Do you have a broken resin statue you need to repair?
We did it and it was easy!! You'd never know there was damage.
Check out the quick and easy DIY.
Many years ago, on the way back from a trip out east, we stopped at a farmstead. There are lots of them out there and they're all so sweet, it's impossible to skip one.
Even when they're all selling the same thing. Sunflowers, strawberries, tomatoes and corn.
Oh. And pie.
Lots of pie.
My husband knows the drill. He instinctively pulls over without being asked. I guess that comes from too many years of Wait! Go back!!
Anyway, on that one trip, I found a cow. I remember that my mom spotted it first.
Kimmie, this would look great in your kitchen.
And she was right. It had that rustic-cottage-farmhouse style look...plus I didn't own a cow and I'd always loved them.
They reminded me of college, when I lived upstate, they were everywhere. I used to have to stop my car and wait, while the farmers led their herds across the street, from pasture to barn.
I mean really, is there anything more charming than that?
Anyway, at $30, she was a little pricey and my mom wanted to buy her for me, she was always treating me to things - So many sweet memories - but I was a big girl now with a house and family of my own. I figured I could get this one myself.
So along with a bag of apples and some cookies, that cow hopped in the minivan with us.
She was tan and black and pretty big and sat on my pine server for years. The kids loved her, like a pet.
Hi cow!, they would say, as they ran her by after school. She was a real part of the family.
Until. You knew it was coming.
Until one day, for no reason, my plate rack just fell off the wall, crashed into the cow, who hit the floor and smashed into too many pieces to repair.
And trust me. We tried.
I think my DIY guy was the most upset. There aren't a lot of things he can't fix and this was very disappointing to him.
So much so, that for years, he's been looking for another cow, just like it, but so far no luck.
Honestly, the only place I've seen a cow even close is on my friend Brenda's blog. She has one that's similar, but smaller.
Well, fast forward to December. We were in HomeGoods, looking around and my husband found this darling resin statue.
Not even remotely the same cow, as this one had friends, but my husband was very taken with it and insisted on buying it for me.
You have to have it. You need another cow.
How could I refuse?
I mean, come on, when you're a decor addict and a guy wants to buy you cow, you always say yes.
So this little barnyard pyramid came home with us. And all was well. For about a month.
Until.
Yup. I kid you not.
Somehow, someway, he knocked into it (while doing the dishes...so who could be mad at him?) and it broke.
It wasn't a bad break, just a crack in the goat's legs, but enough to knock his feet loose and expose the heavy wire that held that statue together.
He was mad. There was no way this repair was going to get the better of him. So off to the garage he went.
When he emerged, the legs were better. He used a simple two part epoxy glue to glue the feet down to the cow, where they had separated and let them dry.
Then he used a two part epoxy putty to rebuild the part of the legs that were missing and once they were dry, he sanded them with a fine sandpaper so they were perfectly smooth.
It's a process we've used since to repair a yard sale lamp.
It looked amazing. I couldn't believe what a great job he did.
And yet, I totally could.
So I put it back on the counter, thinking we were done. Of course, he wasn't satisfied with that.
No. Now it's your turn. Fix the finish.
What?? I can't fix that. Are you kidding? It's like a professional finish. They sprayed that or something.
No. Get out your paints and Exquisitely Unremarkable it up...
It'll never match...
Try it.
So I did.
First I mixed two paint colors together, tested it and when I was 99% sure it was right, I painted it on the putty with a small bristle brush.
I was ready to leave it that way, when I decided, I wasn't a quitter either.
Again I peeked at my paint collection and tried to find a match for the spots.
Then I took a very small, very square, very stiff bristled brush, dipped it in the paint, dabbed it onto a piece of paper towel to remove any excess and gave it two random, quick pounces on each leg.
And wow...it worked. I have to admit I was shocked.
So was he.
And yet he wasn't.
That little piece of farmhouse kitchen decor looks as good as new now.
But we've both agreed.
We're done with cows.
Psst- not quite...I had to give it one more try!
Who knew they were so much trouble?
Guess they're better left on the farm.
Have you had any cow mishaps?
Oh Kim, I love this story and how the two of you fixed the statue. It looks great and you can't even tell that you both repaired it. I do miss going out to the farms and I hope to maybe go out there this summer! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie! I told him to just toss it, but he wouldn't hear of it...glad he stuck it out and fixed it. SO cute.
DeleteNever give up! Ha! That's a great life lesson from a cow...and a goat...aaaand a hubby.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes!! I'm glad no one gave up, it really is cute.
DeleteI love cows - I grew up on a dairy farm! But I don't have them in the house, so no mishaps.. :)
ReplyDeleteYou both did great on the fix. You would never know there was a problem!
I think your dairy farm days sound dreamy, Mari. That's always been my dream...but alas, I was born on this island. So cows in the kitchen it is! 😉
DeleteKim, I'm convinced there is nothing you can't fix or make better than new! This is awesome, you can't even tell! I don't have cows in my kitchen, but you can be sure there are chickens. Maybe I need to find a cow... seems like it makes life a lot more interesting, lol! Loved your story of the cow, and I loved the sweet story of you and your mother buying the cow. I can't resist little farmer's markets either. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn. I'm glad he pushed me to try to fix it. It makes me smile whenever I see it now...and of course it's even more special since it has a story!
DeleteI love cows in a field! I hope to paint some one day. You guys did a great job.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your painting, Penny!
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteSuch a great story. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Love the statue. Put bumpers or safety tape around the perimeter to avoid injury again.
Have a great day
Cindy
Teamwork makes the dream work...Love it, Cindy!
DeleteWhat a great story and great repair job. For a long while I had red barns and black and white cows in my kitchen. They add such a happy feeling to a room.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lorri, something about farm decor does make me happy! I feel like a kid again...
DeleteKim you and your hubster did a great job on fixing this sweet cow. Such a sweet story too. I love the color combo of the cow and his friends. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thanks Kris. It was really a unique one...I'm glad we fixed it. They make me smile.
DeleteGreat story. I bet your hubby felt bad about breaking it. Great job on fixing and matching. We had a bad wind storm last year and our console table blew over and broke some of the edge off. My husband fixed it and then he painted it. Great match and I am happy. Those things do happen.
ReplyDeleteLinda, he felt so bad. He was so excited when he found it and then so upset when it was broken in short order. I'm glad we make it look like new...
DeleteNo. I have plenty of clumsy mishaps, but so far not with a cow! Mine is in the closet. I have limited surfaces to put it on. And then...there's Ivy.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Ivy...adorable. And I get it!!
DeleteWhat a sweet story!!! I have many farmyard animals in my country kitchen, I've always been a fan!! Some of them have seen better days, but I still keep them around!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie! Funny how those farmhouse animals capture your heart. I think I may need a bigger kitchen!
DeleteI love your story! I have always liked cows and wanted a real one when I was very young. It did got to live in a farm after I married a farmer but sadly he had no cows! I love your ingenuity and talent with the repair! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteFarm living has always been my dream, Angela. Of course, I'd have to have a cow. Until then, I'm glad I have my cow in one piece again.
DeleteNow that's called TEAM WORK! Tada!!!! Good as new, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI chuckled when you said your mom spotted your first cow. And said," Kimmie, this would look great in your kitchen". I love how she knows you so well!
Thanks Christine! Team work for sure..I couldn't have done it alone.
DeleteYou two have a lot of patience! I'm afraid that me and my hubby would be like, "Put it with the other broken stuff that we're going to fix 'someday' on top of the bar in the basement" - or else I'd donate it.
ReplyDeleteI also have to give kudos to your husband for actually suggesting you buy something when you're at HomeGoods! ;-)
Patience with some things, Melanie! I'm glad he decided to take this on, because it was above my skill set.
DeleteYour stack of farm animals reminds me of a children's book, the name of which escapes me right now! We haven't had any cow mishaps, but we did a have pig smash to the floor. It was 'Tiger Pig' and we've never found another one. Maybe someday...
ReplyDeleteOh Ann, I know what you're talking about, but I also can't remember the name. And I feel your Tiger Pig pain...I miss my big cow.
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading this post! Even chuckled once or twice!! I am not into Farmhouse but I do love Roosters as more of a French Country look!! That is a great piece though and Kudos to both you and your hubby on the excellent repair!!
Hugs,
Debbie
I started with roosters Debbie, that was the beginning of my kitchen barnyard. Now it's a farm animal free for all!! Hahaha!!
DeleteSorry about breaking up with your first cowfriend...but look at the new one--now re-newed and perfectly imperfect--although the imperfections don't show. lol
ReplyDeleteThe only mishap I have ever had with a cow was when one pinned me against the fence when I was a kid- a pet cow that didn't know its own strength. xo Diana
Oh...your mishap sounds much worse, Diana! My husband had a similar incident with bull. He jumped a fence thinking he could outrun it...no dice. 😉
DeleteKim, I'm so glad you could fix it and you both really did a great job. Looks good as new. I love that little stack of critters. I have a doorstop with the same ones. It is metal so no chance of breakage. I made a ceramic brown and white cow years ago but, unfortunately, I sold it (or it got lost in the 1989 earthquake). Wish I still had it..Maybe someone is loving it after all these years..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteAn earthquake!! Well that's a crazy cow story for sure. Our cow losses were much less dramatic. I'm glad they're put back together though.
DeleteWow, it looks all brand new Kim! You & the hubs make a good team!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! I'm happy it's all back in one piece.
DeleteOh, dear! Cows seem to have some bad luck when they come to your house:) But the repair job looks awesome!!! Your hubby sounds "sorta" like mine, except mine thinks he can fix anything and it look OK but in reality he is great at the repair but it doesn't always look so good!!!!!!!! He's had to learn to fix things though because he's like a bull in a china shop!!!!
ReplyDeleteCheri, you are so right! Maybe we should start collecting new animals. Sheep or pigs perhaps? I saw a really cute sheep paper towel holder recently. I think I may have to get it. And keep it away from my husband!!
DeleteHoly cow!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a cow, but Steve has several Japanese good luck cats. He was crushed when a little one fell off a shelf. He patiently glued that thing back together.
Apparently our guys are good at gluing!! Thank goodness!
DeleteHi Friend,
ReplyDeleteI always love your posts Kim.
We started our spring cleaning this week. The power of the vacuum cleaner.. we were vacuuming the tongue and groove ceiling. Well the vacuum air blew off a giraffe that was sitting on the bookshelf. He is a gift from a friend who served two tours in Iraq and gifted us the giraffe. So I was very sad about the giraffe hitting the floor and did not even want to look. Thankfully, it was an easy fix for my husband to do, the giraffe broke his leg.. today he is back on the bookshelf. And I will be more careful with the power of the vacuum.
Ah the vacuum. It happens, but as I said to Carol above, thank goodness our guys are good with glue!
DeleteI know that "things" are just unimportant stuff but we sure do love our favorite things and are sad when they get broken. No cows here but I have a vintage framed print of a cute pig family that I would take with me to a nursing home someday if called for someday. I smile at it every day and I can tell your family felt that way about your cow. Great job, both of you!
ReplyDeleteI have an affinity for pigs too, Dewena. I have a sleeping one, a shelf sitter on my stove hood and a pair of salt and pepper shakers. Pepper has a chipped leg, no way to glue him, but I love him anyway! And thank you, Dewena!
DeleteYou are both so right for each other <3 What a marvelous fix and little Billy goat looks like he/she never even broke a leg. But please don't say you're done with cows Kim. That would be sad. Maybe you can just stick with the flat stencilled ones for now ;-) but only for a little while until you find that special one you lost from yesteryear.
ReplyDeleteI keep my fingers crossed, Michelle. I'm still hopeful! And thank you for your sweet words!
DeleteThank you, Teri! He really wanted to make it right and I love him for it...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story,! You & your hubby’s teamwork is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have a challenge for you both! My hubby passed away in July. Our sweet daughter-in-law bought me a St Francis statue that a a deer and other animals. Somehow before or after his funeral someone accidentally broke the ear off the deer. I never did find the ear. My question is what do I use to make a new ear to put back on the deer. It is an outdoor resin statue. I’m determined to get that repaired statue in the memory garden that I’m working on for my hubby of 45 years✨
Any advice?
Thanks from SE, IA
Sharon
Hi Sharon, thanks for reaching out.
DeleteFirst of all, I'm so sorry for your loss.
The garden sounds like a lovely idea. I hope you can get that statue fixed. The process we outlined here should work. The product can be used outdoors and should stand up to the elements.
Home Depot makes a two part putty epoxy called JB Weld Kwikwood or Waterweld that comes in a little tube. Clean the area first. Then cut a piece that you need, wear gloves, knead it in your hands and then shape the ear and add it to the deer. Now, if you wanted it to really hold, not knowing the project exactly, my husband said, he might screw a stainless screw into the area to create a post of sorts first, then build the epoxy around that to shape the ear. It just might give it strength and staying power. That can be tricky though, you don't want to crack the statue, so it's not necessary.
Once cured, you can file or sand the epoxy to shape it further and then paint it to match the rest of the deer. I really hope that helps! Good luck on that garden...and let us know how it works out. Kim
Thank you so much!
DeleteThank you so much! If I can figure out how I will post a pic of my attempt at repairing this treasure for hubby’s memgarden!
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure, Sharon, and you can always send me an email of the picture (kim@exquisitelyunremarkable.com) and I can post it or you can share it on my Exquisitely Unremarkable Facebook page. Good luck!!
DeleteKim, thanks for sharing your story! I felt silly with how upset I was over my broken one of a kind patriotic resin gnome but very few things inspire such joy in me and make me feel like again! It’s weird how a coincidental find at TJ MAXX has had that effect on me! I’m glad found your blog! My husband accidentally broke it unreeling our garden hose in a scurry when a defective firework exploded tonight. Thank God he is safe! But my precious garden gnomie was a casualty. He feels terrible so repairing our Star Spangle gnomie will be our next project together. I hope we’re as successful as we have some large gaps to fill of missing pieces. I’ll try to keep you posted! : )
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, Mari! I'm so sorry, that sounds scary and upsetting on several levels. I'm glad everyone is safe and I really do hope this trick works for your beloved gnomie. I get it. It's hard to know why we get so attached to certain things in the way we do...and why it always seems to be those cherished items that get broken. My only tip is to go slow when building it up the larger areas, but it can be done. I really do hope you keep me posted. I'd love to hear that your gnome is 100% soon!! Good luck!!!
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