I haven’t done any project updating in a while. Now that life has slowed down some, I have gotten to work on a few things. As you know we started removing wallpaper. This is what is coming down now (and what our niece has helped with).
As far as wallpaper goes, it actually isn’t that bad and was the least damaged in the house, so we left it for near the end. The hardest part will be the stairwell:
It goes up about 1.5 floors high, so we will have to get the ladder in to reach up top. It’s going well so far and John has been working on it, too. He usually finds other projects to do when wallpaper is on the docket 😀
There has been trunk work as well. I have 2 in progress right now. I want to finish the Jenny Lind since that is for me. Then I have another one to hopefully sell. I won’t put too much into the other trunk because the condition isn’t all that great, but it will look decent enough. I have gotten the Jenny down to the bare bones and sanded down. Now it’s ready to pretty back up.
I even used some deck cleaner on it to try to clean the wood, but unfortunately this trunk must have sat in the elements for a long time without its canvas covering because the wood is a grayish color and stained in spots, no matter how much sanding or cleaning. Of course, it is 150 years old, so we can cut it some slack!
I had wanted to just put polyurethane on it and keep the wood lighter, but since it is stained and discolored, I am going to stain it a darker mahogony and shine up the copper. I think that will look pretty nice. I will line this one with fabric as well and since it is my trunk, I can get whatever strikes my fancy!
I am also taking time for mental recharging with the coloring. John got me a coloring book for Christmas from the same author of Secret Garden.
Now I am coloring my little fishies!
In case you are wondering about the benefits of coloring, here is a good article on it. I highly recommend it!
Can’t wait to see your finished products!! I just love old chests!! My daughter colors too! She loves it and they have so many amazing books now! 🙂
I love the coloring books. It’s soothing!
I love the idea of coloring, and of course, I have the big box of colored pencils. But I just can’t make myself take time away from my textile projects. It might be a good travel project, though, because–no needles required!
That trunk is going to be a treasure for you! Can’t wait to see it finished.
It’s like knitting for me. Sort of sounds fun to try, but I have so many other things I want to do 😀
Love to see your before and after trunk projects!
Just bought a coloring book and pencils as a prize at my quilt retreat. Now I’m considering one for myself.
I was just reading the other day a girl mention her parents intentionally make time for down time each day and I was thinking how I need to do that. Your coloring reminded me.
Have fun with your projects! I found a table by the road and may give a try at chalk pint if I can this year.
Yes, down time is important and something I want to focus on this year (and forever, really).
I’ve missed reading your calming words Lori. Was great coming and seeing your colorful fish 🙂 I love to color but never thought of doing it without a child. Like the thought a lot though 🙂
Coloring is the in thing right now! 😀
I’m the same as Debby – coloring looks fun to me, but that time is spent knitting. It’s nice that the pretty adult coloring books are so popular; I saw several really good ones in a bookstore in Oregon late last year that were tempting…
That stairwell is daunting, not only for wallpaper removal but for painting. We’ve always had either vaulted ceilings, or stairwells, or both, and boy, it’s a mental hurdle to get started with painting them. Thankfully we’ve never had to deal with wallpaper there.
Painting the stairwell won’t be so bad. Less movement and time to paint versus getting the wallpaper off. At least we only have to do it once, though! I’ll be glad when we can start putting up picture and things in the bland hallway.
When Little Helen was home during the holidays we were at a book store and there was a stack of them. I was telling her I have several friends who are coloring now and love them but that when I look at the pictures in them, they make me feel crazed and stressed. She very calmly said, “Well Mom then this obviously not for you.” LOL! I guess I’m missing the coloring book gene.
See, I was wanting to do drawing, but then I was so frustrated at my lack of ability that coloring makes sense for me. Now I just decide how creative to be with what’s there and I don’t have to actually draw the pictures – just make them pretty.
I’ve been coloring for a few months now. Over the summer my mom sent me a coloring book and pencils. I thought she had lost her mind. LOL But I find that it’s a nice distraction when I’m watching TV and it is kind of relaxing. Plus it means I’m on my iPhone less. 🙂 What can I say, I need to keep busy and coloring helps!
Plus it’s good for the brain 😀
Love the trunks you have refinished so far. Just got a coloring book and pencils for Christmas. It is relaxing. Not crazy about my pencils though. All the colors look almost pastel even going over several time. Do you have a specific brand pencil you like
I use Prismacolors. They are a little softer and you can get nice deep colors with them.
OMG, I am cringing at the wall paper project on the 1.5 story stairwell! Be careful! And I’m with John, I’d find anything else to do other than that!
I still think you should start your own DYI show! I don’t watch them but I would watch you! 🙂 I see the coloring everywhere… I don’t think I am patient enough. 🙂
I got a colouring book for Christmas. It’s pretty addictive! 🙂
Coloring is a hit here too but it’s not for me. I get my down time from making Japanese puzzles (also a bit coloring in a way), reading, watching TV shows. It doesn’t matter what we do as long as it’s relaxing for us.
Are you watching the latest Downton Abbey season? I watched the final episode last weekend. Sad that this show is over now.
We are watching DA. Only one episode so far. It’s good, although the Anna Bates story line is a little eyerolling.
It took me 3 years, but I lost 130#, could lose 10-15 more, but I am tired of dieting at my age–73. HA. I did not exercise—I hate to exercise. If I had exercised I would have lost the weight faster, but I am happy with my own progress.
I am with you about eating breakfast and what I ate should have lasted until noon—it never does. My blood sugar starts to act up.
You look pretty nice in your picture, it was a little dark. But, good luck. Thanks for you site.
Helen
Denver, Colorado
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!