MIA

I know I’ve been MIA for a while. I finished up with classes a couple weeks ago, then I went to Vegas for some much needed R&R with my sister and two other girlfriends.  We were originally there to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday, but it was a great getaway and girls’ trip.

Since I’ve been back there’s been some good and some very bad….

I primed and started to spray paint my other end table. Remember the other one I did way back when it was cold?! The spindly legs are the trickiest part…I bought a spray paint and primer in one in a gloss white.  It so far has not covered like I’ve wanted. So, I’ll be making some follow-up trip to Lowe’s to buy a Kilz spray paint primer. Oh, and I’ll need a couple cans. I used one entire one trying to do the legs on ONE table! And it’s not even covered as I think it should be.

Now to the bad:

You all know my dog, I’ve posted pictures. He’s a pit. Very protective of me. He can definitely be the sweetest dog. But sometimes his excitement borders on a bit much.  He’s bitten before, and it’s getting progressively worse, even though I’ve tried to work with him on it. I know he does it because he’s unsure of the human that’s around me. And I admire that quality, especially where I live (I’m not in the ghetto, but it can be shady at times). But, I can’t have a biter. Last Monday he bit another gentleman (one of the maintenance guys of my complex) pretty bad….and we were outside. There wasn’t a threat that I can think of other than Kane recognized him from being in my apartment before. I don’t know.

My community director called me on Friday (one of the worst days ever for other reasons) and told me I can’t have my dog in the apartment anymore and to call him on Monday and tell him what my next step is going to be.

While it is literally killing me on the inside, I know I can’t have this liability walking around with me…what if it happens again, and the victim isn’t so understanding about it? I love my dog with all my heart, and he has so many years left (he’s 3), but I don’t think he’ll get any better…

Friday was also bad because: 1) there was road construction I was unaware of and I had to take a detour to work–thankfully I wasn’t late; 2) our ATM at work is stupid and frustrating; 3) one of our branches was robbed at gunpoint–all employees are unhurt, just shaken up, and the suspects have been captured; 4) got the call from my community director about my dog; 5) my friend’s grandfather passed away; and 6) it was all on a Friday, a day that I work an hour later than normal anyways.

 

So there you have it. More to come, I’m sure.

april showers

Ok, anyone else having crappy weather this spring?! What’s pretty amaze-balls is that the last couple Sundays have been spectacular…but I’ve already committed to other things by this point and have no will to DIY. I’m seriously slacking on my project goals.  UGH!

There are a few things that I’ve done.

It comes to my attention that I never posted about some awesome-sauce coasters I’ve made.  I purchased “extra” Scrabble tiles from Amazon–I think about 100 letters come per package, at $6 a pop. Not too shabby.

I bought a roll of self-adhesive cork from Joann’s, as well as an exact-o knife, since I had neither.  I chose my words carefully, doing 4X4 tiles, and simply cut out a square of cork, peeled back the sticky stuff, placed my letters on top, and then trimmed the cork to fit! It was seriously THAT EASY! I haven’t put a coat of sealer over the top, but I kind of like the look without it.

it took me a while just to come up with the words for each coaster. they all have a theme. NERD ALERT!

 

the back of the cork coasters.

I bought some new bedding! Since SOMEONE (Puppy dog) ripped my previous duvet, and my fitted sheet, I decided it was time for some new.  I went to Target, my fave place in the world, and bought the orange shams (I’m really feeling orange right now, plus it has this awesome pattern to it), a plain gray duvet and shams, and plain white super-awesome threadcount sheets.  Totally worth the extra money to have high quality sheets.

isn’t that orange pretty cool?

This is above my dresser….I NEED to do something with this space. Thoughts?

I’ve also started “styling” my bookcase. In these photos, you can see the contrast a bit better between the white and grey.

The original painting I found at a resale shop here in Indy. It was $50, but I absolutely love the colors. I had to have it.

pretty little figurine I found at World Market one weekend on clearance for $2. Love!

I’ve done a few more little things with the bookcase here recently. I have this floating shelf in my living room that I need to create something to put on it.

 

Hope to have more progress soon!

officially: spring

Well, today’s the first day of spring. And the high is 31 degrees. No joke. Midwest weather, I tell ya.

Also, halfway through the month–and I promise, I’ll do SOME sort of project.  I’m really only failing myself—but I swear, I don’t have time! And it’s not an excuse. After looking at accounting or statistics for a few hours during the day, my brain feels mushy.  No creative juices flowing.

Well, I found some great spring cleaning tips and tricks from Apartment Therapy:

Spring Cleaning

Enjoy!

this is so perfect

I came across this little article this morning while trolling my favorite websites for inspiration (and some relaxation).  I know I’ve been so busy.  Well, at least I’ve claimed to be so busy.  There are tons of things I need to do, and I’ve scheduled my life out just so, and yet I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished enough.  I’m not ahead of schedule.  I’m not even on schedule.  Well, ok, I’m on schedule for certain things.

If only I was even MORE like Sheldon….

How Sheldon Are You?

 

You all should know that BBT is one of my absolute favorite shows right now.  So this should be no surprise that I loved this little article.

I have so few furniture pieces in my apartment, that there really are only a few places to sit.  But i do find myself sitting on the same spots on my couch.  I have a “side” of my bed (while Kane takes up the other 2/3, haha!).  I think it’s normal.  But, I have to agree, straying away from the familiar and comfortable can be exciting.  Even if it’s just sitting in a different spot–you can appreciate an entirely different view!

the rules….

I found some awesomely amazing pages on the ApartmentTherapy website. (Ok, so it took me going through CentsationalGirl, but who’s complaining about that?!)

 

The Ten Commandments of Used Furniture:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/redo-or-run-the-ten-commandments-of-used-furniture-184689

And how much reupholstery really costs:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/case-studies-of-real-life-upholstery-jobs-what-do-people-really-pay-172781

march

March is here! And it comes with 5 weekends!

I still need to figure out what my project of the month will be…..

 

 

I could always prime the other end table (minus the legs). 

 

 

These next two months will be especially busy for me. Not only will I still be working full-time, but I’m also taking 2 classes this session–one online and one in a classroom.  AND I’ve made it a point to start working out and eating healthier because…..

 

 

I’M GOING TO VEGAS AT THE END OF APRIL! YAAAAAAY!!!!!! (I’m excited, can’t you tell?)

bones

I’m sorry.  Um…I seem to have an addiction.

To Bones! I seriously love this show.  I know it’s unrealistic and that’s not how they solve murders in real life (at least that’s what my forensic anthropologist TA’s said), but I cannot stop watching it until I’ve caught up.

I’ve done nothing else.  No productivity toward determining my March project.  I did make some pretty awesome sauce Scrabble Tile coasters, but that’s it.  All other time has been spent consumed by 43 minute episodes of season 5-7 of Bones. 

Seriously.  I’m going to ABA (Addicted to Bones Anonymous)

 

“Hi, my name is Carrie and I can’t stop watching Bones….”

bookcase completion!

yahoo! I’m so excited that my bookcase is now done.  I can spot some mistakes and blemishes, but hey, I’m still new at this and figuring out what works and doesn’t.  I decided not to put a layer of poly over the whole thing.  I think it’ll make touch-ups easier.

I chose Valspar “Gravity” for the back of the bookcase.  It’s the perfect color.  Not too dark, but provides just enough contrast from the white.  I am in love.

I went to the closest woodworking supply store and purchased new shelf support clips because I really didn’t want to make the mess of spray painting my current ones.  I bought a package of 16 for about $9. You can find them on Amazon too.  But I didn’t want to wait for shipping.  I want to use my bookcase now!!

new clippies!

So while I was painting the back, I realized that I didn’t have a tray liner for my mini roller tray I have.  I have other cheap-o trays, but I didn’t want to waste them on this project.  So….I lined my tray with aluminum foil.  Yep, worked like a charm too!

makeshift tray liner.

My next weekend project is to create some coasters.  I bought some “extra” Scrabble tiles online from Amazon for about $6 each (afterwards my friend tells me she has a bajillion and she would’ve given them to me).  They are regulation tiles too, so I was very happy with that.

I bought a roll of cork and an X-Acto knife.  The idea is to lay the tiles out over the cork, cut the cork to fit, then mod podge it all together.  More on that to come!

valentine’s

I’m not a valentine’s day person.  It’s cheesy, and a huge $$ suck.  There shouldn’t be one day to celebrate love.  It should happen all the time.  As you may have guessed by the “singlegirl” title, yes, I am without a loved one.  But that doesn’t mean I’m without love.  I have a wonderful family, awesome friends, and a crazy pup who loves me.  And I took this day to do something great for myself.  I got my hair done.  Sure, I would’ve done it anyways, whether the date was the 14th or the 15th because it was time, but that’s beside my point.  Love isn’t flowers that will die, chocolate that’s in a heart-shaped box, jewelry, or cards, or romantic comedies.

Love is watching your dog enjoy the crap out of his new toy.  Love is making yourself feel wonderful.  Love is enjoying the day.

And that’s what I f-ing did today.  So suck it St. Valentine. 

bookcase progress

So I hope you all liked my link to Emily’s site. I found her post to be very inspiring and helpful.

Ok, February project is coming along very well! I wish I didn’t have carpet, because doing the bottom of the bookcase is rather difficult, however I think it will turn out just fine.

Everyone remember the before picture? No? (You have a horrible memory then…)

before

Items used for this project include:

green tarp; foam rollers; foam brushes; a good quality synthetic 2″ brush; Zinsser cover stain primer; penetrol; valspar paint+primer in gloss white; painter’s tape; floetrol; and polycrylic.

First, I decluttered and dusted.  I even took a damp cloth to everything to get all the extra dust and dog hair that regular dusting doesn’t always pick up.  Next, I took off each shelf and the brackets.  The middle shelf does not move.  As I said previously, my dad built this when I was a kid, and that’s just how he decided to do it.

I pulled the bookcase away from the wall, putting my paint tarp underneath as best I could.  I put the shelves on another tarp so they had a place to be.  I’m a messy painter, and since I rent, I definitely need those tarps everywhere.  I bought an eco-friendly one from Lowes when I was doing my January project (can’t remember the brand), but it wasn’t expensive.  It was so big that I even cut it in half.

Notice, I don’t like to sand. However, I did do a light sanding of the shelves, since those had the most wear to them.  I used a foam brush for the top and bottom of the bookcase and in the corners and crevices.  A foam roller brush for the rest.  It went on very easily.

A little awesome trick I found? Penetrol. It’s awesome. I added it to my primer and it helped to eliminate brush strokes and roller marks on my second coat.  (My first coat I don’t care so much about.)

Penetrol–best little oil based primer conditioner ever

Quick note: Penetrol is for oil-based paints, and Floetrol is for latex. Don’t get these confused. It’ll be bad, bad news.

During: one coat of primer

During: 2 coats of primer

Today, I got up about 8 (that’s sleeping in for me, folks) finished putting a bit of primer on the base of the bookcase and then ran some errands.  I knew I would need some more paint trays, and some white gloss paint.  The guy at the counter handed me Valspar paint+primer…so I guess it couldn’t hurt to have more primer, right?!

I added Floetrol, since this is latex based paint.  Using my foam roller, it actually rolled on with a lot of bubbles, but with more and more rolling, they eventually went away.  Just have patience!

I taped off the edges that coincide with the back of my bookcase since that will be painted another color.  I’m sure you’re asking why, since it’s only white.  However, I have a theory that if the edges get another little bit of white on them (essentially another coat) then it’ll look different than the rest.

So, I edged the back. It also helped keep my mess from getting out of control.

Next step is to let this dry overnight (even though it’s pretty much dry right now).  I want to make sure there is even coverage of the white, or see if another coat is needed (I sure hope not).

I also need to get the grey color of paint for the back.  I can’t decide which color or what size I’d need.  I hate to buy a quart….I know I won’t need that much, but I don’t know of anything smaller.

More to come!