The IMPOSSIBLE has happened...

I officially have TOO MUCH STUFF and no where to put it. I have too many books - - too much fabric - - too much everything!  When I found yet another bankers box (which I was hoping was empty) and discovered it was full of fabric, I nearly had a cow.

I've got to thin this out, and go on a fabric diet.  I'm going to need to share this process -- THE PROCESS -- so expect lots of updates begging for support, reassurance, and advice. 

All of a sudden....I am craving cake.

I'm going back to bed....

...and shutting off the ringer on the phone!  I think I stayed up too late, and got up way too early!

I have a ton of work to do, but lack the energy to commit to doing it.  A nap will help. First and foremost, my sewing room needs to be tamed - after settling my cabinet into place yesterday, and filling it will treasures, it looks like a bomb went off in here! 

Second - - I have two papers due next week: one on Monday (which I should be able to write in my sleep) and another on Wednesday which is going to take some effort.

Here's what I'm reading now:

And here's a link to Sandra Dallas's website

AFTER/AFTERS

With shelves!

The stack of silver tins holds WIPs (work in progress), and on the right hand is a stack of vintage linens (mostly pillow cases) I intend to do something with.

I don't know how well you can see it, but there is a cross-stitched sampler on the left second shelf that says "Hand and Heart Shall Never Part" -- must have been a yard sale find that I forgot I had.

The two baskets on the bottom hold thrifted shirts, all deconstructed and ready to become something wonderful!

And just a reminder of what it was that inspired me:

Now I'll have to keep my eyes open for another something similar.  See...none of my actual fabric stash went into this cupboard.  I still have lots of wallpaper to cover a back and shelves!

Here's an "ALMOST AFTER" photo

Don't get too excited...the shelves aren't in it yet.  They need to be re-cut.  A case of measure twice, cut half-assed.  I'm not ready for solo skill saw usage - so I'll wait until a man comes home.

BEFORE....

AFTER...

I used wallpaper to cover the back, and bought new ceramic nobs, and added some decorative legs.  I hope to be able to soon post another photo with the shelves in place, and stacks of neatly folded fabric inside.

"Not bad...not bad."

While I was out thrifting today, I picked up a book with instructions on how to paint used furniture.  I sure hope I pick up some tips on how to make the process easier!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 -- howzat fir a title?

I picked up this cabinet at a thrift store a couple of weeks ago, with a mind to repurpose it for fabric storage.  Since yesterday was bright and not too hot, I thought it was an ideal day to begin.

First, a tip.  I picked up this baking rack at a church rummage sale for a dime, and it's perfect for spray painting little parts.  I used black enamel paint to refinish the door hardware.

Okay, it's all stripped down, sanded and ready to paint!  Don't get too excited about me ruining that gorgeous vintage sheet - - it is so thin, it's not worth repurposing (except as a drop cloth).

What?  no AFTER photo?

Maybe later today.  The painting part is done, but I still have to add legs and reassemble the cabinet.  Today is a drippy, raining, cool day -- perfect for working on projects in the basement!

But here are my GFG's for the week!  I have 12 more done; not sure of my total.  I found some more vintage fabrics that my mother-in-law had given me a couple of years ago.  I had forgotten all about them!  Since finding THIS TUTORIAL, I find English Paper Piecing these little hexagon flowers so relaxing.  It's hard to put them down some nights!  I watched "Ghandi" on TV last night, and sewed merrily all the while.

Notice my old Featherweight in the background?  Yes, Lucy is sick.  I broke a needle the other day, and it fell into her guts, and I can't get it out, so she has to go to the sewing machine doctor to get a needle-ectomy.  Wanna hear a confession?  I bought my featherweight two years ago, and when I dragged it out on Sunday, it still had the piece of 'test fabric' that I sewed on before I made the purchase to ensure it worked.  I have NEVER used it, until Sunday that is...when I made the cushion for my ungrateful cat's day bed.

The Great Bathroom Demo/Reno 2010 (read:Hell on Earth) continues.  This five day project has turned into three full weeks now.  The stress is crippling me. When my brother-in-law arrived this morning, I BEGGED him to please finish it, that the therapy I was going to need to recover was not budgetted for.

I always feel STUCK when it comes to titles...

Inspired by the Blue Cricket Design blog, I've been using a more critical eye when out thrifting and yard sale-ing.  So, here's a project I created on the weekend.

Whatcha making mamma?

Gibson (aka: Gibby-doo) has a fondness for baskets.  I kept my eyes peeled for something large enough and relatively low to make him a place to nap on the deck.

The basket was 50 cents, and the spray paint was one of a bag of five cans that I bought at a church rummage sale for $1.50. Two coats of paint, some scraps of fabric from my stash, and six layers quilt batting cut-offs, and Gibby now has a lovely wicker day bed.

Except...he won't have anything to do with it.  Now this is the same cat that was sleeping in the basket BEFORE I painted it!!!  I'm going to leave it outside for a few more days, because I'm of a mind that it's the paint smell that disagrees with his tender sensibilities.

NEXT!!!! Another 50 cent yard sale find - this time a wooden box with lid, and another can of spray paint from the church rummage sale.  I painted it black, because it kind of reminded me of my Singer Featherweight case.  It's now solid black, but needs something decorative - - when the idea solidifies, I'll share.

Itty Bitty goes to the prom:

A special shopping trip to find black and grey Converse runners to match the young lady's dress was required.  Itty Bitty says he's wearing a kilt next year.  Remember when prom was sophisticated and romantic?  Yeah....I hear someone drove the family tractor to the event.  Truth be told - - I'm so glad that kids (well, kids around these parts anyway) are having a sense of humour about prom, and deconstructing the idea that one night is of such incredible value and importance.  That makes so much more sense to me.

STRANDED!!!

My new car (six months old!!!) won't start.  I had it towed to the dealership yesterday, but unfortunately, there isn't a rental car to be had ANYWHERE in SW Ontario.  Presumably, this has something to do with the upcoming G-20 Summit.  No wonder security for the summit is approaching a billion dollars, if the RCMP is commandeering every rental car in the vicinity four weeks in advance! 

Ugh...hopefully whatever is wrong with my car will be sorted out tout suite.

Six more GFG's done so far this week. If there is such a thing as a "thumble" I need it.  The top of my left thumb has been poked a zillion times from all the whip stitching, which has brought production down.

The St. Anne's Community Festival started yesterday, and I was there when it opened at 4pm with the other crazy people to swarm the white elephant tent.  WOW!  It was a mad house.  I was hoping I'd score a bunch of cutter shirts cheap, but it was impossible to get a good look. 

I did find this though:

I was thinking I would paint it, and use it for something.  But I took another look at it this morning, and scrubbed it up with some Murphy's Oil Soap (omg...don't you just loooooooove the smell of that stuff???) and I think it looks pretty snazzy!  According the the label on the bottom of it, it's a cutlery tray, but it's going to serve to hold strips and pieces as I cut them.

What I'm reading:

I can't help it.  I am addicted to crap. My ex-husband once told me that I had a mind like a steel trap, and reading historical romance novels was turning it into a lint trap. I may give up on this one though...I'm a good third into it, and I still don't know what the hell is going on.   

Dealership just called: they will be replacing the "Total Integrated Power Module" - - ehhhhhhhhxcellent, another new car that comes with electrical problems.  The part is ordered.