Kitchen's Done!

Well, as done as it's gonna get for now. In my last update, you saw the cabinets were finished. Now the "garage" half of the room has it's own fresh coat of paint.

Last week, we installed the mini blinds and vertical blinds. They look SO much better than the old pink drapes! Clean, neat, and modern... just what I wanted.

(The framed print you see next to the door is one of my sister-in-law's pear images.)

About two weeks into the project, Marble Man and I were talking in that Stream-of-Consciousness way we do, when he said, "You know, you could paint the switch and outlet covers... you could even make each one different!" I cringed inside because, usually when he makes a suggestion of "what I can do", it involves WAY more work than I want to put into whatever it is.

I had to agree that his suggestion was a creative one, and I did like the idea, but I knew in my heart it was going to take a lot of time. I promised I'd think about it and work up some designs.

Then I'd try one, just one, on the next rainy day. He rubbed his hands together with glee saying, "Oh, good! 'Cuz I know you can't stop at just one." Living with someone who knows me that well is a curse, I tell ya!

Wouldn't you know, last week it rained? And rained, and rained... *sigh*. Time to honor my promise and get out the acrylics and fine brushes.

I must confess, I got through my college art studies and never took a painting class. Whatever I've learned over the years has been through trial and error, and discussions with my mom about her own painting experiences.

My first switch cover turned out so well, I can hardly believe I did it myself!

I woke up the day after I finished the first one (still raining), feeling all charged up to work on the second:

Two down, five to go! Each cover took me several hours to do. I used the acrylics like watercolors so I had to wait between each wash for the paints to dry before moving onto the next layer.

I don't think we can use the words "bland" or "depressing" to describe this room anymore. It turned out so well, I do a little happy dance when it's time to cook.

copyright 2009 Shibori Girl

Testing, Testing: One, Two... Three

I just couldn't help it. I had to practice setting up my booth and tweaking last year's design. I've been negotiating with this year's coordinator for more space than just the 30" x 72" table they will provide. It's been tough to do without sounding greedy.

This year, I have a second, 4-foot, table to form an "L" which will help a LOT. And they've generously let me claim a corner space so I have two walls I can use. Sweet!

Set-up is this Friday and sales begin Saturday, bright and early, at 9 AM. Stop by if you're in the area!

Art For A Cause
UCCH Alternative Gift Market
November 21, 2009 (9am-1pm)
November 22, 2009 (10am-1pm)

United Church of Chapel Hill
1321 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-942-3540
www.unitedchurch.org

copyright 2009 Shibori Girl

Fun and Fantasy

OK, I've mentioned in past posts that I'm a nut for Dancing With The Stars on ABC. I've even managed to turn Marble Man into a fan - during early seasons he said he'd "rather stab needles in his eyes than watch that crap", but a couple of seasons ago he'd start whistling the theme music on Sunday nights in anticipation of Monday's show. Now we watch and trash the judges when we disagree with the scores.

Last night's live episode didn't disappoint. They decided to shake things up a bit and have the dancers do Latin numbers with a "decade" theme: pop singer Mya and Dimitri did a Samba from the '70's with plenty of raunchy disco thrown in. They received the first perfect score of this season after performing this:



But my absolute favorite of the night was swimsuit model Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough's "futuristic" Paso Doble. Oh...My...God! It was so much fun.



While the Paso is my least favorite of the Latin dances, with it's strident in-your-face beat and aggression, this one knocked my socks off clear across the room... so inventive and fun. I hope you enjoyed it too.

Materials That Inspire

Last year, I discovered some beautiful acrylic flower beads that several shops sell on Etsy.com.

They lend a sense of fun and romance to any design and, until last week, I've used them exclusively in earrings. I listed several new pairs last week which garnered rave revues.

A friend mentioned that she doesn't have pierced ears, but she really liked the flower earrings. I worked up a design for a necklace featuring these lovely beads.

These are so much fun to make...

I really enjoy wire wrapping - it puts me in a zen-like mood, and the results are delicate and airy.

This month I stocked up on some new brass findings for experimenting. I like using the filigree stampings,

but these simple circles have lots of potential.

I'm well stocked for the upcoming show in two weeks. I'm not usually this well prepared for a show this early and I had an attack of nerves last night: lying awake until 3 AM, my brain churning away, and feeling like I've forgotten something important. I sure do hope I figure it out soon!

copyright 2009 Shibori Girl