refinishing

I was looking back through my photos for the past few years, and it seems that June is the time when I refinish furniture. This year is no exception.

I found this little dresser at the thrift store... on half-price day. Bonus!

 Laminate top... solid plywood construction.

 It was presumably  part of a modular set, since the veneer only wrapped half-way around the sides, and there were large screw holes on it.

 I sanded it all over, especially the laminate top; filled the holes, and tapered down the gap behind the veneer. Then I gave it a good coat of Kilz spray primer (I'm in love), and several coats of paint (Benjamin Moore Sea Pearl). I kept the legs in their original state.

 And here it sits in my bedroom, with pretty paper lining the drawers.

Next up: to make a cushion for the top.
It might even migrate out to the entryway... it's a lovely height for sitting down to put shoes on.

new book!!

Earlier this year, Lark Crafts released a new title... Sewn by Hand by Susan Wasinger.

  They did a blog tour, complete with giveaways... and I won a copy!! And not only did I win the book, but I also got a wee package of goodies along with it: needles, thread, thimble, buttons, and so on.

I foresee many happy hours this summer, sitting outside and stitching. There are some very lovely projects in this book... slippers, potholders, napkins... mostly practical stuff, which I appreciate; and several of the patterns use recycled fabrics/clothing, which I also am happy to see.

The Thread Caddy pattern found in the book is available from Lark Crafts as a free download... I think it'll most likely be the first thing I make. That way I can have all my supplies to hand when I want to bring my sewing somewhere with me.

Yay for summer sewing, and (even the thought of) relaxing with a slow project!

what??

So, it seems that spring has arrived at last.

The weather has been glorious... I've gardened, I've hung the laundry out on the line to dry... I'm loving it.

And what have I been doing in between all of those spring-time activities?

Knitting.

Seriously.

For months, even during prime Christmas gift-knitting time, I couldn't bring myself to pick up the needles. Wasn't inspired, didn't care.

And now... now that there are so many other things that you might think would hold my attention... now suddenly I can't hold myself back.

The tea cozy pattern is a free download, found at Ravelry. That one was knit up during game two of the Canuck vs. Sharks Conference finals. All those lovely Canucks goals kept me knitting rather quickly, I must say.

The beaded necklace/bracelet/headband/whatever-you-want-to-wrap-it-around thingy is a very fun project from Nelkin Designs. Once I'd finished stringing on the almost-600 beads (sooooo much fun, especially while waiting for the freezing to wear off after a lovely dentist visit!), it knit up rather quickly, and since it's essentially a two-row pattern, and uses a minimal amount of yarn, it's wonderfully portable. I do advise that you check your yarn for itchiness *before* you start stringing beads, though...

Found: my mojo

It seems that I'm fated to go through a couple of weeks each year, when all I can do is function; usually maintaining a smile on my face, but still, just the bare minimum.

Assemble your supplies: a butt-ugly clock that you once thought was so cool;
a handful of paint chips and something to cut them with; glue; (not shown) paint;
a paintbrush; (also not shown) something to use as a topcoat - like modpodge

Remove the clock hands if you can (or just work around them... mine didn't come off).
Cut the paint chips to size (I did 2" square) and glue them down,
trimming the center ones around the clock mechanism.

A time when I have nothing extra to give.

After the glue has dried, trim the edges and sand them smooth.
I also sanded down the top, to smooth the edges of the paint chips
where they were sticking up a bit.

Also I like the distressed look.

Mostly it seems to happen during the dark winter months. I thought I'd staved it off this year. Apparently I only postponed it.

Add a light coat of paint: I used Golden's Titan Buff... I painted on a section
and then rubbed it off, leaving a very thin coat.

Add whatever decoration you like: I painted the bird silhouette
and then sanded it down as well. Stamp on the numbers,
and add a protective topcoat.

 I think I'm back now. We'll see.

Here's the clock in my newly-tidied sewing room.

another birthday

 21 years ago I became a mom.

I have now been a mom for half of my life. How odd.

I can't fathom a life without my kids.

They alternately frustrate me, surprise me, make me laugh, break my heart, stun me with their awesomeness, fill me with joy.

I would not be the person I am, had I not had them in my life.

I love them. All of them.

But this one here, she was the first one to make me realize that I was forever changed.

birthday party

frogs were kissed

princess shoes were worn

presents were opened

candles were blown, and cake was eaten.

Ellie's 6th birthday was celebrated. Much fun was had.

woot!!

just a drive-by brag post...
ONE OF MY PHOTOS GOT PICKED FOR REDBUBBLES'S HOME PAGE!!!
(sorry... did I just shout?? I'm a bit excited...)

On the lower right corner... that one's mine. Cool, hey??

What's RedBubble? It's a site where I have uploaded some of my favourite photos, so that people can buy prints/cards/posters/whatever.

So, yeah. If one of my pics here, or on my 365 blog, or my flickr stream catches your eye, and you'd like to buy a print of it, just let me know and I'll put it onto my redbubble page, and you can order it through them.

And in the interests of full disclosure, yes,I do get a small percentage of what you paid.