Chippy Paint Experiments

I told myself I couldn't do any projects until the Christmas decorations were put away but after getting the mantle and tree put away I decided I deserved a little creative time. I have been really wanting to create a chippy paint look to my fence board projects.

I posted the other day about the old fence board table runner and box that my husband was nice enough to make for me...

I wanted to give it a little white chippy paint..kinda beachy look. I wasn't sure exactly what to do but thought I would try milk paint.

Well, I liked the milk paint--but don't think this was the right paint for the project. I realized after researching it more that milk paint really shines when using it on a shiny finish--that is when it distresses naturally. These old fence boards totally soak up the paint. So I looked online and decided to try the Vaseline method.

So I smeared some Vaseline around on the wood.

Then I painted the milk paint on..

As it dried I cold see where the Vaseline part was crackling...

After the paint was dry I took a paper towel and just wiped off the paint where the Vaseline was.

After wiping it off though I realized it was too stripy...and part of the reason was because as I brushed on the paint it kind of made the stripes. So I used my finger and fixed it best I could..and it looks so much better. 

 

 With my favorite ruffled runner on it I thought it looked quite beachy pretty!

 

 So I thought about it and realized the best thing to do would be use the Vaseline and then spray paint over it. Then I wouldn't be "dragging" the Vaseline with the paint brush. Gotta love good ole spray paint!

 

 

The box turned out just like I wanted it too! I really like the Vaseline and spray paint technique. Now I want my husband to make me another box, a little smaller, because I have some ideas to make it really shabby chic pretty. Stay tuned! I know this very distressed look isn't for everyone, but I really love it on at least a few items in my house. It looks like it has a story to tell--which I am sure these old fence boards could tell many stories!

So I was quite satisfied with myself with my chippy project. That gave me the urge to clean the carpets because when I have something new and pretty I like the house to be all spotlessly clean around it.

The boys piled on the couch, along with the dogs and a bunch of blankets while I shampooed the carpets.

As I usually always do I had extra children this weekend. Chantel's friend Alyshea was our guest. The girls did "Just Dance" for over 3 hours. If I just had their energy I would be skinny!

Well--I guess I should get back to organizing/putting away the Christmas decorations...the chippy paint thing was just so much more fun :) I look forward to working with Milk Paint again as I found it to be easy to mix and I think on the right project it would be perfect! My cousin Trinity took a milk paint class this weekend and I think it would have been so fun if we could have taken that class together! She lives in California but I am thinking she should move to Oregon. :)

I hope everyone had fun and creative weekends!

Thanks for visiting!