Home and Garden, The Room That Tests My Meddle

 

My little girl, well, not so little, is hoping that what I do in this room will be Lola proof. Laugh not, we mostly live in this room. It is a big room but for some reason it has been bothering me. Quite a bit actually. I have decided that multiple colors and designs on the furniture etc. is to blame. Changes are afoot. What ever changes I make I must remember that she lives here too and quite frankly, that's a lot of dog. She is a character and keeps us active and entertained.

This season, Fall, brings me to the edge of change. Facing a long bleak Winter in the home, I know that a few changes must occur to make it more tolerable for me. That means the Family room where we spend much time. I have made some changes but the visual impact of the current sofa is the problem. Too much pattern. Quilts here and there for chasing the chills and protecting the surfaces from you-know-who are the problem. Naked windows are the problem. Husband likes the look. I am weary of it and with the cold weather approaching they are just not reasonable. A giant television is the problem. Aged doors on the fireplace are the problem. Too much stuff, is the problem. My summary statement, we have a problem. 

I can make the window coverings that I want. I can remove and make or change out the chill chasing quilts but that sofa has to go. Because it is a heavy sofa bed I will need to hire someone to remove it.   This room is testing me. About 5 weeks ago I ordered a new fireplace door. It was a beauty. In a follow-up call to the retailer the response was, Oh, I was going to call you. The maker sent me a letter last week to say they no longer make the beveled glass and what you wanted. Last week! Does your phone make out going calls? So, yes I still want the doors, change the glass, do what you must but make my doors! Everything has to be custom because our builder went a little off-script when we were building the house so measurements are not typical. E-gads. 

There is a long story associated with the sofa search but I won't bore you. So, this week I am on the road again. I am looking for something solid color, in stock, here before Christmas. In the old days this would not be an issue, now it is. Supply chain issues? 

 Something like this set.

I think the art work will stay, much of the pottery collection will stored for a while, all my project boxes will need to be collected and stored more efficiently. Books, design books, journals, and little bits need to find new homes. 

OK, I will take all this frustration, make a list, a plan, and get to it. Before and afters need to be subtle but  specific. Then, I can sit back by the fire, with a cup of tea and stitch, read, or just admire my choices. I know I said no more big projects. It seems that I was wrong. 

• If you spend any time out of doors in cold weather you may be like me. I am not a big fan of hats, well, except if it is really frigid. But I need to cover my forehead and my ears. My answer is a crochet or knitted headband that I can store in my pocket and pop on easily when walking Lola. There are several videos out there showing how to make one, this one caught my eye because the headband is not too bulky and easy to make, HERE, by Claudetta Crochet.
• I need to freshen up the dining room table centerpiece for Thanksgiving. I have some darling new beeswax candles, I will likely keep the little gourdes in a bowl, but I need something else, not sure what that will be. The 60 degree table runner is very popular among the sewing communities these days. I have the ruler, I have the fabric, do I have the time? Here is a nice little tutorial if you are inclined, The 60 degree table runner.   
• While I rarely endorse anything, I discovered microfiber face clothes for removing makeup. It was coming time to reorder the eye make-up remover, the oil treatment for my very dry skin that removes facial creams and powders, and the conditioners I need to apply to re-nourish my skin after I use all that stuff. Make no mistake, it is good stuff and I do periodically use it for a change but these microfiber cloths are amazing. Water. That's all. Water and wipe and it's off, even water proof eye make up. There are currently several types and brands on the market. Most are available on Amazon. My current favorite,    HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several years ago I found this blog while searching for ideas for Thanksgiving. Here again, Ann has an interesting post for ideas and recipes for the holiday. While I don't follow her regularly anymore, this post caught my eye. Be away, there are ads all over the page, but it is still very well done. Ann joined a pro-blogger entity that groups like content among 4 or 5 bloggers. This is how they make their living. I applaud their hard work because this is not as easy as it looks on that level. They have editors, web managers etc. See these 40 Thanksgiving ideas, HERE.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

flower tutorial Sew Serendipity here