A Roof Over Our Head

Life has been super busy for me and my family.  As you all know, my sweetie is unemployed.  Losing his job seemed like such a bad thing but in reality, it has turned into a blessing...for now.  We've needed a new roof for the past year, but the hours he worked, made it practically impossible.  The roof needed repair in a few spots and we needed to address some issues in the attic that weren't accessible due to space.  Then a new roof could be put on....but until we fixed all of that, the new roof couldn't be done.  Of course our budget prohibited any hiring out to have it done. With our new time frame, we decided to do it.  We definitely need a roof over our head!

To finally get it completed and know that all is well, has definitely made us feel so much better!

I was so happy to say goodbye to the old black shingles and hello to the black metal roof!  I have fought with the colors of this house from day one.  I didn't choose the color combination and it's never made sense to me.  But my mom picked them out it and she loved the blue siding with black shutters and the tan brick.  So when we bought the house, I immediately began trying to make them work.  I thought about painting the siding since new wasn't in the budget.  Maybe painting the shutters a taupe would tie in the bottom?  Then I thought I'd paint the brick white.  But it always came back to defeating the purpose causing more painting.  Believe it or not, I'm tired of painting!

And then the day we had the new roof put on, it all finally came together!  It made sense and I actually saw something pleasing to my eyes.  I saw a cottage look that I've wanted for so long.  Then my head began to think when I saw the metal that was left over.  Nothing goes to waste at my house!

The side entrance by the garage door has always bugged me with no roof.  We had talked about making a little roof for just over the door, but water pours in and puddles on the floor.  

(the builder did a dumb thing by sloping the concrete making it lower than ground level) 

The brick wall has come apart in sections that was supposed to block water....another dumb thing.  So this is what I came up with.  

Look at that face...he wasn't happy that I put him to work.  But he sure is proud of how it turned out.  He said, "for it being leftovers and us not knowing how to lay a metal roof, it looks pretty good."

We built the roof inside the garage and then had our youngest daughter help us lift it up so we could attach it to the side of the house then add the posts.  Let me say....our muscles and backs were messed up after that!

But we did it!!!

What a difference it made!  And ya know, it actually feels bigger in that space bow.  Go figure!

Nice and dry and shaded!

A few years ago, I made this for over the back door.  It was so cute. but the fabric didn't serve as water resistant.  I had always wanted to put a roof over to the other roof we made over our deck to allow us to walk out when it is raining.  But again, the time we never had, we couldn't do it.

So, guess what we did?

I know my husband just loves me so much, lol!  He and I put this up by ourselves...just call me muscles!

I would have loved for it to be the  total width of the deck, but we only had enough white fiber glass left over from another project to complete this.  So we made it 48 inches wide and 12 feet long.  

We tied it in to the other roof on the deck, making it nice and dry to walk out in the rain.  The posts may look like they are in the way, but really, they aren't.  We carry furniture and appliances through this door for upstairs, so we couldn't use a post on the end.  That's where we made a brace.

The back of the house gets a lot of sun, so when I painted it all white, it really helped to keep it cooler.  We could never use this space due to the heat until we added the roof.  Walking on the deck barefoot before painting, well, you scrambled to the shade before your feet would scorch to death!  I never got around to painting everything this summer, so please over look the chippy paint.

Later, I will add posts to take place of the picket garden fence.  That was put up hastily to keep Bella off of the deck.  She chewed up everything in sight!

Now, with the shade, I have more space for flowers!  These have done so well all summer long.  Now that the temps are getting low at night, it won't be long before they die.  But aren't the pretty?!

Did you notice the  huge ferns out front?  I recently started working at a golf resort, and after a wedding had taken place, they gave us 4 of them!  Talk about a perk!  Shoulda saw me and my daughter bringing them home in her car...it looked like a jungle!

My hydrangea bush has bloomed so much, these are the last blooms, I'm sure.  I'm so glad they have stayed blue!

I apologize for talking your heads off, but I feel like I haven't shared anything with you all in so long.  We needed to catch up!

I'm starting on my Christmas decorations tomorrow.  With my work schedule, I won't have all of the time in the world like I used to. 

I pray all of you are healthy, blessed and loved.  I know I sure have been even after what has happened.  Have a blessed week and hope to talk to you, again, soon. 

Christmas is On My Mind

I seem to be passing Halloween and Thanksgiving by this year....I've never really been into Halloween other when the girls were little.  I love Thanksgiving but not the fall colors for decorating.  So, that's why Christmas is on my mind.

Crafting tends to get in my blood around this time, I think it may be a nesting type of thing we women have.  

A few years ago, I made snowmen ornaments from light bulbs.  I love making and selling them for some extra Christmas cash for gifts.  Mom always made things to sell, so I guess I'm following in her footsteps.

This year, Santa has arrived to join the snowmen!

Shabby pastels make these unique to me since primitives are the popular thing in my neck of the woods.  I'm an oddball....

Just a few that have come to life so far.

Photos do not do this blue justice!  It has a hint of aqua but is the softest pale blue that fits into any shabby style.

I'm like that dog though...you know, that spots the squirrel while playing ball? My mind races with ideas and my hands can't move fast enough!

I love making stockings!  This white one is my fave...I bet you are shocked, lol!

I'm kind of digging this one in the natural with the little Santa that matches.  I thought this would make a great  co-worker or a last minute gift.

The little details are what catch my eye...like the buttons, gimp and Santa's beard.

My kitchen looks like someone let off a bomb of craft supplies.  Light bulbs hanging from the knobs on the cabinets, hot glue strings everywhere, fabric and thread all over the floor...oh, and dirty dishes!  Did I mention the house work gets skipped by when I'm in this mode?  

I found this lamp base at Goodwill the other day for $5.  It was black, but I fell in love with it and knew it would be gorgeous painted white!

I needed a little more height from the other lamp I was using, so this one was perfect!

Now I'm off to do some more painting and sewing while I have a chance.  I hope everyone has had a blessed Sunday.  Mine sure has been!

My Very First Photo Shoot

I still cannot believe it!  

Not quite a month ago, I was contacted about doing a photo shoot here in little old West Virginia! I'm still keeping that hush hush so I don't jinx myself, but I can tell you about who came to do the photo shoot and what a pleasant experience it was!

For years, I've been a fan of Miss Mustard Seed.  Her blog spoke to me at a time I needed it...when the health problems were at their worst.  I remember one night reading her post about having a gall bladder attack, driving herself to the hospital all the while thinking it could possibly be a heart attack.  I realized at that moment, I was not alone.  Fast forward to years later, I finally had a diagnosis with Celiacs Disease. 

So to my surprise, when I received an email on the possible photo shoot, I was told if I was interested, the photographer would be Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed.  Let's just say, I did a huge gulp and responded "yes, of course"!!!!  

For years, I've dreampt of and have been let down a few times about the possibility of being featured in a magazine.  There was one time that I had actually signed a contract only to be notified that they had decided to go a different way.  Talk about being let down.  But the passion with making our home even better didn't stop though.  Ever since I was wee little, I've loved creating and decorating so that wasn't going to kill my passion.  Being in a magazine doesn't define who you are, but is sure is a dream of many with the same passion as me.

So, I'm still thinking in the back of my mind, that this still may fall through.  But the fact that they paid someone to travel to our home and spend 2 days to photograph our home is thrill enough!  And the added bonus of meeting some precious ladies!

Marian and her Mom, Kim, came to our home the evening before the photo shoot to get a feel and to see what type of flowers and props to buy.  I was so excited that I didn't even introduce my family to them, lol!

They were so nice and I felt so at ease...making the thought of them coming back even more exciting!

I had heard some horror stories from other blog friends about their photo shoots and thankfully, I had some great advice on what to do.

Having Marian was a blessing...she saw things in our home like I did and she really captured shots that I adored!

When I came downstairs and saw the flower arrangement in the tray with my angel...I knew this was going to be a good day!

Watching her make flower arrangements with my hydrangeas and ones that she brought made me smile.  She whipped arrangements together so fast and with such ease.  

And to take the time to teach me a few things with Lightroom was even better.  Years ago, I downloaded a free trial and was immediately overwhelmed, lol.  So I've stuck with PicMonkey because it's so easy.  

I stayed up all night after they left and fooled with my camera and editing with Lightroom once again....and this time I knew what I was doing thanks to Marian!

Of course my camera isn't the top of the line model, but I'm really happy with seeing improvements with my photos.  I love photography because it conveys what I see and what I feel.  I used to sit and study photos as a little girl from the Penny's catalog, the bedding section,  and dream of the rooms being mine someday.  Funny thing is...it happened!

My hydrangeas bloomed a few days before she came so that thrilled me because I was hoping she would want to use them.  When I told her, her eyes got big and she asked if I minded snipping them.  I could see the excitement in her eyes too!

She brought some paler blue hydrangeas that paired beautifully with mine.  I just adore blue!

My hubby asked me if my eyes and fingers hurt because I had been sitting at the computer editing all day, lol.... it thrills me to no end doing it!

I had a few hours of sleep the night before but it was the best day to me!  I so enjoyed talking with her mom, Kim...she was a sweetheart and can see where Marian gets her sweetness from.  I could see so many similarities with their relationship and how my mom and I are.  Mom did come up and our Mom's talked and talked while Marian took photos and I watched.  God really did bless me with the best experience for my first time with a photo shoot! 

Now,  to sit, wait and watch to see if and when they will use our home....that's going to be hard!  May was the given time...so I sure am hoping my dream does come true all of the way.  So far it's been really amazing!

One Last Fling

First I want to talk about how  very blessed I am to have the best husband ever.  There are times I get so irritated (I'm sure I'm not alone) with him and I know he does the same with me....but to have someone that is always there to have my back, to help me with my projects, to pray for me,  there for me when I am down  or not feeling well.  To have someone that I know without a doubt that loves me no matter what...well, that's really rare in this day.  We've had some really difficult times lately, but no matter what happens, as long as we have each other and stay focused on God, then we will make it!  I wouldn't be who I am without the support I've had from my sweetheart!  

We have a major event happening here at our home this week.  More details coming later....but we've had to do our Fall cleaning and sprucing up a little early.  I've had plans on painting the railing and stairs outside but the heat has put the damper on those plans. So bleach was my friend until I can get to paint.  We always clean the house in the Spring and in the Fall, cut back the flower beds, throw away all of the dead flowers and so on.  But we take our time....we haven't had that option this time around.

Our downstairs needed painted so I bit the bullet and did it.  The nail holes alone were the hardest to take care of!  Between moving all of the furniture, taking things off of the walls, filling and sanding all of the holes and then painting....I thought I'd never get done!  

 The blue I had mixed is Skywriter by Valspar.

The original blue we had was more of a gray blue.  I wanted something a little brighter to go with all of the British Rose and white.  

It's a little bit of an adjustment, but I do this with all of my paint.  I even did it when I painted the living room pink...now I love it and wouldn't change it for nothing!

Sorry I didn't take a before photo before we made this vent cover.

I had wanted to make this for a long time!  The metal air return vent was a true eyesore and a hazard to our toes since it was slanted at the bottom.   This is so much nicer, takes up less space and is pretty!

 The house got washed along with the porch.  I took up the rug for Fall....I'm kinda digging the floor this time around.  I've honestly hated this floor from the beginning.....either I'm softening up and my tastes are changing or I am just not caring anymore, lol!

What's left of my flowers after the major heat we've had, is a true miracle!  They're hanging on!

While everyone is decorating for Fall...I am having one last fling with Summer and enjoying our porch!

There is no better after a hard days work than sitting on this swing and relaxing.  There is something about a porch swing to me that gives a sense of slowing things down a bit.

Life is short and bad things happen to good people...but God is the answer to it all and with Him we will all overcome...in this life or the next.  

Have a blessed week!!!

How I cut down my Sectional Sofa

Awhile back, I found a sectional sofa for $199.  It was kinda too big for my space, leaving me only one way to have it.  Well, I am not a "one way" kind of gal. I have to have options!

Here it is when we brought it home and after I just covered it up before making a slipcover for it.  See how on one side it is longer than the other? Well, I wanted it the same on both sides.  So....I decided to cut it down!

I rolled it over and peeled back the protective  part to see what I was dealing with.  I knew it was a wood frame so that made it really easy.  The metal bars  braces were screwed in so that made it easy to take apart.  

My sweetie came and helped when I needed his muscles!

This is the parts that we cut off.  We measured everything so the cuts would be even since there were strips of wood all throughout.

Putting the end piece back on.

I made sure to peel back some extra fabric so that when I put it back together, I could make it look nice in case I ever want to get rid of it.

I saved everything I could.

I'm so happy with it!!!

Now it's the same on both sides like how I originally wanted a sectional to be and I have options on moving it around!

All I had to do with the slipcover was cut it down on the one side since I made two slipcovers instead of one.  I thought it would be easier when I needed to wash...so I am thrilled that I did that!

As for the ruffles on the bottom, that is a bed skirt that I have wrapped around the sofa.  It used to be on our old sofa, and I made sure I kept it just for this reason.

Originally, I had the settee at the foot of the bed for years.  With the sectional coming out from the wall, I needed to move it.

Our space feels so much more open now!

And now, that gorgeous foot-board can bee seen!

So that's how I did it...my husband thought I was nuts and was going to ruin his comfy new sofa.   Oh how he was wrong, lol!  He should know by now that when I get it into my head, it's going to happen!

I love our master in the basement!  It's a true retreat!

I'm getting ready to do some painting now, the walls have so many holes in them where I've changed the arrangements.  But I am keeping my blue!

I hope you are having a blessed Sunday and may your week be ever better!