Sunday, February 21, 2010

"Special Delivery", and My Room

Happy Sunday, everybody! Are you ready for a pic heavy post? Coming right up!

First on the docket is my finish of Special Delivery (pics should be clickable... I'm pretty sure I did it right this time!):

Special Delivery
Blackbird Designs
40ct. cream linen, and Gentle Arts threads

It turned out just as well as I could have hoped for. The spacing on the letters could be a tad better (the "y's" and the "W" seem to be hanging out on their own a bit), but I am very happy with the overall effect.

I did have to make one thread swap - the chart called for GA Barn Grey and GA Banker's Grey on the left hand bird. I saw that they were very very close in color as soon as I pulled them, but as I started stitching Mr. Birdie I realized that they were so close in color as to be the same, offering zero contrast. So, I frogged, then I pulled out a dark steel grey DMC I have in my stash and subbed that in. Oh, and that specialty black fiber running through the heart next to the "M"? That is Fur de Roscoe. I didn't even notice it until I started looking at the pics on my PC while prepping for this post... I guess when it's everywhere all the time, my eyes just sort of bounce right off it, and don't even register its presence, lol!

The scissors in the top pic are a pair I came across in my adventures yesterday. They were $8, and are not particularly useable except to look pretty. But, they fit the bill perfectly for me. :)

My DH really blessed me (again) this weekend... see, he works as a retail manager, so entire weekends off are a rarity for him. He was off work all weekend (and has a couple more days to go) and decided to give me a mommy weekend. Just what the doctor ordered!!

So, yesterday I set off on a mission to get some more pretties for "my room". I hit Home Goods, the library, Michaels, a couple antique marts (OK, so they aren't exactly what you'd call 'high brow' and while some folks would look down on them with noses lifted, I know you all aren't amongst that company!), and Joann's before heading home with my loot. I got a couple of things (and already had a few) that needed some painterly love in order to fit in to the "feel" of my room, so I did that, then hit the hay.

Today, amongst laundry and other assorted mommy tasks, I finished Special Delivery and got everything in place in my room so that I could do a little show and tell.

So, grab your drinks and come along with me on a tour of my little haven of peace (Special Note - If you've got sweet tea, please transfer it to a sippy cup before entering - hehe) (Oh... another special note - The concept of "come along with me for a tour" has been shamelessly stolen from the fabulous Terri)...
Ah, here we are. Just inside the door and looking to the right. The gothic looking mirror was picked up at the local Cracker Barrel a few years ago, and was just hung up (note to self... go to the Cracker Barrel store more often... and, hang things up as soon as you get them!). The table under the white cloth is actually my grandmother's sewing machine (it's in one of those integrated sewing tables. Let me tell you what - even aside from the sentimental value - There isn't enough money on earth to get me to part with it. It can sew through about 5 layers of upholstery fabric. Worth it's weight in gold, I tell you!!). The paint treatment on the walls was done shortly after we built out this room (it was already framed out, and we had a friend drywall it, and add more outlets, and the closet) by moi. I saw the idea in an issue of BH&G and immediately set out to get the supplies. I stenciled, and paper ragged for several days. Very happy with the result is me! Let's move along, shall we?

This is my stitching corner. The trunk belonged to my DH's grandmother - I love how it's rough around the edges. It was obviously well loved and well used! On top of that is my trusty stereo which my DH purchased for the stockroom of his last store, and which I promptly appropriated for myself. :) The WIP on top of the stereo is going to be for my mom (if I ever finish it), and the item on the wall above is our wedding invitation lovingly framed and matted by my great aunt who has a gallery and frame shop in Biloxi, MS. The chair is my glider from Leah's nursery. Another piece of sentimental mush. I couldn't even begin to estimate the number of hours I spent in that chair nursing her, or singing to her, or just rocking her (and myself!) to sleep. She was NOT very pleased when I brought it downstairs from her nursery (which she hasn't slept in in two years, lol!!) for use in this room. When I explained that it wasn't being used, and that I needed a place to sit and stitch in my room, she desperately tried to convince me that there is room in her big girl room (on top of her bed, maybe??), or alternatively, that I should rock her to sleep in it every night in the nursery - anything to keep it in her sphere. She has adjusted to the trauma, though.

And, here's one of my favorite things to look at. This bookcase (also brought down from Leah's nursery) holds my chart stash, various stitching and quilting books, most of my fabric stash (lots of jelly rolls, layer cakes, fat quarters, and charm packs, lol - I am utterly unable to resist their lure!!), and my current stack of audio books from the library (I am fortunate that our library system has a HUGE selection of them). The ceramic artichoke and the tiny little fruit cup on the top shelf (which will eventually become a pincushion) were picked up along the retail therapy trail yesterday. On top is a collection of some of my favorite B/W photos of Leah with various people in my family. In front of the shelves, on the floor, we find the most crucial element in the entire room - trust me. If not for this little gem, I would never spend any time in there at all. My heater. Aaaah, my heater.


Moving right along, you see my current sewing machine (a gift from my dad and step-mom for Christmas a couple years ago) on top of one of my new storage bins.

And, here's the crafting table. One great thing about this room is that it is south-southwest facing which means it gets LOTS of sunlight. The shades were picked up at Target on sale when we first finished out the room. They are heavy enough that you can't see through them from the outside, but they still let in tons of light. Perfect.

And the other side of the windows along with the matching sconce (the other is on the other side of the windows) which received some paint and what was supposed to be a specialty finish last night (they were black), and the edge of the closet door.
Almost all the way around. Does anyone need to take a minute to sip their drink? OK. I love the shape of this little corner. It holds my floor stand (which I haven't used in ages, but might when I take on a bigger project), and a bunch of hooks to hold my q-snaps (the white ones also received the "specialty" paint last night), and a couple of plates (picked up yesterday) - the smaller plate was a serious "score!!" in my book. It is a Haviland Limoges, in absolutely perfect condition, and I got it for (are you ready??) a whopping $1!! Limoges is my absolute favorite! I saw others this size yesterday that were $30, or more. I picked up the plaque that is on the other wall at Hobby Lobby when I went to Muncie last year (not the trip earier this month). It is one of my favorite biblical verses.

And, here we are at the end of the tour. I hope you enjoyed yourselves!!

Well, I don't know about you folks, but I am SOOOO ready for spring!!! Reading all of your posts where you mention what's blooming in your neck of the woods, then listening to my current audio book with fabulous descriptions of all the spring bloomers, plus the really warm temps (it felt like it may have hit 50 degrees!!) today made me feel the need to get outside and dig around in the dirt, do some pre-season pruning. Then I looked outside. And saw the 3 feet of snow (that's down from nearly 6 ft - everything that came off the sidewalk and our parking spots went onto our postage stamp sized front lawn) still in our yard. Yeah. So much for a plan, lol!! It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so that along with temps in the 40s should put us well on our way to being able to see the grass. :) I don't think there will have ever been a year I'll have been so happy to see my daffodils poke their noses out of the ground! I do love snow (it sure beats just being cold - at least with snow there's something pretty to look at while you freeze your tuckus off!), but good grief, I'm done with this winter!

Well, that's it for me tonight! I'm not sure if I'm going to go start a new project, or continue putting my threads on tags, or what, but regardless - thanks for reading and commenting!! I just love sharing the joy of this craft with you all. :) Until next time...

May you all have numb hineys (uh... is that offensive??),
Robin

12 comments:

Siobhán said...

WOW!!!!! What a fabulous room! I clicked on each picture so that I could gawk at each item. Fantastic! You must be so pleased with it! Love the treasures that you picked up, too. There's nothing better than picking up a treasure for at a good price.

Congratulations on the finish. Woohoo! I thought the Ys on my piece looked wonky, too, but my eyes didn't zero in on yours, so I think that means that they look good unless you're looking at it critically. ;) I'm looking forward to seeing what's next! Oh, and you'll have to share what audiobooks you're listening to, as well.

Catherine said...

Love your room!!! Perhaps one day I'll be able to have a room all to myself - not that I'm wishing my boys to be grown and out of the house!

Deb said...

Robin, What a fantastic room. I absolutely love the color of those walls!! I don't know what all to say about everything! I love how you've filled your room with some many sentimental things. Some wonderful memories to sit and think about, and relive, while you're stitching.

Your BBD piece is wonderful and I didn't notice a thing off with those letters!

I'm so ready for Spring too - I saw that as 8" of snow is being dumped outside!!

Jacque said...

The pictures of your room are so sweet. I know (because of my weekend with the brushes) just how much work was put into those walls. Love your finds!

The French Bear said...

Well your stitching looks perfect (I always tell myself if it's finished then it's beautiful) and I am the queen of nit finishing, now you have inspired me to finish!!! I do like the colors you chose!
I love your room, it looks awesome in that shade of blue and I love the sewing and craft corner, it looks bright and cheery!!! Thanks for sharing it!

Berit said...

Thanks for visiting my blog; I'm happy because I got a chance to see yours!

I love that mirror! I had no idea CB had such things in their shop. I thought it was mostly old-tyme candy and "white elephant" gift redneck type items.

You should show off that sewing machine you got from your grandmother sometime in a post--I'd love to see it!

I do love a good bookcase. All those fancy fabric packs look so delicious! Any recommendations for audio books? I want to get into them for stitching, but I find so many of the readers annoying!

I also noticed that white ceramic pitcher on your table--Pretty!!

And last (but not least) all your gorgeous stitching! The sampler you just finished is so charming. :)

As for my photography, I had to lol at your kind compliment because it's really nothing much! I actually hate taking photos (well I like it better now that I got a phone with a pretty good camera--it's actually superior to our digi cam which is just that old!). I take photos in 1 of 3 places, and usually on the "coffee table" because it's the most (only) picturesque spot in our home, lol! Just out of the frame is Dear Marc's Computer Corner, and boy is it a dreadful sight to behold! What a nest of wires! (He's a programmer by trade...) So, shh; I'm entrusting you with my secret! ;)

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

What a lovely craft room you have created. (I am glad I'm not the only one having fun with the Ice tea/sippy cup story. lol) I am sure you will spend many wonderful hours in your special room.
Be always in stitches.

Glenna said...

Oh, man, are you a genius with paint! Come to my house--I have lots and lots of white walls because I'm too insecure to do anything about them. Or lazy. Or both. You've really done a wonderful job with all of the decor, and I enlarged everything to drool over it!

Here's to spring coming sooner rather than later!

Berit said...

Sorry for the reply here; couldn't find your email in your profile: These are the Tudor Rose, but they are the larger at 3.75". The similar, but smaller and gold finsh pair are 2.5" in length and called "Elizabeth I". :D Hope this helps; you were just a tiny bit off the mark (Unless I misunderstood and you were right on!)

Anonymous said...

Love your room, Robin! What a truly relaxing place it must be for you!

Your daughter's birth sampler is gorgeous!

Robin in Virginia

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

My dear, sweet, Robin! I am never going to live the tea thing down, am I? LOL! I almost ALWAYS have a glass of sweet tea with me whether it's sweetened with Sugar or Splenda - love, love, love the sweet tea! AND, I LOVE your room! What a pretty, soft shade of feminine blue. Makes me want to get rid of the red in my room - besides - I heard that red is dead.... I'm so behind the times. Your space is fabulous and I love the chair. I'm on the lookout for a new chair that I can slipcover (well, have my mom slipcover for me).
And, your stitching is beautiful. I love that sweet pattern and it definitely moved up my "to do" list after seeing your finish!
Have a great evening, gf!

Michelle said...

Your finish is beautiful! I love how the little bird turned out. And your stitching room is fabulous! I love love love the walls!!