Sunday, February 19, 2012

All Kinds Of Fun

First...
 I wanted to thank Vanessa and Heather
featuring my Blue Print Artwork
last week for Inspiration Friday!
Ladies,
 I am deeply honored!

I also wanted to thank Barbara
for passing along to me the

Award!
Once again Barbara....
 a heartfelt thank you!
If you have never visited Barbara
it is well worth the time to pop over to say hello!
She is full of yummy recipes!
Inspiring Tablescapes
Furniture Redos and much, much more!

Last week I finally took a minute to unpack
my silver that had been packed away for
the better part of the year during our move.
Needless to say,
 it needed polished!
And wouldn't you know it...
some where during the move my silver polish went MIA!
I had heard there were homemade alternatives
so Friday afternoon
I conducted a few experiments!
I first tried the Hot Method.
I filled my large pot with water (about 3 inches).
In the bottom I placed a piece of tin foil.
On top of the tin foil I put about
1 1/2 teaspoon of both salt and baking soda.
Warning...
 the next step involves patience...
let your mixture come to a
boil!
Then simply.... dip!
Rinse...
Repeat if needed...
Then buff!
I was shocked....
It worked!
Not only did it work,
 it only took a few minutes per piece!
and I have to admit, my silver has never been shinier!
side by side... after and before!
I have to also confess that the job
of polishing the silver the traditional way 
 always "seems"  like fun. 
 But no sooner than I get started
I am ready to be done! 
This method had me searching the house
for more things to dip!
I did have to apply the second method (good old toothpaste)
on a few stubborn or super sized pieces including...
My monogrammed antique serving spoons
and my large serving tray!
The toothpaste method worked too!

Project #2
Remember my little brown bench?
Thanks to all your support and encouragement....
I stepped out of my comfort zone...
and painted it blue!

I love it! 

Stay tuned because Wayne
 just wrapped up another
project that I can't wait to share with you!

I am linking up to
at Between Naps On the Porch!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on your feature and on your award! Love your sliver pieces. And your bench is adorable. Have a great week XO Cindy

Jen said...

Love the blue!!! And my silver desperatly needs a polish so I am going to have to give those methods a try!! Can't wait to see what Wayne did!! By the way, you can change to the new comment embedded option now, it works finally!

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Hi Dee Dee...

Love the blue bench under the blue artwork...perfect together!! I love panted furniture. Also going to try one of your silver polishing methods...that first one was amazing.

And thank you so much for the kinds words about 21 Rosemary Lane...you are just too sweet girl!!!

Have a great week and looking forward to seeing more of your creativity at work!!!

Christine said...

These Awards are perfect for you!
Congratulations!

Now, the silver polish...that is amazing. I've always used the commercial paste.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Polishing silver is not my favorite thing to do but I do love how it looks after! Love the blue on your bench...good for you! hugs, Linda

CJ Foss said...

I have never heard of either of these homemade silver polishing techniques but am so excited to try. I actually like silver polishing because it allows me time to think about where I got each piece and remember my happiness at either finding it or receiving it as a gift. I once read a book about meditations of the soul that changed my outlook on these simple acts. Not that my house is that much cleaner or shinier now, but I don't hate it as much! Thanks for the great ideas! CJ

Teresa said...

The bench looks beautiful blue! Perfect with your blueprints! Can't wait to see what else you've been working on. We don't have any silver but if we do get any I'll be using your homemade polish technique. Don't you love a homemade remedy?!

foreverdecorating said...

I did a tutorial last year on the hot method of polishing silver and you are right, it's easy and sure does a good job. Now about that bench...It is soooo much better in blue because it plays off the blueprint and the pillows! Well done.

thistlewoodfarm said...

Your bench looks incredible! Thanks for sharing the inspiration.

blessings,
karianne

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

That baking soda method is crazy, right? My mom tipped me off after spying my tarnished champagne flutes on her last visit.

And that bench is so much more suited to blue. I might even sit there ...

:)

Linda

Sue said...

I have never tried this method. I sort of find polishing the silver relaxing, but this would be so much faster! Note to self: next time this is the way to go!

Michelle said...

You did it!!! I'm so glad you painted it blue. It really pops---I love it!

I can't wait to see what's next!