Karen's Velveteen Habit

09/17/2026

Good Morning! 😵‍💫

The shop is one chaotic mess!

On the big work bench, the table top is drying from the first coat of poly on the skirt.

On the little workbench, I am trying to put the little yellow cabinet back together. Not cooperating.

Tucked under the table saw is Ilene’s little table. First round is sanding is done. Some veneer was glued back in place. More repairs needed on the spindle.

And on the corner table is Marnie’s telephone table, in pieces, with the rocking chair cushion and foam on top!

Today’s plan:
Finish the yellow cabinet.
Finish the rocking chair cushion.
Flip the table top over and and first coat of poly.

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/16/2026

Good Morning! ⚫️

Aud’s table had a black spot that needed some TLC.

A little tip for new DIYers……brush a little water over the stain, let it dry to raise the grain, and then sand using long strokes over the stain, don’t scrub just the stain. You’ll get a dip in your table top if you do that! Don’t ask me how I know that. 🤦🏼

Several rounds of this method and this one is almost gone. You can see it if you look really close. Will see what it looks like when I wipe it down with mineral spirits before top coating.

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/15/2026

Oh, isn’t this charming? Anyone a little more storage on their counter? I would love to try this!!! 🧡

An old drawer, a little paint, patterned paper, and a wooden rod can turn into this clever kitchen shelf, and the paper-towel trick is the best part. 🌿🛠️✨

09/15/2026

Good Morning! 🍽️

Audrey’s table top was stripped yesterday and is drying. Planning to get it sanded today.

Also, we have picked up 3 more little projects from Ilene’s garage of treasures. 😝

Since table tops have a lot of down time for drying in between coats, it’s good to have a few filler projects.

The little half round table is being stripped and top coated for a natural wood look.

The desk chair is being painted gray.

And the ornate corner shelf is being shored up for stability and polished.

All kinds of fun family pieces to rehab!

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/14/2026

Good Morning! ☕️

My next customer project, the oak table top, is in the shop. Just haven’t done a thing with it. 😆 Will start to strip it today.

In the mean time, check out this lovely chair I am going to try and rehab for the Market, if I don’t run out of time. It was headed to the dumpster when my friend Kim found it for me. Couldn’t let that happen. ♻️

Need to fix the chewed rocker. Need to fix the broken seat. Need to put on a new cover.

Found four pieces of fabric from my stash that are just big enough to cover the cushion.

Guess what one I picked for the Fall Market? 🍁🍃🍄‍🟫

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/13/2026

Good Morning! 🎃

I absolutely adore these little table top bookshelves!

Painted this one in the last of my Embre Rune orange paint by Melange.

Adding it to my Market lineup so if it speaks to you, mark your calendars and come see me on Saturday, October 10th from 10-2!

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/12/2026

Good Morning! 💍

Our rummage sale is finally done and all put away. And my legs are tired. But now we can focus on more projects!

I collected all kinds of wood pieces over the past year to rehab for this year’s Market.

One of the pieces is the cute vintage jewelry box. Removed the hardware, scuff sanded, and used up some thrifted glossy forest green spray paint.

Side note: gloss spray paint takes FOREVER to dry. Normal spray paint takes, what…20 minute to dry and recoat? I had to let this dry over night! Weird.

Added the hardware back on and Voila! A lovely splash of color for your dresser. 🌲

Market is less than a month away, see you then!

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/11/2026

I am playing shopkeeper at Under the Rust today from 10-2.

Come visit me and shop for something fun for Fall!

Bonny has all kinds of fabulous decor items for you. 🍂🍁🍃

09/11/2026

Good Morning! 👚

I am on day 2 of our rummage sale. Anyone else’s legs ache after roaming the cement garage floor all day? 🙋🏼

A few updates from the shop:

My cousin Audrey dropped off her oak table top to be refinished. That will go into the shop tomorrow.

We picked up the floral couch from Marketplace for Natasha. Yay! Thank you for having space to store it until we figure out our plan for it. Or I should say until Violet decides what she wants it to look like for the playroom at your new shop! 💜

I have sanded one little table top cabinet and will be painting it mustard yellow. 💛

And finally, I sanded and started spray painting a cute jewelry box a glossy forest green. 🌳 Should be done for tomorrow’s post!

Have a good day! 👵🏻

09/10/2026

Good Morning! ☕️

Another sneak peek of a piano bench I am bringing to the Market on Leonard St. in October.

So satisfying to use up a piece of thrifted upholstery fabric I have had in my stash for years. 😝

The frame was in great condition, so it got a nice polish before I added the newly upholstered cushion back on.

Love these little benches! Love pulling back layer after layer of old material. Love making them new again. 💙

Have a good day! 👵🏻