Monday, June 23, 2008

Handmade napkins, and do I need a tutorial?

Good morning! Thought I would make a quick post for today before I get too busy and forget about it. I could definately retire if it were possible.

I was online last week and came across the purl bee and found this great tutorial on making napkins. I'm inspired to make them, also reducing waste. I already have four cloth napkins that we use now and again, which they are getting pretty tired looking. Yes, I think I do need this tutorial because Molly's handmade napkins are beautiful!
I was at Target last week and found these on clearance, so I quickly snapped them up.
napkins on clearance at Target

Again, the birds caught my eye and I couldn't resist!

Have a great day and see you tomorrow!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Ikea shopping

Friday we managed to make it to Ikea in San Diego, but it sure was hot. Even hotter yesterday!

Anyway, I didn't see anything that I really wanted or needed for some reason. I was really anxious to get over there, but once I was there nothing really seemed to jump out at me and scream "buy me". I bought this lamp, actually I bought the lampshade last year, thinking that I had a small lamp that it would be perfect for. Well, I did have a small lamp, but it didn't look right, so the lampshade sat on my closet shelf for almost a year. I love the embroidery design, especially the little bird. (excuse all the clutter on the desk, I cropped most of it out) I bought the lamp base, but my bulbs don't fit - back to Ikea. I also bought a drying rack, I usually have a few items that I like to hang instead of throwing in the dryer, especially since the dryer seems to be a waste of energy when it's already in the upper 90's.

While we were walking through Ikea I saw this one room that was sort of a studio, I think. I wished I had brought my camera, I should have went back and snapped it with my phone. Anyway, the space was almost the size of my kitchen/dinning room. I think mine is bigger, it had the kitchen area off to one side, minimal counter space like mine. Then to the other side was a family room area and then of course off to the side was a small dining table and two chairs. I would love to transform my space into that! There was a couch, coffee table, lamps and a wall unit with tv, stereo, etc. I don't think I would have a the whole wall unit, but a flat screen would be nice. The whole look was cozy. Anyway, I've been dreaming of that set up ever since. I need to go back!

Yesterday, I put up a roll-up window shade over the kitchen sink. It was a bear to put up, but I was determined. Now, that I see it up, I don't think I want to put up a valance. It looks fine the way it is, my husband agrees. Ooops, sorry more clutter on the counter, but we still have painting projects going on. Angela is painting her nightstand green and I don't want my espresso machine anywhere near the sink right now, if you know what I mean. I still have have to gather up those cords for the tv, also need new switchplates - calls for another trip to Home Depot. Can you see how bright it can get in the kitchen? I also have a sliding glass door off to the left that gets full sun as well. Hey, that's the Food Channel on tv, I think it's Giada, from "Everyday Italian", chopping up some onions. I can't see, the photo is too dark!

Well, I must get back to work around the house. Have a great Sunday!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Paint project #1 and my staycation

Sorry, I've been a little bit missing in action, but I finally finished painting the kitchen and dining area. Well, almost finished, I have a few touchups here and there. It was a big job for me, now I feel like I can tackle any other paint job in the house on my own! Next, in the works is making new curtains, hang up the new roll-up shade (we get alot of sun in that room), and decide what to put on the walls and what to do about window coverings for the sliding glass door. Basically the walls are white, Behr's "Swiss Coffee", and I'm so happy with that after putting up with a sort of mauve-salmonny color for around 4 years. I don't know why we did that, and worse yet, I don't know what took me so long to re-paint it! Anyway, it's done! I'll have pics soon. Now I want new dining room furniture, new cabinets, stove, flooring ..... the list goes on. Sigh. Next week I'll begin cleaning and then painting my sewing room.

Today is the first day of my vacation, I guess really I should say staycation, because I'm not planning on going any where, but play around the house and beyond. I have alot of catching up to do, anyway. Today, Angela and I plan to drive down to San Diego (not that far), see her new place of work, home, and then IKEA and probably lunch. I'm looking forward to getting out.

See you tomorrow!

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Weekending

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Mine has been one big chore, but I have to put on a big smile and just do it! I'm still painting and I feel like I'm way behind on this project. Even though I'm doing it on my own and it's just the kitchen and dining area, I should be further along. We have no "dining room", just a very large kitchen with a designated area for a dining table, hutch and other bits of furniture. What makes this a longer project is that I have to clean, sand and primer the walls first, plus move furniture around. Remember my project was put on hold because of jury duty. I had planned to do this during the week after work, I only work from 6:30 to 10:15am, so I had plenty of time to paint. Now, I have some subbing to do next week, so who knows how long I'll be at this. I do have a vacation coming on June 20 through the rest of the month, which I plan on continuing with my home improvement projects. So I hope you don't mind me rambling about it, I promise to keep it short. I do wish I could afford to have professionals come in and do everything, but that's not going to happen.

Oh, I've also been decluttering and packing away some of my favorite dishes. They are just in the way right now. It's my Franciscan Starburst and Echo collections.

Sorry this photo is a little dark, but they are beautful dishes and does not go with that hutch they are resting on. While I was packing and storing these little gems, I started to go through some my other retro dishes and what-not that have been packed away years ago and forgotten about. I've decided that I no longer want them and don't need to be hidden away in the garage any longer, they deserve to be in some one else's prize collection. So I think those will be the first items I put in my etsy shop, whenever I get that going, there is so much to learn. Here is a sampling of what I have. Yep, more Franciscan dinnerware!

As for the jury trial, it ended on Thursday, 4:30pm. It was a criminal case and very interesting. We had a great judge, who kept everything moving at a steady pace. I was back at work on Friday morning and it didn't look like I was missed. Oh well.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Yay, almost over!

I've been on jury duty since Monday and I think (I hope) it's about to end tomorrow afternoon. Actually, I'm thinking by lunch recess. Although, I was anxious about being picked in the beginning, it has been a very interesting experience and I'm always happy to meet new people and I've learned quite a bit in such a short period of time. I seem to always feel that way when I serve, but this is the first time I've been able to journal a little bit about it. This is my third time doing jury service and in some way it feels like a new experience. I'm just glad that we are towards the end and then once I'm finished I can focus on other things going on in my life. But right now, being the good juror that I am, my mind is on the task at hand.

Good night.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Jury Duty

Yesterday was a long day, I've been to Jury Duty yesterday and already assigned to a court, all the potential jurors haven't finished the screening process, but I have a feeling I'm going to be one of the twelve. So looks like nothing is going to get done around here, the kitchen is in total shambles, I'm going to try to paint tonight when I get home. It's going to be another long day today. I'm not use to being away all day, I've been spoiled.

Sunday Market was okay, slow again, but we have plans to go again next Sunday. I have to run, but I'll try to post tonight. I haven't had much time to play on the computer and I miss it already.

See you later.

I'm back cross-stitching

  Well, not yet, but real soon because my daughter found a Halloween cross-stitch booklet that I thought I lost forever. So my plans are to ...