Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tuesday Display Chain: On Wednesday....

Yes, that pretty much sums things up around here.

The ever-creative and overly-talented Misi at 1890 Gable House Musings is once again hostessing the Tuesday Display Chain.  This week's theme is "Crafting Secrets Exposed."  Really?

If you don't know me by now, I'll let you in on a little secret: I get very little crafting done....and I am not very ingenious in that regard.  I do have a slick way of finishing/binding hooked rugs, but it's not MY idea (lifted from my clever hooking pal, Cathy), and seeing as I don't have a rug ready to bind, there wasn't any way of showing you it.
Add to that some family issues that have put me behinder than usual, and I thought I'd be sitting this one out. But, I don't like feeling left out.

So here's my contribution - lame as it is:


I can only imagine what you're thinking....but I warned you it was lame.  These are just some of my "old reliables" that I reach for time and time again.

Old English Scratch Cover:  In addition to doing what it's marketed for (i.e., cover furniture scratches), it's a wonderful "fix everything."  I do have my Bri Wax that I use for distressing and faux finishes, but I find that my Old English is much more versatile.  For example, I had a friend repair this old hand mirror for me. In doing so, he gouged a piece of the wood.  I didn't mind the gouge itself, as the piece is primitive and has gouges (and carving) anyway - but the exposed wood was not attractive.  A little Old English to the rescue, and you never would know:


I also used it to "blend" the finishes on some replacement pieces on this old child's rocker:

   (The sweetie in the chair is "Joyce," one of OLM's creations.....)

I have two bottles - one for light and medium wood and one for dark, but find I use primarily the dark one.  This stuff lasts forever - I've had these bottles for at least 10 years (so if you're looking for it in the store, it may not look the same anymore).

Next up:

Lighter Fluid:  This stuff is amazing at removing tape and sticker residue.  The above said mirror also came with a residue on the mirrored surface.  I could remove some of it with glass cleaner, but it had been on there so long that the adhesive residue was actually becoming part of the mirror.  Lighter fluid took it right off.  (Works great on removing price tags from books that are to be gifted as well, and I use it to remove labels from plastic and glass containers for storage/reuse.  For large labels, remove as much of the top of the label as you can, then use the lighter fluid to remove the adhesive.)

Lastly:

My Snippets:  My husband thinks I save everything. I disagree - but I do save my snippets from hooking.  And, on the rare occasion that I actually craft something that requires stuffing, and I want that lumpy, old timey, feeling, I reach for my stash and use them. 

There you have it....not really "crafty," and definitely not "ingenious" - but it is what it is.  For some truly "creative" and "crafty" ideas, check out the posts from the other chain gang members at 1890 Gable House Musings.

Over and out....The Crow.

24 comments:

My Colonial Home said...

Well now Ms. Cranky....you gave me some very good ideas...do you know for as long as I have been cutting and trimming my wool pieces I've thrown away every last piece of snippets...now I wish I had kept them for stuffing...THANKS FOR THE TIP!!!
Karen

Robyn ♥ said...

Never underestimate your sharing! I love your tips and I'm going to head on out for some Old English!! I always love reading your posts! You crack me up :)

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

Not bad!! Pretty good tips for a Tuesday/Wednesday display chain!! Don't feel bad about being a day off...I was a WEEK off!!(in the wrong direction ) I could have used the Old English tip last week!! Thanks --I'm going to get some!--:) Jan

Lee Hill Primitives said...

Great ideas, I used that type of Old English but only for scratches. thanks for sharing new uses.

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Hey, Crow~ Great Secrets~ See I am not the cleverest Gal so these are new to me~ I have never tried the scratch old English( and with some kitties with back claws I need this on one of my pieces, bad kitties!!)
Then the fluid never heard of using it~ going to have to try it!!
See you helped me out!!!
Thanks for sharing your SHHHH( Secrets!!)
smiles
Teresa

Mugwump Woolies said...

Thanks for the tips...your are an ever so clever crow!
Robyn

prims by olde lady morgan said...

Well.. I would say there was nothing lame in those wonderful tips!! I would of never tryed light fluid...will now... I have used Old english, great stuff... I most add, I spy a lil old gal in that chair... she's adorable, right at home, that OLM dollie! HEHE!!! OLM

Anonymous said...

Great tips! I use the old English polish fopr that too, I know you don't think I like primitive but actually I do, I had a house full of it before we downnnnnn sized and thats what I used to make things look distressed.
Hope you are well, good to see you post!

Christine said...

So glad you weren't left out, Robin! And no way was this lame! You know you are going to drive me crazy with the tip re saving little leftover wool and fabric pieces - I want to make lumpy things but storing those bits - that's a problem! They find their way all over my house and I feel so disorganised! But thanks so much for sharing!
Best wishes
Christine

Carol Stuck said...

Well, I would say that you shared some ingenious, time-saving ideas. Especially about removing the sticky from different containers. I hate dealing with the sticky. Thanks so much for sharing!

hugs,
Carol

Sheila said...

Well there Ms. Cranky, for someone who professes to be "un-crafty" you sure shared some really good tips. Ones that I will be sure to use once I purchase the lighter fluid and Old English products. I am always trying to find a way to get the sticky residue from labels and stickers off things!
I have to say that even though I didn't contribute to the "chain gang" I sure did learn a lot today!
Appreciate you girls and your wonderful tips and tricks!
hugz,
Sheila

Raymond Homestead said...

Good tips! Thanks for sharing! The little rocker with the doll is so cute!

BumbleBeeLane said...

Glad you found time to join in.Sorry to hear you are still having issues with the family.Hugs!~Amy

frontporchprims said...

I am glad you joined in this week:) Better late than never. I love Old English too. I keep the dard and the light for scratches but never thought to use it to prim things up. Thanks for the idea!! And you are right, it does last for ever. Years and years. Lighter fluid scares me. I bet I could blow the house up with that stuff by just looking at it. Hope things slow down a bit in Nod.
-Steph-

outjunking said...

Snippets sound like something that should be eaten glad you explained that one. I am looking forward to trying that lighter fluid trick I bet a little goes along way.

1890* said...

A day late and a dollar short does not apply with you either...It could never be too late for the wealth of info that you share!* Thank you sweet friend!
Your little rocker is darlin!
My thoughts & best wishes are still with your family xxoo
{{HUGS}}

Angela said...

Some great crafting tips Robin. Can't wait to try the lighter fluid. Thanks for jumping in and sharing with all of us. Hope you are having a good week.
Angela

My Primitive Creations by Tonya said...

To cute..I say always remember this Tips are like someone elses trash but your treasures..Both go along way in the same diretion. I love tips..cause ya never know when will find a new one..
I am the Old English Queen I but at least 30 bottles a year. I use only Old English DArk Scratch cover to finish all my pieces that I've aged and distressed. Taht way if it ever gets a scratch it is easy for the new owner to fix it right up. And best of all just a little rubbing long after itis applied and you can make a piece look great.
I too save every scrap there is for stuffing ...So manynever think to do that...saves me bundles a year using things from the snippets bag as you called them...

Great Tips Ms Cranky great tips.

Hugs
Tonya

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Thanks Cranky Crow for some fabulous tips. I'm going to go look for some of that Old English stuff to fix that awful scratch my husband put in my bench!!! I'm also going to try the lighter fluid for labels ~ I use that goo be gone ~ but the smell of that stuff can knock your socks off!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Prim Blessings my Friend!
Robin

Rhissanna said...

I can buy Bri-wax in the USA? Wow!. I'll get on that right away!Thank you, Moss Crow.

RURAL said...

I saw the Old English, the lighter fluid, and what I thought was potporri, and first thought through my mind, UH OH, fire starters? LOL. That must be pretty dangerous..giggling.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Beckyjean said...

Good mornin Darlin!!

Great tips. I started using my scraps for stuffin a couple of years ago. I wish I would have thought of it long ago though. I could have saved a lot of $$ on fiberfill. That was one of those DUH moments for me when I figured it out.

Love,love,love the lighter fluid tip. I always have trouble getting those stickers off my goodies from the thrift store. No more thanks to you!!

Have a wonderful day~Becky

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robin~
I've used Old English forever! Works like a charm.
Oh, I want to hear more about your finishing technique. I hate binding rugs ~ the only way I know how to finish them.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Prims By The Water said...

We use Bri and Old English for touch ups of furniture in our store..works great! Love both that old mirror and rocker. Hope things are going well for you Robin. Take care, Janice