Beams: To Paint or Not To Paint

Hey!

Beams: to paint or not to paint.  Not to steal Shakespeare's thunder, but, that has seriously been my question in regard to the ceiling beams in my living room. 

I've been contemplating painting them for a long time.  The picture actually makes them look better than they do in person.  The beams aren't even solid.  They're made to look like solid beams but are really made out of rough hewn boards nailed into place over 2x4s.  If I had real beams, I don't think I'd paint them.  This weekend, Honey Do will be installing a long beam to connect the ones coming down from the peaked ceiling. The time is now; I need to make a decision. 

I may not have a choice depending on what happens when he starts installing the long beam.  Old stain is really hard to match but not impossible.

Here's two pictures that I found online from Better Homes and Gardens showing both looks.  You can click on the pictures to go to the original site. 

 (Better Homes and Gardens)

 (Better Homes and Gardens)

What do you think? Paint? Don't paint?

Blessings,

Mimi

"The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs."  

Song of Songs 1:17 NIV Bible

Loveseat Done!

Hey!

Almost three weeks ago, I posted here about the slow progress on the loveseat.  Today, I'm happy to say, the loveseat is done!

A reminder of the Before: 

The glory days of the 1980's left this loveseat tired, dated, sad,and stained.  But, I took her home because I liked her "bones", she was the right size and most importantly, the right price.

Reupholstering isn't hard but it can be labor intensive and tricky as I discovered with this wingback loveseat.  I've reupholstered many pieces of furniture before but, I had never attempted a wingback style piece. 

I made a couple of changes from the original design.  I used a different piece of fabric under the cushions and in the places no one can see.  Professional upholsterers often employ this method to stretch the fabric yardage and that is exactly why I did it, too.  I picked a stripe and I really like the surprise and playfulness of it. 

The second change you'll notice is I changed the two cushions to a bench seat.  I like the cleaner line and more modern look.

The After :

Wisdom for reupholstering your piece

• The right tools make all the difference.  The job goes quicker.  I've seen tools at Jo Ann's, Hancock, Amazon and at a local car upholsterer's shop.
• A pneumatic stapler is definitely the way to go!  I can't believe I've done this job in the past with a handheld.
• Buy extra fabric.  Mistakes happen.
• Start with an easy job like a chair bottom and work your way up to tackling bigger pieces. As I gained confidence, bigger pieces weren't as scary. 
• Ask for help from someone who has done it before.  I had help for the first few pieces I tackled.  I learned not to be afraid of making that first cut in the fabric.
• If the piece of furniture smells really bad or the frame is not very stable, pass on it.  Fixing these two problems is usually not worth the cost.

Reupholstering is a great way to stretch your decorating dollars and get a piece that is custom made for your home.  Let me know if you fix up a piece, I'd love to see your "after".

If you looked close in the after picture, you caught a glimpse of my kitchen reveal coming soon.   I can't wait to show you!

I've linked up today with Jennifer Rizzo's Creative Friday Link Party.

Blessings,

Mimi

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."  

Proverbs 14:23 NIV Bible

Update on Loveseat

Hey!

Don't you hate when projects take longer than you like?  Some days, I wish that I could snap my fingers and *poof* everything would be finished. 
The reality:  I'm not finished but I'm getting closer each day.  Honey Do and I started putting the pieces back on the loveseat last night.   Honey Do took this picture when I wasn't looking.  I must've really been concentrating!  I tend to be camera shy.

I can't wait to reveal the final product!  I hope its sooner rather than later : )

Blessings,

Mimi

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..."  

Colossians 3:23  NIV Bible

Projects in the Works

Hey!

I'm knee-deep in foam, fabric and batting.  I have two big projects in the works.  Wondering what I'm up to??

Project #1

Project #2

Stay tuned!

Blessings, 

Mimi

"We work hard with our own hands."  

1 Corinthians 4:12a  NIV Bible

Beach Trip and House 2013

Hey!

We stayed at a wonderful beach house this year in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida.  The view was stunning out our back door.  We saw all sorts of marine life this year:dolphins, skates, sand sharks.  But, my personal favorite was the sea turtle.

Blue Mountain is trying to maintain the dunes so the habitat is left to grow.

Come on in and enjoy our beach house 2013! 
I love the gloss on this canvas in the foyer, but what a bugger to take a shot without a reflection!

One of four bedrooms -  Besides the incredible views of the ocean, the other bonus to this property was everybody had their own bedroom and bathroom. 

The house had an open kitchen, dining and living room plan.

I loved the coastal decor.  This artwork would be a great project out of a pallet.

Just looking at the pictures takes me back --- I told Honey Do I wanted to stay longer next time! 

After all, you only live once.  YOLO, anyone??

If you didn't get enough coastal house pictures, here's the  link to our beach house in 2011.

Blessings,

Mimi

"The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.  Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea---the LORD on high is mighty." 

 Psalm 93:3,4  NIV Bible

Living Room Project: And So It Begins

And So It Begins

Hey! 

A little something Honey Do started over the weekend.  What is he up to??

Wow! That dropcloth looks well used! Ha! 

Stay tuned -- details coming!

Blessings,

 Mimi

"The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you:"  

2 Samuel 7:11b  NIV Bible

A Slice of Life: April

A Slice of Life: April

Hey! 

Bringing you a snapshot of happenings in my world over the last couple of weeks. 

New finds from thrift stores:  I think this Drexel dresser walked off the showroom floor into the thrift shop and then walked out and over to my house. 

A few other finds...

Over the weekend, I directed the beautiful outdoor wedding of my next door neighbor's daughter.  I'm not sure who did her flowers but my neighbor refinished those backdrop doors.

The colors were so delicate in the bouquets.

The guest registry table...

My neighbor made all of these teacup lights.  The center of the flowers had a battery tea light and a glove with a spoon helped the cup hang from the hook. 

Honey Do installed a new dishwasher.  Replacement parts were no longer available for the old one.  Why is it appliances die after 18 years?  Shouldn't they last a lifetime?!

This cabinet is getting an overhaul but you'll have to wait for a final reveal.

We tried out Edie's Honey Garlic Pizza and homemade crust. Very tasty!  Click here for the recipe.

And last but not least, I started leading a new bible study on  Covenant  by Kay Arthur.  I did the Precept Covenant many years ago and loved it.  This workbook format is just as good.  I highly recommend it.  The understanding of covenant is so foundational to the Christian faith but rarely preached.



Now that you've seen what I've been up to; what's going on in your neck of the woods?

Blessings,

Mimi

 "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  

John 10:10b NIV Bible

Seashell Mirror Project

Hey!

I have dog eared, ripped out and/or drooled over seashell mirrors in magazines and books for years.  Finally, I have my own.  I can't wait for you to get to the after picture of this project!

I made this mirror specifically to go over the sink in our pool house.  I know that sounds really grandiose to have a pool house, but trust me, this room is only a very, very, small bathroom.   I have to be careful what I put out there because the house is not heated or cooled and shares the space with the pool pump and equipment.  Not to mention, sometimes critters get in there.

I started this project with a thrift store frame.  I think I paid about $1.  I bought one that had a flat surface and then spray painted it white in case some of the frame showed through the shells.

Next, I added the mirror to the frame (with Honey Do's help).   Do you remember the mirror that I had cut for my side table for free?  If you don't, you can see it by clicking here.   This mirror was cut out of the same original piece.  Bonus! I got this piece cut for free, too.  The last step was adding the seashells.  I have been saving seashells from our beach trips for several years for just this purpose.  I used a glue gun to attach them to the frame.
And here is the wonderful after!

I'm including this front view shot so you can see the mirror straight on, but I'm not crazy about the angle or the lighting of the picture.  It's so hard to take a picture of a mirror and not be in the shot!

I think the mirror turned out perfect.  What do you think?  And if you'd really like to see more, you can click here to see the start of our pool house renovation.

I'm also linking up with Jennifer today.  Drop by her site and see all the other wonderful projects! Click here.

Blessings,

Mimi

"I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore..." Genesis 22:17  NIV Bible

Fantastical, Who Knew?!

Fantastical, Who Knew?!

Hey!

A couple of weeks ago, I came to the conclusion that my office organization needs to match my personality so that I can be more efficient.  Seems like such an obvious idea, but truly, the idea had not dawned on me.  Hmmm... I wonder what that says about me??

I do know that I like to spread out when I work and I like to see what I need which means that I often sit on the floor to do projects and put my things in piles where I can get to them easily and see them all at once.

Little did I know that I was already showing signs of my organizational personality type; until,  I came across this post which led me to this quiz and then, this explanation.   I was so surprised with the results that I took the quiz twice!   Both times (and even changing a few of the answers) I came up with the same result.   All I can say is... That explains alot!

First thing I did was to get rid of containers that I couldn’t see through so I ordered these clear ones from The Container Store.  They're awesome!  Now, I can see what I need and easily retrieve it.  I may have to order more because one found its way to my freezer to hold those pesky frozen veggie bags that kept sliding out and landing on my feet and one, now, resides in the bathroom under the sink to hold all the bottles and jars together.

 

Multi purpose Bins from The Container Store

When I was young, my mother used to keep me out from under foot and help her clean by having me organize her kitchen pantry.  I would spend an afternoon lining up the cans according to color, or type when I was old enough to read.  As I got older, the women in my family would have me come for a visit to organize their closets.  Consequently, my family viewed me as an organized person and if they thought so... I must be, right?
The reality is what appeared to others to be a love of organization was my expression of love to them by helping.  I enjoyed cleaning those hidden spaces because the newly tidy areas gave the recipients joy. 

After taking the quiz, I understand why conforming to the expected methods of organization has been such a struggle.  I'm freed from guilt and frustration over why I can't seem to stay pulled together as well as the pressure to do what is expected.  Working with my natural inclination, strategically, changes my outlook for success and helps me achieve my goal: a clean office.

Why don't you give the quiz a whirl?  I'd love to hear what type you are!
The quiz

Blessings,

Mimi

"Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.""  

Haggai 1:5  NIV Bible

Magazine Cookie Monster

Magazine Cookie Monster

Hey!

I devour magazines.  I'm like the Cookie Monster of magazines.  I tear out pages and gobble up the ideas and store them away for later.  I've been doing it for so long, I don't even remember when I started.  Some pages, I've kept for so long they've yellowed with age.  

I love to read house ( or the more correct moniker --shelter) magazines, in particular.  Designers suggest starting an idea folder as the first step to discovering  your personal decorating style.  You know, those pictures that make you say, " Oh, I love this _________! It's so me!"

Well, I started out with an idea folder which morphed into three idea notebooks. 

1. Things I would love to do

2. Things I can afford to do

3. Things I'm attracted to but aren't my style but might help someone else sometime

Didn't take long and those three notebooks became six.  

4. Overall house designs I love

5. Do It Yourself Ideas

6. Outdoor ideas

Now, add the six notebooks to a huge file box busting at the seams if plastic could bust and you see my problem.

Clearly, I have a problem.  Some might say I have an addiction.  I've passed this magazine cookie monster addiction onto my girl child who loves to do the same thing except she takes her pictures and glues them into notebooks. 

Perhaps, this problem developed from a love of well designed spaces, a love of creativity, a love of the possible and a love of beautiful things to behold.

I'll be working on this problem over the next few weeks trying to clean up my addiction in my pursuit of a clean office.  If you'd like to read about the start of my office clean up, click  here.

Thanks to each and everyone of you for keeping me on track.  Just knowing that I will be held accountable by posting my progress is helping me achieve my goal.  Much thanks!!!

Blessings,

Mimi

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house.  You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, 

or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor." 

Exodus 20:17 NIV Bible

Table Flip

Table Flip

Hey!

Mental Clutter.  Yes, that's what I'd call it.  This project stayed on the back burner for months, maybe even a year.   I'd always look at it and think *ugh* I've got to take care of that.  Every time I saw it, I'd feel stress because the table was ONE MORE THING I hadn't finished.    Have you felt like that about a project?

I found this cute little brass side table with a Greek key motif on the side at a local thrift shop.  I think I paid about $3 for it.  The table had no top but I knew I could remedy that with a mirror I had picked up at another shop for $1.  The problem: the mirror needed to be cut. 

I hauled that heavy mirror to the hardware store hoping they would cut it for me; only to discover, the mirror was tempered glass and they didn't have the capabilities to cut that type of glass.  I needed a windshield shop.  So, I took the mirror home that day and the mirror and table sat and sat until today...

Honey Do took my mirror to the windshield guy who cut it for FREE!  Nice guy : )

And finally, one mental clutter project is completed!   Molly, my tabby, was so happy she wanted to be in every picture I took.  She is such a diva!

I linked up with Jane@Finding Fabulous's Linky party today.   Check out the other fabulous finds on her site!

Blessings,

Mimi

"Commit to the LORD, whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." 

Proverbs 16:3  NIV Bible

The Difference a Door Makes

The Difference a Door Makes

Hey!

Fingers crossed --- I hope my computer problem is solved.  I promise the glitch was not an attempt to get out of posting the progress in my office.  Honest! Cross my heart!

Last week, I sorted through piles of magazines.  I lost count somewhere around 100.  I think I might have been personally responsible for keeping Hearst and Southern Living Publications in business.  This week, I've moved to my files and progress is slow as a snail.  However, I do have an update for you from last week.

Visual clutter was one of the problems that I've had with my room.  Honey Do took care of that problem last week by hanging the cabinet doors that have been waiting patiently in the garage.
See, the difference a door makes --- One side on and one side waiting.

Honey Do also rehung the closet door.  I don't remember why it came off in the first place.  My guess would be that we were probably painting the room and the door needed painting, too and never made it back up.  I can't believe I lived with it off for so long.

Ah, the calming view of less chaos, I highly recommend it.

Blessings,

Mimi

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

  Matthew 7:7 NIV Bible

The Room No One Should See

The Room No One Should See

Hey!  

I would really love to start this post with a disclaimer and some witty remarks but I'm fresh out of excuses.  And now as I'm writing, I'm starting to feel a little antsy about going through with this post because I would really like people to think I have it all together.  The answer is I really don't and I don't by a long shot.

My office is a room no one should ever see and unfortunately, the family computer is in there and people go back there and I'm ashamed and feel the need to explain why the room looks the way it does and say I'm sorry for it before they walk into it.  I like clean spaces and frankly, the clutter makes me crazy and I can't think and I can't be creative and I get frustrated and just want to pull my hair out.  Anybody else feel this way about a room in their home??

This year, the time has come to get my stuff together.  So here goes, with much trepidation... Drum roll, please  ........... Tah  Dah!

Shockingly awful, isn't it?!

I'd like to say the room doesn't look this way all the time but the truth is, the room is cleaned up!  I took this picture after I had cleaned up a little because Honey Do and I moved the furniture around. 

My job for this weekend (or the next millienium) is to make some serious headway.  I'm planning to clean, organize, purge and fix up this sad, creativity-sucking space.   I want a place to think, a place to write and finish my book for publishing, a place to do craft projects and so much more.

I have big plans for decorating in here.  But first, I'm going to have to tackle the HUGE pile of pictures and memorabilia that need to be sorted and put into albums.  This job is the one that I have procrastinated the most because the pile is overwhelming and has stifled the creative juices out of me but I have a plan.

My plan for success is YOU!  I'm hoping you, my wonderful readers and friends, will hold me accountable to achieving this task.  I plan to keep you updated and I will give a report next week so I HAVE NO EXCUSE and a deadline, always a good combination.

Will you help me?
And while we're on the subject... what about you, do you have any dirty little secret rooms that need help?  I won't feel so lonely if you'll join me in getting our stuff together.  What do you say???

Blessings,

Mimi

 "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." 

Proverbs 31:17  NIV Bible

 

Ramblings

Ramblings

Hey!

January is such a wonderful month to get organized: to plan for the year, buy containers and folders  to organize papers and pretend I'm not scatterbrained and to purge items that need to find a home in somebody else's house or in the trash can.

Jen Hatmaker took purging to a whole other level when she decided to remove excess from her life. I've heard and read about her book, Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, which I bought but I am procrastinating reading.  Reason-----I'm not sure I'm ready for the conviction.

Then the other day, I ran across a blog post about someone somewhere who reduced her trash to one garbage bag for the ENTIRE year which intrigued me and, at the same time, made me really stop and think about my wastefulness.  I think it might have been this post here.   I'm starting to wonder if God might be trying to tell me something about my habits...

I spent some of the weekend purging and straightening the attic with Honey Do.  I know you're dying to see a picture of my clean attic but let me assure you;  it's clean but NOT worth seeing!   Honey Do laid down some additional insulation so money is not leaking out the roof.  Since we paid for 2 weddings this year (see here and here  (Love you Big A and Doodlebug!)), we're trying to find recovery money anywhere we can find it!

I had a hard time parting with some of the items from the attic.  They're really not worth much but I "know they'll come in handy one day."  Honey Do's response, " It's time to upgrade, babe."  He's right.   I know he's right.  It's time.  My house can't keep looking like it's waiting to be finished or what I like to refer to as "Early Attic".   After all, I've got a HUGE birthday this year and I need to spend some effort on my house so I can show it off!

 
I read this post Darlene wrote  at fieldstonehilldesign  about creating your own "style" words and "don't buy" words that got me to thinking about my home and what I want it to say to those who walk through my door and live here.  I think the words will also really help me to make those decisions I find hard to because of sentimentality and indecision.  The Nester's blog is also a great place to find encouragement that your home doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.   Better choices to a better home :)

So, all of this rambling has led me to here.  I'm planning to ask myself these 3 questions while cleaning, purging and organizing.

1. Do I really love it?

2. Would the-sky-fall-and-the-world-stop-turning if I got rid of it today and couldn't put something new in its place?

3. Does it meet my chosen style words?

What about you?  What has been tugging on your heart to change in your home? 

I'm still working on my style words.  I'll share when I'm done :)

Blessings

Mimi

"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."  
Isaiah 32:18  NIV Bible

Quick Holiday Projects

 Quick Holiday Projects

Hey!

I thought I'd share some quick holiday projects that I've made over the years.  All of these projects were made with inexpensive materials that were either purchased new or found at my local thrift shop.

Transform an ornament with spray paint.  I bought these nutcrackers at Michael's and sprayed them this year. 

Hot glue old brooches, earrings, necklaces, buckles into a Christmas tree on a canvas and frame.  I used black velvet from an old dress I picked up from a thrift shop as the background.

Sew buttons to a pillow in the shape of a tree.

Spray paint and stencil an old outdated or beat up tray or cookie sheet into a new holiday tray. 

Hot glue candy onto styrofoam shapes to make candy balls and topiaries and seal with clear acrylic spray paint to preserve.  I decorated this table for a Ladies Night Out at my church.  

Make a wreath out of old Christmas ornaments.

Decoupage and seal pictures on tile squares to make Christmas coasters.  I'll be posting a tutorial on this craft in the future!

What kind of Christmas crafts have you been doing?  I'd love to hear about them!

Blessings,

Mimi

 

In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. 
 Isaiah 28:5  NIV Bible