Recently in Furniture Refinishing Category

Happy New Year and thank you for your continued 
interest, and support, of Bluebird Gardens Quilts 
and Gifts. 

During the 14 years we've been in business, you have 
helped guide what we've made and offered, and I
personally appreciate hearing from each one of you!

In response to your requests, in 2012 we are making and 
offering more US-made baby quilts, such as 
Ninepatch Teddy Bears baby quilts, with patterns on both
sides including flannel.

We are also making more quilts with environmentally-friendly 
bamboo fill instead of cotton. If you haven't touched bamboo 
fill, it feels like cashmere and unlike cotton, is easily grown,
farmed and yes, it can also be easily washed. It costs a little
more than cotton but if more quilt manufacturers start using it, 
prices should come down.

Some of our new, bamboo-filled baby quilts are your 
personal favorite themes like Winnie the Pooh. (photo)

One of your favorite all-time  gifts is back, our 
quilter's goodies bags, now offered either as a 
quilted bag and or Hello Kitty bag.

It's been fun hearing from some of you who were 
counting on Santa getting your Missouri 
2012 Natural Events Calendars. 

Although Missouri Department of Conservation 
is sold out, we  still have some in stock.

Howard Furniture Care has added a wonderful 
new lemon-based furniture polish to their 
product line which doesn't leave a hazy build-up
 like other, spray products with a lemon scent. 
Still trying to  decide which one I like best, 
the orange oil or the new lemon oil!

If you're in mid-Missouri, stop by the new 11,000-square foot antique and art store
Route 66 Antiques and Art off I-44 exit 189. Antique primitives, art work and
our retail shop is there - plenty of space for vendors if you want to join us!
Call Martha Willy at 573-426-3300.

Poinsettias are a personal favorite but don't make it past the holidays. If you were
 given a Poinsettia, here are some tips on after-holiday care.

Thanks again for your support, emails and friendship, and here's to an exciting 2012!


 

"I  need to know how I can get up streaks on a coffee table caused by
sliding a 3 legged container on a coffee table. It looks like you 
took a candle and drew streaks. It is waxy looking."

Hi Eugenia,

Hard to say what it is and how to fix it without seeing it first. Can you 

send a photo?

Is the coffee table wood, and what kind of wood finish does it have?

What was the 3-legged container, does it have a wax base?

If there's a waxy build-up on the wood coffee table and it hasn't 
penetrated the wood finish, a good wood cleaner like Howard Wood Cleaner 
should work.

If there's damage to the coffee table finish, you'll need to first
determine what kind of finish the table has before deciding how to fix it.

If you have any other questions, please let me know!

"I am trying to refinish a 1950 solid walnut bedroom suite, and
pecan finished living room coffee table. I think your product may work,
because really only the finish is bad and sticky. My first question is
how to use Murphy soap without using water?"

Hi Phyllis,

What kind of finish is on the furniture - varnish, shellac or is it just
an unfinished wood?

First determine what wood finish you have so you will know how best to make repairs.

If it's varnish or shellac, Howard Furniture RestorAFinish won't work
unless you remove the finish, which is difficult to do and you loose all
the built-up patina, which gives wood furniture it's lovely character.

If the wood was treated with wax over the years and has wear and tear
marks, such as water rings, etc. then Howard Furniture RestorAFinish and the other
products will work well.

In terms of cleaning your wood, products like Murphy Oil Soap and Howard
Furniture Cleaner are especially designed to be mixed with water so 
the water doesn't penerate wood and cause damage. The oils protect wood fibers so water 
remove debris and not settle into wood cells, which is what causes the damage.

If you have any other questions, please let me know. Good luck!

Charlotte

Making life easier: custom quilts and gifts
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"I have this dining room table covered in stains. Have anything I can use without striping it?"

Hi Jason,

Bluebird Gardens Howard Furniture Refinishing starter kits were designed for customers like you!

Bluebird Gardens Howard Furniture Refinishing starter kits include everything you'll need to refinish a piece of furniture without striping it.

Know what kind of wood was used to make your table? Select the wood color to match stain so you can easily cover up scratches, water marks and other wear.

We've used Howard Furniture Refinishing products for years, including Howard RestorAFinish so feel free to email if you have questions.

Good luck!

Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens

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