experimenting--a book, and a new life for a laminate desk.

Well, it's a new year, the perfect time for some arty experimenting.  Altered Pages is partnering with DecoArt for the month of January, and today I'm sharing the beginnings of a hand bound book at the Altered Pages Artsociates blog.  The pages are all Gelli plate prints, and the cover uses several of the new DecoArt media special effects products.  Here's a peek:

You can see some of the crackle from the Crackle Paste, and the gold from the Interference Paint shimmering behind the little fairy.  For more photos and info, please see the Artsociates post HERE--it's worth a little visit, just to get in on the chance at some of those DecoArt goodies!

Okay, and now the DESK.  Here's the story--I was aching to try out the DecoArt Chalky Finish paints on a piece of furniture.  Our oldest son's father-in-law drives a truck, and is in the habit of picking up stray furniture type things from the side of the road.  He happened to have a very plain, but very sturdy, white laminate desk--you know the type, but of course I forgot to take a "before" photo!  But surely you've seen them, they all look something like this:
Its only defect was a minor scratch on the front edge, nothing a little sandpaper didn't tidy up quickly.  I gave it a base coat of a color called Heritage, followed with Chalky Finish Crackle Medium and a coat of Vintage: 

Love the crackle!!!!  :)

As if the crackle wasn't enough fun, next I layered stenciled images--French Text, Keys, and that gorgeous Brocade from the Americana Decor series, plus a sweet little bird and a smaller brocade from the Large Fleur de Lis set:

one side

the other side

so cute! 

I replaced the original knob with a vintage crystal one from my stash.

this is on the desk top

this is also on the desk top--still lovin' the crackle!

Let me tell you, it's difficult to photograph desks . . . anyway, in the spirit of experimentation, it seemed fit to protect part of the paint with the Chalky Finish Creme Wax, and part with the Satin Varnish.

My daughter is very pleased with her new study desk, and I had a fabulous time rehabbing a roadside discard.  If you've refinished any furniture, or have any helpful hints, please share a link, I'd love to stop by and visit!