Vivaciously Vintage

Chalkboard Activity Table

2013-02-24T23:38:00.000-08:00

I found this little table, and I just couldn't pass it up. It was too unique not to get, though it was sort of an odd piece. In my mind, I decided that it was originally a Japanese dinner table. You know how they all sit on the floor to eat! I mean, it was low to the ground similar to a coffee table, but way to big to be a coffee table! Not to mention the split in the center and latch underneath. It was like the table separated to accommodate leaves to make the table even larger. Sadly, those got lost over time apparently.

So, I sat on this table for a long time because I wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Then it finally hit me. A chalkboard top! Then it'd be perfect for kiddos to play on! Just throw some baskets underneath it to hold toys, craft supplies, chalk (of course) and whatever else they need at their little finger tips. Or, though it is a little large, I thought it would still make a pretty coffee table because of all the fantastic detailing. Just picture it in a big family room. I mean why not let kiddos draw on the furniture? ;)

I primed this baby with KILZ, and coated it with Krylon's Ivory. She was topped off with a couple of coats of chalkboard paint. Always be sure to "prime" (cover the whole chalkboard by shading it with the side of a piece of chalk) your chalkboard pieces before actually drawing on them!

This sweet little table has already SOLD....but there's lots of other awesome stuff up for grabs in my shop!

So what do you think? Would you sport an awesome chalkboard table in your family or rec room?

Words of Wisdom...Teeth, that is...

2013-02-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday I went to the dentist for a cleaning. Just your typical, run of the mill, every ~~6 months~~ 2 years...cleaning. So, I thought.

I'd been procrastinating on going to the dentist for a cleaning. Not because I hate it or anything, but just simply because procrastinating is what I do! Then on Monday morning I work up and the gum near one of my wisdom teeth was hurting...and that gave me the kick in the butt I needed to finally call. My cleaning appointment was set for that Thursday (yesterday).

A little background on my pearly whites. ;) I'm pretty lucky all things considered. I literally had NO wisdom teeth in the top of my mouth. They just never formed. They must have procrastinated too long. haha. I had braces when I was in high school, and because my teeth were crowded at the bottom, they pulled two lower molars. That made just enough room for my bottom, and only, wisdom teeth to come in.

So, my wisdom teeth have been happily hanging out in my mouth for...shoot probably at least 5 years now? They never bothered me. Though they weren't in completely. They were lower set than the rest of my molars and like 1/4 of each one was still covered by gum.

Enter Thursday, and I go to the dentist. I told him about my gum hurting (which hadn't stopped for 4 days!), and they did x-rays, etc etc. I figured they'd want to pull my wisdom teeth at some point. He tells me that the one is infected because a cavity had actually formed underneath the gum that was partially covering the tooth (lucky me huh). Then he mentions that he can "just go ahead and get that done for me today"...I'm like TODAY???

I could have said no and come back in a week, but that would have just been another week of my tooth hurting. So, I went with it. I'll tell you...I was terrified! Which is very unlike me for the dentist. I'd had teeth pulled, cavities filled, and none of it ever made me nervous....but I totally was! Tensing up any time they did anything, and I swear that laughing gas must have just been for psychological purposes because it didn't seem to do anything...except make me look like a super model! bahahaha!

Then, of course, my left side numbs perfectly...but the right side doesn't get numb at all! So, that just makes me even more ~~freaked out~~ anxious....because I'm remembering a friend's story of having a tooth pulled that was infected and feeling everything! I'm laying in the chair terrifying myself even more! Well, on the 11th shot he switched to a different kind of numbing solution that only deadens the tooth itself. So, I still didn't feel numb...and was still freaking out in my head repeating the agonizing tale that my friend told me about her tooth in my head.

While we were waiting on the numbing medicine to take effect, he fixed a very small chip I had on my front tooth (it was small enough that nobody noticed it, but it really bugged me!) from biting my thumb nail. Can you believe that? I bit my natural (not the crazy hard fake ones) nail and it chipped my tooth!!! And he filled a small cavity.

Then...it was time....and, naturally, he's one of the dentists who are like "Are you ready?" OMG don't ask me just do it...lol asking just adds more foreboding to it for me! Really, all I felt was a bunch of tugging and that he wanted my mouth open way more than it would go. Because the shots went through my jaw muscles it felt like I literally couldn't open my mouth more than just a tiny bit. The first one came out easier than the second. Turns out, both of the roots on the teeth were curved....like a hook. Ouch.

Then they asked if I wanted to keep them!! I'm like "Um, what would I do with them...put them on a necklace??" haha. Luckily, I took this photo on my phone so it's blurry. Somebody said that they looked like shark teeth! haha RAWR!

Well, last night I was pretty miserable. I swear those pills they gave me were just for psychological purposes, also! I guess around 11pm I was feeling better, though it still hurt. That goes for today also. I guess I can eat normally now, but I'm sticking to milkshakes, mashed potatoes, and soup. I did brave it and eat a piece of bread with honey butter (I couldn't resist the honey butter!)...but I chewed it soo slowly and mainly with my front teeth, like a rabbit!

I go back in a week to get the stitches out. Let's just say that I'm glad it's over with! And while it still hurts, I'm so thankful that it wasn't worse! Like impacted awfulness that requires surgery.... /shudder! Happy teeth!

Have y'all had your wisdom teeth out? I think the worse part for me was that I wasn't expecting it or prepared!

Mid-Century Modern Cane Back Dining Chairs

2013-02-05T19:09:00.001-08:00

These poor chairs sat in my garage too long. I'll bet they were cold. :( I finally decided to give them the makeover they deserve! Now they are beautiful, mid-century modern black and white chairs!

So, here is what the chairs looked like before. They were pretty meh, but they had a fun mid-century modern feel. The cane was also in perfect condition, so I swooped them up!

I bought this pretty French fabric in Texas when I was visiting my sister over Christmas. Yes, I realize that is not the fabric that's on the finished picture! Because this pattern had to be facing a certain direction...I didn't have enough because the seats on the chairs are so wide! I was pretty bummed. I love that fabric! I looked online, but they didn't have any on their website to order. And, I had already painted 2 of the chairs black before discovering my oops. So, that severely limited my color choice of new fabric!

This will show up in a future project!

Then I found this cream and black - modern-ish print fabric! I think I like it equally as much, it's just a different style. I actually think that this style better suits the period of the chairs. I'll just have to reserve that French fabric for a different project; it would look pretty on some sweet, curvy chairs.

All these chairs needed was a good cleaning, some black paint, and awesome fabric! They are gorgeous, and sure to be a hit at the dinner table! ;) There are four of these beauties up for grabs in my shop! ~ Heart pillow not included. It was just my attempt at being festive for Valentine's!