Friday Confessional

 This week I am joining Mamarazzi's Friday Confessional because I feel I may have a real problem.

I confess:

• I may be addicted to Pinterest.
• If you know of Pinterest, you may be facing the same problem.
• I spend way too much time 'pinning' (as opposed to 'winning').

I confess:

• I have found some wonderful ideas on Pinterest but, have not actually implemented any of them.
• I confess that I'm like a dealer in that I hand out invites to all of my friends, totally enabling them in their own habit.
• We all may need a 'Pintervention' (as this problem continues to grow).

I confess:

• I really, really like Pinterest.
• Never have I seen so much wonderful 'eye candy' in one easy to access place.
• It brings out the organizer in me ... I love the ability to have multiple boards.
• Pinterest eliminates the need to shred one's magazines and amass stacks of paper in order to save ideas.
• I'm not likely to give it up.

Now, go on over and hook up with Mamarazzi and own up to your own bad habits.

Table Redo and Frame Gallery

I have been a bad blogger lately.  This does not mean I have not been busy but, I have not taken the time to show what I've been up to.  I have had a project list a mile long and have even taken photos.  So, today I am going to show you one project that I finished.

I have had this lovely, old table for years.  It sits in a little alcove just outside the master bath.  This is not a very light and bright area and the vignette was looking rather 1990's to me of late.  I was inspired by so much of what I see on other blogs that I decided to tackle this area.  (I do apologize for the quality of these first pictures as I had my camera on the wrong setting.)

Here is a close up of the wonderful legs and pediment under the table.

And, here is my little beauty painted 'Heirloom White' and lightly distressed.  I just love how the details pop so much better.

Next, I rummaged around the house/attic for some old frames.  I added a couple from Goodwill and painted the entire lot the same 'Heirloom White' to create an empty frame gallery.

Here is what it looks like on the wall.  I think that I will add more as I find them.

This is what the area looks like now with the frames up and the table redone.  I think it is so much brighter.  Its just a fresher look ... albeit a little bit 'still in progress'.  I also found the little wooden tray at Goodwill and it benefited from a coat of paint.  I tend to throw my watch and jewelry in there as I head into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

I was pretty happy with how this turned out and I think I may have spent a few bucks at Goodwill plus whatever the paint and primer cost.  I'm loving my little table more than I ever.

EASY PILLOW PROJECT

A few years ago I purchased a couple of boudoir pillow inserts and pillow covers from Pottery Barn.  Well, as we all know, tastes change ... as do the seasons.  I wanted different covers for my little pillows but, PB stopped selling much in that size.  I finally decided I would have to bite the bullet and make something.

Yesterday, I went to the fabric store and scored a muslin remnant for half off of $5.99.  Well, since my sewing machine has been loaned out for months, I thought I might just try doing this project with fusible hem tape.  The tape was another $2 and change.  So, today I whipped up these little cuties with my scissors and my iron.  I think they turned out darling, don't you?

I must confess though ... I found these buttons which are to die for and they were a whopping $2.50 each.  But, I figure that since the entire project worked out to less than $8.00 per pillow cover that the buttons were well worth the cost.  And, the time into the project was about two hours, including sewing on the buttons.

This was a super easy, no-sew project to solve the problem of finding the perfect pillow covers.

GARAGE SALE MADNESS

Well, I confessed on Friday that I don't really like garage sales ... attending or having.  I was reminded why when I had one this weekend.  Some people (note I did not say all) who attend garage sales are certifiable.  I will tell you why I've come to that conclusion.

Okay, I am not one of those garage sale givers who minds if dealers and re-salers show up and scoop things up.  I want to get rid of it and that is my only agenda.  I do mind the early warning systems that whisper in my ear ... 'You shouldn't sell those to her.  She's a dealer."  What?  Why do I care?  More power to the dealers.  I could never do their job.

Also, I usually have a 'free' pile at a sale because frankly, I feel bad asking money for some things.  People 'LOVE' free stuff.  It doesn't matter what it is.  I think if I put my leftover sandwich out there, they'd grab it.  But seriously, one lady today left me speechless.  She picked up a paint pad (remember those ... well, I don't like 'em so much).  Anyway, she didn't know what it was.  Now that wasn't the odd part.  I told her what it was and she said ... and I quote ..."I never paint so I've never seen one of these but I'm gonna take it because its free."  And, off she went without a single additional purchase.  What the ...?

Then, there was the lady with three screaming (and I mean screaming & fussing) little girls who was irritated at me because I didn't have any clothes that would fit them.  Lady, my daughter is 24 years old and married.  And, even if I did have some of her cute little things left around here (which I do), you are not going to get them with your nasty, rude, child 'yankin' around attitude.  Sheesh.  And furthermore, I did not advertise that I had children's clothing.

And then there are the just plain odd folks (sorry if this offends) but, really ... I mean I haven't seen people this weird since I watched 'Willow' years ago.  (If you've ever seen 'Willow' then you know what I mean ... If not, nevermind.)  One guy had one tooth left in his head (bless his heart) but, he proceeded to tell us a story about this 'really, really, ugly guy' he'd recently met.  I had no words.

Finally (and this is totally not related to the sale), last night after shutting down and sitting around in the shade trying to cool off after a long, hot day, some yahoos in a jacked up pickup pulled into our driveway.  At first we thought they wanted to know if the sale was still on.  Nope, nothing.  Then, we thought that they were just turning around.  I have a big drive and this is common ... no biggie.  But noooo, these morons leaned out and puked onto my driveway and then peeled out and left the mess.  Gag me ... how stupid.  I hope they were sick but, I fear they were drunk.  We didn't get a license plate number as it was dusk.  My poor husband got the job of hosing that away.  I couldn't take it.

So, once again ... never a dull moment around here ... and, it will be long, long time before I have another garage sale ... if ever.  Or at least until my memories fade and the junk accumulates again.

Friday Confessions

Well, here goes ... hooking up with Mamarazzi again for those Friday confessions.

I confess:

•  I don't really like garage sales. 
•  I don't like going to them because 95% of the 'stuff' is junk.
• And, I certainly don't like having them.

But, I confess:

• I am having a garage sale this weekend.
• Yes, crazy person that I am, I've decided to remove some serious accumulations of 'stuff/junk'.
• Its a LOT of work and the weather in our normally moderate Pacific NW has decided to go all summery on us and get into the 90's (maybe even 100 today).
• So, I've spent a week being hot, tired and dirty as I schlepped out the attic, the basement and closets and drawers too numerous to mention.

And finally, I confess:

• That I'm not looking forward to the 'early birds' (can't they read those ads?).
• I don't like negotiating so I'm likely to give things away rather than argue.
• And then there is the hauling away of the leftovers ... ugh.  
• Did I mention that I really don't like garage sales?

Now, go on over to Mamarazzi's and link up your own confessions.  

Hydrangeas

I've noticed a trend in today's posts.  Hydrangeas seem to be popping up everywhere.  So, in an effort to be a team player, I thought I would show you some of mine.

These are from a variety known as the Pygee Hydrangeas and this one is called 'Lime Light' ... isn't it pretty?

Oh, and notice the artwork on the wall behind this little vignette.  Coincidence?  I think not.

So, that is my contribution to the 'Hydrangea Pic of the Month Club' .... Thank you and enjoy!

WWTK Wednesday

Okay, I'm going to try hooking up with Mammarazzi & Queso for 'We Want to Know' Wednesday.


1. What is your favorite holiday?


I would have to say that my favorite holiday was always Christmas.  I decorated every nook and cranny and went crazy but, I'm getting older people and its losing a little of its shine.  But then, my newly married kids are ready to pick up that torch so, I'm willing to hand it over.  I also really like the 4th of July ... good, old American fun with no obligatory gift giving and lots of good food.


2. Do you have any fun holiday traditions? What are they?


Well, obviously the decorating.  I love pretty things so I think I like the decorating almost better than the actual holidays.  We always had multiple trees.  Another fun tradition was to go on a tour of lights around the community.    And then, there were always the cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning ... right after the gift opening frenzy.


3. When do you start Christmas shopping?


Never soon enough ... because I always have this fear that one of the kids will tell me what they really, really want after I'm done.  Also, I'm not a big fan of 'have to' shopping.  If I'm going to shop, it needs to be spontaneous and with no real agenda.


4. What is your favorite holiday food?


Well, cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning are wonderful.  We did ham on Christmas traditionally so, even if we change it up and do a prime rib on Christmas Eve, there is alway ham on Christmas day whether it be for a brunch or a later dinner.


5. Share a favorite childhood holiday memory


Hmmm?  Well, one year we were going to be traveling overseas to see family for Christmas so my mom knew we wouldn't be able to take a lot.  So, for my Thanksgiving birthday (yes, I'm that pathetic kid) she bought two dolls which were alike in every way except one had dark hair and one was blonde.  She then proceeded to sew twin wardrobes for those little dolls.  They had everything from nighties and robes to party dresses.  I was in love I tell you.  I still have those dollies.  I also still have my sweet mom and she is poised to give a doll to a great grand if she is around.


6. Have you ever actually tried fruitcake??


Yes, but I'd sooner leave it than take it.  Give me chocolate instead.