I took a little break from Trash to Treasure this week. With a funeral on Monday and another college visit with my son on Friday, that left a very short work week! But, I'm collecting new ideas all the time, and I'll be back next week.
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Photo of the Week- Flowers for Grandma
Today's photo is in memory of my grandma who passed away this past week and who we will lay to rest this afternoon. She always said, "Bring me the flowers when I'm alive, not for my funeral." She was always such a cheerleader for my creativity and my writing. I'll miss her.
Am I Unusual? Insane? Criminal?
It's Friday, so that means its link-up day. But before we get to the Follow Friday Blog Hop, I have to ask this question: Is there something wrong with me?
Here's why I wonder. I love to see inside homes as I drive by at night. Especially if they are big stately riverside homes with stained glass windows and winding staircases. There is something so cozy about seeing a home all lit up and cozy looking versus one with all of the shades drawn.
Now, just be sure you understand, I'm not a creeper. I don't sit outside of people's homes and stare in. But I love to observe as I drive by. My husband is going to have a heyday with this post since once of our biggest arguments is whether or not we should close the blinds in the living room at night. I say open. He says shut because people will look in. I've tried to convince him that no one looks in. Ahem. Except people like me.
So, when I recently finished my office paint job, guess what I did? Promise you won't think I'm insane, okay? I went outside to see how cozy my office looked from outside.
Am I the only one who finds it cozy and comforting to glance in windows as I drive by? C'mon. It's time to fess up.
Now that we've talked about glimpses in windows, how about giving us a glimpse into your blog by posting a link to your latest project, recipe, or hot topic.
Follow Friday Blog Hop Party
Blog Party Instructions:
- Be sure to link to a specific blog post not your home page so that we can find your fab projects and posts easier.
- It's always courteous to include a link to my site in your blog post OR Mention on your twitter account that you're linking up to Trash to Treasure for the blog hop and include a hyperlink to this post. If you tweet a link please mention my twitter name: @trash2treas in your tweet.
- That's it! Now it's time to use the linky tool below to link up a blog post and a photo thumbnail.
P.S. I've been told that the button code on the side doesn't work. However, when I've tested it, it seems to work. It must be pasted into HTML for it to work (not in the compose screen).
Thrifty Thursday Idea
During my office face lift this week, I decided to hang my small bulletin board on the closet door. But it was lacking something and I went scrounging for something to add interest. I had these words that I had picked up at a dollar store, but one of them was broken. Actually, my husband broke it, and I like to tease him that he broke my dream.
Quick, easy, thrifty decoration!
WWYD Wednesday
I love your ideas for the antique food scale from last week! Check the comments on that post in a few days for the idea I declare my favorite. You still have time to add your idea.This week for WWYD, I'm featuring an over the door towel bar. You find these at yard sales and thrift stores sometimes and I have one that I no longer use in the bathroom. In the photo below (from The Container Store) you'll see the traditional use for the towel bar.
Leave your ideas in the comments below. No idea is too crazy or far out!
In the Mood to Transform a Space
After painting and decorating some rooms over at the camp where my husband works, I was in the mood to transform something at home. I had about half of a gallon of paint left from the pecan color I used on some of my recent posted projects. I was getting a little bored with the plain off-white in my office. Here's my work space:
The basket hides the papers that need to be filed.
I love how it brings out the colors in the rug too. I picked this rug up at a great price at a yard sale. The butter colored drapes were a $5 Goodwill find on a 1/2 price ticket day and I wanted to keep them since they blend with the wall so well.
This week, I'll be showing two other projects related to my office spruce-up, so watch for those on WWYD Wednesday and Thrifty Thursday.
So, what do you want to paint? What's keeping you from taking the plunge and just doing it? Color choices? Fear over the technique? Time? I know you can do it!
I really wanted to paint the wall behind my desk that has all the book shelves. However, I wasn't too excited about moving everything. Plus, I knew I'd have to go buy more paint. But then I got thinking that I'd just start with two walls and see what I thought before moving too much furniture. I give piano lessons in my office, so I wanted to inspire my students as well.
As I show you the project, I'll include some painting tutorial that might help you on your next painting project. So many people are afraid of paint. Don't be! It's the easiest and cheapest way to make a big difference in a space.
I started with cutting in, which is the process of painting the top and bottom edges with a brush, as well as around all of the trim on doors. When I cut in, I don't tape off or use special edgers. Those things just end up smudging anyway. I use a good brush with a chiseled edge and keep a damp rag on hand to immediately wipe away and boo-boos. For beginners, it's best to use a brand new brush.
The trick to getting a nice edge along trim is to load enough paint on your brush and then each time you dip your brush, you start the brush 1/2 inch to an inch away from the trim and then paint for an inch or two as you gradually move the brush closer to the trim. Keep going in long strokes not lifting the brush until it begins to run out of paint. Then dip again, back-track a few inches and start the brush away from the trim again.
Once that edge is established, you can go back and even out the streaks. If you use a darker color, it's likely you'll need a second coat, but you rarely need to get that close to the trim with the second coat. Speaking of dark colors, please raise your right hand and repeat after me, "I promise that I will not panic when I see the color I chose next to the white of my plain walls." Too many painters panic when they see this contrast as they are cutting in:
They retreat back to pastel land when they second guess their choice. Remember, you must see the entire wall painted before you get a really good idea of how the color will look. Those little test packets of paint can sometimes increase the panic level because people test them on light walls.
For my project, I decided to use a smaller roller than I normally use since I knew there would be so much painting around doors and cramped spaces. It takes more dipping, but I didn't have to manage a clumsy roller.
By the time I finished the two walls, I was nearly out of paint, so I had to make the decision- buy more paint, or stop with two walls. I decided that for right now, I'm happy with the two walls. I love how the color warmed up my space, yet while keeping two of the yellowish off-white walls, I kept some light in the space for cloudy days. I love it!
I like how it makes the piano look classy. I added one of my window designs above instead of the former artwork (which was also paintings I had done).
This week, I'll be showing two other projects related to my office spruce-up, so watch for those on WWYD Wednesday and Thrifty Thursday.
So, what do you want to paint? What's keeping you from taking the plunge and just doing it? Color choices? Fear over the technique? Time? I know you can do it!
I'm linking up this week to these great blogs:
Oops...Pardon my omission on the link party!
I set up the Link Party before I went out of town and forgot to add the Linky Tool. So sorry! Here you go!
I was on a college visit with my son and had no internet access, so I returned home to find my mistake. Thanks for those who attempted to post anyway.
I was on a college visit with my son and had no internet access, so I returned home to find my mistake. Thanks for those who attempted to post anyway.
Follow Friday Blog Hop Party
Blog Party Instructions:
- Be sure to link to a specific blog post not your home page so that we can find your fab projects and posts easier.
- It's always courteous to include a link to my site in your blog post OR Mention on your twitter account that you're linking up to Trash to Treasure for the blog hop and include a hyperlink to this post. If you tweet a link please mention my twitter name: @trash2treas in your tweet.
- That's it! Now it's time to use the linky tool below to link up a blog post and a photo thumbnail.
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