Monday, May 23, 2011

Redecorating - 1



















When we moved into our house almost 14 years ago it was bland. Two bedrooms were pale blue and everything else was beige - walls, carpets, draperies. Over the years we've brought color and life into the place. I'm sure the previous owner would be appalled. We've redone every room but one - the master bedroom. That's partly because I'm having such a hard time choosing a color and partly because the room is so full that it will be a major project. Well, over the past week I've at least gotten a start. There's a nice little alcove between the two closets (it's my makeup area) and I've known for a long time what I wanted to do with it. So we took down the huge mirror (that's the brown space in the picture - I guess the previous owners just painted around it) and repainted the space. I chose Valspar's Tangerine Ice, a beautiful metallic gold. You have to paint a similar color base coat first, then two coats of the metallic. I wish the pictures showed the color better, but it's just difficult to show. My clever, artistic daughter painted vines for me to add a little taste of Middle Earth. (We used Lord of the Rings designs for inspiration.) I added an antique family mirror and two ceramic masks that I've had for years. I'm so pleased with the outcome!


PS. Sorry for the blank space at the top here. I can't figure out how to get rid of it.



Sunday, May 8, 2011

Cross Stitch Update




Yes, it's true. I finally have a cross stitch update. I got the gold Kreinik thread I needed and am thrilled with how much it adds to the picture. It doesn't show up as well in the photo, but it's the border of the green at the bottom of the dress. I also have the grey Kreinik which is the backstitch accent for the wings. I won't do the grey or gold backstitching until all the cross stitching is completed; that Kreinik thread is too fragile to be rolled up when I am between work times. We're getting back to the lovely, quiet Sunday afternoons again and that means time to cross stitch. So here is a picture of my current progress. Hope you like it!