30th year is nearing a close - time to check the projects list

As you are all clearly aware, I have avoided checking in on this list for the last several months.  While, I haven't done nothing, I havent' done a whole lot either.  But, as Spring gathers speed on it's way to Summer and my 30th year gets ever closer to a close it's time to evaluate (and give you an update on the RVT2103 - to come soon).  Ok, to the list:

1. New Bed:  DONE! I think that there can definitely be a follow-up project to add a few more items tot the decor of the room overall, including new bedding but the new bed is in and great!
2. Color in the Kitchen: Truthfully, haven't even visited this one
3. Build 4 x 4 workbench:  As seen at an artist studio at American Steel Studios.  DONE! I'm going to call this done, but amended.  I recently created the top of a workshop table based on a Pinterest project I saw but using scraps I had in the workshop.  Currently it is missing legs but it's resting on top of my sawhorses and maybe provides even more functionality than the original project.
4. Build nightstands: DONE!  Really happy with my suitcase nightstand and looking for a second suitcase to complete the set.
5. Run a race.  Hmm, didn't sign up for one. If I wanted to excuse myself I could talk about how I've run them in the past, and I've recently timed myself running (like a race against myself).  So, done?
6. Front yard makeover: Partially done/Postponed, my grass and other plants are doing really well.  I added some more plants for pops of color and some along the side of the house.  Happy for now with long term plan for xeriscaping.
7. Back yard makeover: Partially done.  I have moved several plants and created an all succulent planter. They are starting to bloom and I can't wait for it to fill in!  I also planted two tomato plants, a tomatillo, zucchini and carrots.  No new fruit trees yet but still on the list.
8. Complete one new woodblock: Done, pictures to come.  I'm not in love with it but I don't hate it, which is a start.
9. Take an art class
10. Make a "pouf": Here's one project but maybe search because I know there were a couple that did it on the cheap using IKEA rugs I think. Still have not attempted it yet, however.
11. Sew a complete item of clothing (more complicated than a skirt though) using a pattern. DONE. I made a fairly hideous pair of kulots/gaucho pants for our Troop Beverly Hills Halloween costume this year.  While it was not a true pattern, I did use a pair of pants I already have to create this pair and had to make some sizing adjustments and amendments as I went.  Let's just say I'm not destined for Project Runway anytime soon. 
12. Design and get a tattoo
13. Make Christmas presents for my neighbors: Done-ish, I did not make Christmas presents for my neighbors but I did make really adorable Christmas presents in mason drinking glasses for my coworkers, which I'm counting.
14. Build and paint a bean bag toss game: Canceled, felt like too much time but have done some other wood working projects
15. Sew baby blanket:  DONE! See the post about making the blanket.  I recently got a photo back from my friend with her one month old swaddled up in it - baby adorableness.  I also have two more babies coming that need blankets, but not for this list!
16. Add a new item for sale to RadBaby: DONE!  See the post about the new earrings we added.
17. Complete a Coursera course: DONE I completed all the lectures and assignments for Dino 101 - it was awesome.  I have given up on the Intro to Computational Design.  I enjoyed the first two modules, programming and photoshop, but the third is audio which does not interest me.
18. Create a housewarming gift for friends that are moving. DONE!  I created a great housewarming gift in a mason jar for my best friend's brother and his girlfriend.  It took me forever to give to them but that is not part of this project so there.
19. Add shelves and/or decor to the bathroom: DONE!  This one was a project from Pinterest, and a rare situation where I actually like my version more than the Pin.
20. Go to Zumba classes 2 times a week for at least a month. DONE!  Successfully accomplished and still going.  With the exception of some sick days we have been consistently going every week and plan to keep at it. It's a great break and separation from the day.  Plus an amazing instructor, which makes all the difference.
21. Attach a charging pad in the new nightstand so that phone can charge just sitting on the nightstand. Canceled, after researching the cost of a charging pad this really wasn't worth it.  But it would be good to build something for my cords and charges to live in, other than the floor.
22. Build an acoustic speaker for iphones. DONE!  I actually built two, and gave one to Meg for her birthday.  I'm using this idea as a prototype for the next Coursera class I'm taking (Design) and am hoping to refine the design even more.  
23. DIY Christmas decorations: Also from Pinterest, found these two projects and really enjoyed making and using them for decoration.  The DIY garland and the "Christmas Trees"
24. Rehab a Dresser: DONE! Ok, so this wasn't technically a project for me but it was a project, I definitely helped lead the charge so I feel totally ok with counting this as a completed project on my list.
25. Fix headliner in Petunia: DONE!  Not a total fix but makes me happier than it was and works with my budget.
26. Rehab Armchair: DONE!  Great find at Goodwill, now an even better fit in my house.
27. Salon wall in bedroom:  Been collecting frames as I go and the wall in my bedroom needs some love. Get them hung!
28. Fix and paint/stain coffee table: The original project made in my workshop needs some TLC
29. Plant Edibles: DONE!  Mentioned earlier but I planted two cherry tomato plants, carrots, a tomatillo and a zucchini plant.  I'll let you know what kind of harvest I get.
30. Travel: DONE!  My travel bestie and I are going to Ireland this summer.  Details are coming together and ticket prices are being monitored.  This trip will get in just under the wire and I can't wait!

Wow, I have to admit that in the beginning I did not necessarily expect to be able to come up with 30 projects.  The list has definitely had some amendments and changes but overall it's pretty exciting to be able to see all that I've worked on for a year.  The bold are projects still to finish but 6 our of 30 ain't bad.

Petunia Gets A Makeover

Petunia is my car, she's a 2000 Beetle and I've had her since I was 16. In case you can't tell from my anthropomorphism, I'm attached.  Unfortunately the headliner was sagging all around and even coming out a bit.  So after checking on getting it replaced - way out of my current budget - I went searching for some DIY solutions.

I didn't actually find any I liked but I remembered that I'd seen a friends car that used flat head tacks, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I bought 200 and set to work.  Petunia has a really high ceiling, very dome shaped, so I knew that it probably would never hold to try to get it all the way up and tight enough that the fabric would continue to cover so I settled for just a bit of a lift.  Also, hope to prevent any additional sagging.

So pleased!  It worked!  It takes a check in every once in a while and push a pin back in here and there but I got about 2 inches back and it looks less shabby.  Now there is no actual fabric hanging down and allowing wind to get in and pull it down more as well.

Think I'm going to add a few more and go for a nail head upholstery look - will get pictures then.

If only...

Happy Birthday Gloria Steinem

I am a proud Smithie (An alumna of Smith College) and honored to be part of an institution with such amazing alumnae, including Gloria Steinem.  Gloria turns 80 today and it is hard to believe how amazing she looks and how much she is still doing.  Puts a 30 something who complains about a lack of time, like me, to shame!

There are many amazing quotes and inspiration you can take from her career, this being one that speaks to me.  Take a look at the page that Smith College has put together to celebrate her birthday.  In addition, the newest president of Smith College wrote an Op Ed on CNN.com about Gloria.  Feeling inspired and proud! Thanks mom and dad, for always showing me a strong feminist lens on the world and the belief that my sister and I could truly accomplish anything we decided to work for!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  This is actually my favorite holiday, of all holidays, and not because of the drunken debauchery - though that is fun too.

It's because of my family, for us it's always been a family holiday with extra importance to my dad all of which makes it extra special to me.

We celebrated yesterday with our traditional corned beef and cabbage meal, singing and dancing to Irish songs and a viewing of Darby O'Gill and the Little People.  Once an annual tradition, we all realized that we had not watched this movie in years.  It has all the wonderful craziness of a Disney movie made in 1959 - including an incredibly young and gorgeous Sean Connery.  Though, truth be told, he was not the star of the film.  The true star is the former Irish stage actor who plays Darby - he is incredible and his laugh is contagious.  If you can embrace crazy in a movie and enjoy it, I highly recommend it!

All that said, there were a lot of strangers on my work today deserving of a pinch!  Don't worry I restrained myself...barely.

Mea culpa

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa for my absence.

I have just wrapped 3 weeks of travel for work, and while the busy time at work is not quite done I am at least home so feeling a bit more grounded and ready to come back to the blogsophere.

Part of the events I was working on included my giving a short presentation/introducing an activity inspired by Six Words by SMITH Magazine.  This is a project that I learned about several years ago when I heard the founder speak at a professional conference - clearly it stuck with me.

So working on my own...

Craft enthusiast, loyal friend, lifelong learner

Or a dating site headline...

Curly, curvy, sassy. Looking for love.

Helping out a friend

My good friend and her husband have decided that it's time for a decor overhaul of their apartment. They have a great space but over the years have hodge podged (yes that is a verb) together random furniture, so it's missing an overall cohesiveness.  They have jumped in head first, and I'm sure it's obvious that I'm excited to help, give opinions, or contribute in any way that is accepted.

A major item on the list is the paint throughout the rooms.  They inherited several murals throughout the apartment which are actually great but limit their color choices and after many years they're more than ready for a change.  The walls are going to live in the neutral gray shades, pretty much throughout the space, leaving room for furniture and accent pieces to really play up their personalities and fun.

First on their list, an upgrade to their standard Malm IKEA dresser.  For inspiration we went, where else, to Pinterest and found this idea:

So with inspiration in hand we went to the hardware store to pick the paint color.  Originally planning to go with a traditional navy, we were faced with an amazing teal option that threw that into question.

Feeling bold, she picked the more teal/aqua blue - my favorite, though I attempted to keep my opinions to myself - in a high-gloss finish.  We also picked up an ivory white for the overlays.  Now we were ready to work...

Our first step was to use a liquid deglosser, instead of sanding.  We were in an apartment without a lot of protection or tools and were happy to forego all the sanding dust. One tip, we didn't do this until the last coat but if you are using brushes and not a sprayer, I would definitely use Floetrol to thin out the paint and help remove some of the brush strokes in the paint.  One nice thing on this IKEA dresser is that it was super easy to pop the drawer faces off for easy painting. After letting that dry, we started with a first coat.

You can see that the first coat didn't cover very well, and looked worryingly like the blue tape color instead of our chic deep teal.  Not to be dissuaded though, we went and got Thai takeout while we waited for the first and second coat to dry.

Then it started to come together

You can see the gloss reflecting the light and the color is much closer to what we wanted it to be. Success!

I hate to say this but the completely finished result for this project is going to be a cliff hanger.  My friend's husband has access to a woodshop and is going to be creating the overlays for the drawers.  Until those are done we can't call this complete, but, the majority of it got done on super bowl Sunday while the Broncos got the asses handed to them...heard it was a pretty sad game and we didn't miss much by painting instead.