Thursday, July 7, 2011

Around the house....

I know I have mentioned several times what a struggle this last move was for me....I officially unloaded the U-haul on Easter...I still am not moved in or unpacked. I have never been a procrastinator, more of a mover and shaker actually! I have moved a lot. Too much really. I am a professional at this stuff. I look around and this doesnt even look like my home yet. Olivia really gave me a wake up call. She walked in for the first time and walked around really quiet peeking in the garage and looking in the rooms. She came up and looked at me really serious and then said "What has happened to you Maga?" Words from a ten year old. Since then, I have hung up a few more things, put a few more boxes away and made more of an effort but still I struggle. I am a homebody....my home is typically a reflection of who I am. I love color and art and things that get turned into something else. A home of mine will never be in House Beautiful magazine and I am ok with that...I am too eclectic but if you came in a house of mine previous to this one, you would have known it was mine and it would have welcomed you. Olivia has gotten me thinking about what I can do to claim this space that I live in....I picked colors for the walls downstairs....















I bought some upholstery fabric and am in the process of redoing my dining table and chairs.....

















Here is one chair alongside the "before" chair. It isnt done yet but you get the idea....














I also have been taking an old antique mirror with me from move to move...It hung on my family's living room wall when I was a kid...It is so old it was falling apart...literally crumbling away and the mirrored glass had lost all its silver on the back. I tried to fix it and it wasnt working at all...I finally took the glass out....I sanded carefully and painted it and now I have the memories and the frame. It was kind of hard to get myself to do it but it is better than having it sit in an attic for another ten years.













Olivia and I have been hanging out when I am not working. We went scrapbooking at a local store. She just loves to do it and I let her pick the pictures and paper and stuff. I can tell she misses her brothers cause' the pages she did were of them.
We went to a water park with Julie for her birthday. She had some friends with her and she had a great time. I can still see her running by me with a big smile on her face in my head.
We also have done some sewing and crafting.... We made flower fairies and she put hers on her backpack and shows it to everyone. I love that she loves to sew and make things. I know what a good outlet it can be and she isnt afraid to try anything.
The other night she went to Julie's and I painted a little tiny ladybug scene on an atc size piece of paper...
















Then I changed it to a black and white print and printed it out 5x7 size....













Then I turned the prints into cards....I had fun doing these. Paper and glue seem to relax me these days.







Happy Summer!

13 comments:

Hands Sew Full said...

I can relate to the unsettled state of mind and I hope some peace finds you soon. The lady bug painting is wonderful!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

It's no wonder it takes a while to settle down again after all you have been through. Be kind to yourself and make your new home "you" at your own pace.
The chair look great after the makeover!

Jo said...

omg, that chair is gorgeous ... just keep moving forward ... even if its just a couple of steps at a time!

Maria said...

Pleased Oliva has got you to do something with your new home. Love the fabric you have chosen for the chairs.
What a gorgeous ladybug card yoou have made.

Barb said...

Soon very soon it will show off your style and taste....it just takes times. You are adjusting. I still have pictures not on walls.... you are so very talented...love the card....

Patty said...

Out of the mouths of Babes...sounds like Olivia was just what the doctor ordered. Keep it up soon you will emerge from your fugue and life will and you home will feel like you again. Hang n there :^)

Needled Mom said...

It sounds like Olivia was the kick you needed. Bless her!

That chair is just gorgeous! I love the redo. And....the card is beautiful. Great job!

Anonymous said...

you go girl!!!
make that space yours
it takes a lotta livin'
to make a house a home!
hang your stuff, paint,
get them lovely chairs
done...listen to Olivia!
SMILE~
BEAR HUGS
~victoria~

Angela said...

Don't beat yourself up too much we can't always keep going at the same pace, downtime is needed sometimes. The space will become yours when it and you are ready to make it happen. I love the makeover you are giving your chairs!

Quiltingranny said...

Olivia is a truth seeker, we have one of those in our home. The take everything in and then speak and seek the truth. In her mind, something is wrong & she is worried about you. I am glad having her around is helping you!
Keep taking those baby steps!

mrs. c said...

Sometimes we need a little time to regroup. I think you are accomplishing a lot. I can't do as much as I want to, but you must focus on what is accomplished.

Pam said...

I love the card you made from your drawing. Truly a work of art.

Healing takes time and you are on the right track by realizing you need to get your "house in order". I love the colors you selected. The colors are bright and cheerful (just like you) and the chairs look great.

I too enjoy spending time with the granddaughters crafting. They seen to enjoy their "Mema Day" each week this summer.

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Hey lady! Love your ladybug ATC!!! That is awesome! You should start an Etsy shop, you could definitely sell your stuff! I know what you mean about the moving, we've been in this house for over 2 months and I still have lots of stuff in boxes! I am so sick of unpacking. I've put a lot of boxes of stuff out in the garage for a huge gargage sale, now I'm going through my books to see which ones I can get rid of... What a pain!