in!

 

 

Well, What do you think?

Do you have a special chalk paint recipe that I should try, or do you use Annie Sloan's chalk paint?

 

I would  love to hear what you think!

any tips of tricks that you love to use?!

 

XOXO

Brittani

 

Nursery Dresser Operation {DIY} part one

I am so excited about this post!

We have finished Eli's dresser and changing station for the nursery!

 

Let me start by saying that I have had this vision in my mind of what I wanted his dresser to look like from the beginning of our nursery design.

I have to admit that I was a bit of a procrastinator when it came to looking and searching for a dresser. Because I had such a specific idea in mind, it made it pretty difficult to find the perfect fit.

 

A few weeks ago I had given up on the thought of redoing a dresser and actually went to look for one at a furniture store.

OH MY GOSH

I just could not bring myself to buy a $500.00 dresser that I wasn't crazy about in the first place.

One that didn't fit the picture I had envisioned, one that I just knew I would get tired of quickly.

I was so torn as to what to do, my pregnant belly was growing by the day, I had no dresser and my motivation was slowly fading.

I could see my beautiful changing table fading out of sight!

 

After a few days of regaining my composure and refocusing I began really looking again for something.

I sent out a "woah is me, please help me find the most perfect dresser that is sturdy wood and not pegboard and is pretty" plea on our fleamarket at work.

That very night the Lord literally answered my prayers!

{okay, I realize this may be a bit dramatic, but guys I really had my heart set on this. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, maybe my love for old things but either way I was DESPERATE}

 

LOOK WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME!  

{and for WAY less than $500.00}

 

 

 

 

This came with a snazzy mirror as well.

It's super pretty but not what I am needing for this particular project.

Maybe I'll redo it and see if it will sale?

:)

 

 



 

 

I could hardly wait to get started!

 We got to work right away!

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Are you curious!?

I sure hope so!

HEHE

Check back for part two of my DIY dresser.

I even used a homemade chalk paint recipe

{my first time using chalk paint ever}
Come back for the recipe and to see how we redid the whole thing!

 

Okay, see you back here for part two really soon!

Linking up with: DIY show off, Made By You Monday, C.R.A.F.T.

XOXO

Brittani

 

Take it in.



I love Saturdays.

Just like I'm sure all of you do!

Today I'm taking some time to capture some of these moments that I really love.

With Eli here in a little less than four weeks I want to cherish our little life now, the way it is.

 

 

Mr. Zmolik is at work today, so it's just me. I love this time spent to just take everything in. I know that these times will be what we look back on and remember as sweet times.

 

I love our simple life.

Our little house that needs lots of fixing, our hand-me-down couch, our knick that's dug into our stove and the small view from my kitchen table.

 

We have built a life here, laughed here, cried here and become best friends for life here.

I want to always remember this phase in our life, just weeks before our man is here.

 

 

 Have I mentioned how much I love my fireman husband?

He works so hard for us and to be the absolute best that he can be for us.

 

I love waking up to these old, worn boots by the back door.

Do they belong there?

no.

Do I need to remind myself to appreciate these worn, old and dirty boots sitting by our backdoor?

Absolutely.

 

My goodness he loves us.

And what would we do without him?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I picked this little bank up at a garage sale a few days ago.

amazing what you find.

I think it will fit in perfectly with Eli's room.

 

 

 

We love our garden!

By "our" I mean Christophers garden. I can't take credit for any of it, I just eat all of the incredibly good things that come from it.

 



I have to admit that it's hard to remind myself to remember these sweet moments with just the two of us.

 We are so excited to meet Eli.

I sure am glad that I found my love and cherish the days that we have as just "us" that are ahead.

 

XOXO

Brittani

 

Lately

We are a week into summer and I can't tell you enough how much I love it! My Etsy shop is keeping me pretty busy so I feel as if a well deserved break for the weekend will be happening! We are about to go out with some family for dinner tonight. Mexican food, a patio (with some shade) and good people is a great way to start it off!

 

It's been a bit since I have posted last (I swear I am going to get better!) Now that I am out of school for the summer there is no excuse!

 

Since my last post we have had our sweet boys baby shower. It was mustache themed and so cute! We are so blessed to have so many people that came and helped us to prepare for Eli's arrival! I *almost* have it all put away and organized. My goodness, it has been a chore getting everything washed, sorted and organized. If you were to come take a look inside my house right now you would probably wonder what the heck I've been doing because there is still stuff everywhere! But, remember I said that my shop has been keeping me busy?

 

Well, it surely has! I am so thankful that God has let us stumble upon something like this. We really love making and selling these handmade items. I have ALWAYS loved art and creating, I finally feel like I have found out what it is that I should be doing with it!

 

He is certainly blessing us with this and I pray that he continues! We (and I say we, because my husband has been and is such a huge help with our shop daily.) have a lot of future ideas and plans that we would love to see coming true.

 

Our two year anniversary was this week! My goodness, it really has been the best two years and has gone by so fast. We went to see Sister Act, the musical. Super fun!

 

I love looking back at our wedding pictures, it just reminds me of our perfect day!

 

 

 

Insta-Wednesday!

Its Wednesday!

We are so close to the end of the school year. I am so excited but will miss my sweet kids!

I was so lucky to have such a great group of little 7 & 8 year olds this year, with incredible parents to match!

 

I thought that I would give you a recap of some of my Instagram pictures!

I am REALLY trying to get better at documenting with photos...I think i'm improving!

With that being said, these are from my phone, so they are a bit blurry!

If you don't follow me you should!

"bluejayloves"

 

 

A few weekends ago we went to the Polka festival in Ennis! My husband has a lot of family that lives their, so it was nice to get away for the day and dive into some Czech culture! The Mr. is half Czech so when we saw this shirt we just had to get it! Daddy has a matching one! Hehe! We ended up getting to the festival a little late and most of the shows and booths were already closed. :( We made it in time to watch some polka dancing and listen to several different polka bands!

 

There were lots of littles running around in polka outfits! They were too cute. Wish I had a picture of them. Hey, I'm still a work in progress!

 

 

 

 

On Friday we had our 34 week appointment! Wait, what? 34 weeks! Wow, where did the time go!? Well, I say that but I am certainly getting ready to meet this little guy. He is 4 3/4 lbs right now and is doing great!

 

His daddy says that he looks like me, we will see! {He does seem to have my nose and lips}

We do know that he has some hair-we were totally shocked at that-neither of us had any hair until we were two! We could also see his little chubby rolls on his legs! OHHHH I can't wait to kiss those cheeks!

Only 5 weeks left until I see my sweet boy.

 

and there he is...34 weeks!

 

 

her

 

I had a really fun order this week! I loved making these two orange striped oars! I imagine them fitting in at a lakehouse or in a home with some great decor. I like to always imagine where they will end up. Since I always put a lot of hard work and love into my products I end up loving them all!

 

I know I can't keep everything but love imagining them in their new home! 

 

 

 

 

Another order from this week. I love making these types of signs. This one was a requested custom order.

I'm definitely partial!



 

 

I was super excited to find a package waiting for me when I got home today!

 {Who doesn't love that!}

I have been wanting to get a Project Life album for a while now and finally did it!

The baby boy album is perfect and so cute!

I can't wait to get started on his book

I'm just trying to get through this last school week before I dive in!  



 

 

I'll finish this post off with a picture of the Mr. and I. We took this last year on a weekend getaway to the casinos! I am a terrible gambler but it was still fun!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Again, I'm so sorry the pictures are so blurry

:(

 

Happy Wednesday to you!

XOXO

Brittani

 

Mammas orders.

Dropping in for a quick post that is long overdue.

As you probably know I like simplicity.

Simple colors.

simple flowers.

simple words.

 

I have seen this phrase around and thought I would try my own version of the saying.

I'm kinda fond of it!

 

 

 I sure know that I could use this reminder every now and then!

I'm sure you have memories of mamma saying this numerous times to you!

"Eat your veggies!"

I sure do.  

I love having fresh veggies on the counter.

Love all of the colors and I'm hoping it will make me eat more of them!

This sign was super fun to make.

Take a look at it in my Etsy shop

 

We are only three days away from summer!

One whole school day and two half days!

I am so excited.

There is so much to do before baby boy gets here.

{I am currently 34 1/2 weeks!}

so many projects that I {want} to get done before his big debut.

 

I can't wait to be enjoying my sweet summer with my sweet man pretty soon.

I have several new designs, DIY projects and how-to posts in the works for you

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will have the time and energy to get them done and documented for you!

 

Also, lots of new products to be going up soon in our Etsy store!

WOOHOO!

 

As for now I'm propping my swollen feet up ad finishing my recording of The Bachelorette.

It's an addiction, I know.

 

XOXO

Brittani

Papa's Farm

I am so excited to show off this new custom sign! It's ready for its home and I can't wait until it gets there! I only wish I could see how sweet it will look. I'm not sure who "Papa" is, but I sure love his farm!

 

I imagine that this will fit perfectly in a space with lots of natural light. Whites and wood all around. Maybe some wooden spoons, cows or chickens as décor. Who knows, it may steal a space outside to welcome visitors and family back home.

 

Either way, I think it will look great!

Hopefully they will like it as much as I do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm imagining lots of laughter, memories, smiles, dirty hands and fun that happens at Papa's Farm.

Wherever this dear sign goes, I hope it brings a smile to someone's face!

 

 

 Do you have a design or saying that you would love to capture?

Visit my shop to get started.

 

XOXO

Brittani