I must be lame....

I can't seem to get a post up onto this blog, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I click the "publish Post" button, but alas.. nothing. nada. nine. uh! What am I doing wrong. I'm hoping to be able to fix this problem, esp since I have over A DOZEN posts to put up! ***fingers crossed** today might just be the day I get it right!

post-poning

I keep meaning to post all the wonderful things I have been working on, but alas either the computer freezes, the camera wont upload photos to the computer, or I'm just so darn tired by the time the boys are asleep that I just can't think straight. Have days like that? For me, it seems to be more and more frequent as of late. Many apologies and I'll make sure to start the whirlwind of uploads, posts and projects in the coming weeks.

Thanks for dropping in..

ps.. as I'm trying to get blogger to post this, it's just not working *sigh* [still] one of those days.

Kitchen re-do

It's been driving me nuts that the kitchen isn't how I want it to be. Besides the fact that we rent this duplex and I can't knock out a wall or two to make more room.... and our 'kitchen' is a laundry room, kitchen AND dinning room all in one! Gesh!

Yes, you heard me right. There are the washer/dryer hook ups right next to my convection oven and the back door. And some where beside the deep freezer, microwave, wine cellar [used for sparkling cider] , and the fridge is where our table and 4 chairs is supposed to go. Space is limited and I am getting to be a master at organizing and decorating small spaces!

So part of my solution to this massive problem is to make the back patio our 'dinning room' and paint a few things in the kitchen to make it mine.

Here's what I've done....

Problem:

I've had this small entertainment center [if you could even call it that....] for years now and haven't done much with it because I was too afraid of messing up! Well not anymore!!!

Solution:

I went and got some paint I loved [Behr- in Cozumel and cornmeal] and got to work. My 3 yr old even helped me paint with his mini roller. I painted the majority of the cabinet Cozumel and used the Cornmeal on the shelf [where the cook books reside] and the inside. It really brightened up the inside, making it so cheery! I cut out a flourish [or two] on my silhouette and applied it on the front. I used modge podge to seal the design on and clear coat for the rest of the piece. I am IN LOVE!!! As I started it, however, was a different story. I kept feeling regret with my paint choices and thinking it was looking so juvenile. In the end I trusted my artistic intuition and I'm glad I did :) It has a space on the top for the microwave and cookie jar, a shelf for my cook books, and a space underneath for storage :)

Problem:

This next thing is a gift I received from a dear friend many years ago. While I love the message, ["Laugh often, Live much, and Love with all your heart"] the decor just didn't match how I decorate. It was VERY country. At one point I probably was more inclined to decorate with country but not anymore.

Solution:

I prefer french provincial infused with Mediterranean. So this needed to be redone [and I might re-do it again because I'm not sure it's what I want but it's better.] I did keep the original and put it behind the new one before re-sealing the back. I painted the frame in Cozumel [same as the cabinet]. Then I found a font [ck becky] that I adore - once I fiddled with it for a bit I printed it out and put it in the frame. Easiest part of the decor re-do!

Newest stuff

My newest projects! The first is a crocheted lion , Lenard. I put a rattle in him so he makes such a cute baby toy :) I love him so much I think I might just have to make more of him!

The next is a rectangular pillow made from Crepe Satin and cotton. I hand painted the sparrow and the name then hand beaded them. This particular pillow is a Christmas present for a cousin but I have this one on my etsy shop as a customized item. I am very excited about this one because I LOVE pillows and beadwork!

I made some invitation too. Tea parties are a big deal right now- I've always loved them, the elegant dresses and hats. The amazing food. A warm beverage. Great company. You just can't beat it! I had a tea party fo rmy birthday this year and it was seriously the best!

These are also on my etsy shop.

Projects in the works

I've been so busy with my etsy and whoopdwhoop shops oh! and camping.. ad Easter outfits and ...and.. and.. Does it EVER END???!?!?!?!? NOpe. And I don't think I want it to. I have ideas in my head about EVERYTHING >>>> it drives me bonkers at times because I want to do so many things but don't ever have the time [or money] to do it. With 2 boys under 3 that takes a good majority of my time. But I LOVE THEM! So here are the things I have promised to finish this week.. [and not in any particular order]

*clean and organize the kitchen [time to bust out the cleaners, boxes and silhouette !]
*finish organizing the boys' room
*finish our headboard
*update my blog[s] - yes I have more than one, don't we all? LOL!]
*make 3 hats [fill orders]
*reupholster the dining room chairs

What projects have YOU started or thought about starting??? Go get it done!!!

what to do with a door?!

I've been wanting to make a headboard for our bed. Ever since we got rid of our cal-king water bed we've been sleeping on just box spring and mattress.. well those are set on a simple frame too. So no more head-board for us :( [I say 'just' as if our bed isn't nice.. it is, just no headboard] I've been DYING to purchase a door, but they are just so dog-gone expensive! I was driving to pick my hubby up from work a few weeks ago and saw a door chillin' on the side of the road, propped up on a tree labeled "free". As I drove past my inner craftiness yelled "MINE ! MINE! MINE! GRAB IT!!!!!!'' So I quickly stopped. Sitting in the car I thought, ''what are you thinking?!'' ''what will Cameron say???'' ''where are you putting this door?'' I almost didn't get out of the car to claim it as my own..... but what the heck?! It's free, I need one.. I have been looking for on for 3 years... DO IT! GRAB IT! And if it didn't work out, I can always toss it or label it free for someone else. So it is mine! Since then it has sat in my living room, taunting me..... pleading with me to just get it made already! [or at least started!] But what to do???? Still not sure. sorry to disappoint my readers... I haven't figured it out yet, so I guess this post is a bit of a tease... but I assure you, I'll be working on it this week to come up with a plan. AND if I'm able to remember to take pics along the way, I'll make a tutorial for you. tutorials are hard for me cuz when I get into my creative groove it's hard for me to stop in the middle of it.. that really throws off my creativeness. but I'll see what i can get done :) My ''theme'' of the master bedroom is a nautical one. but I'm leaning more towards a captain's quarters. Any ideas?

Whoopdwhoop!

What?! Yeah, I said it... whoopdwhoop! It's a online community that is like etsy but currency free... I do have a few things listed there to swap. Don't have money to pay for stuff? You can get so many different homemade just by swapping! So cool. http://whoopdwhoop.com/profile/view/u.id/1146/n/HeySharky Check it out, start your own shop and swap!