Typical to Treasured

The last project I finished was furniture that was made this year! It was a different experience working with new furniture. My client showed me a couple of inspiration pictures and then her bedspread and said those three words I dread... "I trust you". She wanted rustic and blue and white. So we used ASCP Provence and Old Ochre with both a clear and dark wax. These pieces were HUGE so I went out to her house to complete them. When I was done, I told her if she ever wanted to get rid of them, to let me know! I loved them! It was awesome to furniture that is mass produced and turn it into pieces no one else has.

The before pictures...

And the after pictures!

One mean drawer wouldn't go in for the after pictures, but I am sure you can imagine it there :) 

And I finished these pieces up late one night, so we took the pictures without drawers. Again, I am sure your imagination can help fill in the gaps.

This project was special to me. I got to spend time with a sweet friend and get to know her even better. AND her garage is so much cleaner than mine! You would have thought it would have inspired me to clean mine up... if you had thought that, you would be wrong. Maybe I will clean it and organize it. But until then, I have projects to keep me busy.

Oh Sweet Routine

Surprises throw me for a loop. I like to know what is coming and when. I am not fun to travel with or make plans with because I NEED to know what is going on. I know this about myself. I also know that when I get too much on my plate, my world is chaos. But today is September 3rd. Today my girls' PDO program started back up. Today, I find the sweetness of routine. I got up, made the bed, brushed my teeth, was dressed before I woke the girls up and I feel like I can conquer the world. Could I have done all these things during the summer. Absolutely. Did I? Absolutely NOT. If I have the chance to be sluggish and stay in my pajamas all day, I will!
But today, Superkids started! And that makes me feel like a Supermom for these sweet girls.

Emily who poses herself. 

Kate who wanted to run and not smile.

They are actually smiling... at the same time!!!

So, I am ready for sweet routine... writing blogs, editing pictures, painting furniture and all the fun things that go with me on a routine! This morning I straightened my hair. My oldest commented on the fact that I didn't have a hat on. She said she missed the hat. I told her she wouldn't see it for a long time. At least that is the plan! 

A Good Foundation

Hi, my name is Monica and I say yes too much. I finally admitted it out loud! Thank goodness my friends and clients understand this and are patient with me. It is also why I disappear from the blog world for long periods of time. I am a habitual over-extender, but here is hoping I can break this nasty little habit.
*Several* months ago I started a project for a client for her daughter's nursery. She needed a dresser so I found one off of Craigslist. And it came with a nightstand! AND it was in budget (always important) Wonderful!

The ad said that it had a small scratch in the paint on the side. When I went to look at it, it wasn't small, but I thought it would be fine... I was so wrong. It was layers and layers of latex, high gloss paint. So the 'scratch' wasn't easily covered up with paint. So, I started to sand.... it did NOTHING on the paint...regardless of the grit of sandpaper I used.

So I moved on to peeling the paint off... no fun and it was taking forever. So, I had to strip the piece. Learning experience! 

Here is the nightstand. I didn't get a good before picture. I was too distracted with the big piece and trying to do it right. 

But when it was all said and done, I loved how they turned out. 

I think Baby Piper liked them too. She looks real comfy in that drawer. And I did deliver the furniture before Mommy delivered, so that is always a plus.

The whole time I was doing this piece of furniture, I just kept thinking about how a good foundation is not only important with a piece of furniture, but also with my life. I handle stress, obstacles and struggles in relationships better when I have a good foundation to support me. Covering the 'scratches' with paint or a smile doesn't end up with the best result. Taking the time to do it right is (for me) always worth the time. 

Sneaky Little Antique Bed

I have decided there should be a disclaimer with me at all time when I agree to do a project... it should read "Pieces of furniture have a mind of their own and sometimes choose not to cooperate." I love my job but sometimes when myself and a client have a specific look in mind, it can be frustrating. My client asked me to paint an antique bed from England which dated back to the 1930s. It was beautiful and a steal she picked up at a garage sale for $10. I was super excited. She wanted it white and distressed. I thought 'how easy'! Silly me.

Here are the before pictures. Beautiful but loved on for sure!

My client and I decided to use product from The Plaster Paint company. Good stuff!!

After a few coats, the stain started to bleed through. I thought it was a nice effect, but it did not match the original 'picture' of what the finished product needed to look like.

More bleed through!

I finished painting it, distressed it and sealed it. I delivered it to my client. At the end of the day, we both had to remember that when you are working with a piece that is 80 years old, it is a little stubborn and has a mind of it's own! I think it turned out beautifully and would have kept it if she would have let me :)

Me and Milk Paint

I am back!! Oh my goodness! It has been since June 19th since I have posted. That is ridiculous... although that happens to be the anniversary of the day my husband proposed. Anyway! We have our house on the market, which I am learning is way more time consuming that I thought it would be. Watching babies all day, loading them up, keeping them entertained during showings (which are always during nap time!) and then coming back and trying to establish a routine. Makes it hard to do projects... especially when this sissy likes to paint inside and not out in the hot Texas heat. I know... first world problem!
After a failed contract and a reality check, I decided to focus more on real life than real estate life. We are still on the market, but I am going to live life and not worry about selling. I say that at least... we will see if I follow through....

In the midst of all that, I was able to take a creative break and paint  a desk for a sweet friend. She found the Bombay desk for a steal at a garage sale and decided she wanted it to look similar to the last desk I did. She just wanted the drawers a different color blue. So, we hunted for the right color and she thought she found it with French Enamel in Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint.

So we picked up the desk and put it in my mess of a garage. I have a million projects in there that should keep me busy for months! I also forgot to take a picture of the before, but here it is in pieces.

I had a friend tell me that MMS Milk Paint was worth it... just have perseverance and keep going. So I mixed up the French Enamel first thinking drawers would be easier on me than the big bases. I am so glad I picked this color first.... 

I didn't use the bonding agent because the surface wasn't slick (well my definition of slick and others are obviously different). It was finished so... holy chippy paint batman. 

I added the bonding agent (and moved inside!!) and was much happier with the result! This is only one coat. But it stuck! woohoo!

So, I was feeling confident and mixed up the Ironstone for the bases... the exact same way I did the French Enamel. And I even followed the directions to a 'T' which so not me. I am the person who can't give recipes away because I always change something or wing it. So the next picture is the first coat on one of the bases of the desk... 

And then the other base... I must apologize in advance for the upcoming pun, but when the paint started to drip and run and look like, well, milk... I got frustrated. I remember what my friend said... keep going, its worth it, it goes on like water. So, I persevered for five more coats and while it did cover the stain, it looked terrible. I reached out to the same 'perseverance friend'. She told me I must have gotten a bad bag after I said 'yes' or 'I did' to every question she fired at me. I am not sure if she believed that or wanted to make me feel better. I am going with the latter. 

So the night before my client was supposed to pick up the desk, I threw on some plaster paint from The Plaster Paint Company and it covered it perfectly. I was so tired that night, I forgot to take a picture, so when she arrived to load it the next morning, I tried to snap a few pictures. Not the best quality.... but at least you get an idea of the finished product! 

I still have some leftover paint in both colors and will probably forget the experience eventually and use it all up. I love Miss Mustard Seed and I am sure there was a bunch of user error in this process. I hope she would show me in person how to use the paint, but until that happens (like never) it will just take time until I use up the rest of the supply. Though I would be okay if she is willing.... :) 

A Few More Days

My husband must have been bored at work because he was reading my blog. He loves and supports me, but if it isn't on Reddit, he probably doesn't read it. (Love you Hunny) He commented (or called me out) on not keeping up with my 30 day picture challenge. Good job John! Really he just wants to see pictures of our adorable girls. He might be disappointed in these, but there are more of our girls coming.

So here are a few more.

A picture from a high angle.....

















This one is of our daughter... she found some not so cheap stickers to play with while I was distracted.

A picture of anything I choose...














This sweet girl is one of the babies I get to watch every day. I love being able to spend my days with her and watch her grow and develop. She was excited about my dogs outside the window so I took to moment to play with some camera settings.

Maybe tomorrow I will post of some pictures of my girls' faces. Just to make my husband happy. Maybe :)

A Learning Experience

I live in my head. Sometimes on the right side and sometimes on the left-side. Both are very dangerous for me because I need a balance between the two! Lately I have been analyzing and needing tangible answers for tough questions. I usually do this when I feel like I am out of control and I am trying to gain some order. I had a conversation with a sweet friend the other day about all the thoughts in my head. She asked me what I thought God was trying to teach me. I had no clue. At that moment, I wasn't sure where God was. I was too upset with not having answers and not knowing what was next. How selfish and self-righteous I was. After I stepped back and took a breath I started to feel completely unappreciative of the things I have and God has done for me. He has saved me many times, given me grace when I didn't feel like I deserved it and again I was choosing to ignore what he was saying.

His timing is beautiful. His will is perfect.

My priorities usually get out of whack. I usually lose sight of what is important. I made the choice to stay at home with my sweet girls and be the main influence in their lives. What am I teaching them when I am not trusting God. When I am not present in our daily life because my anxiety is distracting me. When I worry about the things I can not control instead of the things I can.

I choose to be present and focus on my daily life. I need to narrow my field of vision to my house, my family, my responsibilities. Mainly, focus on God and his promises to me. That is where my answers should come from. And if there aren't answers I can see right now, that is okay because his timing is beautiful and His is will is prefect.

Favorite Place

Day 3 is my favorite place to be. If you read a lot of my blogs or know me in person, you know that I have recently made the decision to stay home. Scariest but best decision I have ever made. So, now, my favorite place is within eye sight of my daughters. I know that might sound corny but I was having a hard time coming up with this one. When I went in to get my daughter from her nap and saw that first smile, I realized the answer to the prompt. The love and appreciation in my daughters' eyes helps me find motivation and comfort every day. Don't get me wrong, it is also extremely frustrating and teaches me a lot about my patience too! Like today when the only tone of voice my oldest will listen to is yelling.
Back on track :) Day 3....  My favorite place....

Day 2... a little different

Day two of the photo challenge is supposed to be a picture of what I wore today. Call me crazy, but I didn't care... so you wouldn't care! I was going through some photos that my cousin took yesterday on her last day of her visit and I fell in love with some shots she got of Emily and my camera. We were out trying to get a head shot of me for this blog (one of my least favorite pictures to edit, just sayin) and of course Emily wanted to take some photos. She said 'my turn'. And really, when we are trying to get her to share and take turns, can I really say no? I am sure I could have... but I didn't! And look what images Bradi (the cousin) captured.

I especially love the look on her face in the last picture. Such a sweet moment!!! 

Day 1

I have always started the 30 day photo challenges and I never follow through. Why? I love photography. I love being creative. I think it is because I don't always have my priorities in the right order. If I did one small creative thing for myself a day, I wonder how much happier and more present I would be. That is my goal. And if I fall behind... call me out on it! Let me know! I want to finish this one.
Day 1 is a self portrait. Not my favorite subject, but I have to start somewhere.

Goodbye Comfort Zone

I love my network of stay at home moms who have fantastic creative talents. I know that I have talked about my friend over at Topsy Turvy PrintShop on Etsy a lot. But she asked me to hand paint an old rocking chair for her daughter's room. Of course I said yes, but then I realized what she meant by hand paint. She wanted paisleys and polka dots and fun whimsical things. I had always wanted to do something like this, but of course my fear ( that seems to creep up in a lot of my posts too!!) stopped me. But I said yes. So I 'had' to do it and my fear couldn't stop me! And once I got rolling, it was a lot of fun and I now want to do more things like this. Isn't that the way it always goes?? I feel like there should be a mother figure in the background saying "I told you so". Even though no one likes to hear that... sometimes it is true!

So when she gave it to me, it was a cute red, vintage rocker. But it did not match her little girl's room. So she also left a comforter from the bedding with me and let me go!

And then this happened!

I had to eventually just hand it over to her. I know that I could have stared at it forever fixing things and adding things, but then I realized it wouldn't ever be perfect. (the P word!!) She loved it. Thank goodness!! I do have an old rocking horse for the same room that I will paint to coordinate to go with it. But that is another project for another post!