Decorating Diva

Well not quite! I just thought the title sounded rather snappy :)

I have been waiting patiently for the first study unit of my new course in Interior Decorating to arrive in the mail and I'm happy to say that this weekend it did - Yay!!

In the meantime Craig and had been itching to work on a couple of small rooms in our home. I know this is 'putting the cart before the horse' but when the mood is right "Get your painting shirt on!" is my motto.

Our walk in pantry was looking a wee bit 'shabby', which is in keeping with the farmhouse kitchen look we have, but a facelift was required for this little room that we hadn't painted properly during the 4 years living here. Also a great excuse to do a major sort out, chuck out and re-arranging in the process.

As the dining room table became piled high with Lock n'lock and Tupperware containers, followed by mixing bowls, baking ingredients and breakfast cereals I was beginning to wonder how it would all fit back on the shelves again. Empty plastic food containers and glass jars were sorted into recycling bins, one or two expired items hiding at the back were put into the compost bin along with an unidentified powder in a zip lock bag?? Those odd ingredients that you use for a new recipe experiment, but never seem to need again.

Craig did the filling in of nail holes and small cracks that always appear during the winter due to the stove drying out the wood. Sanding and a lick or two of paint really freshened up this little room .

Once the paint had cured I had the fun task of putting everything back a different way, this time nothing on the top shelves (so no step ladder required) I can reach everything now.

I'm happy with my new look pantry.

Here is a close up of some measuring spoons, hand painted by Jemma and given to me for Christmas. If you look closely you can see our family initials on them :)

Yesterday I began studying unit one of my distance learning course. I got so immersed in it that the time flew by and was interrupted by a phone call from my Mum in South Africa. Her timing was perfect as it was time for a tea break and chat across the miles.

Hazel x

Is Skype really for me I wonder?

With my birthday festivities over it was time to get back to business again and familiarise myself with the new computer. It even has a web-cam, a very exciting addition, enabling me to actually see my family and friends overseas live - Yay!
Having had my first attempt at using skype with my sister Heidi in South Africa it was a little disappointing because I couldn't hear her. However, I was really geared up for my first chat with my Mum on Tuesday morning this week. Having remembered all necessary steps (being a novice) Wearing a little mascara and lippy, with a pot of tea at the ready I was prepared to 'enjoy' my first conversation and see my Mum's face. Voila! up she popped, looking radiant and relaxed. She was pleased to be able to see me too and we waved at each other like a couple of kids! Then, I started to speak.... trying not to laugh too much, my Mum, looking a little puzzled informed me that I sounded like a chipmunk! Well, do you think I could work out how to change the 'special effect' settings? No. I had a 15 minute conversation sounding like I had 

inhaled a tank of helium gas!! Of course once I signed off and fiddled with a few more buttons I saw that my sweet daughter had in fact forgotten to change the voice control from 'Munchkin' This high pitched synthesised voice sounds hilarious when she is talking to her friends!! Ahh well, we won't forget our first Skype conversation in a hurry that's for sure. I suppose it can only get better - I hope ?*!
This week has been hectic with my biggest sewing order yet, a request for 30 animals from just one customer. That, along with another two smaller repeat customer orders has meant that I have been sewing like a mad woman. 


My paint projects have been put on hold for a while, in fact so has the housework for that matter, today is usually my thorough blitz of every room, but I think not today! Since moving some furniture around last week I have been looking (perhaps glaring) at a chest of drawers I want to attack with a paint brush so badly. You may be aware of my addiction to painting furniture in shades of white, cream and sometimes even robins egg blue! This particular piece is screaming for a makeover. Just as these projects were a while ago:Wardrobe before.... 

... and after! Fireplace before .......and after :)

There is so much dark panelling in our home, as well as doors, window frames and dark hardwood floors that it's nice to paint the odd piece here and there. I know that it is not every ones cup of tea, but it is the decor style I love.

I have been banned from touching the banister by my dear hubby, I feel it is a tad too 'orange' myself :D

Today is the start of the Canadian March break. Jemma and Amber will be home for a week and then Easter is just around the corner! Time sure is flying by fast.

Hope you all have a great weekend and week.

Hazel xx

Halls Harbour Visit

What a wonderful day it was today! Bright and early this morning Jemma and I went looking for 'yard sales'. We stopped at one we had visited last year and picked up an old garden bench, a mirror and a small wooden coffee table. Three new 'painting' projects for me to do next week! All for just $10 (what a bargain).

Found this cute little milk bottle at the yard sale too!

Yesterday I felt like an invalid! I had pulled a muscle in my shoulder. Couldn't quite pin-point how, but I think it was moving some very heavy planters full of seedlings the day before. My right elbow was 'pinned' to my side and I couldn't lift it up or to the side even slightly. I was dosed up on paracetamol and felt really cross with myself, because there was so much I wanted to do.

Amber took part in the Regionals athletic competition yesterday. Her event was the 'triple jump'. She came 5th out of about 20 girls from all the different provinces. Her best jump was 8.21M, a personal best, so even though she didn't get through to the Provincials she was pretty chuffed with herself, and we are all very proud of her!

Jemma has just changed one of her options at school for grade 11 next year. She is now doing 'advanced physics' after being advised to take it by her science teacher. Jemma hopes to go on to University locally to do a science degree. Only 2 more years now before she leaves high school!

Two more vehicles were collected from the barn today where they have been in storage for the winter, for some local people. Craig was glad of the extra cash, which helps with maintaining the building, painting etc.

We went for a lovely drive to Halls Harbour this afternoon, as the temperature soared up to 30 degrees celcius. Down by the sea it was a bit cooler. The girls had ice creams and we popped into the little antique shop there.

Jemma, wearing her new linen shorts.

Summer is coming!

Couldn't resist writing a few more lines on my blog today. The sun is shining and the temperature is about to get much warmer tomorrow, this makes me 'very' happy. Could this finally be the summer we have been waiting for?
Today I got bitten by the 'painting bug'. It seems to happen every summertime :) I started out this morning by touching up all the kitchen cabinets, which had taken a few knockings over the past year. Then I continued up the back stairs after doing a bit of sanding first. They all look good as new. Tomorrow I hope to start the desk in the study, after that who knows what I will find to tickle with my paintbrush and pot of white paint!
Jemma has just come home from school and found a parcel she ordered on e-bay, a pair of brand new cute little linen shorts. Craig is in the middle of painting the driveway after water blasting it first, it will be soon be looking smart again ready to put the gazebo on. The black fly season has just started and we will really need the protection when sitting outside at supper time and in the early evening. The topsoil needs to get finished today with Craig and I working as a team. I will post some before and after pics later.
We potted some more flowers today, lobelia, pansies, pink rock cress and blue larkspur, some will be going out in the flower beds tomorrow after the 'last' ground frost tonight.
Bye for now
Hazel x