Making Progress

Here we are with another week behind us.  Unfortunately for me, I took a tumble last Friday while tiling my kitchen back splash.  Yup....step stool, cause I'm to short to reach the wall in most places, coupled with pants that were too long.   Left foot standing on my right pant leg, me not knowing it, and needing to get down to move the stool.

Crash, bang!....clipped the counter top with the underside of my right arm, wrenching my shoulder and neck, before smacking my head on my brand new floor. 

Hubby came running from his office, and as we all do in these types of situations, looks down and says "are you hurt?"  After opening my eyes and getting my breath back, y...e....s!....I said in my best whinny voice.

So I spent most of this week in my recliner on muscle relaxers and the heating pad.  Glad to say, no major damage and I love how the back splash looks.....

I only have to paint the trim pieces, glue them in place and this task will be done!  Oh yeah, just for the record.....I don't foresee any tiling jobs in my future.

Needless to say, I needed something pretty mindless to knit.  Several of my friends have been making socks so I decided that would be the perfect project. My goal..... new socks for me. 

Kelly's Toe Up Socksation

Best laid plans.....I don't know if it was my drug induced state or what, but the sock was way to big for me.  I was too lazy, really just didn't care, to pull it out and look for smaller needles so hubby now has one completed sock.  He's a happy camper and I still managed to get something knit for this weeks post....win, win!

I didn't post last week because I was being compelled to work on a new mixed media canvas instead of knitting or spinning.  Pinterest!!!......I knew I shouldn't get caught up in it's sticky web.  I found Finnabair and she inspired me and as as they say, "the rest is history."

Cut this bird picture from a magazine, decoupaged some tissue paper for his tree and jumped in.

Decided to add some more branches, some leaves and more found items.

Really got into salvaging odds and ends, no drawers were left unturned.....computer parts, metal pieces, tools, jewelry....nothing was off limits.

I worked on it this week until it told me it was complete......

Then I decided to gesso everything before doing my final painting hoping to turn all the found objects into a textural frame surrounding Mr. Cardinal.....keep your fingers crossed!

That's it for me this week.  Heading over to visit all the other Fiber Arts Friday blogs  at Wisdom Begins In Wonder.  Hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend....Happy Fiber Arts Friday!!

Another Eventful Week

A couple weeks ago I posted the difficulties I was having staying focused.  Well let me tell you, that has certainly changed....can't believe how focused I've become again.

On the knitting side......

I was trying to use up the rest of the yarn from my Elf Clobbers and decided to make a somewhat matching cowl.   This is a free pattern on Revelry called Squish.  I seem to be drawn to weird named patterns right now.  If you go to the link, you'll see the original pattern is for a scarf with fringe.  After checking out some of the finished projects, I found the author had this version so I chose to follow these directions.

Got the cowl done but didn't use up all the yarn.  Isn't that the way it goes sometimes.  You either don't have enough yarn or more than you hoped for left over.  Probably not enough to make anything else.......this will wind up in a bag with all my other leftovers.  Seriously....maybe my next project needs to be something to use up all my orphan yarns.

Might be it's time to get out my Carol Leigh triangle loom.  Maybe I can come up with a Saori shawl......hmmmmm....... that really does sound like a plan.

I also started another pair of Elf Clobbers.  I've had so much fun wearing them, I thought I should have another pair.  This time I thought I'd try doing the crochet part all by myself.  Found a book at my library.....

......cuffs finished...book has instructions for all the stitches I need......NO crochet hook......Duh!!!  Obviously focused does not equal organized so I've been good and am knitting on my Palette of Colors Shrug.

Progress on my kitchen island......

As you can see the second coat did really cover well.  I swear, no flat surface can stay uncluttered for more than a few seconds in this house.  Project not even done and I have yarn and my book on the top......it must be a sickness!

Unlike my husbands entertainment center, I wanted this piece to look older and time worn so I sanded the edges.

Then decided the white oil base paint was too white, so I waxed these areas using Annie Sloan dark wax which turned them more of a cream color.  After some more research on Pinterest (yes, I finally broke down and registered) I learned if you wanted it to be more waterproof, use a second coat of wax.  I chose to use clear for my second coat since I wanted more protection and not a darker look.  I swear the painting part is so much fun but it sure took some time and elbow grease to do the sanding and multiple layers of wax.  Well worth the time!

Finished island......except for the towel bar that I want moved to the other end so my husband has to drill new holes. 

This isn't the placement of the island but we had to take a picture before putting it in place or we wouldn't have been able to get a good picture of the front.  I love how it turned out! 

 

Before and after pics of my kitchen......

Before (yes, for the last 20 years all my cooking was done using this antique Magic Chief)

After

Wowza!!!!.....this is the first time I've put the before and after pics together.  The cabinet face lift was done by Kitchen's by Katie........they did an awesome job.  My new floors are Armstrong vinyl planks and were installed by my brother and his friend....also an awesome job. 

 

Still have some work to do.  I'll be painting the wall between the counter and cupboards and then put a single row of glass tile 6" high for the back splash.  The opening by the fridge is for a dishwasher that I've yet to buy.   Thought I liked the convenience of having the trash in that spot, it is really convenient, but can now see how "trashy" it looks in a picture.....back under the sink it goes!

Well....that's it for me this week.  Thanks for letting me go on, and on, about my new passion......Annie Sloan chalk paint.  I'm sure the kitchen painting will be a bit boring now but it needs to get done too.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!!