Mudroom Makeover

In preparing to list the house, I've been busy with home projects. Some more fun than others. This one started out not-so-fun....well, actually it ended not-so-fun too, but it IS fun!

The laundry/utility/mudroom received a much needed face lift.

From this....

To this....

Although it's dark and rainy out there, it's bright and sunny in here! Ahhh, makes me happy!

Basketball Backboard Birthday

Quick Update: Yes, I'm still in Kansas. I have been working like crazy on the house which has given me a lot of time to think. I finally found an awesome renter, but within a week of finding her, I had processed and reprocessed the possibilities and decided to not rent it anymore. I am finishing up the projects (hopefully this week) and will be putting it up for sale. I love my little house and it makes me sad to think I won't be able to enjoy it for much longer, but I can't take it with me. I will just have to enjoy it while I can!

Today is my birthday. Funny thing, I finished fixing my tore up basketball backboard today, which I had originally painted 5 years ago on this day. My last renters must have been the firsts to really use it. It was shredded on the right side where the layup would have hit.

*cleaned up a bit*

I decided not to look at the original pics and just freehand a new 'design' on it. I didn't have all of the same colors so it's not as balanced as it use to be, but I'm calling it good.

And just for fun... here's the original design.

Other birthday fun to follow. =)

Project Thursday

I have been painting up a storm to get ready for the Outdoor Art Show at the end of this month. Wow! That's next week!

I finally finished this larger painting that I started over a year ago.

And then I've started doing a bunch of little ones. I'm doing a dozen this size, each with a different animal. Some seem more 'done' than others, but here are the first eight.

I'm working on number 9 right now. Have you ever been working on something and you're happy how it's turning out and could even call it good, but you decide to tweak it just a little more...which screws everything up? Yeah, that's number 9.

Project Thursday

Yay! The homemade mannequin works! Here's my first completed piece using it.

I also made this little work of art this week.

And I'm working on these hand painted shoes.
 

I painted the heels aqua (like the toes), but not sure what else to paint there. My thoughts so far... 'spunki' on the left one and 'doodle' on the right. =) I could leave it blank and let the buyer pick something. Or maybe a lady bug on one and a patch of grass on the other? What do you guys suggest I paint on it? I also haven't decided what I'm doing with the inward facing side. I did the outward facing side stripes. Should I paint the inward side the same, leave it solid brown (as it is now), or something else all together?

Update: The heels now have ladybugs playing in the grass, and I've added the mushroom shoes and the apron top to my etsy shop. 

Project Thursday - among the mess

Yep! Makin' messes again. I'm preparing for a craft fair this weekend near Topaz Lake. Uh yeah, you read that right. Not Tahoe... TOPAZ Lake. I have made a few new legwarmers and a bunch of new pine cone ornaments. Haven't had a chance to photograph them yet, but I'll be sure to take some of my booth. Set up is tomorrow morning and then the fair is on Saturday. Well actually, they are calling it a bizaar. The Topaz Sagehens Holiday Bazaar.

There are supposedly over 20 artists/crafters/vendors that will be there. If you live near by and want to get started on your holiday shopping or just get your hands on some unique handmade goodies, you should come on out.

details: This Saturday, November 5, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Topaz Ranch Estates Community Park Building at 4001 Carter Way, Wellington NV 89444. It's at the end of the cul de sac. (I'm being really specific because it took me awhile just to narrow down the exact address. Google had me all over the place.)


I'm starting to get excited! And nervous. I haven't started planning my booth yet and I really need a small Christmas tree. We went to 2 nurseries today and neither had one. eek! I really want a pine tree for my ornaments. It's only fitting.

My 1st sewn dress

I did it! I did it! I made my first dress, ever! And it's also the very first thing I've made from a pattern. Thank you so much Joy for holding my hand through it. I can't wait to show it to you in person. Hope this will suffice until then.







It was much more work than I thought it'd be, but it can only get easier from here. Right? :/




Eek! I love it sooo much! I made it from vintage sheets. Could you tell?











I ended up taking it to Kansas in 2 pieces...well 3 if you count the zipper, because I couldn't remember what Joy instructed me to do. I wanted to finish it before I left Tahoe, but hey, there are sewing machines in Kansas. :) And hey, I was heading to see my mamma anyways. I used her machine to attach the top to the bottom, but couldn't get the tension (I believe that was the culprit) quite right when sewing on the zipper. The stitches were all loopy. I tore it out at least 3 times before calling it quits with her machine. Back in Wichita, I stayed with my dad and step mom for awhile and used my step mom's machine to attach the zipper. The machine had never been used before so I got to break it in. =) And it worked great! Thanks Mom and Jean for letting me use your machines.

And thanks, Travis for taking all the pictures!

As you can see, we took pictures at a lot of different places. Well, one of the places we ate something yummy so it's going to be the Sunday Special this week.