Gettin' There!

This post is for those of you who don't hang out over at Facebook, which is my new hangout these days.  There are only so many places I can be at once, right?  ;)

Kitchen before I moved in:

I just finished laying these peel-n-stick 18" tiles from Lowes last week:

This microwave cart was my grandmother's...I hated to paint over the fabulous Contact paper with mushrooms circa 1972, so...

I had Kathleen do it for me!  Ha!

This was the kitchen before I moved in.  I think the homeowner was giving  a nice fresh coat of dark green paint to that faux tile wainscotting.  Yum!  NOT!

And this is what I've done with the place!  Morning Fog on the walls, white on the newly installed beadboard wainscot paneling, Ikea Lidingo kitchen cabinets, new countertop, a new stove, 

This was the kitchen when I first looked at the house...the tops of the walls were still yellow!

And here it is "after."  My plan is still to paint the hutch a dark raspberry red.  I have the paint.  I just have to sand down what's there, and get on task!  I may have to put some fun paper or fabric behind those shelves.  We'll see.

This corner is such a nice spot to sit in the morning!

...and here it was in the throes of renovation.  Note all the dark stained trim everywhere. 

...and now note all the WHITE painted trim everywhere.  It's amazing how much brighter the kitchen is now.  I love it.

Before:

After:

Tonight my friend Dwight is coming over to hang two upper cabinets for me, that he made out of vintage windows.  I can't wait!!!

Colonial Style

This is the view from my friend Donna's house, which is about 10 minutes from mine, but much more out in the countryside.  She has a great view of the reservoir.

She has decorated her house in colonial style, and it is SO pretty!  I asked her if I could take pics and post them on my blog, and she graciously said yes!!  

Of course, my memory card ran out of space while I was there, so there is much more to see, which I'll post another time.

I was there measuring her four-poster bed so that I can make a canopy for it, so when I go back to deliver her canopy, I'll get pics of the rest.  There will probably be leaves on the trees and green grass by then too!  Maybe even some tulips!!

Her husband built this built-in fireplace.  I love it!  I want one!

I'm pretty sure every light fixture in the house has some sort of punched tin on it.  It all looks very authentic.  Next time I'll get a picture of the exterior of her house, too, so you can put it all together in your heads.  :)

This is a crewel drapery panel and wing chair in corner of the dining room...a perfect place to sit and read in the afternoon.

Do you recognize the fabric bird?  I made him!  I love the way she put him in that simple wreath...it makes him look so special!

Have a good weekend, all!

Out of Sorts

*chair painting by Holly Farrell

This chair painting pretty much sums up the way I've been feeling for the last few weeks. I don't know if it's this rotten f-ing winter weather, or my work, or the fact that BF has been gone for four out of the last five weeks, or what....but I've just been in a weird way lately. It's been a time of introspection and reflection, which most of the time is a good thing for me, but of late has just brought up old wounds that haven't healed, and has made me feel sad. Maybe I have S.A.D.D. Who knows? All I know is I'm ready for Spring and a new perspective.

Yesterday was good. The sun was shining, and the temperature was actually tolerable--no coat necessary! Kathleen and I did a lot around the house, and had a very productive day. Then last night I went to see a performance of The Vagina Monologues with some friends, and that was a nice way to end the day. This morning we went to brunch at my friend Jennifer's house, and it was good to see her after not having seen her for a few weeks. I don't know. I guess I've been feeling out of touch or something. It felt good to connect with some "real" people instead of all of my pretent internet friends (I love you guys...but YOU know what I mean!). I've been spending too much time in my own head, and that can be a dangerous thing! I also haven't felt much like blogging, which you may have noticed! :) Sorry about that!

I should have some pictures to share over the next couple of weeks, as Kathleen and I crank out some pre-party house projects. We're having a needle felting party on the 21st, and then her 14th birthday party on April 4th. I can't believe I'm going to have a 14 year old kid. Maybe that's why I've been having so much fun catching up with old friends on Facebook? Makes me feel young again? Eh. Whatever. I don't feel old. I just feel depressed....lol. Some nice house projects may just be the cure for what ails me. I'll let you know.

Skating

After we cleaned up the yard (before the next snow!)...

Kathleen did some skating on our "pond"!

The Many Faces of a Teenager

I told Kathleen I was going to post these, because I thought they were all hilarious.  I remember the days, not so long ago, that she was more than willing to let me snap a picture of her.  Now I get "Ugh!  Mom!  Stop!"  lol.  

Sharon Needs....

I've heard that the internet knows what I need.  I heard this from Diane and Diane's Addled Ramblings (my latest daily haunt--probably because she reminds me of ME.)

This is the deal.  You type your name into Google, followed by the word "needs" and prepare to be amazed at the sheer genius of the internet.  Here are my results, in no particular order (and corrected for spelling and grammar--sorry--I just can't help mysef!):

1. Sharon needs to do something simple that would have a profound meaning worldwide.  (wouldn't that be good?!)
   
2. Sharon needs to pee. ( How do they KNOW that?!!)
3. Sharon needs a new word. (um. yeah.)
4. Sharon needs to be told to stop shooting and start talking. (Damn!)
5. Sharon needs to stop being Nick's doormat.  (Nick?  I don't know any Nick...and I'm certainly NOT a doormat!)
6. Sharon needs to shut her fu*%king mouth. (ha!)
7. Sharon needs a swimming suit on Yahoo. (apparently Google isn't aware that I just RETURNED from Florida.)
8. Sharon needs a hand.
9. Sharon needs a female friend. (ANOTHER one?  Well, I guess you can never have too many friends, right?)
10. Sharon needs to do the right thing and turn him in! (Hmmm..this could go so many ways...has anyone seen my ex? lol)
11. Sharon needs to keep in touch with the people who really matter.  
12. Sharon needs help.  (Ain't THAT the truth!)
13. Sharon needs to get herself a backbone and learn how to stand up to people.  (Ummm....OK...I'm such a shrinking violet.)
    
14. Sharon needs a new hairstyle and up-to-date clothes.
15. Sharon needs to be herself for a while.
16. Sharon needs it.  (Hee!  Seriously?!)
17. Sharon needs a hobby! (LOL!  I'm the queen of hobbies!)
18. Sharon needs a driver and assistant.  (Wow!  Sounds good!)
19. Sharon needs to get a life.  (Hey!)
20. Sharon needs to buck up and just be a mom for ONCE.  (Geez...it's all I DO!)
    
21. Sharon needs an excuse to organize and execute another bloodbath. (Don't worry...I'm not a psychopath--really!)
    
22. Sharon needs to back off on the medication. (Hey, meds might actually be a fun diversion for me!)
23. Sharon needs charm school.  (OMG! LOL!)
24. Sharon needs to get her head out of her ass.  (Are these great, or what?!)
25. Sharon needs email. (That's right, people!  That means YOU need to comment on my blog instead of lurking!!  Come on, now!  I promise I won't invite you to the bloodbath!  Hee!)

The list could go on and on, but I'm stopping at 25.  I think there's enough there to chew on, don't you?  

St. Augustine

Yeah, we're just having a tiny bit of fun down here in the land of sun and sea....
;)

Hand Painted Chandelier

I just wanted to add this one because I liked the look these two were giving each other. They're cousins who act like sisters....it's pretty cool. It's fun to watch them grow and interact with each other.

Sorry the pics aren't better...but you get the idea. I bought a second-hand brass chandelier from my favorite local flea market, and painted it for my niece Madeline's 11th birthday. The room it's going in has bright apple-green walls, and she's standing on a new rug for the room, too. I think it's going to be cute!

I've been sick with a head cold, and haven't felt much like blogging. I'm headed to Florida tomorrow morning with Kathleen, so don't expect many (if any) posts from me while I'm gone. I'm going to soak up as much sunshine as I possibly can. My body is screaming for a dose of Vitamin D! I'll catch y'all on the back side!

Superbowl Crafts

This little needle felted chick was my inspiration. I just photographed him ( i didn't make him!)"for DecadentFibers.com the other day, and I decided I wanted to do some of my own needle felting while I watched the game:

...so I made a "chocolate" bunny!

Isn't he precious?

..and then I decided to try my hand at the Decadent Fibers basket of eggs....but I didn't have the kit or the directions...so I just winged it. It came out OK, but Pat's is much better:

This is a bunch of wool balls that Kathleen rolled for Pat. It's Kathleen's day job...and the bonus is we get to grab a roll each of the colors we want!

Kathleen's working on a cat...it's supposed to be her cat Puff. I think he is coming out SO cute. Sometimes that kid's creativity amazes me.

If you want a chick kit, go to DecadentFibers.com! They are SO cute, and fun to do! Kathleen and I are talking about having a felting party in March, after we get settled back in after our Florida trip.

For Brenda

A visitor named Brenda asked if I would post more views of the bed in this showhouse room I did in 2006.  

Can you see my handmade glass lamp?  I made it from an inexpensive glass vase, and added a shade from WalMart!  The pair of them looked really great, and I was so excited that noone had bought them by the time showhouse was over.  Unfortunately, one of my clients called me a week later, and wanted to buy them.  I have yet to duplicate them for my own house.  C'est la vie.

The bed is an antique that belonged to one of my great uncles.  I bought it for a bargain at the estate sale after he died.  He was one of my favorite uncles, so it has a nice sentimental value, as well as being an awesome bed!  

This was my favorite showhouse room yet.  I was really happy with the way it came out, although in retrospect, there are some things I would have changed.  Oh well.  It's over and done with.  Next time!  :)  

There are more of my design projects posted on my website, if you're interested.  

www.interiorimage.com