Sunday, March 29, 2009@ 5:10AM

VS.

The Revamped Lamp

Before Remove fabric from shade. Being careful to not rip the fabric too much and not bend the shade frame. Use the removed fabric as a pattern, I cut generously to allow for error. Pin to fit fabric to form. Lightly mark the seams with a pencil. Sew seams along the pencil markings. Slip the fabric over the wire frame, position for gluing. Pull gently(and evenly)hot glue all the way around the top, repeat on the bottom Add matching ribbon around the bottom for a finished look. Viola! In all its shining glory! Note: I chose not to line this shade, but it could be done quite easily.

Side Tracked

I found myself getting a bit off track this week with the Living Room. I want to be able to dedicate the time to making the drapery and accomplish it in a few days...this week that wasn't going to happen. So, I took on a smaller project...the "butler pantry" (that is what the builder called it, but we decided against the cabinetry because I had envisioned a big old piece in that spot)...anyway, it is a nook between the great room and dining room that sits at the top of the basement stairs. Here is it before...set up for a coffee. I was never happy with those shelves there, they were relocated to MBM's office. After patching the holes and touching up the paint... The window was a junk shop find, I actually bought two (one is going to the shore) Before: After removing all the glass, cleaning, and putting a picture hanger on the back. The lamps have been all over the house...most recently in the living room. I wasn't crazy about the shades, they are navy and shiny, had a silly white scarf ties around them and when lit the shade looked purple. YIKES!!! I did love the height, paint finish and price. So, I revamped the shades. It was so much easier than I thought! Stay tuned for the more on the lampshade re do tomorrow!

Back to the TO DO LIST

Well MBM's office is finished....for now. I still need to frame the pipes, it looks like I will need to do more shopping around to find a shadow box deep enough. I am very happy with the way the project turned out. So, I move on the the Living Room. Before: So far the rugs have been ripped out and replaced with dark hardwood, and the walls have been painted a deep pink, and I have changed out some furniture...still lots to do! Drapery fabric...this pic doesn't do this fabric justice! Click here for a larger view. The rest of the Living Room To Do List is over there -----> ------> ------> I am feeling a bit unmotivated...hoping this post will get me moving!

New Adventures

When I decided to leave my job back in January, my husband, mother, and a bunch of friends encouraged me to try it on my own. So I am. A little back story... ...about six years ago, my friends encouraged me to do this, but, I was very reluctant. I am always eager to help pick pant color, furniture fabric, room lay out and I had made window treatments for a handful of friends/neighbors, I wanted to, but really didn't know where to start. Then I made a handbag...and well, that took off and kept me busy for five years. So, last year when I decided to hang up the handbag gig and was planning to go to design school, when the job opportunity practically fell in my lap. In my time, as an In-Home Consultant...I learned a tremendous amount and gained the confidence to take my show on the road! You can check out my new website here(still under construction, that about page...UGH...I wish someone else would write it)I am happy with it so far...updates will be coming soon. And suggestions welcome, ladies! I have two active clients, one will be installed on Friday and ok the other one is my mom, but, it's a start!

Classic Me

Lunch

It has been one full week since my "retirement" and so far so good! One of my favorite things is having lunch with Lulu everyday. I really missed our lunch time conversations. Lunch time talk... ICE CREAM! Favorites, toppings, cones, sundaes, everything ice cream. Then we moved on to Lulu quizzing me on "mad style"...I failed. After we finished our lunch we decide to make blueberry muffins to warm us up!

Snow Day!

Last night the girls were banking on a snow day today, negotiating a later bedtime, making plans for a "snow day breakfast" and sledding. And I was secretly wishing for a snow day, too. If you have been following me for any length of time you know that I am not a fan of snow or cold. But, I haven't had a snow day with the girls this year. I was looking forward to the ritual of a snow day. Well, they got their wish...SNOW and lots of it. It started around 8:00PM and it is still going strong at 10:30AM. Our house rule is that you can't go out in the snow until it stops falling, not always enforced, but,today it will be, it is FREEZING. Our ritual....french toast and bacon for breakfast, stay in our pajamas, movies, popcorn, hot cocoa, games...and I am going to sew a bit too! What do you do on a snow day?