Something for Little Rumps

When we first moved out here I started working on this mini picnic table I found in the shed.  I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing, and it showed.  I painted it red... I have no idea what kind of paint I used, but it looked worse than awful. The word "hideous" comes to mind. I hid it in the shed where it sat  for many more years collecting dust.

Once I found all these wonderful blogs that I visit, I gained a wealth of information for which I am eternally grateful.  That is what encouraged me to drag it back out of the shed and correct the error of my ways.

I felt like a true professional when I lightly sanded and primed the hideousness.

I even put it on a pallet, just like Martha Stewart recommends : )

It is apparent this little table was used a great deal over the years... get a load of all that hidden character that came to life after a good scrubbing.

I decided to paint the legs white and stain the top and benches just so it wouldn't look like your ordinary every day little picnic table.

But before I did that, I rubbed some stain on the legs to bring out all the dents and dimples and character that makes this little table so special.

I used a deep mahogany stain for contrast and I love it!  Don't ask me why, but I was thinking Little House on the Prairie the whole time I was working on it.

After applying a couple coats of varnish on the stained surfaces, I got out the steel wool and knocked down the shine.  I used a satin finish, but the unevenness of the boards left some areas pretty shiny and I just couldn't have that.

Then it was time to stage a couple of the little rumps it was intended for...

Rump approved!

I have a feeling we are going to get a lot of good use out of this little picnic table.

We will use it out on the deck those 6.5 days per year that it isn't raining, snowing, freeing,windy, humid, hotter than blazes or buggy.  The rest of the time it will serve well indoors for meals and play time for all the little rumps around here and there's even room for Nolan and Marlee!

I'm joining all the other fabulous creations you can find at these great parties:

Prior Lives Party

Under The Table and Dreaming

Trendy Treehouse Creative Share

I do hope you will hop over to their parties and enjoy!