This Was A Thrift Store Find, No, Really, I'm Not Kidding!

I found this pitcher for 50 cents at the thrift store.

It works, it's fine-

but it doesn't go with my stuff.

The lines are just classic and it has this lovely little carving of some sprigs on each side.

It jumped right off the shelf and into my cart because it knew that it would be much loved at my house:)

That above, turned into this below, sigh,

So let me attempt to tell you my very unprofessional process.

First off, spray it with my bestie,

Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer

(and no I don't get paid to say that, I just really, really love this stuff, -like, almost as much as my family, JK!)

Anyway, it sticks to anything, glass included.

(Do not use for food or drink after this process, this primer and these paints and sealers are NOT food safe)

For decor only!

I then brushed on a coat of darker brown craft paint just like a 2 year old would.

(I really should let my kiddos help me out with this step, they would be thrilled!)

Then 2 coats of gray craft paint,

there will still be some brown showing through.

Now you will whitewash it with a 2 parts water and 1 part white craft paint mixture.

(Brush it on in little sections and wipe it off gently as you go to get the amount of whitewash you prefer)

After it all dried I took a slightly damp scrubby and scrubbed random spots all over so that just the primer shows in those spots.

(You might want to add a little more whitewash after this step, I did, because the brown shows through a little stronger than I liked after the scrubbing.)

I did put a coat of clear acrylic spray over it all to protect it but it left a bit  of a shine.

I'm thinking a VERY light rub with sandpaper might be just enough to take any shine off.

The very last step was the best of all!

Me, my camera, (I use a Canon EOS Rebel XT which I HEART!!)

the lovely reborn pitcher, some vintage book pages and my lovely button collection.

What a date!

I heart doing photo shoots!

Although I am NOT a professional,

I hope you pros will just humor me and let me pretend that I am, pretty please?

My #1 gives me odd looks when he sees me taking pics of what he considers junk that I haul home.

But he loves me so he lets me do it without too many comments :)

I won't even mention the looks I get when I start ripping out book pages and spreading buttons all over the counter to take more pictures of the finished project.

You see, he doesn't realize the value of editing and tweaking a picture until it looks like it came out of this perfect, lovely made up home.

He sees the reality of the book pages and buttons on the counter of the island beside our lovely little sink.

And he sees my kiddos holding up a white posterboard for the background so that our lovely stainless steel fridge doesn't show up in the pics.

He also sees the jars of paint and random paintbrushes and sealers sitting a foot away from the object being photographed.

But, I am thankful for the imperfectness because I know that it is what gives us our best memories and laughs!

Let's see that again,

The before:

and the LOVELY after: