DIY Beadboard

Not real beadboard. Paintable beadboard wallpaper. This stuff is awesome. I read about it some time ago and really wanted to put some in our hall bathroom, but that would require putting up moulding and I wasn't sure I could do that myself. Our dining room has a chair rail and the room is rather plain, so when I saw that Lowes had marked down their beadboard paintable wallpaper, I knew just where to put it.

It comes in a roll just like regular wallpaper. Soak it in water for 30 seconds then fold it against itself and let it activate for five minutes. It had more glue that any wallpaper I had ever used (22 years ago I wallpapered several rooms). Big globs of glue. I used multiple damp cloths to wipe it up after smoothing...over and over again.

It wasn't a hard project, just time consuming. I started last night at 7 and worked a couple of hours, then did about four more hours today. Now, it is ready to paint!

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It adds great texture, and the room was lacking. Now, if I could find some trim paint around here, I'd finish it tonight!

 

Projects

The last few years I've gotten a reputation for doing some big projects while the fisherman is off on his annual summer fishing trip. It started when I wanted to paint the dining room a few years ago. He didn't want me to. I did it while he was gone. On subsequent fishing trips, I re-did the front landscaping, redecorated the living room, painted the front door, did a faux tile finish on our concrete porches, and redecorated the screened porch. I might have also changed the carpet to wood on our staircase. Lots of projects.

Although I retired last December, I've recently gone back to work part time. I love my new job - less stress, fun work, great folks, and it's nice having a little extra money to do some things around the house. So......here are some before pictures........my projects might or might not include paint, organization, or some new furniture. Stay tuned. It's going to be some good changes.

I'm excited. I'm also on the kick again about painting my cabinets, but that MAJOR project certainly won't happen while he is gone, maybe not even this year. I'll have to do some sweet talking to the fisherman before he would give his approval for that project.....got to keep harmony in the home!

Rollin' up my sleeves and getting to work!

By the way, I eat good when he is gone.......

I'm trying to perfect my homemade O'Charleys honey mustard salad dressing. Mine was pretty good but not quite as good as the real thing.

 

Memorial Day

 

In honor of the fallen, I put my patriotic quilt on our bed.

Sometimes I put the flag part at the bottom and sometimes at the top. I went back and changed it to the top today....

The lighting was a little different in the two photos also...the last photo is more true.

 

Memorial Day

Let us never forget those who gave their all to defend our freedoms, rescue the oppressed, and fight against terrorism. Have you ever made a Quilt of Valor? I've quilted several that were pieced by others. I found a couple of beautiful patterns for patriotic quilts.....

The above is something I found on Pinterest. Beautiful. You can read about it here.

Another beauty is below. Again from Pinterest. Read about it here, from the Craftsy blog.

And a few patriotic quilts I've made...

We have had some gorgeous weather the last few days. Yesterday the fisherman and I drove to Oneida for a centennial reunion for the local high school. Packed a picnic lunch and ate it at the park there.

First time we've used our denim picnic quilt I made a few years ago.

He visited with some of his old classmates.

The flowers are doing well in this beautiful weather.

The cats love it....

However, they continue to hunt...one brought in this flying squirrel the other day. They are fascinating but it's head is just like a rat....yuck.

...and this is what I am doing this afternoon....chillaxin and ipadding.....

Hope all of you enjoy Memorial Day weekend but don't forget those we honour on this day. Say a prayer for our country while you are remembering those we've lost.

 

 

Friday

Today was a long run day. Perfect weather for it.

Really wanted to run over this bridge, but chickened out.

Received some new pictures and videos of my baby girl....

She is growing up so much! 15 1/2 months old already!

Her daddy is awfully happy, but obviously she is not.

After running and getting cleaned up, decided to do a 'What I Wore' pic.

The top is great. It is from Dress Barn. The jeans are Loft jewelled ankle jeans, and I'm wearing my five year old Chacos. I've worn these every summer for five years and they still look great. I really like them but my Teva sandals are more comfortable. Too bad the Teva straps aren't nearly as durable. This is only the second year with them and the straps are fraying. :(

 

Old friends get together

Last Thursday night several of my old work buddies gathered together for a meal. It is always fun to be around some of the old folks.....ha. We are all old now, although there were a few that are still working.I've recently gone back to work part time. I think it will be perfect for me. As much as I love my hobbies, I really missed the work and decided full time retirement just wasn't for me....yet.

Also wanted to post this precious Mother's Day photo of my beautiful daughter-in-law and my grand baby Emma. Love these two.

 

 

Retirement Quilt Tutorial

I'm excited to let you know my Wonky Star Retirement Quilt tutorial has been published on Bear Creek Quilting Company's blog. They partnered with me to make this quilt. It is my first attempt at a tutorial so I have a lot to learn, but I'm determined!

Go check it out. You might have an occasion that warrants a great memory quilt such as mine, and it really is very easy to make!

If you are visiting me from Bear Creek's website, hello! Thanks for stopping by. You can see most of my quilts in the Gallery of Quilts tab to the left of this page.

 

Spring?

High of 87 degrees, doesn't that mean summer? Well, strawberries say "spring" to me.

One flat of berries from Tidwell's in Spring City = 2 pies, 6 quart bags in the freezer, and 18 cups of freezer jam. Oh yeah, and a few to eat.

The Fisherman and I drove to the Dayton/Spring City area today. They have a big Strawberry Festival every year. Today was when they set everything up. We enjoyed walking around town and going into a few of the downtown stores.

But when we got home.....it is hot! The cats say it is the lazy days of summer....

 

First day to paddleboard!

It was the perfect day for this.....

Just look how calm the water is....

A little workout, a little relaxing....Then who do I meet on the lake??

The fisherman was doing what he loves......

....while I enjoyed being able to paddle in the middle of the lake with hardly no boat traffic...I do practice safety. Have my life jacket, something to drink, water shoes, and a whistle, all tucked inside the handy cargo net.

This little setup only takes about six minutes to put on and load the board.

I am extra cautious with my phone. I have the Lifeproof case, but I also use this little waterproof case with a neck strap. Doesn't make that great of pictures through it and the sound is a little muffled but that is ok. I normally sit down and take it out when I want to shoot some photos or talk on the phone.

I worked really hard yesterday power washing both porches, all the porch furniture, cleaning all the outside lights, and planting flowers, basil, and tomatoes. So today was a lake fun day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A good reward for my labor.

 

Next project

I'm trying to design my next quilt. I found one block pattern I liked and then have attempted to add a simpler block to alternate. Hope this isn't already a design. I may need to invest in EQ...or at least get myself some coloured pencils to play with.

The hubby wants a new bed quilt. I found the fabric I'd like to use, now to get the design down. What are your thoughts on EQ? Anybody used it to design their own quilts?

 

CASA Run for the Child 5k

I won Grandmasters today! No PR but it was my second best time ever.

First time running a race in my new 261 Skirt Sports skirt. Really, really like it.