Feeling French

For some reason i was in the middle of cleaning and I felt like creating (I guess it's called procrastinating), so I whipped up two creations. One is a remote control keeper for my family room. I painted it with chalk paint and stamped it. It's a great little way to keep the remotes handy (holds four), but out of sight. I have one more box like it so I may create another to sell in my shop sometime, but this one is mine!

I also made another switch plate that's for sale in my shop (found a wooden plate while I was cleaning) and since I had the paint out...

Meanwhile, my 40 bags in 40 days spree is still going strong...I've added another 4 bags! (Actually, 5 if you count the trash.) Purple Heart is coming tomorrow to take away my latest haul.
Sharing this at:
French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday
and
Common Ground Be Inspired Friday
and the Vintage Farmhouse

The Painters are Coming! The Painters are Coming!

I normally do the painting in my house. There are exceptions, though. I don't do exteriors, I don't do ceilings  (well, I've done them, but not anymore) and I don't do things that I have to have done in less than two weeks. The painters are coming because the basement (which is rather large) is in desperate need of a paint job and we are having my son's college lacrosse team over for dinner. We have to hold the dinner in the basement because that's where I can fit a large number of tables (after we move the pool table). Anyway, we painted it over 11 years ago and with three boys -- need I say more? My husband asked me to pick paint colors and well, I don't want to. Say what?  I love my paint colors in the basement. I mean, they have served us well and I don't want to change them...does that make me crazy? I spent weeks picking out the right color tan and it works! The navy on the bottom also works to hide the dirt the boys generate when playing mini-hockey, etc. And both colors work well with the carpet and furniture. SO, I'm not changing the colors. Why do I feel so guilty?

Just to appease myself, I am, however, going to paint our hall bathroom. I love the blue and the stencil design I created 17 years ago (that's right), but I really need a change in that room. I used a cheap paint and it sucks. I am going with a high quality paint for that room and changing it up a bit. Right now I'm looking in the lime/citrus green color spectrum. Here's what it looks like now...

Not quite sure what I'll end up with. It's a small windowless room and I need something bright with no gray undertones (got enough gray going on in the hall, kitchen and living room).
So, while the guys are painting downstairs, I'll be in my little room working diligently to bring some NEW color into my life. I think I'll redo the maple leaves, what do you think?

40 Bags: Befores and Afters

I have boys. They have shoes. Lots of shoes.Trying to keep them from stacking their shoes in front of the door has been an ongoing problem ... my husband is and continues to be the worst offender. I tried the shelf. This is what it usually looks like:

I decided to purge shoes that no one ever wears (even if they INSIST they'll wear them). If they haven't  worn them in 6 months (unless they're flip-flops), they're not going to wear them. I do ask them before I donate or toss. Got rid of one bag and moved the sports equipment to the garage (where it belongs).
After:

I was on a roll, so next I conquered the mudroom. Got rid of three bags (one trash) in this room. It didn't take me as long as last year (maybe because it was a bit more organized even though it doesn't look like it in the before photo).
Before:

After:

I'm pretty bad when it comes to hoarding saving magazines. I decided to go through them and ended up getting rid of and recycling at least 35! As an editor, magazines are my business and I do use them to garner ideas for stories and layout, however, I think I have enough...what do you think? (Um, this is after I got rid of 35 and I'm not showing the other bookshelf that is stacked full.)  Maybe I need to "edit" my collection a bit more.

So, it's been 4 days since I started by 40 bags in 40 days and I'm up to 7 bags and 1 box. All is good.

Happy Valentine's Day!

                                                     Have a love-filled day!

40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

As you may recall, last year I did a major clean up with the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge. I found out about it from Sarah at Clover Lane (one of my favorite blogs - no, you don't see it on my blog list because I subscribe by email). 
Anyway, it's a way to celebrate Lent by cleaning up what isn't needed in your home, bagging it, and giving it to charity. That said, some of the bags can also go to the trash if the stuff isn't worth giving away. Last year I made it to 24 bags...not too shabby. This year, I'm trying again. Since tomorrow is  the first day of Lent, I managed to squeeze some items into four bags because I need to work in multiple bags since I will be traveling a bit in March (more on that later).
So, join me for the challenge, won't you? And let me know in your comments how you are doing along the way.

A Little Valentine's Day Around the House

So, living with three men (one is away at college) can have it's challenges -- especially when it comes to Valentine's Day decorations. Do they even care? Answer: No.
Do I care? Answer: Yes. So, I subtly decorated the house for that special day just for me (and them, if they want to care).
First, my mantle: Found an X and an O at a warehouse sale for $1 each. For now, the O is black, but that may change for next year.

Here are my little "amour" bottle charms. They are for sale in my shop, but right now, they serve to decorate my bottles. Aren't they sweet?

Another vignette in the living room:

Next my kitchen windows... paper doilies hang by a thread.

Finally, my hallway.




































Sharing at:

A Little Surprise

In a previous post I wrote about how important presentation and packaging are when sending my etsy orders. I want every person who orders from me to feel as if they've received a gift. Sometimes, especially when I have orders over $10, I actually include a gift. One of my loyal customers just ordered from me again. I've sent her almost everything that I usually include with her other orders. For example, with laundry sign orders, I usually include a French clothespin magnet and for wine/bottle charm orders, I usually include an extra bottle charm. So, she's already ordered from me about four times...what to send? I decided a little shabby chic valentine heart was just the right thing. She can hang it in her daughter's shabby chic bedroom if she would like.

I also wrapped her frame (she purchased) in pink tissue and used a vintage ribbon.

Everyone can use a little surprise once in a while!
Sharing at Jennifer Rizzo and A Little Knick Knack