11.07.2011

Postcard from Hibernation #4

Happy November! I truly can't believe it's been over four months since I've sent you all a "postcard." I think about you, and blogging, frequently. I still sit on the couch after the kids have gone to bed and read about all the wonderful things you are doing. But I am still very much smack dab in a season of life that takes all my attention. Blogging continues to take a back seat to Nina (who is loving kindergarten!), Henry (who still attends "mama school," as he calls it!), supporting Brent, and building a life here in California. I admit that I often daydream of living in my forever house, close to my family and back in my Ohio hometown, but for the time being...I am here. So.

That doesn't mean I haven't been busy! Just that my teeny tiny California ranch house is bursting at the seams, filled with projects that I do in hopes of giving them a more permanent home someday. Here are a few examples!

I found this ship at a local resale shop for $5. Though Henry is enchanted with pirate ships right now, I didn't so much fancy having one in my living room.

I took off the metal sails, covered the red bottom with a dark walnut stain, and stitched up some simple blue ticking stripe panels for some new sails. Cute!

Next, I searched for this table for about six months, biding my time on Craig's List. I wanted an antique that I could refinish to match my current dining room furniture, which I inherited from my grandmother years ago. Here it is (before), covered in at least three layers of brown paint. Pretty.

After many...many...many hours of stripping paint, I finally got it down to bare wood.

A few coats of dark walnut stain, a few coats of polyurethane, and I finally have a sideboard that is worthy of the rest of my grandmother's furniture!

Of course, the California ranch doesn't have a dining room to put it in, but a girl can dream!

Lastly, here is a lesson for all your husbands. We were out one Saturday afternoon and passed by a garage sale. Just that morning, my husband had said to me "We are not buying any more furniture while we live here!"

Um. You can see where this is going.

We spotted this huge, sturdy bookshelf for $11.

Let's pause a moment to take in it's ugliness, combined with layers of blue goo.

I cleaned. He sanded. I painted. He added new beadboard backing. It was a joint effort!

But Nina now has a home for her growing collection of books. And I just love the beadboard and cream paint combination!

Just remember this story when your husband tells you to stop acquiring projects. :)

Well, that's about it from around here. I'm sorry it's been so long! Here's hoping you're all doing well...I miss you!


16 comments:

Jodee said...

Welcome back! We missed you! Love your furniture makeovers and especially the white book shelf!

Em said...

You have been missed!

Emily said...

I was just thinking about you and wondered how you are. Love what you did to the sailboat, table, and bookcase. Glad all is well!

Jboo said...

You have been missed!!! I knew your would have some great projects going on in addition to taking care of your sweet family --love your efforts! You are a talented Buzzing Bee! :) Happy November to you!

Janet

Melissa said...

It's Carrie!! So good to see your blog in bold in my reader! :) It's good hear you are doing well and to see your projects..the table is beautiful and what a find in the bookshelf! Don't stay away too long..

Every Day Blessings said...

I have missed all your cute post. I was so excited to see that you posted something. I love the table and the cute bookshelf and the cute boat.

LL from KS said...

I was so excited to see a new post from you! I really enjoy your blog, and even though you aren't posting much these days, I still go back and reread your old ones. I think you are crazy talented and am amazed at your ability to turn every house you live in a home!

Sandy A said...

What fun to read your posting again. The table you found turned out just beautiful! Cute Cute Sailboat! And that Bookshelf is fantastic--perfect for your little girl's room. See--you do have more to offer in your blog than you think...

Amy said...

So many great ideas in this post!! It's hard to choose a favorite! Thanks for the inspiration!

Renee said...

I've enjoyed your blog and am so delighted to see a new post! I'll admit I've been revisiting some of your older posts because I'm on the hunt for those classic buffalo check drapes. Love them! I do hope you'll let us peek at more of your awesome projects. Thanks for sharing!

Bradford's Antiques said...

This is heart touching design........But you can design your dining room using Antique dining room furniture for good look.....

LRae said...

I'm so glad to see a post from you! I have enjoyed your posts very much and miss them. You live in a ranch house so similar to mine. I am also in the SF Bay Area. I love seeing how well you put your house together and it inspires me a lot.

Hena Tayeb said...

I love fixing up and old piece of furniture and giving it new life

Tara {The Silver Lining} said...

Hi Carrie! I was really excited to see a new postcard from you! Your blog was one of the first blogs that I ever started reading regularly, although at the time, I didn't have a blog or know how to leave a comment. haha But now I've started my own blogs -just a few months ago, so I still have a lot to learn, but it's been fun so far. I still check back at your blog to see if you've posted anything. I love your new furniture!! It was great to hear from you. Hope all is well! Tara

marla grace said...

everything looks so good! you've been busy!

Heidi said...

All your refinishing projects look awesome! I'm happy you took the time to update your blog!