With a Little Bit of Paint

Today is windy and rainy, so the room photos I want to show you wont be happening for a little while yet because it's so dark in the apartment.

But I do still have something to share!

Last fall I bought this metal tray on clearance from Target.
It was marked down from about $20 to $3.98 or something.
I bought it with the intentions of painting it, since I'm wasn't a huge fan of the brass color.

So 3 weekends ago, I set off to the hardware store to look for yellow spray paint.

Since I live in an apartment, I don't really have a good place for spray painting. It makes things a hassle, but it is still doable.

I got a large box and lined the bathroom floor with newspaper.
First I primed it and then I put a few coats of yellow on, and here's what happened:

A great way to add some cheer to your home and welcome spring is with a little bit of paint.

In fact, I actually created a Flickr group for all things painted! Not like actual paintings, but things that have been given a new life with some paint.

I haven't spent much time on it so I haven't been able to invite anybody to the group, but please feel free to join!

Okay, that's all for now. Come back tomorrow to see what I picked up at the thrift store this week!

oh hi there!

Wow, that was a long break, wasn't it?

Well, I ended up getting a new computer after dealing with the douchebag who ripped me off. Ahem.

I was so excited about getting a lap top!

I did a bunch of research and read lots of reviews and decided on a certain one, and bought it a couple days later.

Well. Without bitching too much...I had to call HP already for "technical assistance". That was 2 nights ago. Then yesterday brought an entire new problem, this time with the BIOS. Greeeat!

So I'm trying to ignore the fact that I'm pretty much screwed and moving onto happier thoughts, until I can gather the patience to call HP again. The language barrier makes for a very frustrating phone call. (Still trying to find the good in this situation...something positive. read more about that in a couple of paragraphs.)

Anyway.

Madison is going really well, and already feels like "home". Which I thought happened rather quickly, but it's nice. It was in the 50's and 60's this weekend, it was like a heat wave! We drove around and looked at some neighborhoods for potential house hunting, which still wont be happening for another year, but it's fun to look.

I've been decorating the apartment on the cheap, I'll show you guys what I've done over the next couple of weeks (hopefully). Here's the wall above the couch for now. For more info on the items on the shelf, check out the flickr description.

What else.....Oh! I have a job now. Part time. I had to get something with the economy being the way it is...Etsy has been slow. I have been getting a bunch of consignment orders out and I'm currently working on a wholesale order for a well-known online shop, which is exciting. But back to the job- besides not liking it much, it's going okay. I'm a merchandiser or something. Isn't it terrible that I don't even know what the heck my title is? Anyway, I put up ads and coupon machines for clients at various stores around Madison. Lots of driving. And WAY too many boxes to haul up and down the stairs. BUT Joe and I are on a "positive reinforcement" kick, which is our latest approach to a happier life, so I've been trying to find something good about everything (which is what i was referring to when talking about the computer). The good thing about this job? Even though I have to make all these trips up and down the stairs, I'm getting a bunch of exercise while doing it. Right???

Speaking of exercise, I started working out today. We'll see how long it will last THIS time. I'm not going to tell Joe, but I'm just going to see if he notices in about 2 weeks. He better if he knows what's good for him! Ha. Totally kidding. Kind of.

Well that's all for now, I was just checking in to tell you all that I'm still alive!

Maybe there will be more posts this week, we'll see if my computer brings any more issues. If it behaves, I will try to be back on Wednesday.

Damn

Well. I got my computer back {after waiting 10 days for it...yeah.}

I paid the guy $300.

The system was fully restored, luckily he was able to back up all my photos.

That's really all I cared about- getting my photos back.

He told me I should put everything on an external hard drive.

Which I was going to do.

But then 2 days later, it broke again.

Same problem.

I don't know what to do.

So now I'm out $300 and somewhere between 2000-3000 photos.

Sure, I have some of them on Flickr.

But 80% of them are on my computer and not on Flickr.

I really, really, REALLY want those photos back.

But I just got off the phone with him and it sounds like he's not too concerned that I've already spent $300 on it all.

It makes me wish that I didn't support the local guy on this one.

If it was Circuit City, at least I could go to the manager or something.

Anyway, Joe is in Dallas on a business trip so I'm at my parents, visiting.

I almost didn't get to come down because on my way to the airport to drop Joe off, I drove into a median and took down a big sign that was cemented into a ground with a 4x4.

Luckily nobody was hurt.

It was snowing, the roads were absolutely terrible, it was 4:30 a.m.

I couldn't fit the giant piece that fell off my car (the front bumper) into my car at the time, so I had to drive back and look for it later on.

Which was an adventure in itself.

Since there was nowhere for me to pull over onto the snowy country road, I had to pretty much hold up traffic while I ran out out into the field to retrieve my bumper.

I had this great idea that I'd leave the car running and just take my trunk key off the ring so it would make the process faster.

It was a great idea...until I locked myself out of the car a few hours later.

I had to go find a police man to unlock my car for me, hoping that he wouldn't see my dented front end and hood and ticket me for a) not reporting it and b) not having a license plate on the front.

Luckily he didn't see it.

Anyway.

Joe was so excited to escape this cold, blustery Wisconsin weather...he called me last night when he got into Dallas and told me it was snowing there.

I had to laugh, because really.....isn't that kind of funny?

Okay well I'm painting a bunch of wood today, so time for the next coat.

Damn

Well...the day I have always dreaded has come- my computer died and is in the repair shop.

PLLLEEASE be okay, computer...I have WAY too many photos in my inspiration folders to say goodbye!!!

Darn it.

At least the library has decent internet access!

Thrift Finds Friday

Well, since I've missed 2 Mondays in a row with the "Look What We Made...", I couldn't miss another day.

Our weekends are still full of visits from friends and family who are anxious to see our new place.
Lots of slumber parties have been going on.
This really cuts down on the time we have to make/rehab things...

But I've still found time to thrift!

This week's finds aren't *too* exciting, but I was still happy to give them a new home.

{Yesterday was sunny. Great day for photos!}

This mid-century end table, which is going to go through a major rehab when we have a free weekend...

Cost: $4.99

And this vase, because we don't have enough accessories:
$0.99

I want to go thrifting so badly tonight, I need some "new" skirts and shoes...but unfortunately, I won't have a car because Joe is going out with some friends...and I still haven't figured out the bus line or where the closest stop is.
I need to get on that.
I think I've ridden a city bus one time, and that was in Chicago.
I'm new to this, people.

What else...

Well, things are going pretty well with Yellow Canoe for now.
I'm working on about 3 consignment orders.

I have been looking into working on an organic farm this summer, part time.
I have an interview for one of the farms in late February.
All the farms I have found are internships...which would really benefit me if I was in school.
(really wishing i could go to school)
(but first i have to pay off my loan from my stint at design school)
(wishing i could go back to school for design)
(but wanting a house first)
...

So I really need to meet some new people here.
I have social interaction with next to nobody since I'm self employed...
Which isn't a good thing for a person who used to be a pretty extreme introvert.
{this is why I forced myself to wait tables.}
I got over my "shyness" in about 7 or 8 months, after many embarrassing moments, but it worked.
I just don't want it to get undone.
The longer I'm without talking to outsiders, the more I become hermit-like.

I'm thinking about joining a knitting group for now.
I've been wanting to learn how to knit for quite a while...
I'll let you know what happens with that.

For now I'm going to package orders and see what the day brings.

Lodi Marsh

Hi there!

The "Look What We Made Mondays" is running a little bit behind schedule.

We did start on something and it's almost finished.

It would have been complete if not for this slight interruption...

Yesterday I turned 23 and my wish was to go on a winter hike.

It was a beautiful day...about 30 something degrees, which is warm compared to what it's been.

The sky was a really lovely bluish grey hue and the sun was stretching her arms to the snow.

It was just perfect.

The trail we went to is called the Lodi Marsh.

It's part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but this particular trail is really amazing.

It's a thousand mile path, entirely within Wisconsin, that celebrates the legacy of the Ice Age.

We've hiked a few different sections of it.

The hike we took yesterday was about 2 miles...it was the first winter hike we've ever been on.

We've always wanted to go for a hike in the winter, but it just never worked out since I always worked weekends.

But now our weekends are filled with fun.
So through the valley we went, admiring the skeletons of the plants and trees...

There were these families of red twig dogwoods that carried so much contrast against the white winter snow...

Up across the meadow...
And back into the valley...And then back to the car we trudged.

I really would like to visit again each season...I don't think Joe will have a problem with that.

So after the hike, we stopped in at a birthday bar called "The Nitty Gritty".

I got free beers since it was my birthday.

We couldn't drink too many, though, because Joe was making me dinner and didn't want to be too drunk to cook.

{He made me some delicious tilapia with rice and corn.}

And then the day was over.

+look what we made mondays to come shortly+

Thrift Finds Friday and More

Hello there and welcome to the first installment of "Thrift Finds Friday."

I plan on this being a weekly or bi-weekly feature, depending on if I find new things that week.

So now that I live in a city (saying that is so crazy! my friends used to say that I lived in the "county"...not country, but county. I don't know.).......anyway, I live closer to more thrift stores now.

I'm hoping to be able to score some really amazing things, I'm dying to find some great shoes like Shona always does. I also need a few skirts that I can give a new life. But mainly, I'm looking for things that will look nice in the house. Older things, of course. And I'm also on a mission to just find things that will make me smile when I see them.

I wish I could start this first TFF with a bang, but I only picked a few things up last week. Nothing too spectacular, but all things that I love.

I was hoping to find some stuff for our shelves, but no luck.

Okay...

First off, we have this orange pitcher. I started a pitcher collection, which you'll see in time, so this is a cute little addition. I love the pattern on the glass, I can't wait to serve orange juice in it! Cost: $0.75


This didn't come with a base, but I had to get it anyway, because I loved the color and shape of this fondue pot. Cost: $0.75

Okay, I can't show you the entire object, but I was looking for frames and found this...I am really drawn to the pattern, and I can't wait to give it a makeover. It will be featured on "Look What We Made Monday" within the next couple of weeks, which is why I can only give you a sneak peak for now. Cost: $1.25

Now this thing isn't all that neat, but I liked the color and it will serve a nice purpose in our house on the weekends {holding coffee}. Cost: $1.25.


Alright, that's all for this weeks finds, hopefully I will have more next week.

There is a town called Janesville, which is between Madison and my parents house, and another town right outside of Janesville called Fort Atkinson. Both towns are supposed to have some great thrift shops, so I'll be stopping at a few on my next trip home.

+++++

Yesterday I got a package from my best friend Kaitlin. We've been great friends since 3rd grade (that's about 14 years). The funny, but sad, thing is (okay it's not funny it's mainly just sad...but I try to make light of it) Kaitlin just moved "back home" about a week after I moved to Madison. Before that she was in school and then moved to Virginia for a bit when she got married. So she hasn't lived at home (by at home I mean where we are from) for like 5 years or something...or is it 4? well it feels like 5. Before the 5 years thing happened though, I was with my dick head ex for awhile so it's really been like 7 or 8 years since we hung out on a regular basis. ANYWAY the point of the story is that we are good friends again and she sent me this neat stuff for my birthday! I'm going to be 23 in a couple days...

A giraffe card, because I love giraffes!
A Post Secret book!!!!
A super cute pumpkin soup holder
A tank top with whooos!!! Can't wait till it's not -25º anymore! (okay, that's the wind chill...but still.)
Thank you Kaitlin!
I already read the book. So did Joe.
He now understands why I must visit Post Secret every Sunday morning.

Okay well today's to do list has more things on it than hours in a day so I have to get going. Thanks for stopping by!

$#!t

recent conversation/last night.

me: "hey!!! guess what!? we live by an anthropologie now!!"
joe: "neat."
me: "do you remember what that is?"
joe: "yeah. it's that magazine you get with those people that look blank."
me: "what?"
joe: "those girls. they are all model-like and...fake."
me: "did you say "those people that look...blank?"
joe: "yeah."
me thinking 'has he not seen the clothes in that "magazine" (catalogue, ahem...)'
me: "hahaha, okay."
joe: "they just look blank when i see them."

++++++

So, can you tell that I'm avoiding grocery shopping and that I've been working on business tax SHIT all day?

I'm so very confused about taxes. It really makes me want to quit this handmade life and find a full time job or something.

Almost.

The minute I thought I understood it, I heard about tracking inventory on hand and all this other stuff that I just don't want to deal with (because I'm confused about it all)...

UGH.

On a lighter note, I'm thinking about finding work on an organic farm this spring/summer/fall. That would be more fun than any other job I can think of, since you know- I don't have a degree or anything.

Okay I guess I have to go grocery shopping now. At least it will result in chicken stir fry for dinner and some banana muffins tonight.

Monday Feature...

Hello and welcome to the first installment of "Look What We Made Mondays!"

Last weekend Joe and I painted a shelf that our friends Rod and Tricia made us...

Before:

During:

After:

This is what it looks like decorated:

We are really happy with the results.

It definitely livens up our living room!

We are focusing on adding more color throughout the apartment, so I think this is a good start.

Check back next Monday to see our current project!

+++++++

Yesterday I went to the paper store and bought some new paper:

It's been awhile since I focused on Operation Paper Cut, but I have big plans for it come February.

These papers are all going to be turned into hard cover coptic bound journals.

A little out of my element, since I usually design all the covers myself. But these days I just don't think I'm going to have time for all the drawing and cutting and gluing that goes into the "usual" Operation Paper Cut journal. So I'm going to switch gears just a tad and offer journals bound with patterned book covers.

I plan on releasing the first batch mid-February.

I'll let you all know when the shop is updated with new journals.

Okay, well I just spent 2 hours at Circuit City while my husband picked out a new TV, so I have to get going and make up for lost time.

Talk to you all soon!

FOUND!

FINALLY!

All I have to say is thank god for tax time.

I know that may seem like a strange statement, but if it weren't for tax time, I wouldn't have found my rapidograph pens!

They were in my receipt box! How strange!

+++++

Be sure to check back this week for 2 newly themed posts!

I'm starting "Look what we made Monday" and "Thrift finds Friday."

The Monday feature will focus on something that we made over the weekend.

The Friday feature will be about my recent thrift finds!

I can't wait!

Okay, that's all for now!

Sorry I don't have any photos...I would love to show you my new town but the wind chill is so bitterly cold, in the negatives this week.

Don't worry, I'll be showing you lots of new things throughout the coming weeks.

not happy

I cannot find my rapidograph pens ANYWHERE and I absolutely need them right now!

The joys of moving.

I've been searching for over an hour now.

I've gone through every box that hasn't been unpacked at least 3 times each...there are only about 7 boxes left to unpack (you know...the boxes that you don't even want to look at because it's just random stuff)......

Where could they be?!

+++++

Update: It's now 24 hours later.
{january 15}
No sign of the pens.
I'm still looking.
The worst part is that right now Yellow Canoe is my only source of income, and I don't want to fall behind because of some missing pens!
Also missing:
-1 steak knife from our knife rack. The funny thing is that we saw it laying out right before we left (the movers showed up a lot later than they were supposed to, and we were on a tight schedule so we had to leave them at our old apartment to finish the job.)
-My 2 iron owls. I loved those things...I hope they fly home soon.

Off to look some more.

Settled.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are settled in our new home in Madison.

More words and photos to come soon.

I've been spending my days working hard on new Yellow Canoe stuff.

If all goes according to plan, I will finally be able to make new things for Operation Paper Cut at the end of January! This is very exciting for me, as I have new items in mind. They will still be coptic bound journals, but I have some fresh ideas for the covers!

{photo of our new living room}

So I never did get around to the DIY Christmas tree. Maybe next year? Since we moved the day after Christmas this year, our lease expires in a year on New Years Eve. So if we move then, it will be another crazy holiday season. But we're hoping to be able to extend our lease for 6 months depending on whatever fees would come along with that. Doing so would put us in a house around June of 2009. Sounds so far away! That's okay, though. We're digging our new apartment, anyway.

Okay, more early next week.