Spring Can't Come Soon Enough

I feel as if I'm in a worm hole where time's either standing still...

or hurdling me forward at warp speed.

First, I was hibernating...

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I agreed to work full-time for a month...

More than full-time, actually... some are 14-hour days.

Now I feel like Alice falling down the proverbial rabbit hole!

Speaking of rabbits...
(I know... really bad segue.) 

Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?

From both directions?

His cute little bib overalls...

and incredibly cute butt?

I found this at Pottery Barn.

It's a wine carrier that holds two bottles of wine...

I'm in l.o.v.e.

But I digress...

Since taking on this temporary full-time job...

I haven't accomplished much at all...

even cancelling out of Scott Antique Market this month.

But I did manage to finish the table I was refinishing for a friend...

This is how it looked when I first began stripping the top.

A couple of years ago, my neighbor recommended Dad's Paint Remover ...

by far the strongest thing I've ever used...

it ate right through two pairs of Stripping Gloves...

and a flip-flop.

Seriously... a flip-flop.

This time, four layers of paint wiped off like *buttah*,,,

Unfortunately, there were some deep stains in the top...

and wood filler was used between the individual boards...

I painted the base with two coats of primer...

that I've mentioned before here... here... and here.

I was certain my friend would want the top painted instead of stained...

but she surprised me...

deciding the top should be left natural...

rings, stains, gouges, and all.

So I stripped it again...

and sanded some more...

First with a hand sander and fine grit paper...

Then sanded by hand...

Lastly, using steel wool to s-m-o-o-t-h the top.

I hand waxed with Fiddes and Sons' Clear...

rubbed it down with fine steel wool...

and applied another coat of wax before buffing to a rich patina.

After lightly distressing and waxing the base...

I allowed it to cure overnight,...
then buffed to a soft patina.

I'll let you know if her table sells this weekend.

I'm really disappointed I couldn't be there...

but, alas, some things just aren't meant to be.

Maybe next month...

So even though I've been hibernating...

taking a break...

and working a *day* job...

I l-o-v-e refinishing furniture (cheaper than therapy, for sure)...

I'm honored and profoundly grateful for your visit,

and hope you will again soon.

In the meantime, thanks for stopping by...