My Obsession with Lucite grows . . .

Took JT to the nearby Value Village and antique mall (next door to each other for thrifting heaven).  I found this gem at the antique mall . . .

I just couldn't resist it.  It fits perfectly in the kneespace of the desk that just migrated to the living room, which is perfect because it's a really small kneespace!! 

While this desk isn't completely and totally my style now, I don't know if I can ever part with it.  It was one of my first alley finds.  I was home from college on a break and went to visit a friend.  There the desk was, sitting out on the curb, waiting to become landfill fodder.  I came back with my parent's mini-van and brought it home to take up one of the coveted garage parking spots as I sanded off the green-yellow paint and refinished it.  My dad alternately cursed my name and helped me refit all the dovetail joints, nail on a new back piece and drill holes for the new hardware.  Now that my dad has passed away, this project always reminds me of him and our time spent together.  So it will probably always have a place in our home.  I know it will always have a place in my heart.

There's my dad, hand-drafting in the 70s.  I sure am glad we have AutoCAD these days!!

Baby Steps in January

So to keep moving on my 2011 goals, I have been taking some baby steps . . . very very small baby steps it feels like sometimes!  My item #10 about cleaning out the basement has/will require a lot of work . . . so let's get started:

Number 10 sub-item 2 was the chair and ottoman.  I found this beaut on Craigslist for something like $35 dollars.  It was in rough shape and had green and maroon upholstery (gasp).  So now it has been stripped and the ottoman has received 2 coats of tung oil and the chair has gotten one coat. 

Number 10 sub-item 4 is a card table and chairs (only 3) that I found at a garage/yard sale.  They also need some work and have been languishing in the basement.  I have started pulling the old orange vinyl off the seats and am going to reupholster them in white vinyl (my favorite thing in the whole wide world .  . . or one of them at least!)

Number 10 sub-item 5 was the sweater yarn ball - it is done!  The dogs have been enjoying it but I'm kind of worried Shenanigan is going to rip it up when he moves it around to make his little doggy nest.  We'll see how it goes.  I did want to mention that the sweater yarn ball rug took a few trys - the "yarn" was so big it kept coming out wonky and I would have to pull it out and redo it . . . .

Number 10 sub-item 6 is a crochet blanket that is keeping Sophie and I warm as I work on it.  This is blanket #2.  There was also an unfinished Blanket #1 that I wrapped up and took over to my sister's apartment along with some felt pillows that couldn't handle the dog hair that is our house . . .

And as usual, when I put the blanket out for photographing, Shenanigan had to examine it, thus the dog hair!

And finally, the big next that wasn't on my list because it wasn't mine . . . JT is making a guitar!  It is going to be gorgeous.  Really I can't wait til he finishes this one (a Telecaster clone) so he can start on the next one - an Explorer!

One project off the List!

The sweater yarn ball is now a sweater yarn dog bed/blanket.  I think it has Sophie and Shenanigan's seal of approval too.  Overall I am happy with how it turned out -- still not 100% convinced it was worth all the effort, but it got me back in touch with my sewing machine, so that's a good thing . . .

I may be a sweepstakes addict . . .

How does one know for sure?  I guess the fact that I usually enter at least three a day online every morning might be a clue . . .
I'm not sure how I feel about the HGTV Dream House in Stowe.  Would I be excited if I won it?  You betcha.  Would I stay in the master bedroom?  Not so sure about all that red.  I guess the guest bedroom will just have to do . . .

HGTV Dream Home 2010 (Stowe) Guest Bedroom

Eleven for 2011

Instead of resolutions, I always go for lists.  Here's my master list for 2011.  Only time will tell how many items get fully or partially checked off the list . . .   
1.  Pass the motorcycle safety class
2.  Go to a winery with JT for a long afternoon/evening/weekend
3.  Long vacation to Florida to see JT's good friend get married.
4.  Learn 3 more chords on the guitar and get good at the three I have already learned . . .
5.  Recover "guitar-playing" chairs and try to learn something about upholstery along the way . . .
6.  Have a proper library in the house -- get all the books out of their bins and on display!
7.  Catalog and scan the family pictures - distribute disks to family members
8.  Add a piano or an organ to the living room or music room.
9.  Finish up the kitchen (there is a sub list to this item that is too long to go into now, maybe later!)
10. Clean the basement of all pending projects: 1) walk-in closet, 2) chair and ottoman, 3)armoir, 4)card table and chairs, 5)sweater yarn ball, 6)crochet blanket, 7)Tracy's pillows, 8)all the pillows . . .
11.  Do some junking and refinishing/refurbishing to fund all of the above! 

My motivation has been running high.  I've been working on the chair and ottoman basement project for a little while now.  Maybe I'll post about that next . . .

Cheers!