Mantle Woes!

I need some advice. This is our fireplace. These vents are so ugly. Somehow the heat from the fireplace comes up through them. So we need them. But who wants to look at them all the time. I had a quilt hanging up there, but I like to change it from time to time and that was a pain. Drag out the ladder, blah, blah, blah. I had this idea to put up some old shutters, but the ones that I had were about 6 feet tall. And that didn't look right. I found an old window that I could put over them. But I need a way to cover the glass. I thought about putting a mirror behind the panes. But I don't want the mirror to look new. Does anyone know how to age mirrors to make them look old? Any suggestions are welcome!

Can't Sleep

Well, it is after 1:00 a.m. here in Southern Indiana, and once again I can't sleep. I am going to the orthopedic doctor tomorrow for a cortisone injection in my right shoulder. I have been battling this pain for a couple of months now. My regular physician and my chiropractor both agreed not to do anything as far as treatment until my thyroid was under control. Well, my TSH is where it should be and has been for about a week now. So, lucky me! I am very nervous. I can't imagine how this will hurt, and it might be for nothing. There is no guarantee that my shoulder will feel better. It is really starting to interfere with my day to day living. I came home from work early today, because I just couldn't stand the pain anymore. Sorry, but I needed to vent! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers for tomorrow.

I can be creative after all!

A couple of months ago, my mom and I went "junking". I came home with this old beat up rocking chair, the bottom was out and it was in really bad shape. But the back was really cool. I kept thinking what could I do with that?

So this is what I came up with. A rack to hold my jewelry. I hung this above the toilet in my bathroom so I can easily grab my jewelry. Hopefully this will make me wear it mor often. I used some antique glass drawer knobs for my hooks. I applied weathered wood to the original wood finish. Then applied a coat of buttercream paint. After that I used burnt umber oil paint and brush cleaner to antique it. Spray it with a couple of coats of "matte" spray to protect it, and voila! It's done.

Pink Saturday

Thanks to Beverly for hosting another Pink Saturday. This week's contributions for me are just a couple of things. First, this pink polka dot fabric I am using in a baby quilt for Ashley. Ashley is my boss' daughter. They have opted not to find out the sex of their baby, which by the way, I think is wonderful, so I had to try to make a gender neutral quilt. It will be wild and crazy when I get it done, but I think they will love it.

Secondly, this doll. I happen to love her. My family on the other hand, finds her spooky. Crazy people. Anyway, this is another beauty that I got from my husband's grandmother Bobby. She was naked, so I made her this mauve pink dress back in the 80's. I think she needs an update. Up until last week, she was wearing some bloomers that my Megan wore under her little dresses when she was little. They were replaced by some really cute cotton britches that I found at Goodwill for a quarter. Guess I should put updating that dress on my list of things to do.

Friday's To Do List

I know this sounds like I am a spoiled housewife, but this working four days a week is for the birds. Normally, I do have Wednesday off, not this week. We have been busy decorating the shop, aka The Heart of Newburg h, for Fall and Halloween. I know it sounds crazy, but summer is almost over and people are out of the mood for patriotic and summer items. Time to quit thinking about the summer heat and looking forward to fall. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love Halloween and after getting the stuff out at the shop, I want to decorate for Halloween. But not yet, I will make myself wait, well at least until August 1st!

Some things I hope to accomplish Friday
1. Finish Ashley's baby quilt top, the shower is August 24.
2. Pick out a paint color for Megan's bathroom and develop some type of plan to redecorate.
3. Move my corner cabinet up to the kitchen.
4. Come up with some creative idea to hide the vents above the fireplace.
5. Clean House, Yuck!!!

We shall see how much I can get accomplished.

My new favorite sewing notion!

I went to Jo Ann Fabrics today. They are having a really good sale right now, well at least if you got the flyer in the mail. All these different 40% off coupons. I got tea dyed muslin for a quilt backing. Some jewely pliers, 40% off. Quilt batting by the yard, 40% off. And, presto, the Yo Yo Maker. This is so cool, I actually like to make yo yos now. I plan to create something for Donnas yo yo challenge. Got a couple of ideas in mind, we'll see what comes out of this!

Anybody else dread Monday?

Is it just me or does everyone dread to see Monday come? I work in a small shop called The Heart of Newburgh. It is me, the boss and one more girl. You would think working in a smaller environment would be easier, but no. I don't know, I don't want to seem like "Debbie Downer", just wondering if there are others out there that feel the same? Love to hear from you.