Citra Solv Transfer Method - French Cat Chair

The Citra Solv transfer method has become my favorite way to create my own design on fabric.  You can see the pillows that I made using this method HERE.
My sister wanted to recover 4 dining chairs, and requested a design that incorporated "French" and "Cats".

The above picture shows my supplies - bottle of Citra Solv Concentrate (I ordered mine online, I couldn't find it locally), small paint brush, old spoon and ruler.  I also made sure to use put something on the counter to absorb any extra - I used a paper grocery bag.

For my design, I found clipart cats online, and used MS Word for the text.  The text has to be a mirror image, so that when it is transferred, it will come out properly.  Computers and programs differ, but the program I used was Mac Preview (Tools - Flip Horizontal). 
The hardest part of the project might be finding a toner based printer/copy machine that will work with the Citra Solv.  I had to try a couple before I found one that worked (my local Kinkos copiers did not work).  I found an old copy machine in a grocery store that worked perfectly. 

 First step is to tape the design to the fabric, so it doesn't slide around.  I did mine in layers, starting with the cats.

A small paintbrush works well - dip it into the Citra Solv and lightly paint over the design.  The design will show through as soon as the liquid touches it.
The spoon is used to burnish the image - I used the back of the spoon to rub over the design.  It needs to be pressed fairly hard - but not hard enough that the paper rips. 

A large design with lots of solid area can come out kind of splotchy.  I don't mind, I was hoping for a Vintage-y look. 

 I used a ruler to line up the words.  Taped on and then burnished.

 I also added numbers to the bottom.  Same process as above.

And this is the finished product (it is still a little wet).  Once the Citra Solv has dried completely, I ironed it to set the image.
Check back to see the finished chairs!

Estate Finds

 These are a few of my most recent estate sale finds.  Above is a wire locker basket.

 Cute little French tin.

 An old wood box with great graphics.

 An old Victorian monogrammed clothes brush and a waffle server.

 A brass and marble souvenir of Paris, and a letter opener from the 50's.

 It has a a lady on one side,

 And a man on the other.  The both are very Mad Men-ish.

An old Brass Score Keeper's book for playing cards.

Jewelry Chest Makeover

For some time, I had been looking for a jewelry chest -cheap - that could hold my silver collections.

I finally found this one a few weeks ago at an estate sale.

I painted it gray - Almost Charcoal, by Valspar.

Then distressed it with sandpaper.

And finished it with dark wax. 

 Now I have the perfect place for my silver cocktail pieces, strawberry and lemon forks, fruit spoons and bonbon scoops.

 The drawer with the smallest spots holds salt spoons and napkin rings.

 I have a lot of napkin rings.

I'm not really sure what type of jewelry goes in this drawer, but it works for long cocktail forks and fish knives.

And the last large drawer works for larger serving pieces.

Linked up to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday.
and
Gypsy Fish's Silver Sunday.