How to Paint Chairs the Easy Way

This is one of those posts where it's a "Why didn't we do this sooner?" kind of thing.

This weekend we tackled our dining chairs.   (Along with 1 million other things.  We're actually hosting a party next weekend and it's been good motivation for us to get some crap done.  Sorry I wrote crap but cleaning carpets, touching up trim, and clearing out dead flowers are all crap things.)  

Our chair project was actually quite fun!  Seriously. Fun.  Because we bought a paint sprayer!

We purchased the Graco Spraystation 2900.  (Key word "purchased".  Graco doesn't know about us.)  We decided to break down and buy a paint sprayer because we needed a more economical way to paint furniture.  Spray paint is expensive and I was using a lot of it.  We have a ton of paint in our basement that needs used.  Welcome to your new home little paint sprayer.

We decided to go with the Graco Spraystation 2900 paint sprayer based on reviews in Family Handyman. HVLPs are quieter than other pump sprayers.  There is less over spray.   The paint dries faster.  It has a fine finish that is good for furniture.

The paint sprayer is easy to use.   We found that you need to use small strokes and keep the nozzle a consistent distance away from the piece of furniture.  It's best to move your whole arm and not just your wrist.   Ladies, I recommend this paint sprayer because then your husband will be all like "Yay.  New toy.  Will paint wife's furniture for her."  Wise investment.

This paint sprayer is so fantastic that we were able to complete three coats (primer and 2 coats of paint) in 1 hour.  I would still be painting these chairs 3 weeks from now without it.  Best DIY investment we've made in a long time! 

Here's round 1, the primer. 

Next is where things get crazy.  We hemmed and hawed on what color to paint the end chairs.  We wanted them to stand out but we were also nervous about them being crazy.  We decided to go big or go home and try a color.  We went Olympic's Gold Buttercup.  Which is perfect because one of my favorite sayings lately is "What's up, Buttercup?"

It's bright.  We think we like it.  It's a little bolder than our traditional style.  But it's growing on us.  Or is it too bold?  Eh. It's only paint.  If we don't like it, we'll bust out the paint sprayer again!

What do you think of the color?  Be kind. :P  Are you a fan of the ol' paint sprayer?

Mummy Costume

Yesterday was a big day at work.  My department (the pharmacy) won the Halloween costume contest!!!

I was the mummy.  I dyed a white sheet in some coffee.  (I smelled like toffee coffee all day.)  I ripped the sheets and pinned them to some long underwear.  I used a spray sock on my head.  I added a little black eye makeup and mummy done. 

I then realized that I needed gas in my car to get to work and I was dressed as a mummy.  Nate went and got it for me after some mummy begging.  Husbands. 

I had trouble looking at co-workers without laughing.  Patients either stared or wouldn't look me in the eye as I explained their medications to them.  You know, just another day at work. 

One of my co-workers had some cool embalming stuff and creepy Halloween decorations.  Another co-workers brought in some dry ice and food coloring.  Too much fun.

More importantly, Ike dressed up too.  He decided that he wanted to be Uncle Si from Duck Dynasty. 

The resemblance is uncanny. 

Did you have a good Halloween?  What was your favorite costume (either worn or seen)? 

Nutterbutter Ghosts

Alternate title: Things I'm Good At.  Things I'm Not

Because all holidays require a potluck at work, I whipped up my favorite Halloween treat.  Nutter Butter Ghosts!!! 

Nutter Butter ghosts fall firmly in the "Things I'm Good At" category.  They are super simple and you can still whip some up today!  And I can't ruin them so they are moron proof. 

These cute little guys are made of 3 ingredients: 

• 1 package Nutter Butter
• 1 package of some form of white chocolate.  I really like this CandiQuik brand. 
• Mini Chocolate Chips

All you do is melt the CandiQuik for about 1 min 30 seconds.  Dunk your Nutter Butter in the chocolate.  Use a fork to shake off excess chocolate.  Place them on wax paper.  Stick on two eye balls (mini chocolate chips). Let cool. Done-zo.   

That's my kind of treat. 

Now onto the "Things I'm Not Good At"

1.  Quickly adding a hover pin-it button to the blog.  I did it in Blogger but I hadn't done since my host change.  It really was ridiculously easy.  I just failed to type my blog address in correctly for like 45 minutes.   Oh my.  But there's a pin-it button now!!!

2.  Making Whoopie Pies.  I bought a $3 whoopie pie pan a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't wait to try it.  Man, did I fail the first two batches.  The first batch I managed to turn off the oven in the middle of baking (WHAT? WHO DOES THAT?).  The second I filled the pan too full.  My 3rd batch turned out darling.  I need some more whoopie pie practice.

Happy Halloween!  Are you dressing up today?  My place of employment dresses up every year.  I always enjoy trying to get an upset patient to take me seriously in costume.  The pharmacy always does a group costume.  This year we are doing a mad scientist lab theme.  (Check Instagram (decorandthedog) for pics! 

Do you have a costume this year?  Tell us all about it!