Me and Milk Paint

I am back!! Oh my goodness! It has been since June 19th since I have posted. That is ridiculous... although that happens to be the anniversary of the day my husband proposed. Anyway! We have our house on the market, which I am learning is way more time consuming that I thought it would be. Watching babies all day, loading them up, keeping them entertained during showings (which are always during nap time!) and then coming back and trying to establish a routine. Makes it hard to do projects... especially when this sissy likes to paint inside and not out in the hot Texas heat. I know... first world problem!
After a failed contract and a reality check, I decided to focus more on real life than real estate life. We are still on the market, but I am going to live life and not worry about selling. I say that at least... we will see if I follow through....

In the midst of all that, I was able to take a creative break and paint  a desk for a sweet friend. She found the Bombay desk for a steal at a garage sale and decided she wanted it to look similar to the last desk I did. She just wanted the drawers a different color blue. So, we hunted for the right color and she thought she found it with French Enamel in Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint.

So we picked up the desk and put it in my mess of a garage. I have a million projects in there that should keep me busy for months! I also forgot to take a picture of the before, but here it is in pieces.

I had a friend tell me that MMS Milk Paint was worth it... just have perseverance and keep going. So I mixed up the French Enamel first thinking drawers would be easier on me than the big bases. I am so glad I picked this color first.... 

I didn't use the bonding agent because the surface wasn't slick (well my definition of slick and others are obviously different). It was finished so... holy chippy paint batman. 

I added the bonding agent (and moved inside!!) and was much happier with the result! This is only one coat. But it stuck! woohoo!

So, I was feeling confident and mixed up the Ironstone for the bases... the exact same way I did the French Enamel. And I even followed the directions to a 'T' which so not me. I am the person who can't give recipes away because I always change something or wing it. So the next picture is the first coat on one of the bases of the desk... 

And then the other base... I must apologize in advance for the upcoming pun, but when the paint started to drip and run and look like, well, milk... I got frustrated. I remember what my friend said... keep going, its worth it, it goes on like water. So, I persevered for five more coats and while it did cover the stain, it looked terrible. I reached out to the same 'perseverance friend'. She told me I must have gotten a bad bag after I said 'yes' or 'I did' to every question she fired at me. I am not sure if she believed that or wanted to make me feel better. I am going with the latter. 

So the night before my client was supposed to pick up the desk, I threw on some plaster paint from The Plaster Paint Company and it covered it perfectly. I was so tired that night, I forgot to take a picture, so when she arrived to load it the next morning, I tried to snap a few pictures. Not the best quality.... but at least you get an idea of the finished product! 

I still have some leftover paint in both colors and will probably forget the experience eventually and use it all up. I love Miss Mustard Seed and I am sure there was a bunch of user error in this process. I hope she would show me in person how to use the paint, but until that happens (like never) it will just take time until I use up the rest of the supply. Though I would be okay if she is willing.... :)