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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Revamped Step Stool

After

My Dad is gone now.  He was a sweetheart and 
I've missed him every day for twelve years.  Decades ago 
he built this sweet little step stool for my Mom and recently, 
she gave it to me.
  
I was so excited to have it!

Before


It was never meant to be pretty (just useful) so I wanted to do a little something to it.  





I think it had been stained, painted gold, carpeted (yes, I said carpeted!), un-carpeted (thank goodness), painted green, and finally painted its current shade of cream.  I'm thinking, if it doesn't cave under the weight of all that paint then maybe it won't cave under my weight, but, who am I kidding.




I couldn't bear to put it back down on the floor...



So what did I do with it?  Well, I'm not known for being particularly sentimental (I think I just heard several members of my family along with a few so-called friends say "duh".  HA!) -- I'm more of a no non-sense kind of gal, but, all those layers of paint meant a lot to me. So, I decided to keep them, not to strip it, and to just give the stool a good sanding to reveal ALL the colors from it's past.  



The sanding got me nowhere.  I had to bring out the big guns...

I tried a process I'd used before.  It's one of the iffy things, though,  you just never, ever know what you'll get.  



I painted on the stripper and let it do it's thing.  I didn't do anything (not even touch it) until it was all dry again.  
I just left it sitting out in the sun.


Once it was good and dry, I scraped a little and sanded a lot.




It worked.  I think my Dad must have been watching over me (wanting to know what on earth I was doing to his stool) because it came out just right -- all weather worn.  I called my Mom as soon as I was done and we had a fun talk about all the colors and places
their little stool had been.



A nice clear coat, some really cute handles (he'd roll his eyes on that one) and all that's left is to say, "Thanks, Mom and Dad."


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105 comments:

  1. I LOVE what you did with this stool! First using it ON the counter and Second the finish is great! I'm going to have to remember that technique! Or maybe it's a non-technique? LOL!

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  2. I love that you stuck it on the counter! Looks really cute there. The weathered appearance looks totally real, which I love and will have to remember. I'm going to save it in my reader. Who am I kidding, I have no memory!

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  3. That is so fun ~ what a clever use for a very special piece. I like the embellishments you added to the sides as well... I'm sure your dad would be proud!!

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  4. Lindy, Your little stool is adorable and I love the finish you created. How wonderful to have something your dad made and be able to look at it every day.
    xoxo, Sherry

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  5. Lindy, I think it turned out darling, sugar! Sometimes things like that turn out even better than we anticipated. Yours is one of them!
    xoxo,
    Connie

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  6. Wow...what a beautiful story and a beautiful stool. Have you thought of linking up over at Sit, Relax and Read...Sentimental Sundays?
    I think you post fits the bill!
    Theresa

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  7. Love what you did to it:) Love the meaning behind it too:)

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  8. Oh..the very best part of that whole thing is that your Dad made it you have it still. My own father died when I was pretty young. Would you believe he has been gone over 35 years and I still miss him? How wonderful that you were able to prettify that little stool up. I'll bet you were thinking about him the whole time you were working on it! It looks great and is perfect right where it sits! Hugs- Diana

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  9. What a great technique and helpful tutorial. How special that your dad made it and you have those memories.

    Have a blessed and safe Halloween!
    ~Michelle

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  10. So Sweet, I love that you are still using it. How special to still have this. I love all the layers of paint, what memories they must each bring. Thank you so much for linking up, can't wait to learn more about you.

    Cha Cha

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  11. Oh my, both our entries involve our dads. Beautiful. I have been thinking of mine all day and couldn't resist bringing an old post to Chari's Sunday Favorites.

    The bench is gorgeous. You did a great job.

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  12. This little stool is just so sweet! I love how you left all the original colors on!

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  13. I love the stool and you've given it even more character and a place of honor in your home!

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  14. LOVE it! Especially the history....the memories for you. And how creative to put it on the countertop.

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  15. I love what you did to the stool! It looks so perfect on the counter, and the fact that it is personal makes it even better.

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  16. Lindy, I had to come back and let you know that I love houses too. ;) And thanks for the follow. Clicked on yours too. Look forward to visiting.

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  17. so cute and i just adore the storey that goes with it!! glad it all came out exactly as you had hoped!

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  18. Repurposing at its finest! Wonderful project.

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  19. What a great use for that stool. I would have never thought to do that.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  20. I love the stool, but love the story more! I am a sucker for sentimental family pieces and will keep stuff because of the memories! What a great way to remember your dad!
    Lacy

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  21. I love the sweet story behind this stool and the way you used it in an unexpected way. Looks great!

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  22. Completely perfect...and I am sentimental. I love that you let all that patina and of course memories shine through.

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  23. What a beautiful story you have for your stool! I LOVE how you unveiled all of its wonderful history to see everyday - & I love that you put it up on the counter!

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  24. You know he would totally carry on and on about how you had to go and embellish his stool. (I can hear him say that now with special emphasis on "embellish.") But, he would also brag to anyone and everyone about how nice it was and how talented you are... when he was all done fussing, of course. ;)
    Good job, Mom!

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  25. Lovely post. They way you used the stool is so cute. I am sure your Father would be getting such pleasure out of your enjoyment. I know exactly how you feel about this, my Father was a wonderful craftman and my most precious objects are ones that he made; some when I was a child and some when I was an adult. The handles are a wonderful "LIndy" touch.(-:

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  26. What a sweet story to go with your adorable step stool. I love how you revealed all the different colors, each with its own story. What a great way to remember your dad.
    Traci

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  27. Your stool looks fantastic,and i love the story about your dad.I also love your silver pieces. I really love the coffee pot.

    Kathy

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  28. Sorry about your Dad leaving. You've placed the stool in a very nice spot. It goes well with everything else around it. Well done.

    Eveshouse.blogspot.com

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  29. Great stool & great story! I love your pop's stool! Happy Halloween!

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  30. I love how you used it up on your counter where you can see it everyday. Such a sweet story! It turned out perfectly chippy. :)

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  31. I love the story and I think you've done an amazing job with the beautiful stool
    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  32. I love all of the layers and how perfect it looks on the counter now. I bet your dad is pleased (and surprised) to look down and see it as a showpiece! Great job and thank you for your sweet comment on my sign. :)

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  33. Love what you did with your stool and what a keepsake!

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  34. I'm visiting via Sit Relax and Read. I love the special meaning behind it and what you've done to repurpose it. Very touching!

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  35. Such a sweet story. Neat that you kept it. I love the look!

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  36. I imagine it is a great feeling to have such fond memories come back by looking at this stool daily! Love the finish!

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  37. This is such a sweet and touching post. What you did with the stool your Dad made is awesome! It looks so stylish and the vignette you've created around it and the way you've used it is beautiful. This is such a great way to always remember him, every day. I love this post!

    Nancy

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  38. What a great reuse of an item with such a personal history!

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  39. A sweet stool with sweet memories, Lindy! Love what you did with it, girl! Never would'ave thought of not taking off the stripper! Very clever! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  40. I love it, I think it's one of the sweetest little stools I've ever seen! And the story behind it is so great, it's nice that your mom knew that you would like it!

    Tania

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  41. I LOVE that stool and LOVE even more that your dad made it. I think it looks great. Really, I do. I also think your dad would be tickled that it means enough to you to have it out in your kitchen.

    Partying with you tonight at Cindy's.

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  42. Your stool is fabulous! Thanks for sharing the story of it . I have never read of anyone using your technique with the stripper.Love the handles too!

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  43. Your Dad would be proud. I love the handles you placed on the sides, the finish is beautiful.

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  44. Hi Lindy...

    What a fabulous little step stool, my friend! Of course, the best thing about it is the fact that your dad made it...sweet memories! Well, I just love how you refinished it...it's perfect! And...I love the pretty handles that you added to the sides! This piece looks perfect on your kitchen countertop...you've decorating it sooo beautifully! Thanks so much for sharing your treasure with us today for Sunday Favorites!!!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  45. what a nice post to read! love how the stool looks now with chippy paint here and there and looks great for your kitchen top vignette! pretty!

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  46. Hello,
    this looks marvelous all chippy and colorful! Love the story behind it - a definite treasure.
    Kathy

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  47. I love how your stool turned out and the story behind it is so sweet. Looks perfect on your counter too!

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  48. I so love the stool and it's story!

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  49. That is a beautiful story! I love the colors and what you did with it! So functional!

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  50. Honey, those handles just "make" that cute stool! I need something just like that for my kitchen counter, as I have little room and that would serve a use and be mighty pretty.
    Brenda

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  51. That's beautiful. I love all the layers of paint.

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  52. Great idea there. I can see your mind working. Thank you for sharing....Linda

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  53. The paint technique worked out perfectly. It's the perfect amount of chippiness. Nothing is better than the real thing.

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  54. A really lovely story and memory of your Dad!

    Come and see my latest find! Would love your thoughts....

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  55. I just love it! It's so nice to re-purpose something that has so many wonderful memories, now you'll have many more to come and can hand it down again, I love the treatment you did, thanks for sharing! BTW- I'm your newest follower!

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  56. LOVE your step stool and the finish!!! I'm anxious to try that technique next time I get something with loads of paint on it. How special it must be. Just found your blog site and I'm your newest follower.
    Cindy

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  57. Oh I absolutely love it. What a fabulous stool and I love the little handles. It is so perfect on the counter. I would never have thought of that, and yet it is just stunning. Fabulous. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  58. I love the way you're preserving some family memories there! Having the paint crackle is a unique way to do it! I love the end result. Great idea.
    I hope you can join my necklace giveaway going on now!
    http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/11/rhonda-michaels-jewelry-giveaway.html

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  59. You did a great job with the stool and it looks fantastic on your counter. All that work...your father would be proud!

    XO,
    Jane

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  60. this is just so lovely! I love when something has good story behind it...it just makes it that much more charming. Stop by and link up to my Get Organized Giveaway.

    http://wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2010/11/get-organized-giveaway.html

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  61. What great history on your stool and I am so happy I can be really lazy next time I start to strip ( furniture that is!) . I never thought about leaving it half way and still loving the result!

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  62. I am actually crying right now because I love this post so much! Yes I love the stool. But more so I love what the stool means to you!

    The final patina turned out beautifully and every time you look at it, you'll be reminded of your Poppy and how many times his hands touched this piece!!

    Thank you for sharing this!

    Polly

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  63. Your dad must be smiling ;o) What a beautiful story and revamped stool.

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  64. I love it! Not only is it beautiful but it gives you added storage and display space-enjoy:@)

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  65. Love that stool. It's so different on the counter and a sentimental piece to boot!

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  66. How precious that your Dad made it and you have it to remind you of him...wonderful memories.
    I know my children will cherish the things my husband made also...such treasures.
    Nice job on the distressing, love it!
    Your mom's going to want it back now!!!!

    Have fun playing with it!
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  67. it looks absolutely beautiful! Very worthy of the kitchen counter and what a great story!

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  68. This is great! I love the chipping paint :) I also love your most recent post! How cute your mother was married in a blue dress! My grandparents were married in my aunts car. I love unique stories like that :) :) :)

    Love the blog :)

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  69. The step stool looks beautiful. Your dad would be so pleased, I'm sure. I love what you did with it and how you have it displayed.

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  70. What an enjoyable post. I loved reading about how your dad made this stool for you and all that the stool had been through. You have brought it back to life in so many ways, and I love it! Thank you for sharing the technique as well as the lovely sentiment on the Boardwalk Bragfest.

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  71. It turned out fabulous, and it looks great on your counter!

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  72. Love,love,love this stool and what makes it so special,your Dad made it and you have a treasure to have forever now.
    -Jo
    -LazyonLoblolly

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  73. I think it's perfect and more of an honor sitting where it is now...who knew stripper could revive something like that (I'm not a DIYer)...love it!

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  74. Absolutely LOVE it!!! What a great way to use it and see it everyday!!!!!!! It sure did come out just perfect!!! TYFS Many Hugs!!

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  75. What a sweet story. I would have wanted to keep the history in the piece too. Never would have thought to use it on the counter, but it is perfect. My dad was into wood working too and having some of his creations means so much.

    -Rene

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  76. Honestly some things are worth being sentimental about and this is totally one of 'em. Fantastic job showing off the "memories" of paint. :)

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  77. You seriously brought a tear to my eye. It looks amazing...

    Take care,
    Lisa

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  78. Sooo cute! How wonderful that it holds such fun special memories for you. I love the way you gave it that timeworn look.

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com

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  79. What a lovely, lovely tribute to your Dad. And I'm sure your Mom was touched by your gesture. Very sweet! Have a good weekend!

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  80. What a wonderful treasure! You did a great job transforming something your Dad made into very special piece to see and enjoy everyday. I still have a low bookcase my Dad made me for my 13th birthday. It will always find a spot in my home.
    Cheers!
    Rita

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  81. What a great stool! I love all the paint colors...sweet that your Dad made it!
    Tammy :-)
    JUNK WILD

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  82. What a special stool, and you made it just beautiful!
    Monica.

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  83. What a beautiful "stool"...that looks FAB on your counter now! I love that your Dad made it and your Mom used it for all those years, and now you've made it beautiful and can use it for many more years.

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  84. what a great stool love the handles you added. You can move that all atround the house and it will fit in anywhere

    Janice

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  85. Such a great piece and of course, I love hearing about its story. THanks so much for sharing it at Style Feature Saturday! -shaunna :)

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  86. What an amazing finish and I love how you used it in the kitchen--thanks so much for linking up!

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  87. I love the stool! I plan to make one to go in my antique mall booth in hopes that people will use it instead of standing on my chairs to reach items that are higher up.

    I love the chippy look that you gave it!

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  88. Looks fantastic, what a clever way to use something that means so much.

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  89. I so know how you feel about missing your father. Me too. You have done a lovely job with this stool. What a treasure to have!

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  90. That came out adorable. Beautiful memorial and keepsake! I LOVE the side handles you added. That really makes the piece!
    Roselle

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  91. Your little step stool came out fantastic. I think your father would be happy knowing you are using it. Thanks for sharing.

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  92. I love it!! It's the best way to revive those old memories of paint and years past. And I think maybe you are sentimental whether you know it or not. :-)

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  93. I love the story behind the stool. About 5 years ago when our daughter started potty training we were in need of a stool for our bathroom. I had seen the perfect stool in my husband's grandmothers house, she had build many many year ago. He called and ask if she could make one for our daughter. A week later we had an exact replica of hers, the same color too! I now have it in my kitchen and use it almost every day. It is almost identical to yours.

    What a beautful treasure!

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  94. It's gorgeous! I love using crackle paint! And the two tone color is lovely. Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's

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  95. I wanted to let you know that I'll be featuring this at Life As Lori. If you would like to stop by and grab my I was featured button please do so!

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  96. This bench is very sweet! Thanks for sharing your process/tutorial! :)

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  97. What a wonderful idea, and a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing!

    Sheila

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  98. Now THIS is an heirloom piece! I love the history and the fact that you chose to finish it in a way that would bring out the various chapters in this little stool's life. Truly, this was a labor of love and a meaningful way to remember your father.

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  99. I AM a sentimental kinda girl and I love this make over. It is just so sweet and the story is sweeter. Love your blog, by the way.

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  100. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for this technique! I'm am literally looking at the piece I'm going to use this on. And old bench. HOORAY!

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I'm excited you're leaving a comment. I can't wait to read it...L.