A good stripper

Ok get your mind out of the gutter.

I'm not talking about THAT kind of stripper! I'm talking about using a stripper to refinish furniture!

I'm currently working on a custom job for a client.

This desk was a part of a set that I did for her. I already showed you the dresser. I sanded that piece, but on this one I decided to try a stripper.

I've heard horror stories about strippers. How they can leave chemical burns, bad smells for days, they're messy, or not even work.

I tried a few different kinds on this piece and I found one I LOVE!

It's made by Klean-Strip and it's one of the strongest strippers out there. It's a no drip thick paste and works in about 15 minutes.

Make sure you use gloves and eye protection. I even had on long sleeves because some of it dripped on my arm and caused a pretty nasty burn.

You also need to make sure you cover your work area well. It will end up looking like a brown gooey mess. Promise.

I start by working in small areas and brushing it on. I set a timer for 15 minutes. When I came back out, the stripper had small bubbles it in and I began scraping.

And scraping

And scraping.

I used a small plastic scraper like this

and wire brushes for the smaller nooks.

This is what one of the sides looked liked after scraping. You can tell which areas were scraped and which areas I still had left to do.

It took a while, but it was easier than sanding because this piece has many small grooves.

Overall, the stripper does take a while because you have to work in small sections. If you have the time, it's worth it.

After I stripped the entire desk, I was ready for wood conditioner and stain.

I'll share the final product with you later this week!

Happy Monday!

 

POWW

May Sponsor Love: Robin's Nest Quilting

Today I'm highlighting some new fabric and quilts from on of my sponsors, Robin's Nest Quilting.

With summer around the corner, I've been drawn to brightly colored fabrics!

This is one that Robin has in her Etsy shop. I just LOVE the bright colors and pattern!

There's a coordinating dot that I love as well. I think these would be cute in a nursery too!

Speaking of nurseries, wouldn't this just be darling for a little girl?

Robin carries such a wide variety of fabrics and even trim!.

Robin not only carries a lot of quilting supplies, she even has a quilt for sale.

This isn't just some ordinary quilt though. Robin will donate all the proceeds to local charities, so make sure you stop by her etsy shop and check it out, along with all her fabrics for 7.99 a yard!

As always, if you're interested in joining the BMA advertising team, shoot me an email at lisa(at) beforemeetsafterblog (dot) com.

Happy Monday!

funny Friday

It's been a crazy week and Friday's finally here! In honor of that, I thought I would share a few funnies with you.

(As a teacher, this REALLY makes me laugh!)

Twilight humor!

yes, I'm guilty.

This is my life with 2 dogs!

Enjoy the laughs! Can you relate to any of these ??

You can see these and more on my pinterest board.

Eureka! An Epiphanie!

A few months ago I mentioned I gave in and bought a Canon Rebel.

It's been in my purse, thrown in the car, put in a bookbag, wherever you can think of, it's been there.

Hubby was worried about it getting damaged so I mentioned that I wanted a real camera bag. I looked around and everything I could find was very black, very bulky, and very manly.

Well much to my delight, hubbs actually listened. Way more than I expected. He got me the Red Lola from Epiphanie!

The box arrived and I just couldn't wait to open the protective pouch!

Can't you see the excitement on my face?!?!

These bags are so well made and the attention to detail is amazing!  Just look at the caaaaaaaaute camera keychain!

The interior has removable pads that holds camera equipment as well as a ton of personal items!

I managed to fit my camera, 2 lenses, wallet, sun glasses, and lip gloss in here and STILL had room!

I have a feeling this bag will be going with me everywhere this summer!

The really neat thing about Epiphanie is how Maile got her business started. She's a photogapher that couldn't find a "pretty" camera bag. So what did she do.....make one!! Her motto is "LIBERATING STYLISH WOMEN FROM THE MAN BAG."
EPIPHANIE IS PROUD TO INTRODUCE A REVOLUTIONARY NEW
CAMERA BAG FOR  WOMEN

Love.it. Do you have a favorite bag for all your "stuff"?

Swanky Outlet giveaway winner!

The winner of the Martha Stewart blanket from Swanky Outlet is......

Kelly from Till Death do Us Part. Congrats Kelly! Look for an email from me soon!  Thanks to everyone who entered :)

Dining Room Decision: Rug (and table) reveal!

Thank you so much for your votes! You all had some great suggestions and ideas. To be fair, I tallied up all the votes.....

Rug #2 was the winner!

The votes were very close (18 to 13).

Many of you asked about the table I was planning to use.

Well, I sold my old table to be able to start the dining room from scratch. So I really didn't have a table. Here is my old dining room.

I knew I wanted a farmhouse style table but I don't want to pay the price. I was perusing Craigslist yesterday and came across a pretty close fit!

Hubbs was out of town so I drove over to the lady's house and we put it in my SUV together.

A $60 score! At this point I'm keeping the chairs because they match the rug so well. (And keeping them won't cost me any extra $$)

But the table has a lot to be desired.

It has great legs.

But the color isn't what I was looking for and it has scratches and paint splatter all over it.

So I'm planning on pulling a few ideas to paint or stain the table.

When I've narrowed it down, I'll let you vote again!

I'll leave you with the Before....and the After (For the time being)

 

DON'T FORGET!! Tonight is the last chance for you to enter for your chance to win the Martha Stewart blanket from Swanky Outlet!

Dining Room Decision 2012: Rugs

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was going to let you have input in my dining room :)

After I recovered a few weeks from painting the walls I got REALLY bold and painted the ceiling. I LOVE it! It really draws your eye up and makes the trey and medallion pop!

Now that the painting is done, it's time to focus on the room!

Remember when I put a BOLO out for this Target rug? 

Well when I went to return one of the Thrifty Thursday find rugs, I spotted it in the clearance section! I about screamed as I ran towards it. (Not even kidding ).

The only problem was it wasn't the right size :( Whomp whomp, whomp.

As I stood there with tears in my eyes (again, not joking) a target team member (yes I go there so much I know what they're officially called) came up to me and said that those same rugs were on clearance online. I whipped out my phone and bought one right then and there. I knew I'd have to wait about a week for it to be delivered, but I did manage to find another clearance rug that I liked equally as well.

This one has hints of the blue in it, but the only problem is that it was a 5 X 8 that was in clearance and the other rug I ordered in the store was 8 X 10.

I decided to take it home and wait for the other one to be delivered and then let you guys decide.

So here we go!

Rug 1. Target clearance. 5 X 8 Total cost $60.78. The 8 X 10 isn't on clearance so it will cost me a whopping $199. I just needed one to shoe you for voting purposes!

Rug 2. Target clearance online. 8 X 10. $139.99. Great size and I LOVE the colors. 

Yeah I know I'm crazy, I know I made this decision WAY too easy for you :)

Which one do you think I should keep?  

1 or 2??