Shelf... done!

I'm trying to finish up some projects around here.... just like everyone else that I know of is doing.

I finished Blondie's shelf today. I [pretty much] like the way it turned out. The wood isn't top quality so it didn't finish as smoothly as I would have liked. The dimensions, shape and design are perfect for what she wants it for so that is a plus.

Nope... I don't style stuff like on the fancy blogs. Just a plain picture of the shelf... and only one photo instead of a bazillion from every angle!

I love the back of the shelves. Blondie fell in love with some fabric and it just didn't work with the other fabric in her quilt. However, we loved how it looks on the back of the shelf!

The fabric is taped to some foam core board and then slipped into the back of the shelf. The foam core isn't glued or tacked to the back of the shelf, it just sits there snugly and doesn't move.

The benefit of not having the fabric permanently attached to the board or the board permanently attached to the shelf is that she can change the fabric out later if she wants. And she can use the fabric that is on there someplace else, too.

I used 3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic to protect the paint. I've used 3 different sealer/top coats as I've refinished pieces this year. This is my favorite. Soap and water clean up, it dries fast, and it lays down smooth. I wish the satin finish was a little more satin and a little less glossy, but other than that, I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Next on the list:
2 quilt backs (the tops are done)
a table for Blondie's classroom. I've already found legs and a table top on FreeCycle to cut down and remake, so it feels like I've already started on this one!

And of course there are goats to breed this fall, a new buck to find, a chicken pen to clean, and an animal shelter to fix

Fixed-up Cabinet

I got one project done! Horray!

I got this cabinet from Freecycle:

One door had broken off the hinges.

There was water damage to the back.

There was a scratch on the front of one of the doors, and one handle was missing.

After about 4 hours of work, which is probably too much for a particle board cabinet with water damage...

This is what I get to pass on to my daughter! She needs a small cabinet in her kitchen to put a few extras in, as well as having a 'pile place' for her husband to set his keys and other things when he gets home from work.

It's even got blue fabric on the inside back of the cabinet.

Blue, especially this blue, is Blondie's favorite color.

I learned alot, which was the point of taking the project on. I learned how to use old paneling to replace the cardboard backing, which made the whole cabinet very sturdy.

I learned how to put on hinges, and that I probably should have trimmed 1/4" off the door before I put the hinges on. The doors close pretty well, but if there was a little more room between the doors they would have closed better.

I learned that Elmer's Spray Adhesive was a better choice to adhere the fabric to the doors than Mod Podge was. I'm glad I did something right!

I learned how to use a miter box and saw to cut the trim.

And I learned that fixing up an old piece of particle board furniture was worth the learning experience, but probably not worth the $10 it cost to fix it up.

I have another 'thing' from Freecycle to make over, an old dresser without drawers. It will end up in Blondie's classroom since she needs more shelves in there. I'm glad it doesn't have hinges and doors on it, it should be an easier project.