Thursday, March 21, 2013

frédéric-franz

So, Penguin Girl has been away at college for 2 years now, and she's about to make the giant leap from dorm dwelling to apartmenthood.  I'd like to shove her out the door with a personalized piece of furniture.

Did I just type that out loud?

So I dragged (trust me on this folks...it IS dragged, not drug--your grammar tip for the week) this sad, old chest of drawers that has been housing funk, junk, and DVDs for the past 15 years.  (It's probably been in the family for 50 years or so...my Mom had it for-evah before she passed it to me.)

Anyway, Emma's a music major (remember the quilt?), so natch we had to do a music theme!

Here's how Frédéric-Franz started out:







I primed him all the way down to his nether-regions.  You heard me.  EVERY crack and crevasse got primed, because this creature has had the strangest pew his entire life.  (It doesn't compare to teenage-boy stench, but enough that I wanted to try and fix it.)  After the first coat, I could still smell a bit on the inside, so I sprayed on a second coat.


Hopefully I've gotten rid of the funk.  (Now where to put the junk?)

I used home-made "fhalk" paint (that would be fake chalk paint made by mixing regular paint with Plaster of Paris + Water).  I mixed up some white, and I had leftover black from the bedroom furniture redo. I painted the entire body/drawer faces in white, then got busy planning the design in black.

{Note to self: Black on White is the LEAST forgiving color combination.  Do not attempt again.  Or at least not before having more practice.}

I also purchased some paint from Menards that was SUPPOSED to be red, but turned out more of a dark salmon.  But since this was just for the insides of the drawers (and I was too cheap and lazy to get a different color), I left it alone.  (I did NOT fhalk up this paint...)


After everything was dry, I added the design elements.  Emma's 2 favorite composers are Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt (thus the name for Our Little Stinky).  I downloaded a free font called "Chopin" (who knew??) from dafont and transferred the letters and painted them in.



And since piano is her instrument of choice, the keyboard:


I had to do the keyboard in several steps, and after taping, I first painted the black parts white so the black paint wouldn't bleed.  It worked!



 

And since I really DO love her and I'm truly NOT trying to "shove her out the door," a heart made of a treble and bass clef.  (Okay, so in this pic it's already painted...)



I also had some leftover fabric from her quilt, so I made liners for each drawer.  (This actually turned into a major fabric-cutting FAIL.  I ended up cutting twice as much as I needed.)

But I did use fusible hem tape for the first time, and it was so much easier than dragging out the Singer to finish the liners.


The most difficult task was lining up the design on the handles, so please do not look too closely.

Everything got coated a couple times in Johnson's Paste Wax, aaaaand..... 

Here he is!











 The before and after:




I love you Emma Jo!!  

This piece was featured at these lovely blogs!


Pieced PastimesMemories by the Mile


 

56 comments:

  1. I love this!! What a creative transformation!

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    1. Thanks so much Sarah! And thanks for stopping by!

      -andi

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  2. THIS IS FANTASTIC...VERY NICE IDEA...
    IRO
    STYLEITCHIC.BLOGSPOT.COM

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  3. Whew-weee! Love this. Took me a minute to figure out the upside down G clef then I loved it even more. Jo @ Let's Face the Music

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  4. Wow!! What a difference!
    I used to play the clarinet,love the keyboard:)

    > I'd like to shove her out the door with a personalized piece of furniture.

    Hahaha!
    You are funny!

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    1. Heehee! Thanks...glad someone appreciates my weird sense of humor. :) Thanks for stopping by!

      -andi

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  5. This is so awesome! I have a feeling I will be seeing it featured everywhere! Happy to be following you via GFC!

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    1. Wow...THANKS! I really appreciate your vote of confidence! And thanks for helping fill up my meager little follower box. :)

      -andi

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  6. WOW Andi - this is spectacular!!! What a job - and what attention to details - painted drawers AND fabric liner - your graphics are amazing as well - really really gorgeous!
    I have a crystal ball sitting in front of me - and I seeeeeeeeee - lots of features in your world coming up shortly!
    Beautifully done!
    Big hugs,
    Suzan
    p.s. little tip for the odors............put a small bowl of vinegar in each drawer for a couple of days
    vinegar stinks I know - but at least it goes away quite quickly - that or sprinkle baking powder

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    1. Thanks Suzan!! And I think the pew is pretty much gone...I know my mom tried almost everything back when we were kids and couldn't get it out! I'll def try the vinegar if I still notice a smell. Thanks for your sweet words and for stopping by!

      -andi

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  7. Oh and LOVING the name of your blog ( maybe because I happen to be delusional lol )

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  8. Oh My goodness, I love this dresser transformation! You did a fabulous job! I would love for you to share on weekly link party Blog Stalking Thursday. Gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you Diana...and thanks for stopping by!!

      -andi

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  10. I am visiting you via The Dedicated House. It would be wonderful to see you at My Dream Canvas. I am hosting a Giveaway, so please join in if you like what you see:) Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  11. How fun! I know many who would LOVE this! Found you via Coastal Charm.

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    1. Thanks so much Bekah, and thanks for visiting!

      -andi

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    2. You did a nice job on this! But you lost me on the "heart" design... I get your intent, but it looks like the bass clef & treble clef are having kinky sex! Barb in Mn

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    3. Well, umm...thank you? I guess? For your rather unusual...compliment. Rest assured, Ms. Anonymous, that since I made this piece for my daughter, kinky sex was definitely not on my mind.

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  12. Wow. I Love the use of the clefs on the front to make a heart! That is fantastic!

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    1. Thanxabunch Gwen! And thanks for visiting!

      -andi

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  13. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the heart on the front! Is it still appropriate to call her furniture "precious" at her age? ;)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! It turned out being a bit more work than I originally thought (aren't they all?), but I think it was worth it in the end. Thanks for visiting!

      -andi

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  14. Beautiful transformation! I can almost hear the music :)

    Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create!
    <3 Christina

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  15. Oh, my! I think that is one of the sweetest chests I have ever seen. You did an amazing job on it and it is so special for your daughter.

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    1. Thank you Carol...and thanks for visiting!
      -andi

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  16. Wow! That was a labor of love. It turned out great. I love the clefs turned into a heart! Thank you for linking up to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  17. That is so beautiful and unique..... I love it. Rhonda @ The Messy Roost.

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  18. Wow, absolutely awesome and so clever!! I love it. You did a fantastic job. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent. I am so thrilled to have you! New follower, too! Hope to see your awesomeness at the party tomorrow night. :) Have a Happy Easter!
    Hugs
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you SO much Kathy, and thanks for the wonderful feature!! I'll be at the next party with bells on. :)

      -andi

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  19. This is BEAUTIFUL. My granddaughter is going to love it and want one. Your daughter is going to love it, I'm sure. I'm a new follower and would love for you to share this at my link party Tuesday at http://www.memoriesbythemile.com/
    You can feel free to check out my blog too, I know I'll. be back.
    Happy Easter,
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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    1. Thank you Wanda, and thanks so much for visiting! I'll see you at the party on Tuesday. :)

      -andi

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  20. Oh Wow! You gave this chest some serious FUNK! You did an amazing job....just stunning!:) Beautiful graphiocs and you painted it on...I am impressed.

    Your newest follower. Would love you to follow back if you can!

    xo
    Sumaya

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    1. Thanks so much Sumaya, and thanks for visiting!!

      -andi

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  21. Way to go Andi!! AMAZING!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality last week! HAPPY EASTER!!

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    1. Thanks Christine...and thanks for hosting the party!

      -andi

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  22. I LOVE THAT! Both my kids play piano and would have a lot of fun owning that dresser ;-) I just posted their recital pieces on my blog.....You must be so proud of Emma!

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  23. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS! Wish I could have done that for my daughter when she went off to study music in college! Congrats on the "feature" at Elizabeth & Co. That's how I found you! Am now following...hope you'll follow me back!

    Aloha

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    1. Thank you so much, and thanks for visiting! I'll be over for a visit soon. :)

      -andi

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  24. WOW WOW WOW!!! I love this!! I'm a music teacher too, so I'm super excited by this and very jealous of your musician daughter who gets it! My favourite bit is the top piano part :-D Thanks for posting!

    Hannah ♫
    Sew Lah Tea Dough

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    1. Haha! Sew Lah Tea Dough! How stinkin clever!! Thanks Hannah!

      -andi

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  25. Wow super love this!!! Pinning it too!! Lori

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  26. Hi Andi, I'm stopping by from Inspiration Cafe to see your musical dresser, It is the coolest, I love it inside and out!!! ~ Amy

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  27. Where did you find the treble bass clef love for the front of the dresser.

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    1. I just googled treble bass heart, found an image, made it the size I wanted and printed it. Then I transferred it to the dresser and painted it!

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  28. Wow! Just wow! This is a level of patience I don't think I will ever achieve-for the uninitiated, what does the green tape near the words help do? Is it magical tape? It would have to be for me! Be-you-tee-full!

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