I’m still in the process of making my second Union Jack Dresser. I shared the first steps yesterday and today is part two.
The picture above is the original UJD and the picture below is where I am in the process with the second one. Believe it or not, the same exact colors were used. This gives you a good sense of how much glazes and distressing can change the look of paint.
This is also a good example of how different colors look when they are wet vs. dry. I didn’t adjust these colors with photo editing software or anything. When the blue is painted on, it looks like a bright royal blue. It dries to a deep navy.
I used my opaque projector and a piece of chalk to sketch on the flag and then hand painted over the chalk. The colors used are Naval (blue), Stolen Kiss (red) and Creamy (white.) All are Sherwin Williams colors.
A second coat is needed and I’ll clean up the lines a bit on that second coat. That’s all I got done on it today. Between church and picking up some Craig’s List dressers, I didn’t have a lot of time in the workshop.
I did take a minute to snap the first signs of spring in my pathetic front garden. The funny thing is that I have done everything I can to get rid of these bulbs. I dig them up every year and they just keep coming back. It just shows that God can grow beautiful things no matter how much we get in the way.
29 Responses
I still can't believe those two blues are the same 🙂 And, the God comment…so true.
It's looking great Marian! I would love one of those in the boys' room. Too cute. 🙂
xoxo
The Union Jack dresser is so cool. It was too nice out today to be the workroom anyway. Isn't it good to see signs of Spring?.
Ah.. spring! by darn that looks good 🙂 Your bulbs are like life's perfect imperfections! One thing not imperfect is your dresser though! That dude rocks!!!
HA! That is so true! I have tried for years to get rid of these bulbs in my backyard thinking I had gotten them all. They never bloomed! Then one spring they came up AGAIN but this time into gorgeous purple gladiolas. Isaiah 43:13- "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done."
I loved the first one. I have never been a fan of painted furniture until I started reading your blog and seeing what you do with paints, glazes and finishes.
This piece in particular I love… now as a hardcore pirate lover I'd love to see this with a Skull and Crossbones theme, LOL.
If you don't mind me asking, how much did you sell the Union Jack dresser for? also how wide is it?
cheers Fiona from lilyfieldlife.blogspot.com
This is looking great, and even though you dig up those bulbs I am so glad you took a picture and shared them with us. It is so great to see some signs of spring after all of the snow we have had. I saw some flowers on a tree today and snapped some pictures with my cell phone. They were at a shopping center so folks probably thought I was crazy but I was just so happy to see the signs of spring.
I can't wait to see the finished product!!!
Penny
The first year we moved to our house I planted over 200 bulbs and could not wait for them to come up. I was upstairs making up beds and looked out the window at my yard. It looked like dotted swiss, the squirrels had dug up every one of my beautiful bulbs. Be careful what you wish for, I would love to have those flowers.
No matter how involved you become in your work, we cannot forget to remember to take the time to look around and {BREATH}.
I wish I had your talents!!;) Its going to be awesome Im sure! Hugs,Rachel
French Farmhouse 425
Looks like you're making great progess!
My heart went pitty pat when I saw those new spring bulbs sprouting. Oh spring…come on in!!!!!!
Your dresser is looking terrific!!!
Love seeing the process!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Love the union jack them would love to do something like this for my sons bedroom he has the union jack vibe on his bed throw. i have just got back from a weekend in London so rule Britainia is totally on my mind. I just have to blog about this while my brain is in union jack mode, I just have to share what you have done. Great job
That's cool – I love seeing the progression.
-Trish
With Gods will they find a way! We are having a snow storm in Montreal…again. waiting to see the sweet, sweet color of green in the horizon. It's just a big white blizzardyyyy canvas now! ugh!
have a good one, bonne journée
Caroline
Wow, fantastic paint job. Amazing that the blue dries so much darker. I know about not getting rid of bulbs. We had our whole backyard dug up when we put in a pool 10 years ago, the next spring, the flowers popped up in the opposite corner of the yard. Now I like them:)
You give me such good ideas and inspiration! I love reading your blog and painting furniture as well!
I may have to do this, but first is to find a spot in my house for something like this! I wonder what it would look like with an American Flag? but I do agree, the British have a pretty darn cool flag! The symmetry works perfectly on the furniture pieces!
http://kendra-knowles.blogspot.com/
LOVE this dresser, thinking about trying this for one in my shop space. 🙂
i am working on a vintage 2 seat auditorium seating and i keep telling myself "these colors will look right once the distressing and matt clear coat is on". the stark paint and handpainted lettering just look…blah. lol
have a creative day,
Amy Wilges
Oh my! Not sure which I love more – the sign of spring or the dresser. Okay both! =) Really one of my favorite pieces of yours – too bad you don't live closer!
Jeanine
Beautiful work! Thank you for taking the time to post! I was thinking yesterday…how I wished our bulbs would start coming up! It's been raining/snowing here for almost a week now and we are all ready for some sunshine!
I just LOVE the union jack dresser! It really is quite a change from wet to dry paint!
I have some flags on the side of my house that I can't get rid of either! It's like they're saying to me "Oh no you don't…we stayin'" Lol! Vanna
Hello from Australia we have plants here that look like these and we call them agapanthus,They come in blue or white.I dont know if this is what yours are but it reminds me that when my daughter was about 5 ( she is now 27 ) she asked what the flowers were called,Well the proper name (agapanthus is the common name )yeah the proper name is Star of Bethleham,She took that in and said what does that mean so I told her then she said I'm going to call them Jesus plants and she and all our family and friends have as well fo the past 22 years or so.Sorry if this was boring but your picture just brought it all back-love dee
what a difference in paint color from wet to dry…I would have freaked out during the first try. ;o)
Love the bulbs "He makes all things new!"
Lori
http://melbourneroad.blogspot.com
yay for craigslist dressers!
and yay for God who knows just when and where always :)!!!
Oh my goodness…you speak the truth in those last lines.
"It just shows that God can grow beautiful things no matter how much we get in the way."
And He proves it everyday!
Love the dresser…again. I have a dresser just like that one; minus the paint. I wonder if DS would like one like your rendition in his room when we get around to the redo? 🙂
Cindi
http://www.rustiqueartblog.com
Fantastic job as always! Thanks for sharing with us your process for doing this 🙂
Hello over there….!!
Suzanne over at Meridian Road sent me the link to your YUMMY blog & I must say, I am in AWE of your creativity & energy….It's 2.55am here & I have been reading 'you' for HOURS…. :o) !!
I'm just wondering if you could help me out with one question (although I'm SURE I have many MANY more)….Do you use a primer (undercoat) on your pieces….? In the pic of your drawer where you show the difference in the blue you used it appears you're painting straight onto the raw drawer….I do a lot of painting & am so ANAL….I'd LOVE to be able to skip priming if you don't feel it necessary….Or does your paint perhaps have an inbuilt sealer….SORRY….TWO questions….!!
Now I need to get back to reading….Oh & coffee….GOTTA get a coffee….!!
Cheers from Australia,
Tamarah :o)