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Decorating

grain sacks and other things

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may have noticed I kinda like grain sacks.  I know some people are so over them and it’s not every one’s “thing”, but it’s my thing.  I love the look.  I love the idea of repurposing something that was used in a utilitarian way years and years ago.  I love that they were patched and monogrammed and dated and lasted all of these years.  They capture so many things I like about antiques and I can’t ever imagine growing weary of them.  If you’re interested in putting a toe into the world of grain sacks, here are some things you should know.  The cost of grain sacks vary greatly depending on condition, origin, fabric, colors…lots of things.  American grains sacks tend to be the least expensive and most readily available here in the US (for obvious reasons.)  I have found thin cotton ones

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ruffled shower curtain tutorial & other HGTV.com articles

I just had a whole round of HGTV.com tutorials published, so I thought I would share the beauty shots and a link to each tutorial.  Ruffled Shower Curtain Spring Table Setting Tissue Pom-poms Moss and Egg Wreath Hand Painted Easter Egg Garland Moss Monogram Chalkboard Pots And lastly, a bit of business…the winners of the Baby Jewels giveaway are: Leigh Anne from Alabama (You don’t have an e-mail on your profile, so please get in touch with me to claim your prize!) wins a self-inking stamp of her choosing.  AND A Pretty Pastime wins the Fondant Stamp!  Congratulations!!

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Waxes 101

So sorry! I planned to have this video to you last week and I even filmed one, but I was tired and it was half-heartedly done.  You deserve better than that, so I made a new one yesterday morning in my very best painting outfit.  Believe it or not, I actually go out in that ratty, paint splattered sweatshirt.  Someone call “What Not To Wear” on my behalf, please.  I wanted to post this video last night, but it was still converting after midnight, so I had to turn in and post it this morning. Without further delay, here is my opinion piece on waxes!  (A transcription of these videos is available HERE for the hearing impaired.) The wax I’m using in the video is called Fiddes and Sons and I purchased it from John Millen Hardware.  (They lowered the price of the wax to $14.00 for my readers!)  I use the Clear and

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Mystery Paint Revealed!

Jane, Lee Gamble and a few others guessed it right!  Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint is the mystery paint.  I received an e-mail from a reader a few weeks ago, telling me I should try chalk paint.  My first thought was, “Duh.  I know what chalk board paint is.”  I was being a little high and mighty at that moment and then I clicked the link she kindly sent me.  I was an idiot.  A high and mighty idiot.  Chalk paint is not chalk board paint, but something entirely different. I loved the colors available and was intrigued by this product, so I thought I would contact them to see if they would send me some samples.  I would try it out and review it on my blog.  Well, I spoke to one of the best sales woman alive, Patty Seaman of Classic Wall Finishes.  She went on and on and

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Perfectly Imperfect Painting Tips

Today the lovely Shaunna from Perfectly Imperfect and I are taking the floor on each other’s blogs.  We’re not talking about just anything, though.  We’re sharing some of our best painting tips with you, so you can see how we do things the same or different.  You’re going to get a lot of information in both of these posts, so get ready!  Here’s Shaunna! Well, I can’t believe I’m over here at Miss Mustard Seed’s.  I’ve admired her work since I began blogging a little over a year ago.  That’s me up there, and I am pretty much Marian, only I’m from Alabama.  I paint furniture, blog, my husband works with youth, I’ve got two adorable and busy toddlers…you see the similarities.  🙂 Let’s talk paint, shall we?  There are a million and a half ways to transform your furniture and household items with paint, and if you’ve never given

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Top Coats

I have had a boat load of questions lately about top coats, so I thought I would dedicate a post to them. First of all, let me say that there are dozens, maybe thousands of techniques and products out there, so I’m just sharing the ones I use and like.  It’s also pure coincidence that all of the products I am sharing are by Minwax.  Those are just the images I found easily. Paste Wax – How it’s applied: Wax on, wax off.  Rub the wax on with a soft/clean cloth.  Allow it to dry to a haze and then buff it off. What I like it for: Natural wood, painted surfaces, especially when I want a soft luster to the finish, not a shine.  I also like that it provides a hard finish and no brush strokes. What I don’t like it for: Pieces with a lot of texture or

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French Chair Reveal, Glaze Mix, & Simple Upholstery

There’s a lot of good information and inspiration in this post, so get ready!  First of all, the beauty shot.  Now, the before shot.  I’m so happy with how these turned out.  I’m taking the pair of arm chairs (only one is pictured in the before shot) to the Ground Hog Day Sale at Lucketts (Feb 4-6).  If you’d like to read about the paint technique I used on these chair frames, click here. And, as promised, here is my “secret” glaze formula.  It’s Ralph Lauren’s Faux Effects Glaze tinted in  Espresso Beans by Behr.  It gives a soft, aged finish that’s perfectly brown.  I have found most “mocha” or “antique” glazes look really orange.  Orange like a bad bronzer or self-tanning spray, so I have one custom mixed. Click on the picture to enlarge.  I use a lot of different antiquing techniques, but this one is good for a worn look.  It’s also easy to

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French Chairs – Painting Technique

I’m picking up where we left off yesterday with my newly acquired French arm chairs.  So, the upholstery was removed and the frames were painted Georgian Revivial Blue by Sherwin Williams.  This color is a little shocking at the moment, but just wait.  Before moving on to the next step, I want to point out the texture I left on the frame.  I did not sand this piece before painting it and that was intentional.  This texture is going to work in my favor.  Once the darker blue was dry, I used a brush loaded with a very small amount of Light French Grey (Behr) and hit the high points of the frame.  I made sure to brush with the grain of the wood and kept the brush “dry.”  Now, remember when I said a couple of weeks ago that there is a point in every “faux” technique where it

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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August 13th, 2026 at 1pm EST

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