Oh my goodness! I am looking forward to tomorrow at 3 o’clock when the garage sale is over and the unsold items are boxed up for Purple Heart. This garage sale has been a lot of work. It’s one of those things that is as much work at you want it to be and I’m hoping we see some results. I’ve decided that $150 is my breakeven point. We shall see. Almost everything has been priced and arranged. Pretty much all we have to do on Saturday is open up the garage. Yay!

This hasn’t left much time for crafting. I did pull out my scraps and machine for an hour on Monday to make the cute little books in the picture. They are from Joelle Hoverson’s book Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. The book on the right is my favorite. I’m usually pretty matchy-matchy and with this one, I didn’t obsess as much. But this was a very fun project, easy to do, and a great way to use up scraps. I love Joelle’s book!

Lastly, I have been doing some planning for a master bedroom redesign. The walls are pink, not bright pink but more like the lightest pink in this fabric. I’ve been toying with the idea of repainting the room a neutral khaki color but haven’t done anything about it. I’d have to hire a painter because the room has cathedral ceilings and that’s beyond my comfort level. Plus I really need new floors and the money would be better spent there. Anyhoo, the lastest issue of Country Living gave me an idea - black and white. And I’m inspired by my absolute new favorite show, Find Your Style on HGTV. In the show, the designer, Karen McAloon, goes to the house, looks around the room and identifies their style based on what she sees in the room. Then, the homeowner picks 4 design elements and then they shop based on those elements, arrange the furniture and Karen provides advice and does last minute finishing touches. Most people learn by doing and that’s the foundation of the show. Love it! Anyway, my four design elements would be the pink on the walls and as an accent in throw pillows, honey colored wood furniture, black and white fabric, and dark metal finish (my headboard). I’ve done some shopping (at the Target) but I already have a lot of what I need. I’ve got ideas for custom art pieces which I’m hoping with cost me about $20. I should set a budget and see what I can do for $200. Okay, I’m going to have to tally up what I’ve already spent. This is fun!

I’m hoping that Sunday will be spent relaxing with my feet up. Bill too. We deserve it. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone (pet mommies count too!).

Tags: decorating, projects, garage sale

Ugh, I’ve been sick again. But thanks to better living through chemistry, I am on the road to recovery. Really. Honest. I caught another cold, or perhaps I never really got over my last one, and this was the worse one yet. Really knocked me on my hind-quarters. I was uber congested which aggravated my asthma so I felt like I had a 30-50 pound weight on my chest all the time. I was in urgent care on Monday getting a breathing treatment. And then yesterday I saw my doctor who gave me the good stuff - antibiotics. I am feeling so much better. Still phlegmy, but definitely on the mend. Yay. Unfortunately that also means back to work.

In non-phlegmy news, this is an interesting article about where to donate items. Most of it is specific to the metro DC area, but maybe it will give you ideas. I wish I had this article two weeks ago. In a fit of (frustration, productivity, and an urgent need for space) I threw out a bunch of old sheets. Most were in good condition but it seemed weird to goodwill them. I could have asked our German Shepard Rescue if they needed them. And speaking of the rescue, or rescue pup is guarding one of my many bags to go to Purple Heart.

Also, one of my favorite articles to read in the Washington Post is Housecalls. People submit rooms they would like a professional interior designer’s help with. There’s “before” pictures and an “after” sketch by the designer with a list of improvements. It’s cool and a great way to get some ideas.

If you’re sick, and it seems like so many are, I hope that you’re feeling better; sick enough to be curled up in bed, but well enough to work on a fun, relaxing project (or surf the internet for inspiration!).

Tags: decorating, purging