Stenciling

I fell in love with this room by theLENNOXX

I need more purple in my life.

Having been unhappy with everything I have done in my kitchen so far (except for the cabinets) I decided to try some stenciling on the walls (that I will probably repaint soon anyway.)  My extremely artistic mother-in-law (MIL) came for a visit and I put her to work!  (Our project history goes way back before digital cameras existed - otherwise I could write a book.)

After an exciting field trip to my flower bed to observe some ferns, I had her sketch several individual branches on butcher paper.  I used an exacto to cut out the leaves.  Then my MIL sprayed the paper with spray varnish (which I didn't know existed but we found easily at WalMart.)  When it was dry, we had CUSTOM stencils.

We sprayed the backs (working one at a time) with this nifty stuff -

You can find me at Wal-Mart, too.

And stuck the stencil to the wall.  I dabbed using paint from my stash (mixed with a little glaze.) I worked one branch at a time.  Then MIL went back and HAND-PAINTED the stems.

Her husband told her to stay off ladders!

And this is the result -

CUSTOM AND HAND-PAINTED!

We used a few different colors, which tied the living and dining room together.

Some were done in the same color as the walls - but in high gloss.

You really cannot get the gist from a photo.

This is what the dining room really looks like right now!  UGH!

This was one of many fun we-can-try-this projects with my MIL!  I don't think theLENNOXX will be calling anytime soon, and I'm pretty sure my fern stage is short-lived, but I loved learning how to make my own stencils.

Finish what you Start.

When I get around to it....

I am gonna put the final coat on these hall cabinets.

I'm gonna finish painting the ceiling and put a final coat on the light cover.

I'm also going to put the final coat of paint on the wainscot

I'm gonna clean up this trim with some paint and primer.

all of which will allow me to put up my painting supplies.

Today is the day to finish what I started.  Today is the day I get around to it.

 

Dentil Molding

We have a great deal of Dentil Molding.  Until I looked it up on the internet, I thought it was actually Dental Molding because it looks like teeth.

Yes, kind of like these teeth, but scarier.

According to a random architecture website the experts in the field,  "A dentil is one of a series of closely spaced, rectangular blocks that form a molding."

Dentil Molding from Ancient Greece.

Primed Dentil Molding from My Living Room

The thing about painting Dental Dentil Molding is all those little spaces.  It's kind of like trying to floss these.  Not that I have tried.

Sharks can have up to 3,000 teeth.  And apparently, monster case of gingivitis.

I never found a brush that worked well.

One of the FOUR different brushes I tried - in vain.

Several days and a monster crick in my neck later - I was beginning to feel a little overwhelmed! 

Just go ahead and put me out of my misery.

But I pressed forward and finished my project.  By finished, I mean "Almost Finished."  The Almost is always implied.

Needs new accessories and handle pulls.

Unfortunately, this was just the little shark.  The big shark still looms in the waters.  Da, da, da, da...

Just a small snippet of the thousands of dentils in my kitchen.

I had an epiphany this morning. I think I need a bigger boat.  (That was a Jaws reference for those of you under 30.)  Really, I just need a new tool.

The Wagner Control Spray Max Paint Sprayer is in my future.

Look out!

Living Room

I read an article on Yahoo this week about people losing weight and blogging about it.  Their blogs kept them going when they wanted to quit.

I can relate.

I woke up inspired this morning!  Inspired to do something about my Woodsy Living Room.  And to have something new to blog about.

In what has to be the quickest paint choice process ever, I flipped open a Pottery Barn Bed and Bath catalogue, chose one of the Benjamin Moore colors in the centerfold, and ran to Ace to purchase the color.

I believe I like you.  Let's take it to the next level.

And I was able to paint the living room, with Carly's help (she has advanced to a new level - she can not only cut in the baseboards, she can also remove light switch and outlet covers) and also the help of a local Pizza Hut (Momma still has mouths to feed.)

Faux Finish Green Walls Before

When I look at these walls, the word that comes to mind is "RESPECT" cause you gotta respect whoever went to that much trouble to faux finish these walls.  Good job, You!  Whoever you are.  You did a great job.  Sorry it wasn't my style.  Know that this room was the last that I painted!  I not only tolerated it, I gotta say  it looked great with my holiday decor.

After

It just seems calmer and cleaner with the solid color!  It's official:  The living room ball is rolling!  Look out!  Lots of changes to come!

Kids' Bathroom - the fruits of my hard labor.

Before photos:

Paint dripping down baseboards from bad paint job.

Worn wood with ugly/missing handles

After photo:

White cabinets, fresh neutral paint. Not enough screws to finish the handles.

It is still a work in progress, but it feels like a new room already!

Maintaining your cheery disposition.

I am currently painting the kids bathroom, including the cabinets.
I started out happy.
And am growing frustrated.
So I am generating a list in my head for fun.

Things you need to paint your bathroom

• paint & primer
  
• good quality paint brushes of all sizes
• frog tape
• sand paper
• caulk, screwdrivers, etc.

Things you need to paint your bathroom

while maintaining your cheery disposition*

(*assuming you have a cheery disposition to start with)

• teeny tiny hands
  

 

Barbie will be more than happy to help you paint the itty bitty spots.

• a contortionist
  
  

He'll do.  One foot on the toilet, one on the bathtub.  Now paint that top edge while ducking to avoid the ceiling.

• Poison Control

I managed to eat paint.  Twice.

• Strong Antidepressants

Or a margarita machine.  Whatever works for you.

• A roller derby chick.

Don't invite her in.  Just ask to borrow her knee pads.  You'll be glad you have them when you are crouched down trying to paint behind the toilet.

•  A professional contractor

Me, "Can you fix drywall and rehang my towel rack?"

• Someone to entertain the kids.

Now let's leave your mother alone for a bit.  We'll go play an educational game in the other room!

 I didn't have any of these things.
And that's why I do not have a cheery disposition.
Anymore.
Because I had one to start with.
Really.

Not Going So Super-Dooper Over in the Master Suite

I present to you a photo montage of my bedroom.

Cornice board:  Marc ran over the trim when it was drying in the garage. I have painted over the tire marks, but I can't figure out how to fix it.  Our dog keeps trying to lay on it.  Kids keep getting injured on it.

Oh looky here.  The pillowcases I ordered from Pottery Barn...I didn't order one red/one blue.  That was just a little surprise.  And I do not like the picture I bought for above the bed.  Perhaps I should just toss it in the pile with the cornice.

 The matching bedskirt is on backorder.  Watch it arrive sometime in Summer of 2011.  And be tie dyed.

Good Golly!  Not enough spraypaint in the western hemisphere to facelift Fancy Nancy over here. 

Got to refinish this lovely creature.  Just in time for the 20th anniversary of the last time I refinished it.  IN JR. HIGH!

And finally, last night we hit a high note when my HIGHLY ANTICIPATED lampshades arrived as I was coming in from a jog.  THANK YOU LAMPS PLUS for a chance to redeem my disaster room!!!

The UPS man met me at the garage and asked me where I would like him to put my boxes.
I enthusiastically took one in and asked him to put the other one, "right behind my car."
I...actually...said...those...exact...words....
He looked at me funny and did what I asked.

Because I'm smooth like that.

It Takes a Village

Adapted from the Great Hillary Clinton.....

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Tipper family. Thank you all so much. Thank you. I am overwhelmed by your warm welcome. help. 

You know, we are gathered here together to have a really good time make a nice room for Carly Rae Morris. I am overwhelmed and very grateful to all of you. You know after this reception project. I think you all are ready for the rest of this convention home renovation, which has already been so positive time consuming and good exhausting and expensive. 

I know and you know that Chicago Graham is my kind of town. And Chicago North Texas is my kind of village.
I have so many friends here, people who have been important to me all my life, and it seems like every single one of them has given me advice on this speech that was unsolicited. One friend suggested that I appear here tonight with Binti Croaker, the child-saving gorilla Red Eyed Tree Frog from the Brookfield Zoo FrogTape. 



Another friend advised me that I should cut my hair and color it orange purchase an ACE Hardware Apron and then change my name to Hillary "Rodman" Clinton Ace Morris. 


But after considering these and countless other suggestions, I decided to do tonight what I've been doing for more than 25 I wish to count years; I want to talk about what matters most in our lives and in our nation - children and families finely decorated and renovated homes.


Right now, in our biggest cities and our smallest towns, there are boys and girls being tucked gently into a poorly coordinated bed, and there are boys and girls who have no one to call mom or dad accent pillows, and no place to call home window treatments...

Right now there are parents worrying: "What if the baby sitter is sick tomorrow finds my wine stash?" Or: "How can we pay for college this fall for Botox?" 
 
Right now there are parents questioning a popular culture that glamorizes sex and violence, smoking and drinking, and teaches children that the logos on their clothes are more valued than the generosity in their hearts pretending they don't watch MTV anymore.

But also right now there are dedicated teachers preparing their lessons for the new school year blogs and questioning their career choices

 

Of course, parents, first and foremost, are responsible for their children.  But we are all responsible for ensuring that children are raised in a nation that doesn't just talk about family values, but acts in ways that values families also have an asthetically pleasing environment in which to flourish... 
 

We all know that raising kids home improvement is a full-time job and since most parents work, they are, we are stretched thin.
And we have learned that to raise a happy, healthy and hopeful child with exceptional taste and demands-a-plenty, it takes a family, 

 it takes teachers pharmacists, who work for Target, like giving gifts,

and get an employee discount on room accessories,

"Extra Employee 10% Off!  I'll give Carly some stuff!"

it takes clergy mother-in-laws, 

who will come help paint each and every house, 

no matter how many times you move, 

"I helped Molly paint...again.  We get it right then she moves again."

it takes business people Mimi's who can sew, 

"Molly comes up with crazy ideas and I "make it work."

it takes an online community leaders, 

"I accept PayPal."

it takes those who protect our health and safety offer free shipping and discount prices 

it takes all of us.
Yes, it takes a village.
And it takes a president needy person. It takes a president pathetic soul who believes not only in the potential of his own child, a repossessed home but of all children hitting up family members for help...often...maybe too often... -, who believes not only in the promise of each of us as individuals making cheap stuff look expensive, but in our promise together as a nation. It takes a president home improvement idiot who not only holds these beliefs but acts on them. It takes Bill Clinton me.


Thank you very much.