a storage box for above the fridge

I have been making some changes to our kitchen: I started repainting it palladian blue, like the living room.
I spent a lot of time, searching for the right color, trying many things, but none seems to be "me", until I got tired of it all, and reached that same blue/grey/green!

And it was perfect, bright and fresh, but as usual once I touched the paint, other things needed attention....
The curtains looked ugly with the new color, especially on this little area, just above the fridge:

At the time I made it in 2012, it is was quite appropriate, but it is now 2020, time for something new! So it was off with the "curtain" and on with the mess.... It remained that way for quite some times, but I found myself with a lot of free time right now!

(we changed fridge a few years ago, and 

went with white unlike the rest of our appliances)

So I built a simple box out of  1 x 6 pieces of pine, that I had on hand, nothing fancy, just like I did for the crates I built in 2012 

They are still in their location, I guess not everything needs to change this year!
This time it is a lot bigger

but same principle,

I decided to stain it like it did all the other ones,

but not to transfer any images

but instead to affix these 3 wine enamel plaques I purchased a few years ago (and that I was able to find in my cleaning!):

I am able to hide all of the mess in the box:

I really like the look of the tags on the box, and above the fridge!

Like in most houses, we use the fridge to display stuff,

just regular mess....

This has been my first week at home,

so I am started to catch up on the projects I have been wanted to do.

The kids have been home for 2 weeks already,

with close schools and universities.

With most of my relatives in Europe,

we spend a lot of times reading the news,

it is scary!

So we also spend time making food,

like homemade pizza

in our outdoor pizza oven: 

(I know I need to clean the outdoor table,

winter has been long!)

I will share more of the kitchen redo later, it is still very much a work in progress...

I hope you and your family are staying safe.

Almond blossom as a triptych for our bedroom

For the last few years, I have looked at art works for our bedroom. Ever since I redid this room during the ORC, I have searched for something to put next to my side of the bed.
Well I made a triptych out of one of Van Gogh's most famous painting: the Almond Blossom!

About 2 years ago, while we were in Amsterdam, we visited the Van Gogh museum, it was the kids first time really seeing his artwork, and they were fascinated. While I had been there before, it was still mesmerizing. We did not acquire any print then, just enjoyed the experience.
A few weeks ago, while going through IKEA, (it is on my way back from dropping off Brick Master at university) I bought a canvas version of the almond blossom, not quite sure how I was going to use it.
The print was too big to use as is in our room, so I decided to make a triptych out the canvas. I purchased 3 canvas (12 x 24) from Michaels (luckily it was buy 1 get 2 free!)

and started planning my cuts...

it felt a little sacrilegious to do so

but it was only a print from IKEA!

I cut each piece 4 inches bigger than my canvas to staple

in the back, making sure there would be prints on all the edges.

I did not remove the previous canvas,

just added my printed layer,

keeping in level on the bottom.

After the first one, it became easier as it started to look good!

And here are my three panels, ready to be hanged on the wall.

In order to hang them, I used some blue painting tape and a level, keeping everything aligned and leveled....
And it looks really good,

I like seeing the painting on the edges,

so much dimensions!

(the room looks very blue in this pic, but it doesn't feel like that in person!)

It feels like the perfect addition to our master bedroom.

It has been more then 2 year since the ORC,

so a few things have changed: new curtains (white instead of flowery),

blue lamp shade instead of white,

and a blue duvet cover instead of red:

the furniture remains unchanged!

Happy crafting!

cleaning and updating my sewing room

I finally finished cleaning and tidying up my sewing room:

and it will remain that way just a while,

as I am a messy crafter!

You can check out what my studio was like 5 years ago:

Surprisingly, not that much! Same machine and same light...
More stuff on my pinning board,  a little chest of drawers IKEA Moppe and a bench with my Dandelion.

I pared down my book collection,

I gave away anything that I not looked at in a few years,

which gave me more space for fabric!

On the back wall, I have my summer treat quilt displayed,

(it used to be on the opposite wall,

where I installed my design board)

a couple embroidery and some dressforms.

On the daybed, there is a large collection of pillows,

some purchased, some homemade like

the mini deer pillow or the travel one.

I like to seat there for relaxing,

looking at my books,

and doing embroidery!

My new ironing shelf is just right there.

Above the daybed, I have hung my heirloom sewing quilt,

which took really long to make,

but it looks perfect there.

Next to it, are 3 prints from Provence,

to remind me to go back someday...

So here you have it, a little tour of my happy place!

Happy sewing!

an ironing storage shelf

Just like everybody,

in the beginning of the year,

I felt the need to clean and organize

but only my sewing room.

And it started with a simple project:

an ironing storage shelf

So much better than just leaning against the wall,

behind the door, it always seemed to slide

and close the door making it hard to enter...

I was inspired this tutorial from Reality Daydream,

and simplified it for my need:

1 large board (found in the basement!)

2 large white hooks (sold at HD by the piece)

and another piece of wood for the shelf (1 x 6)

While it is quite straightforward, I managed to put the hooks the wrong way the first time!

But it was easily fixed and after adding some putty and painting,

it is almost invisible...

To install it I used some cleats that I purchased at the HD,

perfect to hold heavy things,

and keeping it pretty flush with the wall.

Of course, the real moment of truth is when

everything is on it!

It works great,

and looks so much better...

Happy crafting!