Before I get to the sled (yes, in August), I wanted to give some details on the yard sale I’m having on Saturday, August 9, 2014. I’m actually piggy-backing on the yard sale one of my friends is having. I really want to flush some things out of my house and this is a great opportunity to do it. The sale will be at an old commercial building formerly known as Distelfink. (Locals will know what I’m talking about!) The address is 2710 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA, which is just off the Rt 15 Hunterstown exit.
I’ll be at the sale on Saturday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, but my friend will be set up Wednesday – Saturday. She’s selling designer women’s clothing, kid’s clothing, toys, books, home accessories, luggage rack for the car…tons of stuff.
Now, this is not an antique sale overflowing with ironstone, but I am still bringing some really cool things. I’m bringing a huge set of my Oma’s Lennox china (in the wheat pattern), antique suitcases, craft supplies, a mid-century metal kitchen cart, cranberry glass, a large lidded basket, rugs, some pieces from Decor Steals (they are fabulous, but I can’t keep them all), 1940’s crystal (in the wheat pattern), things I made for HGTV.com tutorials, vintage table linens, pillows, fabric, ribbon, quilts, mercury glass, leftover props from photo shoots and more. I will bring copies of my book, in case anyone wants to buy one from me and have it signed and I have some MMS and MMSMP clearance t-shirts. We’ll also have some of the usual yard sale stuff like toddler/preschool books, maybe some clothes & toys and I think Jeff is going to sell some of his tools.
I just want to get rid of this stuff, so things will be priced to sell and feel free to bargain. I’ll post some pictures of things later in the week, but I wanted to get the details out there.
Now, to the sled. Yes. In August.
Antique hand painted sleds, specifically the German ones, have caught my eye for many years. They can be super expensive, though. It’s understandable, because they really are works of art. I always notice them in antique stores, but never bought one because of the price tag. A year or two ago, I spotted this sled at an antique store. It’s has a really pretty shape and was about $30, so I bought it. I knew I could give it the hand painted look I’ve always been drawn to.
The paint on it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t original. It was a dull red and kind of shiny, which is not my thing, so I painted it in a custom mix of MMSMP Shutter Gray with a dash of Trophy.
I just painted the frame, leaving the top of the sled in the natural wood. I like getting inspiration from genuine antiques, so I did a Google image search for antique hand painted sleds and got some ideas from that. It’s nice to have a visual of the hand painting and a guide, so I chalk out the design before I start painting.
Once I like how the chalked design looks, I break out the artist brushes and more paint.
The detailed painting was done in the Shutter Gray & Trophy mix used on the body, Ironstone for the white highlights and a mix of Trophy and Typewriter for the lowlights. When using milk paint for decorative painting, I add bonding agent and mix it thick to give it more body.
Once the decorative painting was dry, I lightly sanded the entire piece, including the decorative painting, with a fine grit sanding sponge. I wanted to give the piece the look of patina, so I finished the entire sled with MMS Antiquing Wax.
You can see clearly where I applied wax on the right. It rehydrated the wood and added instant age to the fresh paint.
Applying the wax also removes any remaining chalk.
I love, love how Antiquing Wax brings out the texture of a piece. I mush it into the nooks and crannies with our Large Wax Brush (you can use any bushy brush for this) and then wipe the excess away with a cotton cloth.
And here it is…
Those worm holes are just perfection. I bet you weren’t expecting to read that sentence in your lifetime.
So, why am I painting a sled in August? Well, that’s for another post.
Tomorrow, Kriste and I are going on a field trip to some local antique shops and craft stores. We’re looking for props, things to sell in the online shop and supplies for new milk paint and glitter projects.
35 Responses
I love it! A sled makeover! I’m on the hunt, right this minut, for an old sled and it doesn’t matter that it’s 10:15 pm in Colorado…
The sled is beautiful. Love the colors and your hand painted design! Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story.
I commented a few days ago about annoying ads I was hearing while reading your blog. Not sure why it happened and sounds like you didn’t know either, but it hasn’t happened again. Ah, the internet. Gotta love it!
The sled is beautiful – the dark wax really brings out the details and I love the way how it contrasts against the pale gray paint. I’d love to go antiquing with you! Lucky Kriste! You should coordinate an antiquing tour some time. You know I’ll be there 😉
I am currently living in Stuttgart Germany and I am loving all the ideas for things I see everyday here! We are military and so the opportunities to get unique pieces will soon come to an end so I am on the hunt for cool antiques! Love your style and great ideas!
Beautiful!!! BTW, where can I buy your glitter? Thank you!!
You can buy it here… http://www.meyer-imports.com/index.php?cPath=261
This is beautiful Marian, just absolutely beautiful! Wendy
So, can you just paint right over the chalk? It is just beautiful- perfection. On my way to buy trophy and ironstone today. Yes, a dealer in my town!!
I had the same question. I LOVE when you paint designs on the furniture, but I don’t trust myself to get it right. Mapping it out in chalk is fantastic. So….do you just paint right over the chalk? Does it interfere with the adherence of the paint? Thanks for all of the wonderful inspiration.
I, too, have the same question. 🙂
Yes! You can paint straight over chalk and it doesn’t interfere with how the paint sticks at all. It’s a great way to see how something will look and to give yourself a guide before hand lettering or painting.
I love the lowlights and highlights in the detailed painting – very nice!
Very cute! I have a sled like that. I put wood slats across the support bars in the back and made it into a little 2 shelf book shelf. Looks cute in my cabin at Tahoe.
The sled turned out wonderful–no surprise! And Kristie got the best gig ever!
Fabulous piece – just wanted to clear something up, I might be a little slow here – did you paint over the chalk that you designed onto the sled?
Assuming you did, how did the paint react to the chalk and how did you get the remaining chalk off, if there was any?
Hope it is not a silly question, it is such a great idea, I wanted to know just how easy it is to do in real life?!
Thank you
Trixie
x
The sled is fantastic and BOY OH BOY does that sound like my kind of field trip!
-b.
The sled looks beautiful. I am now debating whether or not to drive from Westminster to the sale. 🙂 It sounds like it will be great.
Stunning makeover! Wish I could hand-paint lettering and numbers but I’m the worst. If I don’t have a stencil, it’s a big ol’ mess.
Jeanine
Love, that sled I always said preserve the past enjoy it in the present… Good luck on your treasure hunt, I’m also looking for Iron stone but no luck in south Florida 🙁 Happy hunting
Oh I wish I could check out your garage sale. Sounds like so many great things will be up for grabs. As for the sled, I absolutely love it. It is one of my favorite pieces that you have done which is saying a lot because I like most of the pieces you do. So simple and perfect for the piece. Love those daisies, always so cheerful.
the sled looks awesome! even in August! wish we weren’t heading to a family reunion this weekend because I want to be at that sale!!!!
Awesome~ I bought one a couple of months ago at an auction. I love it~ I can’t wait for a day to paint it~ it’s sitting in our 100 year old farmhouse game room just waiting on me~ I may just take it to the beach house ~ Didn’t think to paint it in the grey/blue shades~ incredible~ it would really make heads turn to hang it somewhere at the beach house now wouldn’t it? Thanks for such great inspiration!
Oh, I love how the sled turned out! Grays are usually not my cup of tea (I am more of a white and green gal), but this little sled is just so pretty!
Your sled is just charming!! I think about Christmas year round, it’s bad! We had Christmas in July at our house this year partly so I could deck the back garden in twinkle lights. I would love to find a sled like yours to add to my Christmas decor. Beautiful job! Good luck at your sale!
Sally @cottagefix
Love the sled, worm holes ARE perfection!!! A you and Kriste have a grea time!
Love, love, love the sled! But don’t sell Oma’s china. trust me, you might regret it someday.
Wow, it’s lovely! So inspiring
Hugs
Jacqui
Love, love, love the sled! But don’t sell Oma’s dishes. Trust me, you may regret it someday.
It’s absolutely stunning. Sled weather here in Australia in the mountains. Best snow in 30 years or something like that. But still t shirt weather in Sydney, we are having a very mild winter.
cheers Fiona
Oh, Oma’s china would be a perfect wedding gift for one of the boys ~ though that’s years away, of course ~ or a shower gift for their bride-to-be!?! Our girls loved receiving heirloom pieces!
The sled is great! I loved seeing the steps of your technique: thanks for sharing!
I just love seeing the difference that the antiquing wax makes in on your projects! I think it’s my very favorite of all your MMSMP products.
It’s ADORABLE !!!
Distelfink- good luck! I hope you sell whatever you’re supposed to sell. Your hard work is evident and you are blessed with so much talent!
Love the chalk outline first, will need to pin that! Distefink! love that sign, might be there before going to a car show.
Your sled is just lovely Marian~ it is sweet, endearing, and yet very strong. Your creative juices are so strong that I hope you forever continue filling yourself up and us!
Thank you~ Cynthia