Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway - Prmitive-n-Proper

"I am thankful for Etsy.com that allows passionate people, like me, a doorway for you to walk in!"  Jill Hatcher of Primitive-n-Proper

I am thrilled and thankful that Larissa Hill Designs is a recipient of one of Primitive-n-Proper's Book Bag Style Totes as this week's Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway.  Jill's burlap totes are each individually designed and crafted from RECYCLED Coffee Bean sacks from South America, used to transport coffee beans to the states for commercial use. 

All bags are one-of-a-kind. They are versatile, unique and eco friendly.  They have a great look and texture, and contain one pocket inside. Each tote is hand-sewn by Jill and she is offering this fabulous tote to one of Larissa Hill Designs lucky subscribers.  I love how Jill constructed this particular bag with only a hint of red and then incorporated a stronger red stripe lining. 

Bag Details:

♥ RECYCLED, AUTHENTIC coffee sack exterior: BOOK BAG STYLE, 13" X 16"
♥ Canvas print remnant lining: STRIPED LINING
♥ Super strong belting handles: BROWN BELTING HANDLES



To participate in this great giveaway,  just visit Primitive-n-Proper Etsy shop and find your favorite designs. Then come back to Larissa Hill Designs and post a comment letting me know which one, two or three of Jill's designs you like best.  I guarantee you will have a tough time selecting your favorites because each and every bag is so unique. 

You must be a subscriber to Larissa Hill Designs to be eligible for the giveaway.

Have a great Etsy Inspiration day!





Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the Totes By Charlotte wine tote giveaway is.......

Debra of Evansville, Indiana

Congratulations and thank you for following. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow's new Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway announcement.

PS.  I'm so excited, I just registered my largest number of comments for any of my postings....45 comments on my Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe Experiment.  Thank you to each and everyone of you.

Just A Little Something On Sunday

I've been looking for an affordable crewel pillow for some time now and I finally found one at TJMax.  I just couldn't resist it, especially at $24.99.  The design and colors were perfect for my family room.



However, it really didn't work on my dark sofa.



I have been planning on slipcovering the sofa for some time now but just haven't gotten around to it.  My temporary fix was to lighten the overall look with brighter pillows.  I used Graphics Fairy clipart on painters cloth pillows that I whipped up.  Here is the clipart I chose.  I love the soft colors and I thought the eggs complimented my new bird crewel pillow nicely.

I removed the current pillow forms and reused them.  NOW, I can't stress this enough.....make sure when using artwork with words that you print the downloaded artwork in the reverse.  I wasted two pieces of transfer paper printing the artwork backwards.....FRUSTRATING!



It then dawned on me that I could extend the use of these summer themed pillows by printing a fall themed print on the reverse. I can't wait to show you the completed Thanksgiving themed pillows closer to the holidays.

In the meantime, take a look at my sofa transformation....

Voila!!! Let me know what you think....

It's Friday

It's finally arrived....

Put on your best PINK shoes and dance the weekend away!



Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway - Totes By Charlotte

I am sooooo excited to announce that Totes by Charlotte is this week's
Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway!!!  Charlotte's totes were recently featured in
"The Party Dress Magazine" June 2011 issue  http://www.thepartydress.net/

Living in Napa inspired Charlotte to create her signature Wine Tote.  In Napa, you bring your own bottle of wine from your own wine cellar when dining out and her designs are the most fashionable way to carry your bottle to the restaurant. 

Totes by Charlotte are each individually designed and crafted by Charlotte. 

All bags are "One of a Kind" or "Limited Quantity" depending upon the materials uses. 

She uses high quality and vintage fabrics in her designs.

These totes can be customized with monograms in your choice of design and color.  

Natural burlap in a variety of colors is combined with gorgeous print fabrics. 

Holiday designs make these Wine Totes the perfect hostess gift. 

I can't wait to see her Christmas designs!!!

This dark natural burlap wine tote is lined with a fun Leopard cotton print. LOVE IT!!! 

What could be cuter than this fuchsia tote lined with Black and White Toile. 

Both are perfect for holding a single bottle of wine. (Sorry wine not included with bag!) 

These totes are not only great hostess gifts but wonderful shower favors, wine
party giveaways etc.  Most importantly, they are perfect for holding your bottle of wine.

As part of Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway, Totes by Charlotte is offering one of her fabulous Wine Totes to the winner.  Just visit Totes by Charlotte  Etsy shop and find your favorite designs. Then come back to Larissa Hill Designs and post a comment letting me know which one, two or three of her designs you like best. 

Expect to spend some time perusing her shop.  You'll be amazed at all Totes by Charlotte has to offer!!!

Please remember, you must be a subscriber to Larissa Hill Designs in order to win
this Giveaway.

Most of you know that I try to recreate the item featured in the Etsy Inspiration posting.
Well, I admit I just couldn't duplicate her gorgeous totes.

Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the Rococco Co. giveaway is.......

Barb & Dell

Congratulations and thank you for following.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's new Etsy Inspiration & Giveaway announcement.

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe Experiment

Like most furniture refinishers, I have fallen in love with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint finish.  Unfortunately, ASCP is not sold anywhere in the Pittsburgh area and to be honest with you, I really didn't want to pay $38 plus $15 shipping for a quart of paint.  However I wanted to paint this great little end table in our family room with chalk paint.  I love it's lines and it is just the right size but it was looking a little worn.

So, I took to the internet to find a chalk paint recipe.  I stumbled across numerous sites and settled on a recipe from Make Your Own Zone .  It calls for a mix of 2 tablespoons of unsanded grout combined with 1 cup FLAT paint.  I however chose an old can of Behr SATIN paint that I had from a previous home project.  Did it make a difference?  I have no clue!  It seems to me that it shouldn't if you wax or use a polyurethane to complete the project.

As per chalk paint instructions, I didn't sand or prepare the table in any way, I just painted.  The paint was very thick and I think with this recipe, it might be a good idea to add just a bit of glaze.  Here is the coverage after only one coat of homemade chalk paint.  Depending on your piece of furniture and the look you want to achieve, this might be the only coat you need.

I really wanted full coverage and opted for a second coat of chalk paint as shown below.

Once the second coat was completely dry, I sanded edges where I felt normal wear would occur.  I did not want a heavily distressed look so my sanding was minimal. I then covered it with a thin coat of Howard Citrus Shield Premium Paste Wax in Golden Oak.  I let the wax sit for a couple of hours although it only calls for 3-5 minutes and then I buffed it.  As per ASCP instructions, I added another coat of wax, waited and buffed.

I am really pleased with the overall outcome.  I saved a great deal of time by skipping the initial sanding and preparation stages. I have never used ASCP so I really don't have anything to compare my homemade chalk paint too but the bottom line is, I'm thrilled with the chalk paint recipe and I am thrilled with my 'new' end table!

 

Let me know what you think....



I am  Blog Hopper !!