Spray Painting Safety

I was working in the garage this weekend in between coats of spray painting outside.    As I was moving back and forth between projects, I was reflecting on a few emails I have received regarding painting techniques. 
I am always happy to help a fellow DIYer out. In general, it's a light sanding, prime, and several coats of paint that gives the best finish. 

I am NEVER asked about spray painting safety.
I am concerned that many of you are wearing this for protection This is a dust mask and does not offer any protection against harmful fumes. I wear this when I am cutting wood or lightly sanding something.
I know I have shown you the mask I wear for spray painting,  but I have never stressed the importance of it.

This is the exact mask I wear EACH AND EVERY TIME I spray paint. 

The warning on the side of the paint can is there for a reason.

This mask has changeable filters designed for paint fumes. I like to have extra filters on hand. 

You can purchase these masks in many hardware stores. The price can vary greatly, so if you buy it online (the best price) make sure you get free shipping....we can have safety and a bargain, too.

Want to know how serious I am about this.....check out the comment I left for Cathy when I saw her husband spray painting without a mask. 

I want everyone to be safe...and then crafty!

Decades from now we probably won't be blogging, although I might want to make changes to the Senior Center I will be frequenting.  

And hopefully we will all have our health.

Do you wear a good mask?

Gold Animals

I know you have all seen the gold pigs that are popping up all over the place.
Let's face it, gold is the new white for spray paint Botox.

via

This DIY makeover from With an i.e. is so fun.

With an i.e.

It is the triple motivation I needed to transform these

My set of Smith & Hawken ducks. I have had them for years and they could really use a new coat of something. What do you think? Is gold the answer?

The Little Black Door is Here!...Guest Post

I have a secret confession, Elizabeth and I share e-mails regarding cocktails....among other things. It is my pleasure to have a visit from

Hey My Crafty Home Lifers! I'm Elizabeth from little black door and I'm thrilled to be here with you today. Those of you that know me know that I like to do as much as I can to a room without having to spend the earth. A home feels better with some character, I think, and what better way to add character than with a little ingenuity and the occasional glue gun burn.  So I thought I would share some of my favorite DIY projects using as little dough as possible, or every better, things I already had on hand. These wrapping paper panels added a great focal point to my bedroom for practically nothing.

A can of gold metallic spray paint on some dingy old lamp shades from the basement and now I can read by disco-light.

Desperation and a bottle of bleach sometimes work out for the best. These monogramed shams were a successful experiment.

A $2 stool, picked up at the last minute, was spruced up with some left over spray paint and fabric. Rest your cute shoes on this sucker.

I corralled all of the odd ball frames I wasn't using from around the house and made a gallery wall for zero bucks.

This table was a steal at an estate sale and with a coat of black paint and some gold dipped feet it is ready for the living room. Now I just need to give her twin the same treatment.

Make sure to take a second look at that ugly table in your basement or the sad little lamp at the garage sale. They can often become your favorite thing in a room! Thank you to the Lovely Linda for having me!

That is why I love Elizabeth! Thanks for coming by