Creative Dream Turned Reality
A few months ago I shared a creative dream with Mr. DIY that had been swirling around my head for some time. He listened tentatively, affirmed my idea but I could tell he didn’t quite see my vision.
Picture an assortment of tiny homes like this one
filled with makers selling there wares to customers that appreciate their handmade treasures. At holiday time, there would be strands of white lights strung from house to house so that at night it would look like a festive wonderland.
Each house would have it’s own personality; an eclectic mix of these tiny homes nestled on an acre or two of land. It would be a community of makers setting up shop in repurposed structures that have outlived their usefulness.
So here’s when I found out my dream is already a reality. Last week, I was listening to Liz Hamburg who hosts Launchpad on the Joan Hamburg Show, my favorite talk radio show. She was doing a feature on the Dekalb Market, located downtown Brooklyn, New York. I couldn’t believe right in my back yard, there is a market with vendors who have styled their inventory in repurposed freight transport containers. I have to make time to visit this market to see if it indeeds parallels my creative vision.
Do you have a creative dream or unique shopping experience in your area?
Blogging Woes
I have been MIA a lot lately. Life has been real busy. DIY central is under renovation – roof,
siding,
windows, and a bathroom addition. And even though Mr. DIY and I hired a contractor, everyday life has gotten a little more complicated. The siding and roof are finished. Yeah!!! The bathroom is another story. Lets just say, I am hoping for a happy ending but I will save that for another post.
But as much as I like to blame my irregular posting on everyday life, that would be too easy. If I have to be honest, there is something more to it then that. I started blogging because I like to write. So I thought, why not write about what I am passionate about – crafty, DIY, upcycling, trash to treasure kind of stories. It started out so easy and effortless. And even though my love for writing or my creative passions haven’t waned, I find myself wrestling to blog consistently. The excitement has dissipated and I long for more time to read other blogs rather then write my own. Is this normal, I wonder? Do other bloggers go through the same kind of angst and growing pains?
I also realized that blogging sometimes hinders my creative flow. I get distracted by planning and taking photos rather then focusing on the creative process, so much so, that I put off starting, progressing or finishing my creative journeys. Speaking of photos, I have yet to master my Cannon
Rebel:( The learning curve from my point and shoot turned out to be far longer than I had anticipated. Sorry if I sound whiny, that certainly is not my intent. I just feel like I hit a road block and not to sure how to proceed. However, I plan to persevere through it all and hopefully find my true niche and balance in the blogging world.
If you can relate to any of this, do let me know. Your comments will be truly appreciated.
Hello Miami!
Mr. DIY was scheduled to work in Miami for two weeks and the kids coincidently had Thursday and Friday off so I thought why not combine business and pleasure for a long weekend getaway. Yeah!!! We’re on the plane and the pilot announces he’s never seen a line up quite as long as the one that’s ahead of us; 30 planes! He’s says it will be at least an hour before we take off. Ughh!!!
The flight was long and we finally got to our hotel around midnight. We decided to turn in and get a good head start in the morning. Although most people do the beach thing while here, we have little interest. I’m sure that will seem a little strange to most but that’s just who we are. However, we did drive out to the beach yesterday evening and walked along the boardwalk for a bit.
We love to experience the culture of any place we visit by driving, walking and exploring the nuances of different neighborhoods. We look at homes with such enthusiasm, recognizing the similarities and dissimilarities. For instance in Miami, masonry homes with tile roofs and gaited front yards prevail.
We’re staying in Coconut Grove which is very nice. Thursday, we strolled through the Lincoln Mall, bustling with foot traffic and a mix of store fronts and restaurants with alfresco dining.
Then right in the middle of the mall sits Miami Beach Community Church. Surprised by its presence, I was taken back by the architecture as well.
Today, we drove through Little Havana and Little Haiti en route to Las Tias, a vintage home store I found online.
After browsing the store, I had the opportunity to talk with the owner, Esther, who was happy to give me a brief history of the store which is packed with an eclectic mix of 40’s, 50’s and Mid Century Modern home furnishings. Turns out this unique store with “upscale resale” lettered on it’s facade was an unexpected surprise in the making. Esther, a real estate professional, was unable to rent the building. She began using the place as storage for finds she acquired during her real estate dealings. Fast forward 3+ years later, she and her partners have created a store full of vignettes jam packed with consignment furniture and accessories worthy of careful examination. Have a look for yourself.
Isn’t this chair fun offering a little of the unexpected with the shaggy fur on the back?
Love this lamp!
And these night stands are adorable.
If you’re ever in Miami, Las Tias is worth a visit. There is definitely enough eye candy to tempt the appetite of any design enthusiast.
DIY That Caught My Eye #2
I received my shipment of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint yesterday! Finally, I get to have the same experience as everyone else in blogland, a fun time with ASCP. Yeah!!! After seeing so many beautiful makeovers, I’m a fan of all the possibilities that await me. Here are a few I came across recently.
How about these from Confessions of a Craigslist Junkie
Confessions of a Craigslist Junkie
To distress,
Confessions of a Craigslist Junkie
or not to distress. Beautiful either way!
Found this one on A Brush of Whimsy.
And I’m so glad I came across this makeover at Maple and Magnolia because I was thinking of doing my kitchen cabinets. I really like this look!
So there you go; some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint makeovers that caught my eye. You have to stop by and see the befores to fully appreciate these transformations.
Can’t wait to carve out a little me time to experiment with it myself. How about you? Any great makeovers you like to share?
Sharing this post with:
Miss Mustard Seed:Furniture Feature Friday
Funky Junk Interiors:Saturday Night Special
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Desk Love!
I’m so excited!
And I just can’t hide it!
I know I’m dating myself but that’s the start of a 80′s song by the Pointer Sisters. The first 2 lines are an indication of how I felt after placing my order with Patty of BestFurniturepaint.com for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. As for the rest of the song, it gets a little hot and heavy, not quite in line with the DIY experience.
Anyway, I can’t wait to receive my order. It’s been used all over blog land and I am probably one of the last ones to give it a try. I have so many items, I want to paint. So, I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it!
So now onto my desk love. This desk has waited a long time for my attention. I stripped it years ago and it sat, and sat and sat, and well, you get the idea.
So here it what it looked like when I snatched it up off the street just 2 blocks from my house. Somehow, I managed to pick it up and put it in the back of my van, all by myself. It is really heavy! I guess the adrenaline started flowing and I turned into a DIY super hero or something:)
The top was covered with contact paper. I think that qualifies as furniture abuse, don’t you?
Using Citrus Stripper, I removed the paint and found a treat. The upper drawers had a beautiful inlaid design on them.
Why would anyone want to cover that up?
However, now that it is stripped, it has a few issues to contend with.
Some chips on the top
and the drawers.
No problem, its a beauty that deserves to be saved.
To be continued……
Sharing with The 36th Avenue: Share Awareness Thursday Fabric Bows and More:We’ll See it Wednesday Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
September 11, 2011
Dedicated to Those Who Fell and Those Who Carry On
A Day of Remembrance
I write this with a heavy heart as I think about the 2,977 lives taken so senselessly, the survivors who’s lives are forever changed and for all who said goodbye to someone they knew or loved 10 years ago.
It is a sad day and one of mixed emotions. Some will mourn, some will relive the days events and others will focus on the resiliency of our country’s ability to overcome such this horrific terrorist attack. Wherever you fall along this emotional spectrum, September 11, 2001 will always remain a defining moment for all of us. It is my wish that this day offes you healing, strength and better tomorrows.
Love, Prayers and Blessings,
Joselyn
I’m a Rebel!
Yes, I am now the proud owner of the Rebel T2I! After reading Consumer Reports, consumer reviews online, and much deliberation and procrastination, I decided to stay with Cannon. My previous point and shoot cameras were Cannon, so I decided to take advantage of their product loyalty program and buy a refurbished camera at a discount.
It came just two days after Hurricane Irene passed through. After losing power for two days, it was a welcomed and pleasant surprise. This has been one crazy summer weather wise; hail the size of golf balls, an earthquake and a hurricane, you have to wonder, why?
Anyway, I’ve been familiarizing myself with all the features and settings. I am actually reading the manual! That’s a first. By the way, if there’s any other Rebels out there, I would love to hear from you. I have been unsuccessful trying to achieve blurred backgrounds despite following the manual instructions for adjusting the background and aperature settings. Also, having issues with the flash. I turn the flash off, yet it seems to reset itself to on. Help! Can’t wait to become proficient with my new friend. Until then, I welcome any suggestions and tips you might have to offer.
Project Hopping
I’ve been project hopping. Do you do that? You know, doing a little of this, and a little of that, no completed projects. I decided I would do the grunt work first.
I’m sanding.
I am totally in love with this flatware chest.
I’m stripping my patio chairs. Remember these?
It’s been some time since I had a date with my Citrus Stripper.
And then there’s some serious gluing going on too.
Okay, I just outed myself. Yes, I have a thing for vintage flatware chests.
The plan is to get all the yucky prep work out the way so no ooohs and aaahs just yet. But soon the fun will begin and I will be able to play and party hop once again. So I’ve been hanging out in the garage a lot lately and looking forward to the makeover fun ahead.
So what are you up to? Are you prepping or finishing? Please let me know so I can stop by for a visit.
DIY That Caught My Eye
Sorry, I took an unexpected blogging break. We took a family trip to Washington DC. No. 2 Son wanted to visit our Nation’s Capitol for his 10th birthday. We hit most of the touristy spots – U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, U.S Treasury, Lincoln Monument, Washington Memorial and a couple of the Smithsonian museums. Unfortunately, we didn’t plan enough ahead to get tickets for the White House tour.
I did set out with my computer and thought I would blog while away but I left my power cord behind. I took it as a sign and thus explains part of my absence. Prior to our trip, I have to admit I have been floundering creatively, drifting from one project to the next, not finishing anything and feeling uninspired and unmotivated. That is so not me. Not sure what this creative block is about, but I do know the best remedy-surfing blogland. So, I did just that and here is a little of what caught my eye.
Tracey at General Splendour transformed her shed for just $40.
This is just too cute! Oh how I wish I had room for one of these.
I just love anything vintage, so when I saw this typewriter table, Carrie at Lovelyetc.com refinished, I was smitten. You have to pop over there and see the before to fully appreciate this transformation.
Functionally, I could see using this as a laptop workstation.
And this dresser is proof positive that anything can be salvaged. You have to visit Emily at Lovely Beasts to see the horrendous condition it was in.
Well, I am definitely re-inspired. And since I most likely got your creative juices flowing, as well, I discovered two great giveaways for Annie Sloan Chalk paint that is all the rage, especially among DIY crowd:
So hurry on over to Little Miss Penny Wenny as it ends Monday, August 21 and Robyn Story Designs until Wednesday, August 24.
I am sharing this post with:
Domestically Speaking:The Power of Paint
Patio Furniture
I have been looking for patio furniture ever since I started my patio makeover. I was looking for a lounge chair and a table and chairs. I didn’t want to buy new so I have been looking on Craigs List hoping to score. So far, I did find these chairs. They are in dire need of some TLC; the paint is flaking and some of the slats need to be fixed.
But they are rather cute and I can’t wait to get at them. My brain is already doing double duty trying to decide if I should just repaint them white or do something fun and paint each one a different color. While I am pondering what to do, I decided to use them with my old table until I get lucky and score a “new” old table as well. I don’t know what type of table I am looking for but as long as they will compliment these chairs, I’m open.
As for now, my current table is green plastic with a glass insert. I bought it when we first moved into our house 10 years ago with the intent on replacing it very soon. Never happened. Although it is plastic, I have to say it came from an upscale store and is pretty substantial, a far cry from the typical, inexpensive plastic tables. Here it is in all it’s green un-lovliness.
I used Fusion spray paint for plastic. And here it is after 3 cans later. I was deliberating between a hammer metal silver or gloss white. I decided the gloss white would look better in contrast to the grey patio pavers.
Mind you, I have a lot of touching up to do. I need one more can to finish the job. Perhaps, I should have primed it first. Covering up the dark green took so many coats. My other problem is trying to get to the sections underneath the glass since it’s not removable. I tried to angle the can different ways and could not get in that tight space. I might have to use a brush on paint for those under-sections.
Anyway I think it will work with the chairs once I give them a makeover.
Update: I did my touch ups and now contemplating frosting the glass; but I am not too sure the frosted finish will hold up under the elements. I just want to disguise the not so great paint job underneath. As I mentioned before, it was just too tight of an area. Honestly, I wasted too much time and paint for such a temporary stand in. My time would have been better spent working on the chairs. Live and learn. I guess DIY hind sight is 20/20 too:)
What do you think? Should paint the chairs white or each a different color?
I am sharing this post with:
The DIY Showoff:The DIY Project Parade
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm:Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Charm Bracelet Diva:Club GW
Domestically Speaking:The Power of Paint Party
Miss Mustard Seed:Furniture Feature Friday
