My secret sauce!


I mentioned earlier about the special stain I use...ALL THE TIME! I love the richness that it gives the wood. Its none other than Provincial 211! It stains and seals all in one.

I love how it gets down in the cracks and gives a good aged look when I want it too.

I love how it changes my left over green paint into the best green ever. I will be so sad when I run out of this opps paint because it works so well with the sauce!

Now the "sauce" can be tricky if you are not careful. On these boards that I did for a job in December I didn't leave the sauce on for long. They wanted a lighter look rather than aged.

While working with the sauce you just never know how its gonna turn out but let me just tell you... I have always been happy with my results.

Now you may want to go a bit lighter or darker or even red tones. Its just what fits your fancy. Now remember what kind of wood you choose plays a big roll in how your sauce will look. I use pine most of the time but just a tip... take a piece and paint a small spot. After it drys you can stain the painted area and get an idea of how it will look. Have fun stain'in....and remember...the secret is in the sauce!
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32 comments:

  1. Great ideas! I had no idea there were so many different colors of the Minwax. It is always good to know where to start when you are trying to satin something. The voice of experience is always welcome here! Thank you for sharing.

    Charla

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  2. Cool! I use the same "sauce" when I am aging things! Nice to know that I am not the only one!

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  3. Love your ideas! You are so inspiring and totally have me wanting to start a new project! Just need to carve out some time! :)

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  4. Thanks so much for the staining instructions. I have gotta try it!

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  5. Thanks for the tip! I'm going to be doing a dresser, mirror and bookcase in the next few weeks and I am going to use your "sauce"

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  6. Great ideas! Too bad I'm not crafty!! But I love all that you do! Very nice!

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  7. That looks like the perfect sauce! :)

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  8. AnonymousJune 08, 2009

    Susie, I love all your signs, I have a lot of signs around the house. They add so much character.

    LeAnn:)

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  9. I love your signs! I know at one time you were selling them on etsy...right? Is there a way we can order one? I would love to have a name sign!

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  10. Girl you just bring your sauce over and work on my shoe molding while I get the new wood floors. Camo Man told me you will be house sitting...THANKS

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  12. Can I come house sit with you at Missy's? : ) Hee hee hee

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  13. I have always wanted to find a great stain...I have also been afraid to try any out without knowing something, so thank you for posting this!

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  14. Thanks for sharing your "secret"! I will have to try this sometime!

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  16. ooh, I think that is what I need on my kitchen table. I need to sand it and re stain it. One of those walnut colors. So that would seal it from problems that kitchen tables get? I wonder what to wipe it down with if I put that on it. I could just get a new table, Kmart has my exact table for $99. I think this is cheaper!

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  17. ...Use it ALL the time! Dark Walnut is my color!

    Mandy

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  18. Isn't it amazing when you find something that just works perfectly time and time again?! Great signs!
    ~Michelle

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  19. ...pretty cool. it's amazing how a stain can change things so much! thanks for sharing, xo, mickey

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  20. Hey, there! I love that provencial stain too & have used it many times myself. It is great for aging. Come on by & see me, it's been awhile since you popped your cute self by. :)

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  21. I've been wanting to get into staining. Especially my coffee table and entertainment center. Loved this post. Thanks for all the saucy inspiration!!

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  22. Hi Susie, you use my special sauce also. I use mostly the natural and oak and I love that you don't have to seal it, but I do use the wax they sell and give it a good rub. Your ideas are always a joy to read and you should have a decorating business with that talent. Miss coming by, but might be giving in to dial up in the country. Love and hugs, Pat

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  23. What a cool and interesting. It is very helpful. Thanks for visiting my blog.....You didn't see the floats on the sidebar?

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  24. I love all of your signs. What a great tip! Love that stain color...think I'm going to have to try it.
    Heather:)

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  25. Susie,

    I love stain too. The problem is I get stressed out trying to pick out the right shade. We stained almost all the woodwork in the new house. Each type of wood made the stain color look different. But it's all done now and I'm so happy with it all.

    Debbie

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  26. Hi Susie!

    You know that elusive bird shower curtain I sent you? Well, I am giving away my last one on my blog and I know you had a lot of readers who were interested in finding one themselves. I wanted to let you know in case you wanted to let them know!

    And, since all of the winners bid amount will go to the Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes to help find a cure for my daughter and so many others, I would be so thankful as well.

    This is the post on my blog: http://19butternut.blogspot.com/2009/06/elusive-bird-shower-curtain.html

    Just wanted to let you know! Hope you are well!

    ~Stacy

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  27. Thanks for sharing another one of your secrets! I always love your results!

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  28. I can't wait to try your sauce. I have plans to repaint my hutch and table this summer. I am so thrilled to get to this project. Not so thrilled about emptying the hutch, though. LOL
    Ruth

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  29. I love your blog and left you a suprise on mine!! Enjoy and Congrats!!

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  30. Just a thought, but before you run completely out of that "oops" green that you love, take it to the paint dept. at one of your favorite hardward stores. They will be able to use the computer to "read" your color and mix you more of the "oops" before it's used up and you don't have a sample left. (Does it sound like I've been in your 'paint shoes' before?!)
    Love your blog!

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  31. Thanks so much, I've heard other good things about MinWax and look forward to trying it.

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Thanks for stopping by. It's always so nice to hear from you.

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