All done

Sam came back today after two weeks to finish the trim and he did a beautiful job.  What a joy to not have to follow someone and check their work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could not wait to see what the stain color will look like so I did one coat on the window trim.  Haven't painted the window sashes yet, just the frames, and I may leave it alone.  This color is dark but soft, like a charcoal brown.  Looking at the old stain around it, the clapboards turned a bluish gray.  I think I will be happy with this.  I WILL be HAPPY with this.

 

Just wanted to mention a few things if you are considering the Andersen A series windows.  The interior is wonderful, the grilles are not.  My other Andersen had a spring ball on the ends of each bar that slipped into a little hole in the sash.  Perfect.  Someone came up with the idiotic idea to install metal clips that CANNOT be removed and have the grilles snap into them.  Are you kidding me?  I have already sliced two fingers trying to wash a window with these thin metal clips all around the glass. 

 You cannot paint them to match the bars since you can't remove them so from the outside, they look ridiculous.  The glass is also tinted green for LowE efficiency and naturally, my curtains look pukey green from the outside. 

In order for the bars to not look green, since red removes green I custom mixed a little paint for them.  Take a look at the actual color and that same color behind the glass.  What would you do with white windows and bars?  Sam couldn't believe that they need to be light purple to show as brown through that glass. And why do you not see the clip in this photo?  Because I painted card stock with the purple paint, cut pieces to cover the clips and slid it behind them. 

 

It's appropriate to show you my swollen painful fingers over a bear claw design isn't it?  Oh boy.  My feet are smooth from the Baby Foot treatment but my hands sure don't match them!

 

Now comes the dreaded interior color fiasco.  I love the colonial colors but have decided to go very light.  So far, too yellow, too green, too pink, too gray.  The usual.  I want wainscot and paneling, Sam will come back. 

 Even if I knew the colors used in these rooms, the paint would never look the same because of the computer.  But I like the look. 

Will I tire of it quickly and be sorry I didn't chose a colonial color?

 

I already am and I didn't even pick a color yet!  Why do I have this problem?  The rooms are so small I don't think doing each a different color would be a good idea, and I don't like an ivory room next to a dark one.

 

 I need help!  But honestly, what good would it do?  Whatever I choose, I will want the opposite, and choosing the opposite in the beginning never works. 

 

My laptop battery is dead and it took me many hours of research to decide which to order.  I didn't trust the "new" branded ones on Ebay and Amazon because I read they have new cells installed in old housing, not good quality to hold a charge for hours.  Didn't want to pay $100 either.  It took me four days to make a decision and it's only a battery!!  I need counseling.

 

So there you have it.  Another boring post.  I haven't stitched in a while and hope to start something soon.  Will I be able to hold the needle with these fingers?  We shall see.

Hope the week is going well for you.

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Best to stay away

The crab is having a bad day so we'll just lounge on the deck for a while.  I don't know if Missy sneaking upstairs to the craft mess and knocking things off the counter has anything to do with it.

 

Tomorrow will be a better day and we can bug her for our Temptations catnip flavor treats.  Except for Missy.

 

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Forty years later

and I finally do something with the sweet heart boxes. 

 

I sold them soooooooooooooo long ago that I don't remember how I finished them.  I'm assuming since that was the paint period, I must have done a little Christmas theme on top and sold them as ring boxes.  Probably why one has a green base with red paint over. 

The other five I decided to do white and age them.  The wood is a little rough and gives them a nice look when sanded.  I've never done anything in white but I think it's perfect for this little box.

They need a pad down at the bottom, some wax, and they're done.  Better than burning.  Perfect size for a ring or thimble, maybe a special coin.  The lid is attached by a small dowel and swivels to open.  Cute huh???  Much better in person. 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be gone for a few days.  We're buying coveralls and hats and sanding the house this week since the painter is AWOL.  My right hand is so stiff and painful that I seriously doubt there will be any keyboard smacking.  My ankles are the same, worse than ever, mostly from the sprains (another negligence I regret not pursuing).  Tylenol does nothing and I really miss taking Advil.  Getting old!!  Another birthday this month, happy to be here and able to crab about it.

 

 Hope your week goes well!

 

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For some reason

this doesn't look as nice as I thought it would.  It looks like an Arctic Creel ate some bad fish.  Doesn't it?  I think an upright non-hurling look would be more pleasing to the eye.  Mine anyway.  And since it's right outside my kitchen window .....

I think impatiens would eventually be too large so pink and white begonias may be the ticket.  Maybe a vinca vine in the front pocket.  For this display scale is important.  Unfortunately, mine has increased once again.

 

I had another fire but held back three small boxes to label.  I know everyone is sick of them, me too.

 

Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

 

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Issues

During the craft room elimination I came across the 5x7 mache journals, and wondered if I should print a few sampler labels before I delete those files.  No.  At the same time I found a hoard of scrapbooking papers, the majority of which went to flame.  I kept some for the few boxes I have left but thought they might work nicely on the journals.  But as always, the paper mache warps when adding glue.  I don't trust Modge Podge but may try that instead.  I have at least 10 sets but doubt the only local shop will take them.

 

 

 I've seen some really shoddy work being consigned (when we actually had shops) and I am probably being too damn fusspotty.   If I offer them for sale here, the shipping alone would be close to $5.  This is why craft room elimination rarely works.  We see something and find another possible use instead of just adding it to the pile.

See how the cover curls up?  That bugs me.  Yes, I have issues with things I make to sell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I also found the large set of tall rounds which I had my stitched samplers on at one time along with a few labels inside so I may paint those and offer them.  Another fire is always the quickest and most decisive manner of removal though.  There is one pile for Goodwill, a pile for doubt, a pile for keeping, and a pile for "one day".  Over and done in a bright orange flash is sometimes the best method for indecisive people.

 

I hope your weekend goes well.  Mr. six foot level never returned so my room contents are still piled in heaps waiting for the inside trim to be finished.  I think I will take it all upstairs to one room and sort it out later.  The painter that promised a start, is now delaying us into mid June.  You cannot stain a dark wood in the summer with full sun.  I'm not happy.  But crabasses should not be if they want to keep their status.

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

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Frogging

SOLD

Howdy.  As the torrential rains pounded the roof, I started tearing up the craft room.  Soon to be a sewing room only.  I am removing all the other items and came across this vintage flower frog.  If any of you collect them and would like this Magic Kenzan, I'm selling it.

 

 

The paper with it is very aged, there is no date or any other info on it except for Koken Mfg.  I've searched online for a time period but except for a few photos on Pinterest, there aren't many out there.  Pretty hefty, the links can be separated and positioned.  Comes in a little plastic case.

Price is $25 includes shipping to US, email me at top right if interested. or click

samplersandsantas@gmail.com

 

About the new privacy notices... oy vey.

I have no idea if we all need to post something or what.  I have an older template and the notice does not show (or at least I cannot see it).  If we don't advertise or sell ads, is it still necessary?  I also see that Open ID is not supported for leaving comments. 

 

Nit is glad he doesn't have a laptop and is inside during the storm.  One clap of thunder and a black streak with white feet comes flying in from the woods.

 

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