A Most Uncreative Week

It has been a most uncreative week and I have only myself to blame.

This view, each time I walked in and out of the house is what kept me motivated today.

On Wednesday, after our company left, I randomly decided to switch our bedroom with the guest room.

I am still not finished, but this morning, I was determined to do something creative.

I bought this white fabric at Joann's a couple of weeks ago to make a tablecloth, but I had not gotten around to hemming the edges.

It took longer to iron the fabric than it did to hem the two ends.

By 10 a.m. the table was set for dinner and that little bit of creativity motivated me to finish up the bedroom switch.

 Flowers, books, baskets, tchotchkes etc. ended up on the floor of the living room.

The entryway cabinet got a new pitcher and plate.

Ceramic letter balls ended up on the dining room side table.

My old classroom stool sits at one end of the sofa,

I wish I was finished with the switch, but Little Lulu, aka The Tasmanian Devil, demands a lot of attention.

I tell myself, there is always tomorrow.

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I am joining these fun parties

Creative Home Expressions - Creative Home and Garden Hop

Funky Junk Interiors - Party Junk

The Dedicated House - Anything Blue Friday

On Little Lulu Time

Each morning, at 2:30 a.m., Steve and I question our sanity.

As Little Lulu whimpers to go out, and we flip to see who has to get up, we look at each other and say, "what were we thinking?"

For now, we are housebound, until Lulu can be on the beach, at the park or with other dogs - October 1.

Watching, in essence a toddler, is time consuming so my hangout for much of the day is the garden.

Each day I gather the necessary supplies so I can be creative while watching Lulu tear through the garden with an even shorter attention span than me.

Yesterday's project was to crochet an edge around a rectangle of fabric (an attic find) to make a little tablecloth.

If you notice, the pillow on the chair in the next photo is the same fabric.

The pillows matched my old window seat and the fabric for the table cloth is a remnant from making the window seat cushion

I drew the early shift when Lulu decided she needed to go out and thought it would be fun to stay and play - in the dark - so there I was at 5:30 a.m. doing my hula hoop while Lulu played tug-of-war with a rope.

At 6:00 a.m. it was light enough for me to read while Lulu settled down and played with her toys.

On and off throughout the day, when I needed to be outside, I worked on a "heart" project.

Sitting quietly (me, not Lulu) allowed me time to look around and enjoy the flowers.

A neighbor brought by some sunflowers and I managed to find time to arrange them on a table in the dining room and take photographs.

I finished the heart garland I made for Suzan of Simply Vintageous and actually found time to run to the mail center to send it off.

Lulu is in bed, I was able to edit all my photos, and write a blog post.

Each day is a little easier - who knows what I will accomplish tomorrow?

I do know it will have to be something I can work on in the garden.

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I am joining the following parties

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson- Share Your Cup Thursday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

Common Ground - Be Inspired

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative 

From Duvet to Tablecloth

Last Sunday when I spent 4 hours working in the attic, I came across lots of things I had forgotten I even had.

I found a quilt and pillow shams to redo our bedroom, white fabric for new bedroom curtains, and some great vintage tablecloths of my mother's.

I also found a denim duvet cover from KC's college days and knew just how I would use it.

 I laid out my favorite white tablecloth on top of the duvet, cut around the tablecloth, hemmed the edge and VOILA! - I have a new tablecloth.

When I cut out the tablecloth, I ended up with 2 pieces and enough scraps to make a second tablecloth with a ruffled edge.

It was a beautiful sunny day so I set the table in garden using my fun new polka dot flatware.

 The blue bucket was hiding in the attic and it was full of shells.

Steve barbecued sword fish and we sat in the garden enjoying the evening.

Tomorrow's project is new bedroom curtains.

And, creating a birdbath out of this rusted bucket.

Fun projects . . .  free projects . . . using what I have.

What will I find the next time I go up to the attic?

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 Kris of Junk Chick Cottage and Susan of Must Love Junk have started a new series Saturday Spotlight  - the blogger behind the blog.

Hop on over to  Junk Chic Cottage to read about me or Must Love Junk to read about Mary Alice of Chateau Chic.

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I am joining in at the following parties

Creative Home Expressions - The Creative Home and Garden Hop

Redoux - Link Party

Funky Junk Interiors - Party Junk 198

Nine to Five

I started with #9 and went on to #5.

I began my 10 day project with #9 - the easiest to complete.

I couldn't find a screw for the clock knob so I used the OPEN knob instead.

 Free - easy - quick.

I used the dish towel I bought last weekend in Santa Barbara as a table runner.

That done, I move on to # 5 - the black bench.

 I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

One coat of paint, drying while I worked in the garden, sanding to scuff it up and the bench was back in the living room by the end of lunch.

On a roll, I grabbed #10 and some blue paint I found in the garage.

It was not Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and it was not as easy to work with.

I had to do several coats of paint and I don't like the texture.

But, it is just sitting in the garden so it is fine.

Steve was not back from physical therapy so I moved on to #4.

The table cloth proved to be a bit challenging because the fabric is really not wide enough.

But, I was using the "mistake" fabric from my pillow project so I made do.

#4 turned out to be one of those "domino" projects.

I definitely need to make a long white table cloth to go beneath the print and I need to make blue or red pillows for the chairs.

I even did some work in the garden in between paint jobs.

It will be slow going, but I will work every day.

Victor, my neighbor's gardener, has agree to come next Saturday to help me tackle the jungle.

Started at nine - done by five.

At this rate, I might actually complete my list.

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You can find me partying at

Common Ground

My Romantic Home

French Country Cottage

Rooted in Thyme

Cottage Wishes

No Minimalist Here

10 Days . . .

Spring Break!

We ALWAYS go skiing for spring break.

But, not this year.

Steve's shoulder is healing, but definitely no skiing this year.

We went skiing on our honeymoon - Steve was still in college so we set our wedding date during spring break.

But this year we will be spending our time here.

Dorje got into the picture so show how happy she is that there won't be a sitter and she will be at home with the human she loves best (Steve) and me.

So, with 10 days, I have a big project list.

#1 PILLOWS

 I will be making 2 yellow pillows and 3 in the red polka dot fabric the living room sofa and chair.

We are going out to dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday, but I will get started before we leave and the plan is to make at least one tonight.

#2 PAINT THE CABINET

I have never loved how my antique record cabinet turned out when I painted it BB - before blogging.

Had I seen all the inspiring paint jobs on Pinterest and blogs, I would probably never have chosen to go with 3 colors.

Tomorrow will be a drive south to the closest Annie Sloan Chalk Paint dealer.

Annie Sloan Old White is the plan.

Steve won't be able to drive with me so I get to leisurely look through the stores in the little antique mall AND I will be able to visit Home Goods.

#3 TABLE CLOTH

When I found the polka dot fabric, I saw this fabric in the same series.

I like it, but I don't think the size of the print is right for the red polka dot so it will become a table cloth.

#4 PATIO TABLE CLOTH

I bought this fabric before I settled on the red polka dots.

I want a bright tablecloth for spring so I am making use of the "mistake" fabric.

I think I might have to make a long white table cloth to go under it and I am hoping there is enough of the yellow fabric for some chair cushions too.

#5 PAINTED BENCH

Since his surgery, Steve has been bumping into the glass top sewing machine table.

I moved things around the house and put this little black bench next to the chair.

The bench will be Old White also.

A white cabinet, a white bench - oh, I really am going over to the light side!

#6 TACKLING THE JUNGLE

My garden is crying out for help.

I need to work in the garden EVERY day to get it under control.

Rain is forecast for Easter, but the rest of the time should be perfect for gardening.

#7 PAINTED DRESSER

We bought an entire bedroom suite 25 years ago and the only pieces we still have are the mirror and dresser.

I'm thinking blue.

I will see the selection tomorrow at the ASCP dealer and make my decision then.

I don't want to move the dresser out of the room mainly because Steve is not allowed to do any lifting.

So, this might be a drawer by drawer slow process.

#8 WINDOW SEAT CUSHION and PILLOWS

This should be #10 on the list because I probably won't get that far, but I always say "aim high".

If I put it in writing then I am more likely to complete it.

#9 PAINTED BOX

I found the little wooden box in the garage months ago and planned to paint it and add the little clock knob.

I have no excuses.

This is probably one of the easiest projects on the list.

#10 PAINTED BENCH

Don't I already have that on my list?

When I was looking for something to replace the sewing machine table I found this bench also.

I want to paint it for the garden.

10 days . . .

10 projects . . .

Wish me luck!

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I will be partying at

A Delightsome Life

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

My Romantic Home 

The Pin Junkie

French Country Cottage

The Shabby Nest