The bedroom is finished

And, I'm so pleased.  This is been going on since June, but the last touch was put on it right after church today.  My new upholstered headboard was attached to the bed.

A friend mentioned making a headboard and after all the HGTV I watch I was hooked.  And, there are lots of tutorials online.

My materials consisted of a 4x8 piece of 1/4" plywood, three 1x4s, bolts, foam, batting, vinyl and nail strips.  Costs for all the materials was $67.  (Labor was free :-)

My son is too much like his Dad, and the thing had to withstand a tornado.  So he and a neighbor cut the 1/4" plywood for me and attached it to the 1x4s.  I did the rest of the work, until it came time to attach it to the bed (today).

Vinyl on the floor with back side up, batting, foam and then the frame.  The foam was cut the same size as the frame, the batting was the same size as the vinyl.  Fold around the edge and staple.  Turned it over and put the nail strip on.

I must I'm rather proud of myself.  I could have done it quicker than the 2-1/2 hours that it actually took if the darned electric stapler that I was using had cooperated.  Of course, that was 2-1/2 hours crawling around on the floor with a stapler and hammer and trying not to make any mistakes.  I could just about walk when I got finished.  That's 2-1/2 hours longer than this old lady needs to be on the floor.  I could have gotten help.  But, "I wanted to do it myself".

Son (Asher) and grandson (Nathan) and a couple of Nathan's friends got it attached to the bed after church today.

I've had my new platform bed long enough now to know that I love it.  And, LOVE the new floor.  As a matter of fact, I'm pretty pleased with the whole bedroom.  I'm a happy (if tired) camper.

Wow, it's been a long time...

...since I've posted anything here.  Life has just gotten in the way (imagine that).

Been doing a lot of work in my house.  And thanks to my son and grandsons, I have new laminate flooring in my bedroom and office, the two rooms I spend the most time in.  So, of course, that "required" a total re-do of both rooms :-)  I know, a picture is worth a thousand words, so while I don't have my new headboard made yet, here's the bedroom.

First picture is after floor, but before any other re-do.  This is my massive, king size bed.

Took up LOTS of space and made the large room look small

New low, full size platform bed - I LOVE IT!

The iris pictures over the bed are high, in anticipation of the headboard I'm going to make.

Looking from the corner where the secretary is

The floors were sort of a necessity.  Very old carpet with lots of pet dander and dust imbedded in it.  I had bronchitis all winter long and just never seemed to totally shake it.  In March the doctor decided I had developed chronic bronchitis and asthma and said I needed to rip up all my carpet.  Well, that's bit easier than said, but I did have some hefty workers and they did a great job.  Of course, my house was a total wreck for awhile.  They did my bedroom while I was in Texas in June at another grandson's graduation, and the office just in the last few weeks. 

So, really I didn't change any furniture except the bed- which I'd been considering doing for quite awhile, and painting a few things white and moving them around a bit - and of course, draperies, curtains, & pillow covers.  Yeah I know, according to HGTV, I'm way too cluttered - but it looks so much less so with the new floor and bed.  And, "I" like it, and that's what matters.

Etsy Treasury

I've never been included on an Etsy treasury before - so was thrilled to be put in this one for Barbies.

Features one of my Barbie dresses.
Etsy treasury

I believe it expires on Saturday (2/27), so it won't be around for too long.  Exciting for me nonetheless.

New website is live

...and I think it's a cute one.  Poodles and Pals Grooming

A grooming salon in Guntersville.  She likes pink, I like pink, she likes poodles, I like poodles!!!  (She does other dogs besides poodles - but they're MY favorites).

We still have to add some info on the secondary pages and a photo of the shop.  She has the reception room decorated so cute and when I was there a couple of weeks ago there was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel laying on the love seat.  I thought he was stuffed at first, but it turns out he's just a really laid back dog who goes weekly for a 'shampoo and set'.

If you go to the link you can even see Frosty's picture farther down on the page.  And, of course, she's Frosty's "stylist/groomer" and always has treats for him.

Bring coffee and no one gets hurt!!!!

That's the "Dolly Mama" cross stitch hanging over my coffee pot.  And, there's good reason for it to say that. 

My husband used to bring my coffee to me in bed before my feet ever hit the floor - that worked out great for both of us :)

Now that he's gone, I stagger into the kitchen and pour my own.  I get the coffee ready before I go to bed at night - it's not something I never forget.  I don't set the timer as my daughter-in-law gets up before me and turns it on, so when I stumble in the kitchen it's made and waiting on me.

EXCEPT THIS MORNING!  When I arrived in the kitchen the coffee pot was sitting there empty, surrounded by a wet towel and next to it a note - "coffee pot broken, water everywhere, NO coffee".  Needless to say, that didn't totally make my morning a good one.  So, doubter that I am, I had to turn on the coffee pot.  How it could have still had that much water in it as wet as the towel was I have no idea.  So now there's more water on the counter for me to clean up and none in the carafe where the coffee was supposed to be. 

It's been leaking a little for awhile, but it still made coffee - not today.

So, as soon as I could shower and get dressed it was off to town for coffee and a new coffee pot. 

The coffee wasn't nearly as good as my "Community" coffee is, but at least it was coffee and sort of got my motor running. 

After finally finding a coffee pot that did the few things I required it to do, getting homeunpacking, cleaning, and running one pot of water through it first - I've FINALLY had my regular morning coffee.

 

I don't require the fanciest coffee maker in the world - but I am spoiled to a few things - programmable, strength setting, auto off and not break the bank.  This Black & Decker filled my requirements and while it certainly wasn't nearly the cheapest coffee maker there - it wasn't nearly the most expensive either.  

The coffee maker that just died was a different brand, bu if it this one lasts as well as my last Black & Decker (under counter one which was about 25 years old when we finally replaced it) - I shouldn't ever have to buy another one.

Oh, and if this point you had any doubts about how seriously I take my coffee - here's another cross stitch hanging in my kitchen....

 

Ice.... in Alabama

... is NOT a good thing!!!

This is part of my back deck that doesn't have a cover.  That ice is there and hard.  I was able to sweep off the steps as it's still slushy there (Frosty has to be able to go down those steps to do his business).  He loves to go under this picnic table when something is falling out of the sky.  He's not crazy about bad weather.

I know it's not hitting us nearly as bad as some parts of the country, but ice is ice.

And, speaking of Frosty, he's been acting very strangely today.  We worked at the cross stitch shop today (as usual on Wednesday and Friday) and everytime I moved, he barked.  He wanted to go outside, then he didn't want to go outside when I got bundled up.  He shivered and shook all day, and has been doing that since we got home.  I know he gets cold easily, but he's wearing his sweater as he usually does when the weather is cold.  I'm wondering if it the change in the weather.  My previous poodle would go nuts when the barometer started dropping.

If he is a little weather man - I hope he's wrong about the severity of this winter storm in Alabama.

Someone's thinking spring

....and boy am I ready for it.  Enough of this cold weather already.  It's been unseasonably cold in Alabama this winter - we've even had snow. 

I just mailed this cute 'garden charm bracelet' to a customer, so maybe someone is getting ready early.

Decided to go and remind myself just what I have listed in my little online jewelry shop .   Here's another 'spring like' bracelet.  This one features lampwork beads and fruit.  Quite colorful.

These bracelets and more are available - all offer free shipping.

New web site

Working on a new web site - something I just love to do.

Can't really show it till the client sees it, but I can't wait.  "I" love it - I hope she does too.

My UGGs are great

... and the only thing that helps the neuropathy in my feet.  One of the many lasting side effect from chemo or Herceptin - and VERY uncomfortable.

Bought the UGGs last year after doing lots of market research - as this was a major purchase for me.  They will last me the rest of my life and I love them.  Ugly (well mine are) but extremely comfortable and the only things that keep my poor toes even remotely comfortable.

Barbie boas

... are so much fun to make.  I don't do a lot of crocheting, but these make up fast and add so much to a Barbie outfit.

There are so many interesting yarns today, there's really a wide choice.  And, different yarns yield totally different results.

Then, there's the ever popular feature boa - not quite as much fun to make, but sure looks great on Barbie.

All of these (and more) can be found in my doll shop - stop by and visit anytime.

Look what I found

Putting away the last of the Christmas decorations today, I found an old paper bag in the back of the storage room. Curious, I opened it up to find a stack of vintage handkerchiefs and a vintage ladies slip.

Now, when I say vintage - I don't mean the 70s or 80s (that's just a few years ago). These are from the 1930s or 1940s - certainly no newer.

At first I thought it was silk - but I'm not sure.  The inside looks handmade, but it does have tags, one is a heavy paper tag, so it hasn't been worn.  The color is a peach with cream lace trim.

It's been folded a long time, but doesn't look any the worse for wear.  I'm sure the wrinkles will iron out.

Now to figure out what to do with it.  It's a "large" size (40), so who's going to want to wear it.  And anyway, why would one want to wear a slip that's 70 plus years old???  Offer it on Etsy maybe?  We'll see.

Most of the hankies are stained - mostly from being folded for so long.  Some of them are handmade, others just old.

Then there are a couple with full designs.  I'm thinking I'll try a vintage hankie Barbie dress with one or both of them (wish that was an original idea, but it sounds like a good one anyway).

I really thought I'd gotten rid of all this old stuff, I'm not usually a 'saver'.  I'm thinking my DH stashed this away at some point in time being sure I'd want it eventually :)

They're all finished

...and if I don't see the 'inside' of a blog template for awhile it will not hurt my feelings. I'm sick of them.

But then, they does anyone in their right mind have 4 blogs. Just sort of happened, though I can't say they're all real current - will try and work on that.

It's Almost Finished

And, if you're a frequent visitor here you might not even see the difference - but I surely do.

I still don't have my post titles looking the way I want.  I tested this out on another blog (also on blogger) and it looked perfect, then when I loaded it here where it's going to live - it's different.  I have no idea why, and my brain won't wrap around that at the moment.

I've actually worked on these changes for days (when I could spare the time) and am ready to move on to the next one... I'm 'updating the look' of all of my blogs.

So, my goal was to post on at least one blog each day - didn't make it yesterday, but maybe the future will hold more writing, and hopefully in the future you'll find something at least quasi interesting to read on one of them.

Not done yet...

...but I will get these blogs revised the way I want.

Wasn't around the computer today, but I did think about it. Haven't resolved my problem yet, but maybe leaving it for awhile will let my brain work while my fingers are doing something besides typing.

Stay tuned....

Basically wasted day

... well, I guess not wasted, I've learned several things that will NOT work.

I had a great list of "to do" things today, and have done none of them.

I decided I wanted to update my blog layouts. Sounds easy right?? Well, I can't get mine to do what I want it to do. Obviously I want it to do something it doesn't want to do.

I've been at it all day. Did walk away for awhile and rode my stationary bicycle thinking that might clear my hear. Didn't work (well, I did get some good exercise - but that's all).

Now, I've run out of time and much move on to something else. Work in the cross stitch shop tomorrow, so won't get back to it till Saturday.

I do love designing websites, templates, etc. But when I hit a snag, it's difficult to walk away and time just flies by me.

Maybe by then my brain will be cleared and I'll have figured it out (but I do have 'chemo brain' - so at least I have an excuse)

Barbies

Barbie arrived in doll world when I was too old for dolls. The closest we had was a "Tony" doll - you could work on her hair, but she wasn't nearly as much fun to sew for. My grandmother did teach me to make clothes for her (and for myself) and I've loved sewing ever since.

A few years ago, I started talking about Barbies and how cute they were. My hubby (always on the lookout for an easy gift for me) decided to start giving me Barbie dolls. After awhile, "I" decided to make a Barbie dress. My sewing machine was old and failing so we went on my birthday that year (the last year my sweet hubby was alive) and I got a new sewing machine AND serger (which I have a love/hate relationship with). One thing led to another and I've been making Barbie outfits ever since. I have so much fun designing and making elegant gowns and accessories. Then, almost as much fun dressing and photographing them. I've recently gotten a new "chair" to use as a prop - but haven't taken any photos with it yet.

This dress for Silkstone Barbie is called "Simply Red" and sold over the holidays. It included the custom necklace and handmade boa. More pictures of a few of my sold dresses can be found at: http://www.dollfashionsbyiris.com/photosgallery/index.php

Many times I'm designing as I go - and sometimes I'm more pleased with the results than others. This one was particularly fun and I love the outcome.

And this one didn't turn out 'exactly' as I'd planned - but definitely different and cute.


Sellling these fashions in my online doll shop and my Etsy shop are sort of a by-product of my hobby and do help support my 'habit'. If you're interested, you can see more outfits here:

http://www.dollfashionsbyiris.com/shop/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrisOriginals

Hope you have as much fun looking as I've had creating :)

New Year's visotors

Haven't been around much lately. Was sick from about the middle of November till after Christmas. Broncitis and flu - not much fun - and when I don't even feel like being on the computer - I'm sick.

Better now and enjoying the new year with out of town family - and a special visitor.

My son & his family from St. Louis are here - and a local friend has gone to Gatlinburg for New Years and I'm dog sitting with her little Pomeranian - Teddy. Frosty and the cats are not particularly impressed. However, at the momenet it's working out quite well as Teddy has decided he loves my son & his family (and they're pretty impressed with him too).

Even my grandson (who is NOT a dog person) has made friends with him and thinks he's cute (he's really adorable).

As I type this, he's sitting next to my DIL with his head resting on her laptop.

I think they'd take him home with them if they thought they could get away with it.