A Simple Project

We're in the middle of a small master bedroom rearrange/fix-up, and yesterday morning I wanted to add something to our gallery wall.  The left side is pretty well filled out, but the right half has been rather anemic-looking for several weeks now.   Rather than just have a large collection of photographs in black frames, I wanted to add some different elements in as well.  Somewhere in the depths of Pinterest I found a really cute idea that I never bothered to pin.  You simply take important dates from the history of your family, put them down on paper, and frame them.  I decided to embroider mine on fabric.  This is easily adaptable to multiple mediums (cross stitch, paint, print, marker, you get the idea), so it's the perfect customizable project.  

I made my way to the Free Frame Box and pulled out a rectangular frame.  After pulling the backing and glass out, I took it outside to spray paint.

Back inside, I used the frame glass as my guide and cut my white fabric to size.  I actually doubled my fabric before cutting because I was using thin broad cloth, and I didn't want the thread on the back of the fabric to show through.

Using a pencil, I lightly traced our dates:  Mr. Chadwick's birthday, my birthday, our anniversary, and Little Man's birthday.

The embroidery went pretty quickly once I chose my colors.  I based them on the watch box I got on my NYC trip last year.  I was pretty stoked when I completed my stitching, but when I got my newly painted frame and put the piece in it, I noticed I had painted the back side of the frame thinking it was the front.  Oops...  Back outside it went so I could paint the correct side.

*Disclaimer:  This is in NO WAY an announcement!  There is absolutely nothing to announce here!

If you'll notice, I left a space open at the bottom in case one day I might need to add another birthday.  Better safe than sorry have to explain to a "youngest child" why their birthday didn't get included in our list of important dates.

And, actually, after I put it on the wall, I realized that I really didn't like the embroidery.  I think I may try one of those "other mediums" I mentioned at the beginning of the post to make it look more modern.  Which do you think I should use?

Also note, I did not show you a complete picture of the wall because we are indeed currently making some changes in here, and I want them to be complete before I reveal them to you.  At some point there will be a hacksaw involved.  That may take a while.  Please don't hold your breath.  Your doctor won't thank me.

I also scored a sweet deal on a piece of furniture Mr. Chadwick found on the side of the road.  It needs a good bit of work, so if I'm absent here tomorrow it's because I'm busy refinishing this secret piece.  I can't wait to share it with you all!!

I Just Can't Help Myself

Last Thursday morning, the mother of one of Mr. Chadwick's students came over to give me some ideas and advice on places in the house that have me stumped.  The main area was the Great Room.  She had some really terrific ideas, and not five minutes after she left, I had changed into the stay-at-home-mommy version of work clothes (t-shirt and shorts) and was moving that furniture!  My amazing consultant noted the feeling of a "bowling alley" in the Great Room, which is something I've noticed for a while but not really known what to do with.  

Anyone else getting the urge to throw some strikes?

Without buying anything or pulling in furniture from other rooms, I have a brand new space.  Presto change-o, move that sofa.  And chair and table and bookcase.

My plan is to get two arm chairs for this space and put one where that tall table with the photograph is (moving the table to a different room) and put the other arm chair where the glider rocker and ottoman are currently residing (also to relocate to a different room).  That will open up the floor plan a little leaving room for a rug and round ottoman in the center without making it feel cluttered.  There will also be more seating for those of us who like to have company over and then sit and gab.  In addition to additional furniture, I'm searching for the perfect frames for that large photo of a certain Little Man and the one of the Mr. and Mrs. that I have in the den.  I can't wait to fill out that potential photo wall!

This space has come a long way since we first bought the house.  For that matter, it's come a long way from the way it looked a mere eight months ago.

I was even able to set up a little corner just for my sweet Little Man.  It's still rather empty, but I assure you, the wheels are a-turnin'!

And, again, a big big thanks to Melony for her time and great ideas!!

Rearranging

From this:

To this:

I have wanted that chair in that corner since we moved in, and I finally moved it.  I think it makes the room feel larger and more open as well.  Mr. Chadwick just thinks I move things around too much.  Does it work?  What do you think?