Time Will Tell: Chalk Paint Clock

For the first Christmas of our marriage,

my husband got me a clock.

I had requested a clock that chimed

because my parents had one,

and a house just seemed like it needed a chiming or loud ticking clock

to make it feel like home.

(I guess it's what you're used to, right?

We have to shut it off when my in-laws come

or it will keep my Father-in-law up all night;

poor Dad W.)

Clocks are so symbolic,

aren't they?

...the minutes we breathe

etching out the moments of our lives...

But today I'll spare you all that,

and just tell you that

I felt like the clock needed some reviving:

a new look for our marriage on the verge of its teenage years.

My Annie Sloan "Provence" chalk paint seemed the simple solution.

After quickly base-coating it,

I added "Graphite" chalk paint

on the bottom ledge,

on the metal around the face,

and an edging at the top.



 After that was dry...

...I watered down some of the "Old White" chalk paint

and gave a light wash to the whole thing.

I have to admit,

I was a bit nervous smearing on the paint,

not knowing what it would look like,

but figured if it failed,

I could just paint it again.

The next morning,

I sanded some patches here and there on the clock...

where I thought it might get scraped up 

in everyday use.

To finish it, I waxed it using clear wax 

and then went really heavy on the colored wax to

get the look that I wanted.

(I'm finding that the more colored wax I use,

the more the textures in the layered paints comes through,

and the older it looks.)

I want to reveal the other fun things I've done to my fireplace mantel:

I've found some great yard sale buys last weekend

and love the way they've changed the look

to this spot!

I'll have to save those for the coming days.

Thank you for stopping in!

I hope it was time well spent.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist at least one pun).

Linking up to the fun at:
Shades of Amber: Chalk Paint Link Party 

Miss Mustardseed: Furniture-Feature-Fridays


Funky Junk Interiors: Sat-Nite-Special


Between Naps on the Porch


A Bowl Full of Lemons


Not just a Housewife