Sunday, November 6, 2016

A chair and a li'l cross stitch

Remember a little while ago I asked you to "watch this space", to pop by my place in a little while to have a bo peep at how I might transform this sweet little chair?? If you cast your mind back just a little, you will remember my good husband's beady little eyes espied this cute little chair in our new favourite bric-a-brac shop.


It took a little longer than I thought to begin the transformation of this little chair, but this week I bit the bullet and decided to transcend this little chair from it's cute but rather plebian, dark wood condition to a state of winsomeness, giving it a feeling of other world loveliness.

First things first, I sanded the chair and gave it a lick or two of white chalk paint. Having never used chalk paint before I was interested in seeing how my little chair would turn out. Let me tell you, I am the newest convert to chalk paint. I LURVE how evenly and easily it painted on and I love the smooth finish.


With this sweet, little chair smiling with a lovely coat of white paint.....now for the really fun part. I decided I wanted to stitch a little cross stitch using some pretty threads, with the cane as the canvas. I happened upon a few on Pinterest and thought they were really cool. But what design to stitch??

I definitely wanted a floral design. As the size of the cane canvas would only allow  for a small flower, I decided on a single pansy design on the back and an arrangement of pansies on the seat. I decided on a pansy design as I wanted to stitch in different shades of blue, purples and pinks. The sweet, smiling faces of pansies always make my heart sing.........as do a pretty pair of 'stepping out'  boots! =)



With the design decided upon I dived into one of my many suitcases rummaging for some DMC tapestry wool that I bought a long time ago for just such a special occasion, and began to stitch, doubling the wool as I stitched.

A pansy.......a vision in purples with a sprinkling of yellow.


Add some leaves...and voila....the back is finished.

Now for the seat. I thought an assortment of pansies in different shades would give my little chair a touch of beauty.


What thinketh thee?? =)

Of course my pretty little chair maketh my home......home.......(it will eventually live in my boudoir) but it also sings a pretty song under the shade of the Wisteria.



A sprinkling of a posy of sweet, pretty pansies.....perfect!







 My pretty, pansy teapot somehow found itself sitting on my sweet little chair.




Every pansy teapot requires a pretty pansy, tea cosy to keep it warm, don't you think??




Oodles and oodles of pansy prettiness!

Cross stitching this chair was such a fun project. It was rather easy to do and surprisingly, it stitched up quickly. The main concern was to keep the doubled wool flat with each stitch, but really this was not difficult at all.

Who would've dreamt the sweet but rather plain, little chair my husband's beady little eyes espied could have been so delightfully transformed. I wouldn't mind beautifying another cane chair with a little chalk paint and a li'l cross stitch........perhaps roses or maybe a basket of overspilling blossoms, next time??Who knows, perhaps my intuitive husband will find another treasure for me to tart up. He does seem to have a talent for spotting treasures in dark hidey holes. Have I intimated before that I really, really LURVE this sweet li'l chair.....just so you know! =)

Hoping all you lovely ladies are enjoying a pleasant weekend. May you enjoy moments of doing something you love.....oh....and make sure you take time out to enjoy a cup of tea or two, in a pretty tea cup!

Until the next time.......


Linking up this week to:

54 comments:

  1. What a sweet transformation! I have never seen embroidery done on that type of chair before - love it!

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  2. Your beautiful transformation of the wicker chair passes all expectations. It really is a delight to behold. What a twist life can bring as your swap lady Eva that you received your delicious 9th teapot swap goodies from was the very same Eva that I sent my swap to. What a small world we really do live in.
    Hugs ValeryAnne. (aka Mrs A).

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  3. How clever you are, I adore your new chair and I love pansies xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Cheryl. Pansies are the sweetest little flowers, aren't they. Thank your for visiting me all the way down here. 'Tis a delight to have you visit. Kim Xx

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  4. The chair turned out just beauuuuutiful dear Kim. Isnt chalk paint just the bestest. I really love painting the cane too ... when we think of all those lovely cane things that must've been tossed out over the years !!! Love your teacosy too. Happy Weekend to you x x x

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  5. How charming! I remember stitching a basket one time which would be similar to this project. I love the pansies motif and the chalk paint. What a sweet transformation.

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  6. It's just beautiful Kim, glorious!! How cleaver of you, I have never seen this done...one of a kind for sure!!

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  7. What a marvelous and charming project, I just love it!!

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  8. Absolutely perfect in every way!! Perfect for siting and contemplating with a cup of tea!!

    May your day be filled with joy and laughter!

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  9. Oh Wow! This is such a beautiful transformation! This little chair looks so happy being a pansy cross-stitched chair. Pansies really do have such happy sweet faces, and I think you paired them up with the chair perfectly Kim!
    Wendy

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  10. AND you've done it again! This is amazing Kim! I love the pansy cross stitch, what a clever idea! You certainly are very creative. This chair will look lovely in your boudoir, or anywhere for that matter. I just love it!
    xo
    Linda

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    1. Yes, I think this sweet little chair was made for chalk paint and pretty pansies. It has settled in rather nicely in my boudoir. =) 'Tis always a delight to have you visit, lovely Linda....thank you. Kim Xx

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  11. Oh gosh that chair is pretty!! I love the pansies on it, how clever
    you are!!!! It was worth the wait. I love that tea cosy too. You have
    been very busy my friend. Lovely.

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  12. Oh my gosh Kim, you NEVER cease to amaze me! I knew the minute I spied that chair that you had cross stitched on it. The Pansies are just perfection! And of course you have a teapot and cozy to match. :) When you get to tarting it is always a delight. Guess who is going to keep her little bitty eyes out for a cane chair now? Your garden is always such a delight as well. So glad that you will be sharing it with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. You will have to try to find a little cane chair just for you, Jann. I am sure you will find one, in one of those flea markets of yours. I do envy you your American flea markets, they seem to be filled with the prettiest of pretties. =) Your sweet comments have delighted me; thank you so much. Kim Xx

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  13. My goodness Kim, you and your husband are quite a pair! He sees the bargain, and you do the transforming, absolutely, yes incredibly beautiful this sweet chair's transformation! I will never look at a cane chair the same again... none will compare to your lovely chalk painted, cross stitched chair! I would be swooning over the new chair too! Your pictures are simply a feast for the eyes and heart too. Always blessed, and inspired when I drop by for a visit! Hugs to you today dear friend!!!

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  14. I am happy to see the completed project but somehow I thought you were going to make a rose- you know. Seeing only roses stitched on chairs that's what I assumed - but this is revolutionary!!! :)
    I think you have done a divine choice and job too! The pansies are perfect! If I had that chair,I would take pictures of it all day long :)

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  15. Your husband has a good eye for treasures and you've made the little chair so beautiful with the lovely crossstitches.
    And I love also the teapot!

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    1. He certainly does, doesn't he. The teapot is a very old treasure gifted to me by my husband. Thank you for visiting, Loes. Kim Xx

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  16. Absolutely stunning Kim...what a gorgeous transformation. This is so beautiful. I love your beautiful tea cozy too...I wish I were as talented to able to make one like this. xx

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  17. Your chair is absolutely gorgeous, Kim! You are very clever to embroider on the cane weave...great idea!

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  18. I love it! What a brilliant idea, Kim!

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  19. So surprised with what you have done. Beautiful!

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  20. I really, really LOVE this little chair too! Oh my, what a gorgeous transformation. I would have been too afraid to paint over the cane but you did it and it is so pretty! I can't imagine what positions you had to twist into to get in and out of the cane with a needle but you did it and I am astounded at it's beauty....and a little envious that I don't have one! Great job!

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  21. Time for a cup of tea....as you've outdone yourself here my friend. Ingenious! And what wonderful, well said comments. :) :)

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  22. Your chair turned out so pretty! Love it!! Nancy

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    1. Thank you Nancy. I am very pleased with my sweet little chair. Thank you so much for popping by. Kim Xx

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  23. Gorgeous !!!! What a beautiful idea and result !!!!!!!!
    Love all the photos you did !
    Have a lovely week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  24. You're simply stunning, my darling Kim, amazingly incredible ... I so love your chair and the cover for your tea pot is ... terrific !

    Thanks most sincerely for this so lovely blog post, darling friend, and in the hope that you're having the best of Sundays, I'm sending blessings of joy on your coming new week

    Xx Dany

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  25. Always a pleasure to visit with you Kim...thank you for the smiles. Have a beautiful week.

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  26. I can see why you really, really love that chair!! What a beautiful art of work you have done, Kim.
    Yes, I believe every tea pot deserves a cozy and that pansy cozy is absolutely adorable!
    You and your husband are quite the team. :)
    You are such an inspiration even to those such as myself who do not really craft.
    I so enjoyed my visit with you, dear lady~~

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  27. How cute! The chair is certainly transformed into something completely different and charming. Love the tea pot and cozy.

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  28. That is adorable, love the pansies, and such a cute idea! Grins on the results, Sandi

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  29. I love it! I wish I had it in my house! Great idea! Also I love the little teapot cover. That pattern would work as a cute bag as well. Anna x

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    1. You will have to find a cute li'l chair when you are out and about, Anna. That pattern would make a cute bag, wouldn't it. Thank you for visiting my place. Wishing you a lovely week. Kim Xx

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  30. That was such a clever idea, Kim! Your chair is perfect! And it looks extra lovely surrounded by all those pansies and your pansy tea pot and cosy :)

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  31. Oh my goodness, dear Kim, what a transformation on that dark chair to something so cheery and happy!!! Only you would think of cross stitching on the weave of the chair! I will need to look at chairs in a whole new way after seeing that darling pansie chair. I love the pretty tea cosy, too! I so enjoyed my visit!

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  32. Your chair turned out so wonderful! I love it, too! So very sweet, and love the teapot, and cozy and of course, your beautiful garden :) It is like a little paradise. Sending hugs xo Karen

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    1. It is a li'l bit like paradise down here at the moment, Karen. Spring is blooming in all it's glory. Your lovely comments delight me, thank you, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  33. Oh wow aren't you ever so creative, that is stunning!! I have never used chalk paint before and it worked great on this, a wonderful background to let your stitching shine through, you did a fabulous job on it, and sure transformed it into a thing of Beauty, Well Done!!

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  34. Oh now you've done it! Now I'm green with envy! Or maybe I should just blame your husband for finding it! But I want to cross stitch a chair now too!
    I LOVE your idea to cross stitch it & you have done it so beautifully !
    So well done to you!

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  35. Hello Kim,

    Of course you must realise now you have a heap of ladies out looking for those cane chairs! Just painting it white made it so much better but when I saw the cross stitch I thought how clever. I will have one with roses please in pink.

    Happy days.
    Bev.

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  36. Oh my, but what a FABULOUS transformation, Kim! I totally agree with the comment above me...yes they will! What a darling little addition to any room in your abode! :)

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  37. You are so very very clever, Kim! You are a genius when it comes to furnitures. I LOVE the transformation. The design is so pretty and threads are beautiful. It does look lovely outside, but I am sure you have just the perfect place for it in your boudoir.

    Enjoy,
    -Soma xx

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  38. Gorgeous chair Kim, what a difference just a coat of paint makes and perfect pretty flower design.

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  39. Kim, your chair is perfect! I love what you did to it! ♥

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    1. Thank you, Gina, you are very sweet. Kim Xx

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  40. What an amazing transformation of that little chair! I've never heard of cross stitching on cane, and it turned out so beautifully. I think you're really onto something, Kim. I can see a whole passel of stitched chairs all lined up for tea :)

    I'm enjoying all your spring floral photos, too. It's getting dark and chilly here and I'm already ready for spring. Must be time to put up the holiday lights to cheer things up around here!

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  41. Well that is awesome! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  42. Happy little flowers .now they sit in a happy place

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  43. Kim, I know that I feature you almost every time you share at SYC. But, what can I say? You're just too darn cute!! You'll be featured this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. ....and you, lovely Jann, are just too darn lovely!! Thank you, sweet lady. Kim Xx

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  44. I will feature you too at Home Sweet Home this week! That is too cute not to share!

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  45. You are the most clever creature on this earth. I think I am finally caught up on reading blogs - I got so far behind during the holidays.

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