Need a little inspiration to get organized?  Try reading Japanese author, Marie Kondo's, book...The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up which tries to get readers to focus on keeping belongings that inspire joy and pitching everything else.  I've read many organizing books and magazines over the years and I even follow a few organizing blogs (I guess I enjoy living vicariously through others because all of the advice I've read has never translated into an organized home for me) but there was something about this book that got me jump started.  It's a New York Times best seller and has been getting a lot of buzz in the press and it's a quick read.  Not that you can expect to visit my house and see perfectly tidy spaces yet...but I'm actually having fun tackling the mess! Oh, and I did have to make one adjustment to her criteria for what belongings you can keep.  Her only criteria is to keep only the things that bring you joy but I had to add "or things you use on a daily basis" because I just couldn't find the joy in my toothbrush and I haven't yet discovered a brand of underwear that "bring me joy".

Homemade Chalk Paint and the Chippendale Hutch

Thanks to my chalk paint research, the chippendale hutch I bought at Caplan's finally got it's long-awaited make-over.  I may distress it some a little bit more (one of the nice things about wax - I can sand more at anytime and just add more wax finish) but I will wait to get it upstairs before altering it.

I will share my chalk paint thoughts later but I wanted to get the pictures posted before I forget.  Now I wish I could find the before pictures!  Had I known I wouldn't be able to find them, I would have snapped a few before I went to town.

The hutch is now destined for the upstairs hallway to help out with linen closet overflow and to brighten the windowless space with a punch of white.

Adding Nautical Charm to a Shed

Nothing like adding a little nautical charm to a backyard shed (a very LARGE backyard shed I might add)...  The nautical coordinates sign is on the side of the shed and the Hideaway sign will go on the face of the shed.  I will get a pic. once it has been installed.

Glass People

The inspiration for these ornaments came from J and her silly friend N.  I thought it would be cute to make an ornament to commemorate their friendship.  Each set has their very own personality.  This was a fun little project!

Swimming with the Sharks

Now that we have the boathouse, it is time to part with our rolling bar cart...but not before a bit of an overhaul.  I wish I had before pictures.  I love this geometric shark pattern and had to try it out. It was a bit tedious but I love the effect.

Halloween Sign Elf

I'm contributing to the big haunted house effort this year with some signage.  I experimented with Martha Stewart Glow in the Dark yellow paint for the owl's eyes and the moon and I'm disappointed.  After several coats, it doesn't glow.  Stay tuned for more as the holiday gets closer...

No...it's not Primer!

I preface this post by saying...I'm not proud. My neighbor was gracious enough to make me feel hip and resourceful when I called to ask if I could have the vintage wood storm door that was lying in a heap in her front yard. With some sanding, a new coat of paint, and a new screen panel, it adds some character and spunk to our cookie cutter, late 60's, builder-grade colonial. 

I was going for bright and spunky with the color - what do you think? .... mission accomplished? The crystal knob makes me very happy. And that color is going to sing in the dull winter season!

To my lovely neighbor who meant no harm by her comment...NO, IT'S NOT PRIMER!.  That's actually the color I  picked!  LOL.  And, for those who dare to come close enough to the sun without fear of getting scorched, the aqua blue ceiling will cool you down a little.

Another Pig Post

What could be more fun than 3 Little Chartreuse Pigs?  Too bad J has outgrown the rocker.  And there's a sneak peek of my new chartreuse storm door and front door in the background.  More on the door later.

Hula Hut

Going to PA tomorrow for the Killer B's reunion.  Hope the Hula Hut sign goes over well.

Crabby Coming Home from the Beach

I have tons of new crab items after a relaxing 9 day stay at the beach.  Crab pillows, crab clocks, crab wall panels...

Blue Heron Dresser will live in Fenwick

My lucky blue heron dresser found a nice home in Fenwick Island.  Rosanna's Cabana awaits a custom sign too.

Flowers EVERYWHERE!

Thanks to K, my whole house is full of my favorite hydrangeas!

Trunk Show

I've been working steadily for several days now trying to get some product finished for The Blue Door.  I loaded what I have finished into the back of my car and am waiting for Karina to return from PA so I can deliver it to her shop.  In the meantime, I will continue to make more and I've invited neighbors to come for a sneak peak.

The Honda trunk - all loaded and ready to go.

I used to love singing this song to J, back when she could
tolerate my out of pitch singing.

The smaller signs were an experiment for me, one which
I mostly likely will not repeat.

Love the bright red against the weathered white.

Chartreuse, black and white - one of my
favorite color combos on this wall panel
designed to hold a dog leash.

Maryland Shore House - much easier to read
in person.

New crab design.  Still intricate and time
consuming.  I must come up with a more
stylized crab with simpler lines.

Off center anchor - whoops!

This little guy started out lonely.

...then I added the clock movement which
was better but I still wasn't happy.

This little piggy with the red "3" finally gets
my stamp of approval and is ready for market.  

Window Boxes

My window boxes are not fancy but they are done and they are holding plants.  I will embellish them next season with some decorative trim to give them a little more detail but they are functional for now.

 

Geez!  What other projects have I forgotten to post?

How Could I Forget the Boathouse?

Unbelievable!  I forgot to post finished pictures of the boathouse and outdoor shower.

 

     

I have to say...I think the shower is my favorite part.  At least it gets the most use so far.