The FastDay Forum

Ah, Universal tempo! you learn something every day, thanks for that. I'm glad that swags and tails have gone out of fashion, got sick of making those for other folk. Not sure I could work in a shop like yours without bankrupting us and driving hubs even madder than I do already I do weaken about the log burner every now and again but I haven't forgotten the cleaning, storing, dust etc. I know, everyone says the modern ones are not messy but I'm still holding out til the next time I go somewhere and they have one, then I'll get sucked in again.
Looking forward to your photographs SD.......as many as you like

Ballerina x

[wildmissus]

Used to be worse when I worked in John Lewis in Glasgow in their Furnishing Fabric department. I never came home with my wages!

I think the key to the stove is buying the right one. There are so many cheap ones around. It looks better when it is on -

Stove 2.jpg

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The photo shows me that I need to clean the glass and the Caithness slate hearth, oops. OH only empties it once a week and it is on most nights. I have the central heating on for an hour in the morning and between 4:30pm and 6pm in the evening, the rest of the heat for the whole house comes from the stove.

OH built a wood store by the shed whereas I was happy when everything was at the back of the garage which meant I didn't need to go outside to fill up the basket. So now it is OH's job to do the fire..........well let's face it he doesn't do much else .

You are so talented and your homes look so cosy. Thanks so much for sharing the photos. I have a horrid pine dresser and have toyed with either painting it or sending it to the charity shop. I am going to go with the painting for sure after seeing @ballerinas photos.

I love that clean Scandinavian or New England style. So....... how do I do this. I HATE glossing. It makes me bad tempered. Maybe the charity shop is a better bet? Thanks x

Oh, that is lovely, you are really tempting me now, daren't show hubs or he will be off again, thanks for the wonderful photograph, looks SO cosy

Ballerina x

@Wendydarling have a go, it's easy just boring. A quick rub down with sand paper, I or 2 coats of knot block, then a couple of coats of Dulux undercoat and then a couple of coats of a good quality paint, Fired Earth or Farrow and Ball will give you a lovely finish. You can top it off with Diamond Hard Matt clear varnish on areas where you feel it might take a bit of a battering and voilà you have a piece of furniture that looks brand new, rather French and if you like the shabby chic look then lightly sand the paint of corners and edges. I don't do shabby chic as it always ends up more shabby than chic so I just stick to a solid colour block.you can buy paint pads which give you a nice effect if you don't fancy brushes or mini rollers also work well. Be adventurous, have a go and let us know how it goes. Feel free to ask about anything which you are not sure about, always happy to help....good luck, you won't regret it, honest

Ballerina x

Right, ok you're on. I have a matching tv unit so will do them both. I will have some free time the week after next so will give it a go then. My other sitting room furniture is lovely, sort of shaker, oak tops, the rest pale grey so I will see if I can find a suitable grey. Every night I look at it all and hate it. I could buy something else to replace it but I'm not very good at that sort of thing. I don't know what I like till I see it..... chicken and egg.

I will arm myself with all the materials I need during the coming week. Thanks so much, I'm sure there will be many desperate cries for help coming your way via pm. Stand by!!!

I am all yours, good luck........this is just a little extra I did, it was another orange pine picture frame so I threw away the picture, painted the frame and then used it as a surround for a little ornament that belonged to hubs beloved grandmother. I think it looks quite cute and fits in with everything else, they both hang independently of each other on the wall, just let your imagination run riot

Ballerina x

I love that, well done you. Brilliant. I am going to run out in the morning and get some paint and I am going to paint at least one small thing. It might be a small thing but it will be freshly painted. Am going to have a scout round in a minute to see what I can find as a suitable candidate.

Does anyone know how to hang this frame please? It's quite big and has two of these crocodile thingies on the back. I have looked for matching crocodile thingies but to no avail. Thanks x

Frame1

Frame2

Not seen these before, you could change them for a more conventional type or you could just put a couple of screws in the wall to hold each one, I would imagine the teeth would 'lock' over the screw heads and be quite secure. Good luck with your first project, can't wait to see how you get on

Ballerina x

P.S. Am intrigued, what doe it look like from the front? Is it for photographs or mirrors or what?

One by me, alstromeria,in coloured pencil

Marquetry picture by my dad aged 13

Still life pastel study by me, (if you look closely, half of me appears in the mirror!)

Now, that is what I call talent and it seems to run in the family, lucky you. Love the alstroemerias! very delicate, almost like a Chinese silk thread piece. No excuses now for not getting out those brushes eh SD? A door will be a doddle for someone with your talent, go for it.......

Ballerina x

Wow, you people are talented!

@Ballerina, how much material did you use for the loose covers? I have some pieces that I'd like to recover, but am unsure about how much material to purchase.

@ballerina it's a multi photo frame so I can't show you from the front, and no, it doesn't say 'evil' it's from Next and it says 'live' 'love' 'laugh' I have inserted photos of all the people who make me do those things, some sadly no longer with us

Brilliant idea ref exchanging the hooks for something else. I really am not good at thinking outside the box and tend to just do as I'm told! I have had the frame a long time and it is just propped up on the floor. Not a good look, it deserves better.

We went to Laura Ashley today to look at paint, didn't get any but are about to order a new sofa for the conservatory Went to Homebase too and got paint charts, so although nothing actually got done today at least I have made a start on thinking about it and will spend the week planning then next weekend shopping for materials ready for the assault the following week. Thank you so much for your inspiration.

@silverdarling what talent, those are beautiful.

Oh you clever folk, loved looking at all your creations! So much talent in just one tent! XX

Wow, you people are talented!

@Ballerina, how much material did you use for the loose covers? I have some pieces that I'd like to recover, but am unsure about how much material to purchase.

Hi @piper there is a set formula for loose covers and I will have to think about and get back to you but if my memory serves me right it is something life 5 mtrs for a 2 seater, 7 mtrs for a 3 seater etc, watch this space, I will get back to you

Ballerina x