Who Shot My Dresser?

I seems like I have been away forever! I have been having a fantastic week with my sister in law and her family.


She is the one who introduced me to my husband. 


She may also be the one and only person in the whole world for whom I would stand on a ladder, on a piece of plywood, on a wobbly coffee table bought at the grocery store to hang a new light fixture in her entry. While she laughed at me and my fear of heights and took pictures. True Story. I love her.


Amazingly, I managed to get some work done during their visit. I picked this dresser up from my boyfriend Craig Slist. I love the big chunky legs. 

It had definitely seen better days, but I knew there was beauty underneath all of that. I painted the body with one coat of my new favorite (haha) ASCP color, Provence. Then I gave the top two coats of Graphite. Lots of distressing and some wax later, here she is. 

My sister in law chose these knobs. How did she do? 

While I was sanding it, I noticed a strange looking round nail head (I thought) in the bottom drawer front. I decided to try and pry it out and discovered that it was a BB!!! Someone shot the dresser. Who does that?? 

I left the hole and distressed around it. That's what I call character.

It makes me giggle a little.


This lovely is headed to Lone Elm and is looking for a safe new home where it will not be shot at.


I am joining these parties:


Miss Mustard Seed FFF Pin It

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

From our house to yours, may the many blessings of this glorious day be with you today and throughout the year.

Sweet memories of small people and sticky fingers

Memories of new love, refined by years

Love abundant. Joy unspeakable. Peace beyond measure.

From our home to yours.

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Frenchy Bench

I got this table thingy when I picked up my Frenchy Hutch seen here. I wasn't quite sure what it was! Not tall enough to be a buffet, not quite a coffee table. The lady I bought the hutch from gave it to me, she said that it sort of matched the hutch. I don't think she knew what it was either!

But FREE is my love language, so I didn't say no.

I decided it should be a bench. 

I trimmed off the bottom inch of the legs and gave it a base coat of ASCP in Primer Red. I didn't paint the top because it was going to be covered.

 Primer Red starts out frighteningly pink!

Next, I painted it Graphite as the top coat. When it was dry, I lightly spritzed it with water and wiped off a little of the Graphite to expose the Primer Red underneath. This method of distressing shows the base color and not the wood. A light sanding and then dark wax before clear to darken it. 

The top screwed off inside and I trimmed some memory foam to fit. Then I covered it with batting and fabric then stapled  it to the underside where it would be hidden inside the bench. I buy my memory foam as mattresses from a discount outlet. I call it the Crap Store. They have all kinds of ridiculousness there. I feel right at home.

It is sitting with a chalkboard coat rack that was made out of a broken footboard. I wish I had the right place for this combo. It sure was purty :-)

Linking to these parties


Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

Primitive and Proper 

Funky Junk Interiors SNS

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Eclipse? What eclipse?

So who didn't know there was an eclipse this morning? ME!


Who did know? My youngest! At 5am, he (who would prefer to be gently awakened each morning for school by light breezes and kitten whiskers) came skipping down the stairs. Wide awake. I actually thought he might be sleepwalking!

He was ready to see the lunar eclipse. He set his alarm clock for it. I didn't even know he knew how an alarm clock worked. Good to know.


Unfortunately, my friend Google said the eclipse would not be visible in our area until 6:45. And apparently, not even then. The trees in the yard were blocking our moon view. Lovely.


So we got in the car and drove to see the moon. And went for doughnuts in our jammies. Come to find out, the doughnut selection is much better when it is dark outside.

I can't think of a better way to start the day.

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I Will Like This Color

I will like this color. I will like this color. I will like this color.

I am trying really hard. I love it when other people paint things this color. I can lose myself on Pinterest for hours looking at the beautiful things others create with this turquoise-ish color. Distressed, it is spectacular.


And it peels the skin off of my eyes! But I will like this color.


I skipped Black Friday shopping to pick up this dresser, it was an hour drive from my house. I thought it was a hutch. Craigslist said it was a hutch. I have an idea that I want to try out on a hutch. This is definitely a dresser with a random hutch top sitting on top of it.

So, I bought it. No way am I driving an hour away and coming home empty handed! It is a great dresser, in really nice condition. It is not, however, a hutch.


I went back and forth between a soft gray and the eye peeling Provence. Obviously, it is not soft gray.

I like the extreme distressing. And the dark and clear wax definitely tone down the color.

I added some sweet little knobs from Hobby Lobby and I like it. The rustic-ness of it appeals to me. If I had a place for it in my house, it would still be here. Maybe I do like this color.

The very best part of this loooooong Black Friday drive? I took my 13 year old with me. I love that he willingly came along for a two hour car ride with his mom while most of his friends were sleeping. That, my friends, is priceless. Pin It

The Winner and a Rut?

So here's a big GIANT thank you to the Fab First 100 (and beyond!) folks following my blog! You guys rock! And, we have a winner of the drawing for Chick-fil-A yumminess!


And the winner is......Shiela G from Plum Doodles I sent an email through your blog, but, please feel free to contact me at Chrystal@theshabbiestchick.com...Congrats!




As one a little late to the stenciling party, I have been doing my best to make up for lost time! This is the third piece in a week that I have finished with my harlequin stencil. In my defense, one was a client request based on this piece. I promise that I will give it a vacation for a while after this. This is a phase, not a rut. Right?

This one is a very common style of buffet that I seem to see a lot of on Craigslist. Pretty flat, pretty average, pretty... boring? Not so much any more! She's dripping in diamonds!

I started by removing the raised trim pieces on the large drawer and doors. I wanted to paint them gold to match the stenciling. I could have taped everything off and painted them on the buffet, but this is soooo much easier! Just slide a putty knife under the trim and gently pry it off.

The entire piece was then painted with two coats of ASCP Granite. Then, out came the stencil which was applied to the top and three center drawers. At this point the entire thing was sanded with my palm sander and 220 grit sandpaper. The gold paint was definitely harder to sand than the ASCP so I had to be careful not to over distress.


Because I wanted to darken the color, I waxed first with dark wax followed by clear wax.


Here's the best part. Instead of buffing the wax with a cloth like I usually do, I grabbed a 3M Finishing Pad. The white one, for final finishing. I just thought I'd try it, to see what would happen. Oh. My. Word. It is by far the best, smoothest, most streak free finish I have ever had! With the least amount of effort. I don't think I will ever go back to rags. I am hooked on these! I may ask for some for Christmas.

Sorry for the weird pictures. These are taken in the basement. Its raining outside and this is too heavy to carry upstairs to make pretty. I seriously need to look for lighter furniture to paint!


This piece is in my booth at As Time Goes By in Greenwood, MO




Wanna go to a party?


Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm Pin It

Benches for the Proverbs 31 1/2 Woman

Don't worry, these are not my benches. I am pretty far from being the Proverbs 31 1/2 Woman.

These are benches I built for a friend. She is beyond inspiring to me. I call her the Proverbs 31 1/2 Woman. Most of my friends have names that they are unaware of. We will just call her P31.5W for the sake of time. P31.5W and her husband have 8 little ones. She has the patience of a saint, she homeschools and farms, she also just learned to finish drywall. I am pretty sure that she could spin gold from straw. And yet she is friends with me? I am definitely the winner in this friendship!

A few weeks ago, my son Jake mentioned that "we" hadn't built anything in a while. It seems like I go in seasons of projects. Sometimes home renovation, sometimes crafting, sometimes painting furniture, sometimes building furniture. It has not been building season for a while.

While we were painting her kitchen cabinets (did I tell you that they are renovating an old farmhouse?) my friend P31.5W, mentioned that they needed benches for their family, I was on it. I have plenty of wood scraps and a Kreg Jig!

I have a few tools that actually make me ridiculously happy, and I got to use two of them on this project. One of them, a Kreg Jig and the other a Rockwell VersaCut Circular Saw. I actually bought the VersaCut while sleep shopping. Not kidding. Don't ask.

Ready to build a bench?

Here is my cut list for this, 

(1) 56" x 12" board for the seat 

(a little wider would probably have been better, this is just what I had)

(2) 55" x 4" boards

(2) 11" x 4" boards

(2) 9.5" x 4" boards

(4) 3" x 3" x 18" legs  ** I glued and nailed (laminated) three 1 x 3's together to make these, but you can buy them premade 

These are so simple to make with a Kreg Jig!

Clamp the 11" x 4" boards in the jig and drill 2 holes horizontally into each end, then drill two vertical slots in the center. You will use these vertical slots to attach the frame to the seat.

Clamp the 55" x 4"  boards in the jig and drill 4 sets of vertical slots spaced somewhat evenly along the length.

I like to pre-insert the Kreg wood screws in the slots. It makes it so much quicker and easier to attach everything when assembling it.

Next, the 11" x 4" board is placed between the 55" x 4" boards and screwed into it. I do like to add a bit of glue here just for extra strength.

As long as your boards are cut straight at the ends, you probably won't have to clamp while you are assembling this, just make sure that the joints are lined up evenly and screw them together. Repeat this at all four corners and you will have the frame. Just be sure that the vertical slots are all pointing in the same direction, or you won't be able to join them to the seat. Not that I know that from experience or anything :-)

Once the frame is made, position it evenly with the seat board and attach it using the pre-inserted screws. Once I had it placed correctly, I had my son sit on the frame to stabilize it while I screwed it to the seat.  If you don't have your own 10 year old, I highly recommend that you borrow one.

Next drill three holes in the legs on two consecutive sides. You will want these slots headed in the opposite direction of each other so that they can attach to the sides of the frame. Use a good amount of glue here, for stability.

Once the legs are attached to the bench, you could stop and be done here if you like this look. I decided that since there are eight little backsides that will sit on these benches, I would give them just a bit more stability and add a brace between the legs.

For this, I placed the 9.5" x 4 board on the legs, leveled it and traced the outline.

Then I got out my Rockwell VersaCut,

adjusted it to the proper depth, 3/4" in this case, and started making a bajillon slotted cuts. 

When that is done, I just popped out the pieces with a screwdriver and I had this

Then, I glued and nailed the bracing board into place and it was done! 

P31.5W is going to stain these to match their table. They are ready to go to their new home, these benches are solid! 

I timed myself and altogether it took 1 hour and 39 minutes. As my son said (before being sent to his room), "Not too bad for a girl".

Now, its your turn to build something.

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Hippocratic Oath to Furniture

First, do no harm. Primum non nocere.


Have you ever wanted to make a true, lover of antiques gasp? Tell them that you plan to paint a piece of furniture. It doesn't matter that the veneer is peeling in 74 places and the drawers are all collapsed inward, to them, the beauty is in the age. That it has survived to be old, that alone, is a feat in itself.


Ummm, ya. Not so much for me. I often have to stop and remind myself, audibly at times, that I can not always make it better with paint. Sometimes, a piece is truly beautiful just as it is.


This wardrobe is one of those pieces for me. I love it. I love it. I love it.

Seriously, how much I love it would probably be illegal in the State of California. Have you ever noticed how many things are forbidden or cause sickness only in California?  I couldn't live there, I would be afraid of everything!


Sorry, sometimes I get a little sidetracked.


When saw  this at an auction,  I was smitten. I love the crackles in the mirror.

I can just imagine the faces of generations past looking at themselves as they got ready for the day. This piece has lived through things I never will. It existed while history was being made. And it is still here. That is amazing to me.

At the risk of sounding like an antique lover, I will leave it alone. I promise, with my hand on the wardrobe. On my honor, I will ~ First, do no harm. Pin It

The First 100

Thank YOU!


On Sunday, this blog reached 100 followers. I am so excited, you make me all squishy inside!


Sooo... that also means that my Chick-fil-A giveaway is official! Eat More Chicken!

Next Sunday, I will draw and announce the winner of the First 100 Followers giveaway. Here are the rules. Let's call them guidelines, nobody likes rules.


**Because I am totally appreciative of those who follow my little blog and want to reward one of you with goodness and joy. I have used my massive influence (on my husband) and gathered the best gift I could think of . I would love to send one of you 25 coupons for a FREE Chick-fil-A Sandwich! 


The rules? Super Simple. 

1) You must LOVE Chick-fil-A. 
2) You must be a follower of this blog. 

Just leave me a comment telling me what your favorite menu item is at Chick-fil-A and you are entered! I will draw from these entries one week after there are 100 followers on this blog. I am excited!!


Thanks again and always. You will forever be known to me as the Fab 100. Cause, you are.


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More With The Grungy French

*Be sure to read the details of my Fab First 100 Followers give away at the end of this post!




I think I have a favorite style. It is Grungy. Grungy French to be precise.

I love the lines, the curvy drawers and arched doors. There is just something about it that begs me to Grunge it up! The unexpected, extreme distressing somehow calls my name...and makes me happy. I like to be happy.


The other thing I like is the freedom that comes from painting something that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Furniture that costs less than a meal at a so-so restaurant. This was one of those pieces. It is the bottom half of a china cabinet. The China Cabinet Fairy has not waved her magic wand over me. I can't seem to sell an entire china cabinet to save my life! But the bottom half? No problem!

I painted this with one with ASCP in French Linen and then did a wash with Old White. Then, because I seem to be the only person who has never stenciled before (unless you count, which I don't, the time I tried to stencil a border around the nursery for our first son and didn't finish it until our second was born) I thought I would stencil a harlequin pattern on the top.

Well, that gold was a little bright! I sanded it down, distressed it then topped it off with clear and dark wax.

Oooh la laa! Grungy French.


This one is headed to Lone Elm Antique Mall in the morning!


**Because I am totally appreciative of those who follow my little blog and want to reward one of you with goodness and joy. I have used my massive influence (on my husband) and gathered the best gift I could think of . I would love to send one of you 25 coupons for a FREE Chick-fil-A Sandwich! 


The rules? Super Simple. 


1) You must LOVE Chick-fil-A. 
2) You must be a follower of this blog. 


Just leave me a comment telling me what your favorite menu item is at Chick-fil-A and you are entered! I will draw from these entries one week after there are 100 followers on this blog. I am excited!!


Joining these parties;


Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday


The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday


Perfectly Imperfect All Things Furniture Pin It

Whaaaat? I was featured and an award?

One of the reasons I started this blog is my home address. I live in the House of Testosterone.

My guys could seriously care less about painted furniture or home design. I have learned not to ask for an opinion. The response from almost all of them (except my youngest, who moved into his new room with a fully drawn out FLOOR PLAN!!) is generally less than enthusiastic. " Ehh, it's ok" Is not the response I am looking for after I have spent days on a project!

So, I come here. To Blogland. For moral support. I think we all want someone to like and appreciate us! I love reading every comment on my posts, they make my heart happy!

So, imagine my surprise when I was featured  here by Shaunna at Perfectly Imperfect! I almost wet myself!!! There are a few folks out there that inspire me daily, and she is high on the list! It is crazy to me that she liked something I worked on. I. Can't. Breathe. Anyone know CPR?

Then, I was awarded a Leibster Blog Award by The Vintage Shabby Chicks. Get outta here!



So here are the rules...

The Leibster Blod award is presented to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  Leibster is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kndly, pleasant,valued, cute, endearing and welcome.  Oh to be all those things!!

Here are the rules for participating in the Leibster award

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
3.                                   copy and paste the award on your blog  
   4.                        have faith that your followers will spread the love too!!



 I have selected these awesome up and coming bloggers:

Shelly at A Little Bit o Shizzle.

There is some crazy stuff going on over there! She adds long legs to things and has mad painting skillz!  Plus, she's pretty stinkin' funny. A win, win in my book!

Suzanne at Why Cuz I Can

Again, with the funny! Plus, she has some fabulous tutorials~I loooove her Sheet Music Frame. Add one to the project list!  Besides, I can distinctly remember answering my mom with "cuz I CAN!!"

Kristin at Chi-Chi Studio

Breathtaking photography. Really. Awesome Piknik tutorial, and totally worth reading furniture waxing tutorials which make waxing look much more glamorous than it is at my house!

Amber at Queen of Chairs

Lots of great projects here! Also, anyone who calls themselves a hoarder of chairs is alright by me. And makes me wonder if she lives in my basement?

Brian and Amanda at Studio 1404

This couple does amazing work! These folks have a booth at As Time Goes By in Greenwood, MO (me too!), I always love to see what they will come up with next! 

So thanks for the love. I feel like Sally Field.

PS.... stay tuned for a giveaway when I reach to 100 followers. I need to strong arm myself a sponsor. I think I can do it. We have been married for 16 years, I think he might just like me :-) A hint...it involves food. Not food that I cooked. Because I like you!


Update on the 100 followers giveaway for one lucky follower; 


Yay! I got the green light!  The prize? Lucky you! 25 free Chick-fil-A sandwich coupons. Come back tomorrow and I will have all of the juicy details!

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