Upcycled offfice desk, part two

After all that sanding (still can't remember who I lent the sander to), priming, glossing, steel wool-ing, cutting, glueing and pressing, the upcycled office desk is finally finished.

The first photo shows the layer of heavy books pressing down the new blotter sheet after it had been glued into place with contact adhesive. The very strong smell of glue was still all over the house two days later, despite the windows being open (in the freezing December night).

Now I'm gearing up for the not inconsiderable task of dismantling my computer and all its peripherals, not to mention sorting out the huge stash of fabric, portfolios, wires and other stuff under my old desk and moving it all into place.

Upcycled offfice desk, part one

Last Sunday I found this office desk left out in the street.

I have been scouring the junk shops and markets for ages for something to replace my battered old Ikea table top and trestle legs and, although I wasn't looking for something that needed QUITE as much TLC, I've decided to give it a go.

The drawers are okay but the top of the desk was really badly damaged, and there was quite a sizeable chunk knocked out of one corner, so I decided to repair it and sand the desk down and paint it rather than keep the wood veneer finish and varnish it.

I've built up the damaged corner using two-part wood filler and my own patented "two plastic rulers and sticky tape" method.

Unfortunately, I've lent my sander to someone, and cannot remember who on earth it is, so I had to sand the whole thing down by hand – what a mucky chore that was.

Now it's primed and ready for its first gloss coat. After that I'm planning to replace the original blotter sheet (which has one corner mysteriously cut off) with a new piece of oilcloth.

I'm itching to get on with it but now – how irritating – I have to stop and get on with my work.

Would you trust this man with a mince pie?

Seeing double

Christmas wrapping

Very generous, as always, with her wonderful illustrated Christmas gift tags.
http://orangeyoulucky.blogspot.com/

Work in progress

Let me count the ways...

Charity shops, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: no. 1 Bitossi blue ceramic Hound No. 44.

"The Rimini Blu collection of ceramics was created in the early fifties by Aldo Londi, the former art director of Bitossi ceramics."

Voice of the beehive

Kind of Maria Callas meets Amy Butler on the way to look at some Grecian vases.

Juicy Fruits

Although I haven't blogged for a while, the collage machine has been busy making things for the Christmas Open Houses and my exhibition at Cafe One Ten.
Here are two new ones made with tiny "Juicy Fruits" scraps from U-Handbag.

Hope you like them!