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http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13373422

Antiquing Your Kitchen Cabinets Tutorial

Before

After

As promised, I have before and after pics of my cabinets. I tried the laundry room first, you know, just in case they didn't come out as I envisioned them. However!!! I loved them. Don't be afraid to try new things at home. You can always paint over them. This was such a rewarding process for me. (I didn't feel the labor part of it until the next day.) If you love the distressed look, like I do, this tutorial is for you!!! I'll keep this short and sweet. This tutorial is for cabinets that do not need painting.

Materials

- Antiquing glaze. I used Valspar's Antiquing Glaze in asphaltum.

- Damp rag

- Wet rag (for mess ups)

Remember

You have about 10-15 minutes working time - so work quickly. AND a little glaze goes a long way...there is a such thing as too much.

Let's get started!

1. Clean your cabinets with soap and water and let dry.



2. Pour a little glaze in the top of the container.



3. Dip the damp rag in the glaze.



4. Tap the rag on the cabinets and begin working in a quick circular motion. Work cabinet by cabinet. Don't get ahead of yourself.



5. After the glaze is applied to the cabinet, begin working in the direction of the cabinet, up and down in my case. This gives them a more natural look. I have seen "distressed" cabinets where you could literral see the circles. Not good.



6. After you acheive the look you are going for, you are ready for detail work.



7. Grab a very small paint brush, dip it in the glaze and begin lightly brushing areas where distressing would naturally take place.



8. Let dry.



9. Cover with a clear protectant.



10. Enjoy your work!!!!

Happy antiquing!!! I'll be glad to answer any questions you have.

Happy July 4th week!!!!

It's the week of July 4th! Yeah! Aren't you excited??? July 4th has always been especially fun for me - fireworks and barbecue are the highlights. I plan to lounge on Friday, sketch a bit and antique the bathroom cabinets. I'll let you know how that turns out. I have already antiqued the laundry room cabinets and they look great! I used Valspar's Antiquing Glaze in asphalteum or something like that. I changed our funky contractor grade shiny cheesy gold knobs to gorgeous oil rubbed antique-y knobs. They made a huge impact. I also bought some decorative molding for the kitchen cabinets. We'll see how they turn out. I'll be sure to share those pictures also.

My Etsy shop has been lacking in the customer love department - no sales. I'm working on adding some new paintings, home decor pieces and necklace pendants. I feel really good about them. I've been thinking about getting some business cards and marketing more to the people in my community. I would love some advice about this.

My little girls room is still in shambles! I want to decorate her room like this one...I can't remember where on-line I copied this picture. But I absolutely adore this playful, colorful room!!! Don't you???

Talk to you later....

Been so long....

I've been working quite a bit lately. I haven't posted but have been keeping up with many, many blogs. It's so interested to see what other creative minds are up to. Anyhow...this won't be a long post. Here is a bit of what I have been working on...http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12394439

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - YOU ARE NOT ALONE 16x20 ORIGINAL ACRYLIC PAINTING ON CANVAS PANEL

www.lucyleeart.etsy.com

I painted this with inspiration from a very dear friend who has lost both parents and grandmothers to cancer. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. Please see her message below.

As you may know, my family has been dreadfully affected by cancer. Both of my parents and their mothers have died from this disease. These tragedies were not only close to home, they were actually in my home. My father died this March due to complications from prostate cancer and my mother died in October 2005 from complications of colon cancer but had been in remission from ovarian cancer for 10 years prior to her death. My father's mother died of colon cancer and my mother's mother died of ovarian cancer. Due to my heightened familial exposure to cancer, I have revved up my efforts to become more health & environmentally conscious and encourage my family and friends to do the same. All too well, I know how this disease affects people physically,mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and it also takes a massive toll on the people who care for them. It is nothing I want to happen to anyone, but almost everyone I know has been affected by this disease somehow.

According to the National Cancer Institute's rates from 2003-2005, 40.35% of men and women born today will be diagnosed with cancer of all sites at some time during their lifetime. This number can also be expressed as 1 in 2 men and women will be diagnosed with cancer of all sitesduring their lifetime. With this in mind, I am raising money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and am asking for each of you to make a donation of ANY amount. The event will be held on May 2nd at the Canton Multipurpose Complex Track from 6:00pm until. Due to the hustle and bustle of all of the events that have occurred in my family over these last two months, I am a late starter so I am rushing to meet my very small personal goal of $250 by Friday.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeMid-SouthDivision?px=5409707&pg=personal&fr_id=8879&s_tafId=209238

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