Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful, But Inside is so Delightful...

This is a re-post of last night's edition, which had html problems and caused the right hand column of this page to disappear...hopefully this solves that problem.

If you read Wednesday's post, you may be glad to know that I survived Thursday night's frigid weather with my reputation for accurate weather forecasting intact, and my inability to sing still unproven.  The cold and wind arrived on cue, as did a nice group of folks from one of the local church choirs to sing the carols.  Whew!  Santa wouldn't let me sit on his lap ( I think this might have had something to do with Mrs. Claus sitting next to him), but he did offer to trade me hats.  Sorry, Big Guy, nobody gets the drover.

It's been another week packed with a wide range of projects.  I had all three Art Girls on Monday.  Faith and Kadence are both working on inventing their own board games, and Jensen (age seven) has absolutely mastered the sewing machine.  She's been practicing straight seams so she can get good enough to sew a stuffed tiger.  I think she's about ready.

Tiger seems to be one of the themes this week.  I transformed a plain pine armoire for clients Sarah and Randy.  Designing the knobs, I knew Sarah would love the animal patterned details, along with the sparkle.  What I didn't expect was to arrive home to this email from Randy:  "Wow!  OH WOW!!!  THE KNOBS ARE SO COOL!!!"  Sarah, can we clone this guy?

The knobs were inspired by the work of Susan Goldstick, susangoldstick.com, who creates fabulous knobs, furniture, and lamps.  She didn't have just what we wanted, and you can custom order from her, but why would I let a stranger have all the fun, when I have a studio full of materials?  In case you would rather buy than make, her prices are very fair for the time that goes into the details.  I only make custom details like this in conjunction with bigger projects, like painting the armoire.

I think it was Edison who said "All you need to be an inventor is a good imagination, and a big pile of junk." 

I used wooden rounds cut off of bedposts from another project, wooden toy wheels, glass beads, metal candle holders from a yard sale, polymer clay, paint, and Rub 'n Buff colored waxes, plus a lot of plumbers epoxy putty.

I spent the rest of that day painting a few extra details on this kitchen that I "Woolied" last week, for another client.  The background finish is two shades of tan, plus cream, swirled together with a wool pad.  The details are simple herbs, arranged to compliment all the pretties the client's children and grandchildren have filled her kitchen with.

The rest of the week has been spent helping Cindy Heimerl prepare for her open house this Sunday, at her 1920's farmhouse, Marion's Place.  Cindy is an ordained minister, and is planning to host weddings here, as well as rent the house out by the day or weekend, for other events and gatherings.

The renters moved out on Wednesday night, and a few of us have been going great guns to get it cleaned, furnished and decorated in time.  The big stuff is all moved in now, so next we'll hang a few more mirrors and pictures, then start swagging fabrics and layering on the small details.  Being the girl with the tools, I'm in charge of things like hanging mirrors, resizing bed boards, and if the electrician doesn't show up, installing the dining room light.  No time to sling pretty paint for now, but at least I'm not on cleaning duty!

If you are in the Twin Cities area, come on down to Belle Plaine Sunday, from 1-6 p.m., and tour the place.  It's easy to find.  Take the Main Street exit off of 169, and turn right at the top of the ramp.  Take a right at the first intersection, onto Hickory Blvd.  Follow Hickory on up the hill, until it ends, and you must either turn left, or end up in a very snowy cornfield (the snow missing from Thursday's Christmas kick-off blew in Friday afternoon).  I recommend turning left.  Follow this road past the beige subdivision, and on around a gentle curve.  Marion's Place is the first farm on the left. 

Sunday's tour is the house, but be sure to ask Cindy when the Bohemian Barn, unheated this time of year, will be available to see.  It has chandeliers and big fluffy beds for Glamour Camping in the summer.  Very girly-girl.