Getting Crafty

I'm finally getting crafty in my old age. I learned to sew at 33 and at 34 I'm embracing artwork.

The first it the Typewriter Keys board, a Pottery Barn knockoff. I did not come to this myself of course (see post "Lagging Behind"). It took me at least 6 weeks and I was frustrated at a point, but once I stained the piece I was pleased. It is so nice to have artwork on our walls for one, and unique artwork for another.

Last weekend we started on piece number 2 (drying rack), but ran out of lattice strips. So Al went and bought them this week and I finished it up today. The kids and I decided on some of the sayings we wanted up there. The first is a tribute to my Grammy who loved her 'sayings': A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.

This again is a Pottery Barn knockoff that I found online. I made it larger so that it would cover the big wall above our couch. And I wanted the sayings to be ours, special to us.

The second saying made me think of the kids, especially Samantha, who has an great love for snails. :)

I've got one other piece in process and then it'll be on to Alyssa's bedroom. Green walls (her request) and a cast iron daybed we got a the thrift store for $25. It's hideous, but nothing a little paint can't fix.

Lagging behind

I've been seriously lagging behind my grand plans. Samantha's desk and chair are still in their original ugly state and I haven't even begun to sand off the old paint. It's probably just as well considering I haven't got any spray paint on hand and the local hardware store always seems to be out of white spray paint.

I also (blame this one on my mom) got into an artwork project for my bedroom--vintage typewriter keys. We (Mom and I) found the tutorial on a website and I just couldn't resist: http://www.acharmingnest.com/2011/06/diy-pottery-barn-knock-off-vintage-keys.html Anything to do with letters, ampersand included (&), and I'm bound to want to put it in my house somewhere. It goes with that whole love of books and writing thing I've got going on. I've got most of the letters done and the numbers are next. I think it's really neat.

We'll probably use it to torture Alyssa--gotta memorize those letters kid!

School is almost here and the girls are excited. I am too. It means there will be hours of silence in the house and no more daddy daycare! Our calendar is already filling up fast and that doesn't even include ballet yet.

Cheers for the last two weeks of summer vacation! Enjoy.

Drumroll . . . The Master Bath

Our Master Bath is done. And it only took three months!!

Now, I didn't take before pictures because I didn't even think about it. We all know what a lovely tract house bathroom looks like: particle board cabinets, fake marble top, and a large standard mirror.

Eighteen months ago, on a whim, we bought a beautiful, free-standing vanity with porcelain sinks and a real marble top for nearly a quarter of the Pottery Barn price. And it looks the same as Pottery Barn's vanity, but it is about 6 inches shorter, which is perfect because the PB one was too large anyhow. The vanity has been in our bedroom, covered in an old sheet, for all those months collecting folded laundry.

We were undecided about the wall and the mirror until Al and my dad pulled it down. The knuckleheads at the glass company who installed it had glued it to the wall. Al and Dad managed to get it off without cutting themselves, but we were left with a pock-marked wall nearly torn down the the rock. My mom suggested bead board to cover the wall and thus we were saved from trying to figure out how to salvage the wall. So we extended the bead board to line up with the tub surround. It was perfect.

A few coats of paint, some beautiful mirrors, and a difficult installation (pipes were a challenge) of the vanity and we have the most beautiful bathroom! It feels like a spa and we love it.

No major projects on the horizon, but I am painting the built-in cabinets in the hallway. These are half veneer and half oak, so if the paint adheres and it looks okay, I might try the kitchen cabinets. But I'm getting away from myself. I've got to work on Samantha's desk before school starts again in August.  . . . . One thing at a time.