Fabric Organization

I did get somewhat distracted from my organization mission, but this weekend I got back on track!  We have a small closet in our office that houses our downstairs furnace and the hot water heater.  Thankfully the closet does have some selves in it and provides much needed storage, but lately the closet has gotten out of control (my fault).  I do all of my sewing and calligraphy in this room and this closet has become a catch all for my junk.

The main issue was all of my fabric.  I didn't even take a before picture of the closet because it was so bad....just trust me.

But this is what my fabric looked like.  Lovely...right!

To start with I took  some plastic boxes (they are about the size of a shoe box) that I bought at Old Time Pottery for .99 each.

Then I separated my fabrics into categories.  These are the categories I ended up with: solids, patterns, gingham, polka dot, seersucker, corduroy, and white. 

Oh this is soooo much better!  Makes me want to sew something...  Maybe that will be next weekends project.

Kitchen Knobs

I have always heard that the fist step to recovering from an addiction is to admit that you have one.  Well folks I am here to tell you that I have an addiction to spray paint!  Nick is in constant fear that he is going to come home and I will be spray painting the car.  I doubt that I would go that far, but you never know.

So last weekend my spray paint /debrass project was the kitchen knobs.

This is what they looked like before....

(can you tell that the oven is circa 1991 as well)

First I removed all of the knobs and washed them with soap and water.

After they were dry I used a medium grade sand paper and I scuffed up each knob.  From what I have read this provides a rough surface and the paint will adhere better.

 I used Rustoleum Satin Nickle spray paint and applied two coats.  Not sure how these will hold up since they get used a lot, but for now they are working great!

SOLD

Here is an update on my Craigs List activity the past few weeks.

Still working on these...maybe I need to lower the prices.

More de-BRASSING

I was just looking back over our last few posts....craigs list, spray paint, and popcorn salt.  Wow we are really boring people!  I am amazed that anyone even reads this blog.  Hopefully we can come up with something really exciting, entertaining or informative to share in the coming weeks.

But for now more lame updates on my de-brassing efforts.  Last weekend I tackled the light fixture in our foyer.

This time I used Rust-oleum Clean Metal Primer and Rust-oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

Check out the lovely spider webs!

Next to be de-brassed....Kitchen knobs!

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like Kernel Seasons popcorn flavoring. I’m a big fan of popcorn – especially from the movie theater. During my last trip to the theater (True Grit) I made a point to remember the name of the manufacturer of the awesome popcorn seasoning offered in the lobby. Turns out the maker is Kernel Seasons. I visited their website and sadly learned that they don’t make their products available in many grocery stores (at least not around B'ham). I also learned that the company makes a lot more flavors than what’s available at the theater. And I also learned that you can buy their product right from their website. So I did! So far, I’ve only tried the Ranch flavor. I'm really looking forward to trying the White Cheddar. GET SOME TODAY!



This week, I love “Busy” Julie. My wife has been busy busy busy! From mastering Craig’s List to painting light fixtures, I have been inspired by the way Julie has chosen to fill her free time. She's like the guy at the circus that spins dishes on the sticks - he runs from one dish to the next trying to avoid a big crash by keeping them all spinning. This recent flurry of new hobbies has helped Julie satisfy her internal management need. When Julie sets her mind to a task, you can bet the house that she will not quit until that task is completed. That’s just her personality. She has to have a project (or two!) going at all times and it is amazing to see her in action! Sometimes her determination scares me so I just stay out of the way.

This week, I don’t like detrimental activities that hamper Julie’s eyesight. Because she has been so busy, Julie’s main form of relaxation these days involves surfing the web. Julie is fond of kicking back on the couch with her laptop. She also conducts a last look of emails and blogs each night with her iPhone before going to sleep. The problem is that Julie does not wear her eyeglasses while enjoying her laptop or iPhone (like she is supposed to). It is a shame too because she looks very cute while wearing her glasses! The constant strain on her eyes is already affecting her eyesight. I have been asked to read the small print on coupons and canned goods several times this week alone. Hopefully Julie will stop throwing caution to the wind and wear her glasses.

1991

What does 1991 mean to you...  It may have been a special year for some of you, but to me 1991 was the year my house was built.  Now I didn't own this house until 2005, but nonetheless it was built in 1991. 

And do you know what houses built in 1991 have a lot of????  BRASS. 

Brass Light fixtures
Brass Door Knobs
Brass Cabinet Pulls
Brass Faucets

Don't get me wrong I know that back then brass was the thing, but now 20 years later...its got to go!  I tried to start my de-brassing last year, but I didn't get too far.  I did manage to remove the brass fireplace screen, but then I quit.  Well I am here to announce that I am back on task!  But here is the kicker....we are trying to not put any more money into this house (unless it is something we can take with us when we sell) since we already have more money in it then we will ever get when we do decided to sell. 

So I am having to get a little creative in my approach to de-brass this house.  My first attempt will be the outdoor light fixtures.  We have two small lights on either side of our back door and a hanging lantern on the front porch.  These things are in such bad shape you can hardly tell that they are brass...but trust me they are!

I have read multiple blogs and even consulted with a lady in my office who did this and have decided to spray paint these fixtures rather than buy new ones.  Here it goes....

First I removed the fixtures very carefully (if you do this make sure to turn the power off) and washed all the pieces with warm soapy water.  Allow them to dry.

Once dry I used painters tape to cover the wires and inserted some into the socket (where the light bulb goes).  Next I primed all the pieces with this:

Once the primer dried I used Rust-o-leum Flat Black spray paint. 

**Tip**  I used boxes when I was priming and painting and it was a big help.  Kept the paint from getting everywhere!

Here is the finished product!  I promise you cannot tell that they were painted...they look like new fixtures.

 
Here are  few side by side comparisons.

Amazing what a little spray paint can do!  Stay tuned for more de-brassing.....

Word of the Week

The word of the week around our house is CRAIGS LIST.  I have known about Craigs List for several years now, but have never bought or sold anything on there. 

As many of you know I am in clean out/organize mode these days.  Last Saturday I was sitting in my living room looking at this:

A 4 1/2 foot ficus plant.  I know...I know fake plants went out of style years ago, but for some strange reason I have kept this one.  Basically it just collects dust and drives me crazy every time I look at it....So I made the executive decision that it was time for it to go.  I figured I would post it on Craigs List and if it didn't sell in a week I would trash it.  So I listed it and within 1 1/2 hours it was sold and the man was at the house picking it up!  I WAS SHOCKED (and thrilled to be rid of it)!

So the rest of the week I have been listing things like crazy!  Here are a few of the items:

Basically stuff that we don't use or that I don't like anymore.  I have sold 4 items so far so we will see if the others sell or not.