A Teeny Weeny Re-Do

Not sure how a person is to sit on the sofa (with ice on knee) or lie in the bed (with leg elevated),

 and be productive.

I've used up so much yarn crocheting that I'm pretty sure Wal Mart and Hob Lob don't have any left.

I've watched so much TV that I can tell you all 400 channels by number that DISH has to offer.

I've eaten orange sherbet until my skin looks like I am sunburned and this is supposed to go on for 3 months? Please...

While sitting, I've looked at every room in my house and mentally re-arranged it...

today, I decided that I couldn't do much but the living room needed a little "summering" up.

Here's the fireplace wall "before"...

I know some of you are horrified that I still use "oriental" rugs and a brass fireplace cover...

but ever since I saw Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds,  

I have been afraid a bird might come down the chimney and escape into the house...what would I do?

Notice the black chair?

 I sat at an auction for 7 hours one day waiting on that chair to come up for bid...

and I wasn't going to get outbid...

I waited and waited and bid and bid and finally victoriously brought the thing home

(paid way too much)...and it's been there by the fireplace ever since.

But summer means light...that chair and pillow is NOT light.

I thought about the thrift store chair that  I re-painted and re-covered.

(I did it on the back porch..sitting...and leg elevated, sort of.)

It is solid wood and painted Old White by Annie Sloan... Fabric is from Hancock's.

I had every intention of taking it to the store, but I sat it by the fireplace just to rest

and she captured my "summer" heart!

I brought in some rusted white iron doves and I think I love it!

I painted my baby spoon holder to match...and guess what else?

I re-painted the duck egg blue table by my chair...Old White... I distressed it and  let the blue show through...I love it, too!

I also stood up long enough to Mod Podge these old maps of England

onto two panels I found at the thrift store...

they are going to the shop!

Now, this was just a teeny weeny little re-do...

but it certainly made me feel that I had done something worthwhile today...

Time to ice the knee,

Until I Saw A Woman With No Legs...

This is a good morning for reflection.....

 Last week as I waited for physical therapy (grumbling inside because I hurt),

a woman with no legs arrived for her therapy. Enough said.

                               

 As I thought an unkind thought about my husband because he didn't pick up the pillow that had fallen off the front porch rocker during a little wind, he called me to a delicious breakfast he had made.

As I re-visited some heated words my son and I had yesterday at the store,

he motioned for me to come to the back of the auction house

so he could load my purchases.

 I have made a conscious choice to finally release my desire to have a perfect circle of friends and family, a formal dining room, a studio, a log cabin in the woods (or better the mountains), to be thin,

to be young again, have everything go my way....

In doing so,  I have to admit something I have learned....

life is too short to continually re-visit unpleasant events and unfulfilled dreams.

Dreams are ok, as long as they don't obscure the present and make you ungrateful.

My home, the physical house, is what it is. As of May 24, 2012, there will very probably no more chances for "add ons" or complete re-do's...so? Is my life any less blessed? Maybe a bigger, better house would be more comfortable, but hey, this one is paid for. It's in pretty good shape. 

It's infinitely better to live in the moment and be grateful for an abundant life.

Always striving for more is exhausting, folks.

We must do the very best with what we have been graciously given.

 If that means moving around pieces in and outside the house and inside your heart, to make something function better, or paint or repurpose what we have...great...but let's not waste another precious second crying over spilled milk.

Examples of "spilled" milk (aka: what might have been):

*It would be nice to be 5'6" tall and weigh 115 lbs...but it "ain't" happening, (unless when I DO have knee replacement, the doctor agrees to add a 5" dowel in each leg during the operation...and the 115? Haha.)

* It would be great to have a 4,000 sq ft home with every little detail "just right"...but then you'd have to dust all that space...hmmm, small is looking better. 

*Wouldn't we all love a family where every member looks and acts like angels 100% of the time...

is it really necessary to go completely berserk about that tatoo, that long hair, those torn jeans?

(This one is hard for me..I must admit.) 

So for all those out there who have all the things I used to long for...then, lucky fortunate you..

(I'm Presbyterian, we don't believe in luck).

For the rest of us, let's live the remaining years of  life trying to play the hand that has been dealt us in a cheerful, loving way...knowing that we won't always be successful, but at least we can give it our best shot.

Be thankful,  

Annie Sloan Make Overs

I have been scoping out everything in sight to Annie Sloan chalkpaint.
As I was leaving the shop the other day, I spotted this old chair back.
Ready for the burn pile? I think not!

Old chair back....needs some tender loving care.
I cleaned it well.
Painted with Annie Sloan "Old White"... one part paint to one part water.
Waxed with clear and then dark wax. Buffed.

Maybe it could be used in the kitchen to hold dish towels or....

Hand towel holder?

Swedish embroidered hand towels paired with old damask napkins that I embroidered.
I use vintage napkins to repurpose as hand towels.

Magazine rack, anyone?

Project II:
Brown carved bowl from India. Pretty, but could be better.
Let's see what AS paint can do.
PLEASE, don't look at this mess...when I get in the middle of a project everything stays out until it's finished!
Drives the Coach around the bend.... :(
So I say..."Build me a studio!" Fat chance.

First coat of A Sloan Old White paint.
Covered that dark wood in one coat!!

Just before the final waxing. (Click pic to see closeup.)
Mine takes a while to seep in and dry thoroughly.
Left overnight.
Steps: Old White paint; clear wax; distress with fine sandpaper; dark wax; clear wax, buff.
See final look below.

Project III:
Sometimes I almost have to stand on my head to paint.
This is what happens when you forget to do a "before" picture. I would have just flipped the pic and hoped you wouldn't notice the paint can suspended in mid air...haha.)
The finish on this chair was very shiny and thick.
With the Annie Sloan, I don't have to prime or sand...it is wonderful!
Covered well with one coat and some touch ups here and there.
No distressing here.

This fabric leaves a lot to be desired.
Not to be insulting, BUT...what were they thinking?
Just sayin'

Finished chair.
Steps: Old White paint, clear wax, dark wax, buff.
Used some of my Easter "tablecloth" to recover the seat....click on picture to see closeup.

Four candle holders, chair back holder and a chair...finished!!
These projects took about 4 hours.

I am linking up to Metamorphosis Monday

I need to be on Annie Sloan's payroll,

To Be A Business Owner or Not To Be

I have had a roller coaster ride this weekend. It all began last week when my son called to say that he had found us a building...a building? For what, you ask? A BUILDING TO OPEN OUR VERY OWN STORE!! Now, this has been a dream of mine for so many years. I finally just quit counting! When he shared the news...I began envisioning immediately.
Pluses: We have location, several very big rooms, a work area, great rent and super potential! I'm going to show you a peek...REMEMBER!! This is the BEFORE picture!! Catch the vision!


So, it needs a little polish... (in addition to the removal of the sinks and coke machines.

It's located on Highway 49...a few miles from the Florence redlight (junction of hwy. 49 and 469). It's between Magnolia Flea Market and Donna's Produce #6...I didn't say anything about luxurious...but can't you see shutters, repainted doors....mums in large planters on either side of the door and rockers on the front porch? (Look closer, they are all there.)
At this point, the real drama began....we had intended on spending Saturday night at an auction...and we went ahead with our plans...HOWEVER, there was a monkey wrench tightening around our necks. The present tenant wanted us to "buy him out"... as in, give him real money for everything in the store....Uh, oh....how can I hit the hubster with this news?

I did what any self-respecting potential store owner would do...I bought something at the auction. It took my mind off the present problem. This is my distraction...an old pantry thingy. And the pic above is the picture BEFORE I tore into it. Below is the AFTER! I still need to fix the inside shelves and spray two inside panels with black chalkboard paint...won't this be cute in my "dream shop"?

Back to the problem at hand...to keep myself occupied further, I made this pumpkin.

Negotiations began...back and forth...end result? We are now business owners. NOW, the problem is this...my vision will have to wait until we liquidate the present stock. We are shooting for the second week in November for the vision to be realized. Until then, we will be getting rid of what we don't need like old lavatories. If I sound slightly "daft" it's because I can't make up my mind...am I completely out of my mind or are am I about the realize a 40 year dream?

BTW: the name of the store is "Dwellings..." Our "slogan" is Re-imagine, Re-purpose, Re-fined. More later...

May all your visions become reality,

Here We Go Again...Bathroom Makeover

Because I am facing possible knee surgery in two weeks...I am on a "cleaning up" mini-makeover frenzy. I know that for the few weeks after the big "S", I will be unable to climb ladders (which I am not doing so well now anyway) or do any major change ups, so it's now or never!

Today, I took this guest bathroom apart....(this always happens on a day off...)

And changed her dark heavy Bohemian look to this...

From this... (small dressing vanity opposite the vanity with sinks)

To this....

I am finding that as I age...so do my eyes. Strong vibrant colors are harder on me for some reason...softer, less taxing colors are more soothing. The little dressing bench was recovered (for $4) with the prettiest fabric from Hancock's 4th of July sale.

This shower curtain fabric is so soft. It has blue, cream, and green with a touch of grey-brown. My walls are August Dried Grass (Wal Mart) and the woodwork is Champagne Bubble (Sherwin Williams).
The only things I purchased for this makeover were the bench fabric, two towels and two washcloths from JC Penney's 50% off sale and a 40% off shower curtain (Cindy Crawford "Seascape") also from JCP.

Have you noticed orchids? They were huge a couple of seasons ago, then waned and whammo...they're back! I noticed a beautiful little white orchid surrounded by moss and placed in a lidded apothecary jar in Pottery Barn last week. Orchids were everywhere! So I pulled down some that I had "put up" and re-purposed them in the cut glass pitcher. Try to store "out of date" accessories (or open a Flea Market booth or become a seller on Ebay) ... that way you can sell what you are tired of and have the moola to purchase new things!

Cut glass is also making a comeback...I have tons of it...so out it came for a soap holder.
In 2007, Pottery Barn had mercury glass candleholders very similar to these. Their prices: $29, 34, and 39. I found these at Old Time Pottery for $6.99 and $8.99...it pays to shop around.
I have had these candles for years. I won't burn them because they are so pretty. I paid little to nothing for them after Christmas and have used them in more ways than I can count.

There is a small bench under the towel rack that I've had for over 15 years. It was painted mustard with a brown wash. I thought she needed a little facelift, so I painted her white. I LOVE IT!! I know some of you ladies will be very put out with me for saying this...I am not a lover of all things "white"... but the older I become, the more I like it...I'm a slow learner.
This was a very inexpensive, satisfying makeover. Doesn't it make you feel good to have a project come together quickly... and then be satisfied with it?
I am joining Metamorphosis Monday, Savvy Southern Style and Boogieboard Cottage party today. Come visit and see what everyone's doing. Buttons are on the right.

Also wanted you to check out my next post...I tweaked those leaf pics on the right! See it here.

Happy 4th Ya'll,

It's My Birthday, Let's Party!

So it's my birthday today... and to blunt the pain of getting older and older, the hubster generously suggested that a shopping trip was in order. After he fixed breakfast and served it on the patio, he offered to drive me to Monroe, LA to Paul Michael's. With my knee thing that's going on, I truly didn't feel like it...but maybe I could just stay in town and I could limp around HOBLOB and check out their 80% off area. Sniff, sniff...poor old lady.

So limp, I did.

Now you remember yesterday's post...don't you?

I tore the guest bedroom apart and did a quick "re-do"...from this...

To this.... sort of "summer-ized" it...no pun intended.

While shopping, I proceeded to Ross Dress for Less...and the oddest thing happened. While diving through all the stuff, I heard my name. At first it was softly spoken, then a little louder...oh, no somebody knows it's my birthday! I hope the men in the sombreros don't come prancing out...nope, no men...there it is again....Can you guess who it was?

Anyone who REALLY knows me, knows that I can't leave well enough alone when it comes to decorating. I promised...NO MONEY SPENT....but what????

"Angela, it's your birthday"...there it goes again..
I glanced around..nobody.........except a white quilt with all these brown flourishes...OOOOHHH, NOOOOOOOOO! I turned and ran (well limped) away from that thing as fast as I could. I did find a couple of pillows and a brushed nickel garbage can for the computer room. Checked out and headed for the ranch.

Got home...and I'll be darn...the voice followed me....

"You'll be sorry you didn't get that quilt."

Spooky! Yikes! It was hounding me.

Let's cut to the chase...hubs took me back out there and I got my "birthday" present. Doesn't it just do wonders for that "no money spent" re-do?

Oh, stop it....Come on, admit it...it's great, isn't it?

Linking to Funkyjunk Interiors and Metamorphosis Monday tonight..come visit!

Happy birthday to me,

Angela