That's why I love milk paint. It's safe and non-toxic, and it's so easy to rcreate a chippy, crusty painted finish that looks like it's hundreds of years old.

I used Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Kitchen Scale and Tricycle on this vintage buffet I found.

The secret to the chipped and peeling finish is hemp oil, which I sandwiched between the two layers of paint.

You can read more about the hemp oil resist technique on my blog.

Lots of fun, laughter and friendships.

We had a blast at the inaugural Hometalk N.C. Bloggers Meetup, held in Greensboro, N.C. on May 11.

We did some serious shopping. We stuck our pinkies in the air, drank tea and feasted at the lovely Deer Cottage. We imagined what would happen if Edith from Downton Abbey started a blog. (Be sure to check out the video for a good laugh!) We proved that blogging friends are real friends.

But if you like seashells and gold, brass, silver and metallic tones, then I have the perfect DIY project match for you: two super-easy techniques for gilding and gold leafing seashells. (You can use shells you find at the beach or the craft store!)

For more details, visit my blog, AttaGirlSays.com

http://www.attagirlsays.com/2013/05/17/how-t...

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If you're a blogger (or a fan of blogs), you're invited to join us for a day filled with thrifting and antiquing, wonderful food and great mingling. We'll begin with breakfast in the downtown Old Greensborough historic district at The Farmer's Wife, a fabulous antique store full of inspiration and unique finds.

Then, you'll have a few hours to browse the many great vintage and antique stores in downtown Greensboro, before we head to our next stop, where you'll find lots of high-low shopping options. Later, we'll hit an antique mall and experience southern hospitality at its finest at the home decor store, Total Bliss.

We'll end our day with at the lovely Deer Cottage, a picturesque English cottage that has been featured in Southern Living magazine, for a Downton Abbey inspired tea private tea party.

Visit hosts Suzy of Worthing Court (www.worthingcourt.blogspot.com) or Amy of Atta Girl Says (www.attagirlsays.com) for details and to register.

if you don't live in North Carolina, don't despair. There may be a Hometalk Meetup in your area. Just search for the hashtag #HometalkMeetup here on Hometalk to find out about other blogger and reader events planned.

All you need is a photocopy or a printout from a dry toner printer to create something amazing.

I made a compost bucket, decorated a lazy Susan with a French vintage soap label and created a farmhouse cutting board using vintage images I found online and printed at home.

Check out the eye candy here, then stop by my blog, Atta Girl Says, for the full tutorial.

#Love2Repurpose

Until I happened upon an amazing estate sale and found this sideboard with a fascinating history.

I knew it was a treasure even though the doors were Scotch-taped together and all the knobs were loose.

Normally, I like to take my paintbrush to old furniture, but the finish on this piece is too beautiful for paint.

It's not perfect. There are a few chips and scratches and places where the veneer has been repaired. But these marks speak to the sideboard's character and history.

It's a history I'm still piecing together. You can read the entire story of this piece on my blog.

The instant we saw the combo playroom/bedroom, we knew we would buy this house. It is the perfect place for a little boy to grow up.

It has a secret clubhouse, a North Carolina sports themed mural painted on the wall, a chalkboard, built-in bookcases and storage nooks, plus two huge closets.

The playroom is decorated in a sports motif, while the bedroom sports my son's favorite dinosaurs.

For the full tour, visit my blog, AttaGirlSays.com

This heartfelt Valentine's Day gift set me back just $5 at the Dollar Store. I used plastic clothes line, metal wedding favor buckets, some ribbon and pretty wrapping paper to create a garland that is also a love note to my sweetheart. #ValentinesDay

You can find out exactly how I made it on my blog, AttaGirlSays.com

But for now, it is (imperfectly) organized. No organizing porn here. I just used what we had to get our pantry in order.

Our brand of organized is mismatched and repurposed. Use what you have and make it work.

Visit my blog to sell all my pantry befores and afters and for tips on using what you have to get organized.

#OrganizedHome

#Love2Repurpose