Seeing Spots!

I went from feeling blue, to seeing spots - maybe I'd better see someone about that!  Thank you for all of your kind get-well wishes.  Now, I'd like to welcome you to my um-teenth post on Six-Foot Chick's room.  I'd like to say the finished results will be the next post, but I'm wiser now, so let's just say it will be soon!

Yesterday, I went to JoAnn's and purchased one-half yard each of sheer and satiny fabrics.  (I used an existing pillow form I had which is approximately 18"x22".)  Then I traced circles using a cup rim (a leftover sippy cup, if you must know).  I cut out 30 of them to fill up the space on the pillow front.  (It sounds like a big chore, but it actually went pretty fast.)  I didn't overly worry about precision since this is a sculptural piece. (Ooo, betcha didn't know you were getting sculpture lessons.)

 

Next, I drew lines on the front of the pillow where I wanted to sew the spots.  These are about three inches apart.   I used a quilting pencil.

I centered the dots along the line and sewed straight down.  These are about 1/2 inch apart.  I left extra space around the edges to sew the seam.  (Note:  If you do this, check your needle and bobbin before you start.  I ended up putting in a new needle.  My old one was dull so pulled the fabric a little.  My stitches weren't laying well either, but when I replaced the bobbin - after it ran out of thread - I didn't have any more problems.)

I sewed the front to the back pieces (it has an envelope-style closure), turned it right side out, pressed and stuffed it.  Would you like to see it on the bed?  Would ya?  Would ya?  Stay tuned...  I have to make one more trip to the fabric store {insert very sad face here}.

 

 A couple more over-scale baubles for the room...snagged at IKEA.  We're on the home stretch now.  Stay tuned!

I'm So Blue!

If you saw yesterday's post, you've know I've been under the weather. 

I'm feeling better, but not 100%.  To top it off it's  drearily raining outside. 

That's not why I'm blue, though!

I have been wanting to add a little cheery life to my family room and decided to pull all the blues and creams from around the house I could find.

The innocent candlestick?  It was a GW find for $2 originally in plain-Jane pine, got blue paint and glazing. 

I wish they would have had more, I love the contemporary lines and chunkiness!

My attempts at making toile spheres with napkins...

I got my decoupage glue on my hands, my counter, my coffee mug

...it's probably in the dishwasher. 

Little finger-sized pieces of napkins came off the spheres while I was sticky, too.

Are you feeling as blue as me?  My pillows are even blue...  (well a couple of them).

Are you making any cheery pre-spring changes?   

Don't forget!

 I will be joining the following linky parties:

White Skull Cuckoo

 

Doesn't everyone need one of these?  

I have been sick all week, so I have not been feeling up to being on the computer much.  Needless to say, my blog plans for the week have been blown out of the water.  Poor me.  

Since I have finally hoisted myself off the couch, I thought I would buy myself some time share - what else - some cool NYT Homes decorating inspiration.  The skull and cross will not be for everyone, but how fresh does this clock look doused in white paint?  Ideas, anyone?

I just love updated classics.  What do you think about these collectible, Staffordshire ceramic dogs?  I wish I had a set, updated in little doggy sweaters or not. 

I plan to back in the blogging saddle soon!  I hope you all are feeling better than I am.

 (images from NYT Home section 2/4/10)

Powder Room Remodel

Nice cozy "after" shot.  I hope I don't get hassled by having a seat cover.  I hate the banging it makes when the plastic lid hits the porcelain without one.

(sorry about the bad crop - I tried a several times to get this right)

Not so cozy "before" shot.  Our house was built in 1992, so black fixtures and pedestal sinks were all the rage.  In this shot, there is the pedestal, but NO sink.  The seven of us used this powder room exclusively for three months- no showers - no tubs.  To wash our hands, we had to go into the kitchen and use the prep sink.  That ended up being our sink for washing hands and brushing teeth.   If two of us really had to use the bathroom, one person would have to use the port-a potty outside.  Notice the square hole around the water spigots?  That was a hole that had to be stuffed with towels if there were workers around, because it looked right into the living room.  I begged the plumbers to put the sink in when they were here.  Finally, our handyman did it.

The tile is white and we don't plan on replacing it during this lifetime...  So, I ordered a white commode and a white sink.  The "painting" is one that looks brush-stroked from Target - there was an existing screw on the wall, so I braided yarn and hung it off of that.  I guess I need to put a decorative knob over or in place of that screw.  It's amazing what you don't "see" after a while.

I looked and looked to find this sink and vanity combination.  You probably can't tell in the photo, but the wall behind the basket and toilet paper rolls is curved.  A standard rectangular vanity set would have to have been small.  I was able to find an identical match to the details on the attached towel bar and faucet, with a double towel bar and toilet paper holder from Restoration Hardware.  Not at a bargain price, but well worth it.

This grill is behind the door and is also a true white.

An actual PB candle stick.  It's a nice anchor on the floor.  Wow, shift to different lighting, below:

 

Nice detail shots.

 

I really like this paint color.  It looks like tobacco.  

Okay, I store my toilet paper out in the open.  It works well because I keep refilling it and the kids just take what they need to the bathrooms upstairs.

Edited to add:  I'm joining Carolyn at:

And Miss Mustard Seed:

Please take a look at the other links while you're there.

Clutter, Clutter Go Away!

Cleaning has been a blog big deal after the holidays.  There are a few areas in my home that have really been getting on my nerves.  Nerve One - my closet!  Here are a few before and after shots.  In the "after" shot above, I still have some things in there that should find a new home.  On the top shelf in the after photo the box at the left is a diet program that I haven't used in a few years.  On the same shelf at the right are brand new towels in packages.  I need to either send them up to the girls' bathroom, or add them to The Attic.

 

What? Doesn't everyone keep poster board paint samples and bamboo sticks in their closets?

I was really frustrated with all of the stuff on the floor.  I had to   l e a n  w a y   over if I wanted to reach anything over here.  I know the frames on the right need to be dealt with - I have a plan.  I also think I am going to hang a pocket shoe holder on this wall.  How do you all store your shoes?  On those organization shows they generally show them boxed with a photo at the end.  Personally, I don't like digging in and out of boxes.

I'm moving the glitter Christmas leaves out, but the vacuum bags are staying.

Ahh.  

The jeans got put on hangers.  The pumps need to go in a shoe holder, but the black GYM BAG that has been sitting on the floor for over a year finally got a home.  I little weeding out still needs to be done.  You probably can't tell, but there is a toilet paper holder and it's hardware in a bag at the front right side.  I haven't gotten to the left side of this area yet (the Sketchers are my daughters). 

I got rid of a big bag of clothes that I wasn't wearing - or never have worn - I found some things with tags that didn't get returned.  So NOT cheap or chic!  I hope this wasn't too real for anyone, it's starting to feel too real to me!  (Yes, I know I'm blessed to have a big closet.)

Don't Forget:

The Attic - Grand Opening!

  

(Mosaic picture edited out because of blog loading time.)

Welcome!

I have been working on getting this little on-line store together.  I put it together myself, so it's nothing fancy.  I was a direct seller for years and have lots of samples and gently used items I would like to clean out.  The fun part is, I am not going to keep any of the purchase amount.  That's right:

Your entire purchase price will be donated!

So click The Attic and you can check everything out.  I have tried to price items so they are competitive with what you would find at other on-line sites -- remember, I'm trying to benefit us all.  If you would like to spread the word, please take my button, located in The Attic.

I would also like to thank Jeanette from Sweet Jeanette.  She helped me proof the web page and gave me some good suggestions.  Thanks, Jeanette!

Your purchases will contribute to Pirate Christian Radio, a web-based radio station that has outstanding programming.   Click on the above link to listen live or look at their program schedule.  I think most programs are available as podcasts, too.

Other notes:  I'm working on Six-Foot Chick's bedroom today.  I'm hoping to get the second curtain rod hung, paint the head and footboards and figure out what, exactly we will make with the fabric.  This is what I got in the mail yesterday:

Remember our inspiration room?

Finally, I'd like to let you know that Tuesday's in March I am hosting MckLinky parties for basket days.   I want you all to share what creative things you have in your baskets and do with them?  Have you:

• Spray painted
• put flowers in
• done fabulous organization in a kid's room, office, pantry...
• have it full of laundry
• supplies for your next DIY project?
• EASTER creations!  (I'm really hoping to get some knock-out Easter ideas!)

Be thinking about it now.  Take my button in the right sidebar so you can have a reminder.  I can't wait to see some great ideas.  PLEASE don't leave me hanging - a party's not a party without friends to share it with!

Got Handle? Dining Chairs

I know many of you are fab, creative, DIYers.  That's why I couldn't resist scanning the latest edition of Traditional Home so you could get a "handle" on these chairs!  What a darling, inexpensive way to add a little dining bling.

I'll be hitting the road (again!) tomorrow, although this time for fun.  I will be on a retreat with the Florida Worship choir in Daytona Beach - I know - someone's gotta do it, right?  A close friend and I are driving and rooming together.  You know what that means, a lot of laughing and silliness.  I don't want to minimize the singing that is both work and fun.  This year we are singing with the men the entire season because we are doing a recording next month.  If you are ever in Florida and hear about us coming to or near your town, please plan on attending our concert.  They're free!  We're a totally volunteer choir.  There are supposed to be approx. 370 attendees tomorrow.  Lot's of chaotic fun!  Did I say "fun" enough?  You get the idea.  (Photo from the floridaworship.org website.)