Impossible Jobs

My husband says I have a knack for nearly impossible home improvement projects. I start with an expectation of difficulty, but discover a reality of near impossibility.

Current example: Removing wallpaper from the kids' bedroom wall in our rental home. There was blue striped floral wallpaper that was essentially falling off the walls at certain spots. It needed to go. I got the required permission from the landlord and started the task, knowing wallpaper removal was a tough job.

Under the blue striped wallpaper I discovered a layer of dull green paint, a layer of peach paint, maybe a layer of pink paint, and two more layers of wallpaper on top of the original plaster walls.

Who thinks it's a good idea to paint over wallpaper? Not me. I'm saving the worst wall for last. A previous resident here tried to paint over the peeling blue striped floral wallpaper and failed. It's bubbling to the point that my three year old can easily tear off patches--but only patches. Sheesh. Old house charm, I guess. I hope I can finish this project with my sanity intact.

I have big lovely plans of white wainscotting and warm gray walls with splashes of colorful wall hangings when I'm done with the nightmarish wallpaper removal.

Plant a tree, save the world

Today was a busy day! Among the projects, I planted a tree...

made a card for work...
and baked and frosted cookies. I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe and a new frosting recipe here. It's ok, but a little too runny and blah. It needs extra flavor. I'll have to modify it next time.

Wish fulfillment

I got a sewing machine on Wednesday! You know what this means? More puppets! And now that I have it, I'm thinking of all sorts of clothing ideas, toys, quilts... But first, on my list is home improvements. You see, I need to make my home look pretty so someone will want to buy it. These are actually projects that I've been planning for years, but only now got to do them.

Commence project window valance:

I made two of these for my bedroom windows. Three or four years ago I bought two faux scarf valances like this picture, but quickly learned that they only look good in threes. I loved the fabric, though, so wanted to make something more suitable. Now I have! This was probably the most makeshift and imprecise process I've ever used, but with the final result you would never know. My husband calls me the MacGyver of quilting and that title really fit for this project.

Project sofa pillows (the brown ones):

The previous pillows were pretty flat and had ugly fabric. That's all I have to say about that. Pillows are easy peasy. (p.s. I love the husband's casual glance to the side and leg posed especially for the photo.)

I have one more room to fix curtains for and then I will be back on the puppet train. I'm so excited! I have some fun ones coming up.

Trim those windows!

We had our windows replaced last summer and the trim got all torn up when they removed the old storm windows. They've needed a good whitewashing, so I finally got around to it now that the weather's better.

Before (also note the railing):

After:

I only did the front of the house. Three windows and a railing down, four windows to go...