On another note...

I made some progress in the studio yesterday. I cleared half of the "L-shaped center island's top and utilized that space to sort through and get four boxes of supplies put away! Okay, two boxes were greeting cards that I obtained for $1.00 I put them in three photo storage boxes and those are plum full! Sorting them into categories is on the "some day" list; getting them out of the boxes and off the floor was my main goal.

I sorted and organized two of the three drawer organizers. One is filled with adhesives, the other an assortment of tags, envelopes in a variety of sizes and papers such as vellum and glassine, and some small craft boxes.

I tackled my "paper scraps". Meaning, I gathered all the loose ones up that were scattered about the studio and housed them in a plastic paper storage container. Then, I began getting some of my unmounted stamps into what empty CD holders I had on hand at the time. A trip to Office Depot last night for 24 new ones, should store the remaining stamps along with a little room to grow!

I swept a large section of the floor after removing the previously mentioned four boxes and resisted the urge to work on a decorating project. I'll be heading out there in just a few to put in a couple more hours... this is going to take me some time as most of the things needing to be done are time-consuming little things like sorting, then organizing them where they'll permanently live... but I'm making some progress, as well as attempting to use what I have available to me vs. having to make any further purchases for storage. I've started a list of items I've an abundance of that will one day get purged from the studio, something else on the good old "To Do" list that never seems to end! LOL!

What to do with this?....

I captured two photographs, one with the overhead light on {below} and without it, so you could see the actual lighting fixture {above photo}. Please excuse my reflection and note that I'm in the process of replacing the clear light bulbs with cool white bulbs --- gradually waiting for them to burn out, LOL! Also, we don't have any $$$ set aside or saved to make any changes to this space, but I do have Kilz primer and flat black paint on hand. A can of silver spray paint, we can afford, LOL!

My thoughts are to remove the light bulbs, prime and paint the light fixture entirely... an inexpensive silver spray paint for the actual outside of the light sockets, and then black to the wood laminate portion. Spray paint the wooden frame of the mirror silver. Then, remove the hardware from the sink cabinet base, prime and paint it black. Replace the hardware with polished silver and add a new rug to the floor in front of the sink.

{Adding wood trim, either stained or painted, to the top of the paneling and the corners of the short wall is already being planned into our small budget for this make over.} One day, we'd love to update the lighting and the fixtures in our bath --- for the time being, these must say the same as they are shown here. Any thoughts on my ideas? I could use some help...

CED ~ 2008 - It's All in the Details...

I mentioned previously some of the accomplishments that I made while I was without my computer, so today I took a few photographs of some of the updates that I made to our home's only bathroom. The linen cupboard's top was cleared and cleaned off prior to updating it with a doily {taken from another room in our home}, a silk palm in a woven basket {a recent clearance purchase from Kirkland's}, and two of the apothecary canisters which we already had. I love the sparceness of it now, it was too cluttered before. I sat on the rug and hand-sewn the bullion fringe onto the shower curtain in all of 15 minutes. It was the perfect solution for the shower curtain that shrunk upon washing and allowed 2 1/2 - 3" of the shower liner to show! I love that quick fix, what a wonderful decorating solution.

The framed picture is another recent purchase, that helped to fill a previous bare spot. The print has a soft quality to it and the colors worked perfectly in this room. The paint has been in this room for several years now, and I still love it as much today as I did the day that I painted it. It a slate gray/green color that seems to change depending upon the lighting, although I no longer remember the brand name or the color, I'm thinking it's Valspar? Anyways...

The above wall grouping was completed without costing us a thing! I previously had everything pictured here. Previously the nature print in the center of the grouping hung all by itself and looked so lost and all alone all by itself. Moving the bird hooks to this wall and by adding a piece of the matching wallpaper border {that I'm thankful now for never getting around to getting it hung} to a pair of small frames. I'm still considering whether or not to paint the frames black and use a touch of the red paint from the kitchen to paint the ball portion of the bird hooks; both ideas would tie in wonderfully with the shower curtain! What you think? Paint them or leave them alone?

Here is where I have to issue a disclaimer! I was totally against this idea, but sometimes you gotta go with the flow! I desired beadboard for the bathroom and someone else {hmmm...} decided to go with paneling... I won't mention any names... I'm just saying! So, I've done my best on making it work! Although, I do have to give credit where credit is due, and say that I ever so thankful that the previous person was in complete agreement with me on the "faux laminent" trim, so we removed it! Adding wood, real wood, either stained or paintedtrim is on our "To Do" list... until then, we'll do what we do and simply make it do.

The photograph below is an experiment by "yours truly". It is another "update" and "To Do" project that I'm on the fence about. Painting laminate pieces that are in dire straights of updating... I agree with so many others that doing so is an inexpensive solution to problems areas of one's home, but I have to admit that I am one of what seems a dying breed of Traditional style decorating. With that said, I thought I should note that the bathroom in our home has seen it's fair share of changes over the years. This room has been "redone" prior to my arrival... the sink area is now located in what was once a hallway that led to the nursery/laundry area. By walling and closing that area off, we were able to put our laundry room on the opposite side of the wall, and one the first floor of our home {to get it out of the half basement. It was a wonderful solution!} and make for more room in what was previously a "cramped and crowded" bathroom.

So, what's the problem? Let me show you... {I'm putting that in a separate post... and would love some feedback as far as what improvements we could make --- inexpensively as possible...}

CED ~ 2008 - Thoughts, Ideas, & Accomplishments...

THOUGHTS...

My thoughts are once again returning to re-organizing my studio. I know that I need to start with clearing off my work surfaces - eg. center island and stamping table. Those areas are covered with remenants of a past project, some previous organizing efforts, and supplies taken out of our home. Although it's hard to tell in the photograph above, but that is actually a large tote filled with craft supplies I won at an auction for $1.00 I was elated. {At least until the realization set in that I'd have to sort and organize it along with several other boxes, LOL!} There's some good stuff in here that I can utilize and one very unique item --- I've never seen anything like it in all my years of creating one sort of craft or another. I'll have to remember to capture a photograph of it, perhaps, someone has seen it or knows something about it, or could share some information on how its created.

And does anyone know or have any idea what those clear acrylic containers are for? My first thought was for thread spool storage... but I haven't tried storing a thread spool within them yet. The second one has smaller raised forms, perhaps for threaded bobbins? Anyone????

I suppose if they don't work for that, I may be able to find some other use for them... altering perhaps, if nothing else.

The shelf is another project... I'm uncertain whether to strip the stain off or to give it a thorough cleaning and paint it black.

IDEAS...

Speaking of painting, I still have to touch up the kitchen. I've also been considering painting my studio! {gasp! Although that will be a long way down the road!} but I've been gathering ideas, and inspiration photographs of what I desire to do. That may include adding these plaques. I was a little put off when I first saw these plaques in Hobby Lobby a few months ago. These were made in China, but it was iobvious to me that they were "knock-offs" of Sid Dicken's Memory Blocks, which I'd love to be able to collect! At $68.00 per block, I opted to purchase these on clearance for $2.00 each {this is just a sampling of those I purchased, I ended up with 8 - each different.} I do, however, find them inspiring, as in wouldn't it be fun to play with some plaster and create your own? Hmmm.... definately, a maybe, someday project... in the meantime, I'm pondering whether to hang them in our home or in the studio. For now, their simply laying around, most still in the packaging!

Perhaps, after the studio is organized again, I can begin focusing my attention on completing a lot of "I've bought the supplies to complete" projects and begin decorating it in the dreams of what I desire for it to become.

ACCOMPLISHMENT...

My Crazy Quilt throw that I recently "patched" some more. I''m almost 2/3rds of the way with having this project fully patched and ready to begin embellishishing it. One day this will be added to my studio recliner, just as I envisioned it to when I began it a few years ago.

I'm off to the studio to get started! Hopefully, I won't get lost in there. Or side-tracked... although I know in my heart that I could accomplish so much more, if it were simply organized. I hope to have more art to share soon. Until then..... *smiles and waves*

Testing... photos...

I re-installed my camera software today, so I had to take a photograph of something --- you know, just to be certain that everything's working properly. So, I quickly took a picture of the yard sale chair that I refinished while without my computer this previous week.

It's really much more beautiful than shown here, the light in my living room is wonky today, due to the overcast Ohio skies. The paint is actually a flat black, so the chair isn't the least bit glossy as it appears here and the fullness of the leather covered seat will flatten with use so then I can straighten the row of furniture tacks on the right side. Thankfully, I purchased more than enough of those for this project.

I've been being quite lazy the past several days. My back and neck have been acting up like crazy so back to the chiropractor I'll go in another couple of days. Don and I will be taking Chaos out to the Pet Spa first, as there's no sense in me going to the chiropractor, then, having the dog pull me all back out of place. I suppose I'll just have to grin and bear it for another day.

My thoughts have been on getting out and re-organizing my studio, but I've decided to focus on cleaning our home and doing a bit of shopping so I can use the crockpot for meals. That will save me so much time, once I actually get back into "getting things done.

I'll post again soon and show you some of recent updates and the progress that I've made. Until then....

CED ~2008 - What a wild week!

Yeah! I got my computer back last night! Unfortunately, I lost everything and we weren't able to recover anything, but it is now up and running - working even better than before! We upgraded the Norton system and added a router to prevent an attack like that from ever happening again. I'll definately be saving and burning disks a lot more often. One of my first priorities, is learning to run a new burning program. I am truly thankful that my computer system wasn't completely ruined!

The good news is that I've had a very productive week! I've been writing in my journal, and one of the two that I purchased in May, is a bit over 3/4 full! My sketchbook is 1/3 of the way filled, and I spent some time sketching some ideas for an altered book, as well as drawing some everyday items discovered around our home. So far, I'm doing good keeping up with those!

Since last Monday, we've been to two auctions, one outside of Sandusky, Ohio, the other in Morrow county --- Don attended one with me, while I went to the other with friends. I was able to purchase some pretty amazing stuff {at wonderful prices, most only a $1 a box... although I did pay more for a few things}. Some of the items I got: a large old framed print, a box of old books - some perfect for altering, some with amazing images, a few filled with nothing but sheet music! A huge box of old and new cards, some glass candle votives, a good sized wicker box with a lid, a large outdoor light with 3 candle style lights inside that I want to clean, paint, rewire, and hang somewhere, possibly indoors, and an entire tote of craft items, that was quite an assortment.Perfect for use in creating artwork! At one auction, I spied some vintage sewing drawers, but we didn't stay long enough for them to get them, {sigh...}

I've accomplished quite a lot of things that have been on my "To Do" list. I began washing down the kitchen, in preparation of touching up the paint in the upcoming months, kept our home clean, and cooked a lot of homemade meals.

I stained an old cd holder that I've been desiring to stain for what seems like forever. I intend to use it on the surface of my studio island for holding my unmounted stamps, labelled of course! Purchasing some of the old blank cd cases is on my "wish list"...

I worked on patching my crazy quilt throw. I'm now happy to say that it's coming along nicely --- I've a 18"x 12" area to continue patching before it will be 2/3rds of the way done! I went back to it on Monday and added two more patches in a 15 minute mini session while allowing supper to simmer on the stove. I'm hoping to continue patching on it, so I can begin the embroidered embellishing seams this fall and winter.

Another set of new neighbors, down the road from us, were having a yard sale, so Don and I visited with them, welcoming them to the neighborhood, and I loaned them two of my long tables. We purchased a wood chair and a wooden shelf, both cheap! I worked on cleaning and painting the chair with a flat black enamel paint. While waiting for it to cure, we took a trip to Hobby Lobby and WalMart. At HL, I purchased 2 1/2 yards of black bullion fringe, a package of small wooden barrels, and a beautiful thick clay urn that was on clearance. I was desiring red bullion fringe, but they only had a burgandy, so I decided to go with black instead {of course, I bought some extra to create a tassel for our kitchen.}, and the new urn looks beautiful holding a silk plant we already had in our living room!

While cleaning the chair and removing a well-worn seat cover that had been nailed on, I discovered the chair originally had a leather seat, but it had dry-rotted. So at WalMart, I purchased 2/3 yards of leather, a seat cushion foam, and furniture tacks. Once home again, I set out to recovering it. It's now a finished project! although I'm uncertain of where we'll actually use it yet...

Later in the day, I sewed the black bullion fringe to the bottom of our shower curtain. It had shrunk when I last washed it, allowing the vinyl shower liner to show a good 2 1/2 - 3 inches. It was driving me nuts every time I saw it, so this was a good decorative fix!

We've taken several day trips, out of town, just to refresh our souls. At Home Goods

I found a beautiful print, that was perfect for our bathroom. It fills the wall space above the toilet, an area that I've wanted to do something with for some time! We also purchased a small silk fern in a dark wicker pot on clearance from Kirkland's. The following day, I scrubbed the bathroom, did a bit more de-cluttering, hung the new print, created a vignette on top of the linen cabinet, re-arranged some items in a wicker basket that's on the back of the commode, and put out fresh, clean towels.

Amazed at the difference these changes made, I pulled out two small frames that I had stored, replaced the pictures with a wallpaper border that matches the shower curtain {that I never quite seemed to get hung} and I created a grouping on another wall. These changes freshened the room up so much, that I'started a "To Do" List to complete it. I've been considering painting the bathroom sink cabinet black, along with the light fixture, but since re-decorating a little, I'm sort of one the fence about that, so I opted to paint an old wooden soap dish to see if I like it before taking that next step. For now, I'm allowing the ideas brew, while keeping my options open!

What else? We had Little Miss overnight and for a day visit. Both Don and I loved having her here. She's quite the character! We visited with my family for a little while, and visited friends for a night of card playing...

and so you don't all think I'm all work and no play, I did take a few days off to sit, relax, and read two new books: 1000 Journals and Living the Creative Life. So far, I'm love with both books.

I apologize for the long post, I suppose it comes from not having computer access the past week! I so missed blog-hopping, visiting with my internet friends, leaving comments, praising other's efforts, and catching up with their lives. I'm hopeful to have some pictures to share of these things soon, once I re-install the camera software. Until then... {*waves*}

I'll be AWOL for at least a few days...

GRRR!!! My computer was attacked with an .exe file on Monday and I am currently unable to log in even to Windows. Thankfully, a friend allowed me to use her computer to post here and check my email. My computer guru currently has my modem and I'm hoping he is able to recover my files, my photos, and restore my system. I'll update as soon as I am able. Thanks!