Wednesday, May 27, 2015

I feel the need . . .

As Steve and I walked early this morning 


through the state beach


and past beautiful old homes,


 I was planning the rest of my day.


 I thought of the line from Top Gun, "I feel the need, the need for speed."


But, in my case it was, "I feel the need, the need to create."


When I got home, I finished up the Bachelorette bags for the Palm Springs Weekend which starts tomorrow.


 I need to get the Mr. & Mrs. garland made and clear off the bed for a visit tomorrow from KC, but instead I decided to do a couple of quick projects for the house.


The oar has been hanging above the sofa for about 17 years and I have wavered between painting the oar a primary color or keeping the weathered wood look.


I decided that some simple stripes would be an easy compromise.


While Steve was grocery shopping, I took the oar down, quickly painted it


and had it back up on the wall before he got home.


He has yet to notice the EAT sign I put in the kitchen on March 8, so it will be interesting to see if he notices the stripes on the oar.


I also had time to paint a sign for the garden.


I love the old cabinet door I painted blue, but sitting on the potting bench on the side of the house, it is never seen.


I thought it might look good on the sewing machine table.


Steve noticed this change because it is the table where he sets the food and his tools when he is barbecuing, but he didn't complain because I already put the books back in the garden house.


I guess times have changed since Cicero spoke this quote before he died in 44 B. C., because I have a garden and a library, but I also NEED to create.


 And, I need to stop slacking and get busy on the garland because there are just 52 days left until the wedding.

41 comments:

  1. I like your oar, I have a sewing machine table too.
    Merle...............

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  2. How I love to come here.

    I feel the need too.

    I feel the need to get started on my creative journey this summer with NO SCHOOL duties for a while, to let GO and push the envelope a bit, to do something I've never done before.

    Carol, your cottage and life are glorious spaces to keep creating. Every room you share is so full of light, a subject I must desperately write about this summer. It's time. Light in a home is a very strong memory for me, as you know, for I've shared this before. You capture it just right with the primary colors, and your kitchen, OH MY WORD...the white granite/marble is perfect for those shots of fresh flowers!

    I am so loving Instagram as well. HEY....you know what I feel the need to make?Well, I want to make a little sailboat. I would love a small wooden toy boat to paint and to attach a linen sail. I just want it for my mantel, but do ya think I can find a wooden toy boat? NO! I see you can make these from driftwood, and I know where I can get driftwood, but do you know where I can get small wooden toy boats? Just a thought.

    Well, now to start my last two days of school. I am so ready for the beach!

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  3. All the new little touches you added look wonderful. Can't wait to see the wedding pictures of all your creations.
    Hugs
    Becky

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  4. You are just so inspiring. The fact that you come home and just whip up beautiful things amazes me.

    I really could live in your cottage in a heartbeat!

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  5. I think I'll borrow your oar idea.I have one yet to be hung.
    I know the need to create! It's like breathing, it's a natural part of living.

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  6. I love how you just hop right on things, Carol! It's contagious! LOL! That's the second time today I've used that word. Anyway, I love your oar. I am on the lookout for one to hang in the upstairs bath at the lake to use as a towel rack. I always thought I wanted it to be weathered, but I love the stripes on yours. I can always count on you for some terrific ideas. Love the sign, love your yellow flowers in the tin planter....hmmm, are they coreopsis? Hope you have a glorious day!

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  7. That wedding is coming up SO FAST!!!! Wow! Love the stripes on the oars. It is just enough. How funny that your hubby doesn't notice things like that-you would think, being an artist, he would be super sensitive to changes around him that involved display. However, underneath it all he IS a man...and that just might explain it! xo Diana

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  8. You are one busy and creative lady! Wow...you have a lot of energy! ;) It all looks fabulous!

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  9. I agree, I have a garden but I still feel the need to create! Love how the oars turned out.

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  10. You are outdoing yourself with your creativity, Carol! I can tell new artistic juices are flowing with the anticipation of the wedding. So excited for you, and fun to see all of your terrific ideas for making it a very special memorable day!!
    Mary Alice

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  11. All I can say is that you are a master stylist! Everything is so gorgeous! Love the stripes on the oar and the new signs.

    xox

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  12. I love the stripes on the oar ~ a perfect compromise! Poor Steve ~ I do the "how long will it take him to notice" thing on him all the time!
    I have always loved that quote ~
    The B. party bits are coming along nicely ~ kudos for getting them started so early!

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  13. I am starting to feel the need to create myself sometimes and it feels so good. I love the stripes on the oar and the sign. Yes life is good.

    Linda

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  14. Oh my gosh!
    You are on speed creation mode!
    One could never tell because of the beautiful quality of your work!
    You are so inspiring, Carol!
    ~Lynne
    w/L

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  15. i feel that need also and I'm always suppressing it but I now have set a goal to "finish" something each day which hopefully will lead to satisfaction on several fronts! LOL! I love that quote though and I can see I have lots to catch up on with you!

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  16. I like all of the projects you've completed lately. My husband doesn't always notice things I do around here either. The garland that you're working on looks great!

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  17. All your changes are just lovely... What is that color blue on the sign??? Its amazing! Hugs! deb

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  18. Amazing how quick a change you made to the oar and it looks so nice. I understand the need to create so it's nice you have such a purpose in so doing right now as you plan for the wedding!

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  19. I love what you did with the oar! I also love that saying and how you turned it into a sign. And you are good in that you took down the oar and put it back up without him noticing. xoxo Su

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  20. You always have so much energy and enthusiasm! You bring such wonderful touches of beauty, whimsy, and creativity throughout your house and garden. I bet Steve won't notice the stripes on the oar...especially if he hasn't even noticed the EAT sign, which really stands out! ;-)

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  21. Carol, you know me, I like everything you do . . . and the need to create . . . oh my goodness . . . it will eat you up, if you do not give it wings and let it soar. I am surprised, with Steve being an artist, I would think that he would be better at noticing changes, especially as big and bold as your EAT sign, LOL. This is the first time that I have seen your kitchen sink. Love the big double windows above the sink. I would never buy a house that didn't have a window above the sink . . . I spend too much time at the sink, to not have a view of the world:) You have inspired me to spend sometime creating. I need to re-do my garden scarecrow . . . she needs a make-over. Sounds like a trip to the Goodwill :)

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  22. Looks so good. Your home looks like it is ready for Summer.

    Judy

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  23. Carol, How naughty of you...trying to trick Steve. I laughed about it though. :) I love the stripes. Your little sign is the perfect saying. Blessings for a great time during all the wedding festivities. xoxo,Susie

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  24. Carol a visit to your cottage always brightens my day. What is with these guys not noticing things? I love when I add or subtract, embellish or replace - sometimes days go by and then I hear "is that new?" the oar looks great, you can still see and admire the vintage charm and the blue looks pretty. Countdown to the wedding ... very exciting and thanks for sharing all your creative ideas to make it a beautiful event.
    Now Carol my eyes lite up with appreciation when I saw the lovely Periwinkle and lime flowers on your countertop. It is such a lovely color combination. Have a fun weekend with KC and Steve and adorable Lulu. Color your world beautiful.
    Xoxo,
    Vera

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  25. You are so talented and quick making changes and they all look terrific. Love the sign and the painting of the oar. i can't believe that Steve didn't notice it.
    Enjoy your weekend in PS with Kc and have a lot of fun. The wedding will be here before you know it.
    Mary

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  26. I like the stripes on the oar...and I really like the Eat sign too!! Love the saying on the blue board!! I have a feeling that those 52 days until the wedding will go by quickly.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  27. Well, you do create Well! I love the tiny touch on the oar. As I'm sure I have mentioned, my lifelong dream is to own a cottage on the beach but since that is not my reality just now, I created a 'beach' right here in the AZ desert! I finished the mural (on the blog) and hope to find an oar/surf board/wake board to add some punches of color to the pool area! Enjoy as you continue to create for the wedding! Blessings, Cindy

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  28. I love the sign on the blue door Carol. You and I will always have the need to create now and then. The oar really looks great! I just finished giving my mantle and table a beachy nautical feel for summer. I pulled out an oar I bought years ago on clearance from pottery barn that I had hanging in my upstairs bathroom.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  29. Ha! Let us know if he notices the oar!!! It is so cool Carol! And wouldn't you know that that is one of my favorite quotes! I love how you painted that little door for your garden vignette! Just stunning my friend! Happy making for the big day! It is almost here! Beautiful job and a happy weekend to you! Nicole xo

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  30. Hi Carol, I would never think you are a slacker!! Love this post about feeling the need. I hear ya!! Love the oar with stripes and would love to know it Steve notices. I have things my hubster never notices either and when he does it's lots later and he thinks it's new. LOL Just a guy thing!!
    Love the quote on the blue door vignette. I would love to adopt that saying here for my library right off the garden.
    Have fun creating for the wedding. Have a nice weekend.
    Hugs, CM

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  31. Hi Carol, Came over from Connie's blog! Made me chuckle because by husband does not notice things either! I wonder what they do see, don't you!!! LOL Nancy

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  32. The projects you did while your husband was out remind me of little elves coming at night and making things. I wonder how long it will take for him to notice! I suppose even if he doesn't he'll feel the difference in the atmosphere somehow. Lovely projects and lovely home.

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  33. Has Steve noticed anything yet? I have to laugh - my husband is the same way about things in the house or garden. It is fun to create - a need I have, too. Today I'm sewing a little play tent for one of my granddaughters who turns 3 next week. Have fun with the wedding creating.

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  34. How funny, I wonder how much longer it will take for Steve to notice. I'll bet KC notices right away. Have a fun weekend Carol.

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  35. Has he noticed the stripes yet? I like them. I like the door you painted too. Have a fun time with your daughter.

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  36. Carol, I always love the sneak peeks around your cottage. Always amazing! ! And I agree with Celestina - you're definitely not a slacker!
    I can't wait to see all the details of the wedding coming up... the garland looks to be so pretty!

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  37. The stripes on the oar are a perfect compromise! I'm surprised the EAT sign hasn't been noticed by your artist...

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  38. Love the quote and your painted words! I agree with you, I need to add crafting and making to the mix to be perfectly happy!
    Helen xox

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  39. The stripes on the oar are perfect with your buffalo check cushions, love that piece! That's so funny that your husband hasn't noticed the EAT sign! Lols!

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  40. LOVE the quote on your sign….so true!

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  41. I like the stripes you added to the oar. It added that needed touch.
    Can't believe Steve hasn't noticed the Eat sign. that's funny but at least he noticed the sewing table.

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