Friday, February 24, 2012

Friday Guest: Gwen from The Bold Abode

Happy Friday!  I have a fabulous guest fro you today, but also wanted to let you know that you can find ME over at Maryann's new blog, Power of Paint, sharing how I distress painted pieces.  I am so excited about Maryann's new blog, dedicated entirely to the magic of paint!  I hope you will pop over and see me there.






And now to my guest.... I am so excited today to have Gwen from The Bold Abode here today.  I love Gwen because she is funny, honest, and even when she talks about serious things, always puts her silly spin on them!  We often have very silly serious back and forth banter.  I also love that she is not afraid to share her love for inanimate objects, like, say.... bowls!
Kissing Bowls

Aside from being funny, she is also extremely creative and talented!  I just love this hand painted table she worked magic on!
IMG_5940

Isn't that amazing???  Why yes, it is.
Today Gwen is here sharing an awesome idea!  So awesome that I told her that I planned to get Chris drunk tonight and convince him to build me one of these bad boys!  Oh yeah!  Take it away Gwen!  Go on with yo' bad bold self!

Holla, Holla all you Primitive and Proper Peeps!

I’m Gwen

Game Face (2 of 10)

from

Daisy Button

And I am unbelievably stoked to be here today!  I think it’s safe to say that I’m not the only one around here who knows how sweet, funny, talented, open-hearted and BOLD Cassie is. But I do wish she was just a little wackier...a little goofier.... hehehehe...



I LOVE her for this picture...


And, mercy, she’s a pretty BOLD girl for letting me take the wheel, and I’m gonna do my derndest to make her proud!



Sooooo….I’ve been drooling over this Nantucket Porch Swing for three years…





Isn’t she gorgeous?



But with a price tag of over $800, ummmm…that was NOT going to happen.  Neverevereverevereverever. Period. The End.



So, when I saw all of the reclaimed pallet projects popping up, I jumped in on the action and decided that I was going to get my Porch Swing….one way or another.



I found some plans for a regular old Adirondack Porch Swing,




So, gathering up my skirts, I got to work. But not until after I'd called my dad about twenty times and then scrounged the local construction sites for some leftover wood…It got pretty mucky there for a while!



The first part of building from plans is to make your templates.  I like to use this special pattern making fabric that is marked out in 1” squares.



Arm Patterm

But I had to make some adjustments if I wanted that Nantucket Swing. These amazing Patternmaking rulers really came in handy-dandy!



Top TemplateTracing Top TemplateBottom Template

Once the frame was built, I began to think that this might actually work.



Frame

Yes, I did have my doubts…cuz this is the first real piece of furniture I have ever tried to build. Slapping some pine boards on some reclaimed house columns is most assuredly NOT the same thing…



But when the seat boards started going in and actually fitting…goosbumps all ovah!!!



Laying Seat

Here she is all finished.  Except for sanding her and painting her and sealing her….yeah, almost finished. Yall know how that goes, right?



Unpainted

And don’t yall love it when you can dig through your stash and find some “free” paint to use? I had some left-over Cote de Azure by Sherwin Williams from our Master Bedroom and used that as the base coat…



Painted Porch Swing

But, the base coat…she wasn’t singing…more like screeching. So, I washed her in a coat of white, and now she’s hummin’ a different tune.




But, come Spring…when I actually get her hung, she may find herself in a pretty coat of white.  I love color, but something about that white swing makes me smile.


How about yall?  Would you slap some more white on her or leave her singin’ the blues?

 

Thank you again, my dearest Cassie, for being a part of my life and for allowing me to share this little part of myself with your readers!



Now get out there and 

Daisy Button Be Bold!

28 comments:

Megan said...

Sooooo jealous, that swing is fantastic!!!

A place 2 call home said...

Amazing! I would paint it white and distress it to let the blue come through. I think it'll feel more beachy and weathered and more like the inspiration pic. Thanks for sharing!

Sarah AKA The Thriftress said...

Pretty amazing! I love those curvy rulers.

Andrea said...

I am impressed, big time! How cool is that swing. I know what she means about white, but I love that her swing is original and the blue makes it even more so! So glad you introduced this blog to us. Can't wait to check it out!

Gwen @ The Bold Abode said...

Oh, Cassie! I can't tell you what it means for me to be over here today! And thank you so much for all of the sweet, amazing things you said about me...So, yo! You be da baddess of da bad in my book. Word.

Deb's Dime said...

Oh my goodness - it's beautiful, Gwen! Love the color - very BOLD! What a wonderful project for your first piece of furniture. Can't wait to see it installed on that gorgeous porch <3 <3 <3

Sharon @ Elizabeth &amp; Co. said...

Oh what a great porch swing Gwen! I think I need one too! I like the blue, but I could also see her painted white and distressed with just a bit of the blue showing through - very beachy!

Twice Nice said...

Wow! That turned out so fantastic! I don't think you can lose either way you go with the color. So glad to have met you over here, and Cassie thanks for introducing your friends to us!

Bella said...

I dunno girl that white with all the fresh greens around it made me feel like curling up with a book and a blanky. I'm voting for the white!

Paulette said...

I love it! I can't believe you made this, I don't have a craft gene in my body, I am so impressed. I also vote for white.

lynnette said...

You go girl! Your creation is something to be proud of. I am thinking more white and distressed...for that romantic girlie feel. Pics when you finish and hang it are in order!

Ange said...

Wow, love that swing and even better that Gwen made it! Great guest post and hope to see a picture of it hung up and painted white with Gwen swinging away!

Andi @ Jane of all crafts said...

You rocked it!!! And seriously? 800? for a swing? wow! I like yours much better!! And I too think more white would be nice.

Drama Mama Lori said...

Wow, love it! You should seriously make about 50 of those now that you're an expert! I was going to write that I'd buy one from you, but who am I kidding, my "porch" is about 3x3. Boo. You did a great job! ~Lori

Ali Richardson said...

WOW!!! This swing is fabulous! This is one of those projects where I'm like, "You MADE it??!!" Nuts! Oh, and I think I would add more white :)

Carol@TheDesignPages said...

That is fantastic. I would never have thought of making my own swing and I'm a pretty brave diy'er. Wowza, I"m impressed:)

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Hey Gwen-
You amaze me, girlfriend!
This is awesome- please come by and take the saws, etc. that are cramping up my garage. Magoo never uses them! Then get busy with Gwen's Bold Creations!

Kelly at My Colorful Cottage said...

Wow that is amazing! Wish I had the know how and talent to build something like that! I personally love that blue but white is always fresh and wonderful too:)

thistlewoodfarm said...

OK....I already think Gwen is fantastic....but seriously....building a swing. Really? I'm leaving now :)

blessings,
karianne

PS Congrats on being featured over at The Power of Paint!

Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) said...

Blue or white, or blue with white, that swing is gorgeous!

Allison said...

What a wonderful swing! I am impressed! I wouldn't know where to begin if I were to make one. It's fabulous. I like it in the blue...very fun! Loved your guest post, Cassie.

Lesli @ BeautifullyCoastal.com said...

What an amazing job you did! I'm pinning you!

Smiles,
Lesli :)

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

That is a fabulous swing! And Cassie, loved your post on distressing painted pieces!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

And here I was, ready to swear off pallet wood, and I see this swing. It's amazing! Very cool!

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

Wow! I'm so impressed. I love this project and I am so infatuated with porches and porch swings and rockers. A porch swing is actually on my wish list. Thanks for inspiring!

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

I'm over from Miss Mustard Seed. Great guest posts and great blog. I'm excited to be your newest follower!

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Good Time Charlie said...

Holy Cow!!!! That is amazing and I think I could even follow those directions. I am so glad there are plenty of wacky people out there in blogland so I don't have to be the only one. Thanks for sharing!

Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking said...

Great job, and I love the colour.