Please don't call the LAW!

**When I was about 5, I stole a pack of gum from Wal-mart. I hid it in the back seat of my mom's Gremlin {seriously} under the floor mat. I would get a piece out each time we would get into the car and she never noticed. I felt guilty. But apparently not guilty enough to 'not' chew it.

{google picture - but this looks just like ours - we were a classy bunch.}

**At about the age of 6, our local Fred's was going out of business. They had this HUGE bin full of miscellaneous items - mostly costume-like jewelry. I found a single earring in the bottom. It was a purple, clip-on, ball earring. And when I say purple - I mean the kind that they squeezed grapes into. I really thought I was doing no harm and pocketed it. Really I did! haha - I mean, come on! How were they going to sell a single earring!? I took it because I thought I could make something from it. I still remember what I thought I could make {but I'm going to leave that part out of the story - okay?} Oh man, when my mom saw that I stole the earring, I got beat {literally!} Stealing was definitely not going to be the business I got into. Not after that!

**When I was a freshman in high school, I was on a 'date' with a real winner who brought along his best friend. The 2 were pledging for 2 different high school fraternities. The friend {not my date,} had 2 options of getting out of 'hell night' - steal the moose head off the moose lodge or steal the January Street sign {which was in the middle of the projects.} Honestly, it was much safer to steal the moose - but he thought it would be easier to get the street sign since they have a camera on the moose. Now you guys have to know me - the whole time I was preaching how they were going to Hell and taking me with them. And they should feel guilt for what they were doing. I had no choice. Take me home first . . . . I said it all. My 6 year old self was telling me how my mom would beat my 14 year old self - just much harder. I remember praying so hard. When they got out of the truck and got the sign, I locked both doors and wouldn't let them back in. Finally after they swore they would take me home, I let them back in. But Cody, wanted to look at his ticket out of torture and went to the local park to gape and goggle over his new prized possession. This is the same park the cops were patrolling constantly because of some not-so-good-behavior going on at night there - prostitutes, sexual activity and same sex should sum that scenario up for you. Just guess what happened? Yeah, busted. And took to jail. Just know, I got into the worse trouble out of all 3 of us. AND I was the one begging to leave me out of their fun. Another fat lesson learned.

**I've been pulled over 12 times - but have only gotten 2 tickets. I'm not bragging - seriously! I just got the right cop or trooper each time that believed whatever I said. The funniest one was when I was speeding down the highway towards home. When the trooper got me, I jumped out, ran to the other side of the car, opened the door and squatted and peed. Really, I did. It worked. He laughed once he figured out what I was doing on the other side of the car. AND then he tells me that was considered indecent exposure. I asked if he saw anything. Of course he didn't! So, what was indecent about it???? I was so close to home, about to pee on myself. He stopped me - so I had to go somewhere!? Right? Whatever, it worked. Should I have been speeding - NO. Once I had kids, I really started slowing down. Really! But let me say, that every excuse I ever gave was truthful. It pays to tell the truth people. {hehe!}

**But my newest law breaking moment - Several weekends ago, it was bunco night. Bunco was in the middle of Nowhere City! Lucky for me, an awesome friend told me to meet her at work and she would just drive. While waiting for her in the parking lot, I noticed all these spikey, seed pods in the parking lot. Once Jamie got out, I asked her if she had a bag in her car - I wanted these pods! Of course she did. We ran around the few cars left parked picking up the pods. I noticed she was in more of a hurry than me. She slipped it in that we ought to hurry before the guard sees us.

"Uhmm, what? Did you say 'Guard?'"

"Yeah, he patrols the VA parking lot - I think this might be illegal."

haha!! "AHHH - Quick - get all that you can!!!!!!!!"

Jumped in the car as soon as we saw him drive to our area!

Such a lawbreaker.

And I have no real idea what I'm going to do with these. haha!

okay people - tell me what you have done so I don't feel so alone in my jail-bird ways! If you are brave enough to blog about it, I want to see the link in my comments!!!!

*******disclaimer - I don't want to read about deaths or kidnappings or anything that shouldn't be in my comments or in a blog post!?! Got it?!

Me and my best friend . . .

I've got this friend. I've known her since I was 18. Literally. Met her on my 18th birthday. She is actually very old-fashion-like. I had actually befriended her sister several years before and really liked her. So, I was stoked when I actually met the sister. We hit it off immediately! And to be honest, we were inseparable for years.

We really made a perfect team! I knew what buttons to push and she mine. When people found out that we knew each other, request started to come in. It was crazy. And the two of us worked our ba-jeebies off.

But, there came a day that I sorta started pushing her away. Horrible, I know! But I was at the point in my life where I couldn't really fit her in. I was pregnant with the twins and had decided that I was going to focus on my paintings. I really wanted to work on this newly acquired skill and it just left little time for the friendship I so loved for so many years.

Frankly, I've not really thought much about her. I knew she was safe and that's all that matter. I knew if I needed her, she would be there. That is just the facts.

Years have passed. Approximately 4.

Then it happened. You know what I'm talking about. When a situation occurs and you're like, "Crap! I so could have done this if me and my homey were still tight!"

So, I did the right thing. I went looking for her and I knew exactly where she was. She was in hiding. Afraid of being sold. Which, let me say, would have NEVER happened.

I opened the door that leads to another door. I pulled the monster of a case out that she was stored in. Opened the lid. And there she was. She looked exactly the same. The same girl I remembered.

Miss Sue "Singer."

Man, how I've missed her! And we were back - the team! The team that could do anything with the right measurements!

I instantly changed the needle. Plugged her up. flipped the switch. Threaded the bobbin. And put the pedal to the metal. And wow - the smell I remembered. The excitement started to flow!

All 4 of my kids watched with wonder and Hudson had to ask, "What the heck is that?"

I said, "Sue." {Because everyone names their sewing machines!?}

I immediately ran my fabric through.

And - "oh, yeah . . . we still got it! Straightest seem EVAH!" Best thing to compare that to is doing the splits at my age without stretching and it's been about 12 years since the last time I did them! Yeah, that good!

But then {'cause you knew their had to be a "but" in this story somewhere,} I realized almost immediately after the "we still got it" thought - that the tension was off. Way off.

I flipped the fabric over {knowing exactly what I was about to see.}

And it was definitely another one of those "crap!" moments.

Yeah, 4 years and no use . . . . Sue needed to be serviced! The instant high went flat. Only because I couldn't blow threw these 7 incredibly easy seems and show you guys our {mine and Sue's} incredible masterpiece!

I really just needed a quick change in my creativity outlet. I'm talking about 1 hour and this window treatment would have been up! Then back to painting.

I loaded her up and dropped her off this morning. Hopefully we can hook back up in the next day or two and work this out!

And by the way - these are for Em's room! And the pink furniture is now off. I know you guys are wondering. I'm just going to make you wait for the reveal!

I've had some questions about Craigs List. I will try to do a post about that soon. I do normally get great items at some really great prices! Such as this new guy below!

This is a coffee table - Broyhill Fontana Collection! Everybody has to remember this set! Anyhoodle, we really wanted a table for the kids to play on {not literally, but as I type this - someone is dancing on it!} I wanted a big drawer for the toys. NOT that toys are suppose to be down here. But at night, when I pick up to do my daily vacuum - I want a place I can throw all the kids stuff that they didn't manage to take back up the stairs before bed time.

I have big plans for him. I've already bought the paint. Sooooo, maybe you will see this transformation soon. It probably won't be until the spring, but I'm sure I'll post it!

uhmm, yeah . . . another Craigs List find!

A week? Has it really been a week!? I've honestly haven't had much to say, but I didn't think a week had come and gone since our last meeting? I could probably make this post really long, but I'm not! I'll just try to come back here multiple times a day for the next few days! K?

So, I've been on Craigs List YET again. But this is really from a while back. Actually this is the first thing I EVER bought on CL.

A dresser.

{Picture from listing - not my house.}

Because you know, . . . I'm dresser poor here at my house. Even better - I'm antique dresser poor! I only have 1 from every decade from 1880 to 1940. Maybe a couple of decade duplicates, but apparently NOT enough.

Just dresser poor.

Let me tell you about this guy. I had 2 antique dressers on each side of my bed. They had double duty as nightstands AND dressers. I told a friend she could pick one to have if she would give me a cool piece {that I really needed} that she had.

Lucky for me, she took me up on the offer and I got the groovy chicken coop table you see above {which by the way, is in the process of a major face lift!}

Well, I had to find something to replace the dresser!!!! So, CL here I come! This fellow was listed for right around 3 weeks for $150 when I found it. Nobody in their right mind should pay that much! It is obvious that it had been refinished, but then someone straight took the original hardware. Then had the nerve to replace them with the 1980's "waterbed" era looking drawer pulls {ack!?}

Uhmm, can we say REVOLTING!

So, for 60 bucks - he is now mine! And he needs a little work {in due time.}

But the problem is I don't need the mirror. For those who are about to get upset, remember - someone has already jacked it up with those ghetto drawer pulls!

Removed the mirror. Easy.

Painted it with 1 coat of left over {oil based} black paint.

After about an hour, took a sanding block to it. Wiped it off with a dry rag.

Then hung it up. Seriously people, it couldn't have gotten any easier - unless of course it was already black when I purchased it.

I hung it above my tub - that only gets used once a month when I soak all the kids tub toys in bleach. I would love to show you the whole thing, but I'm not. Only because I'm trying to finish up this room before I debut it!!!

Excited . . .

I finally did it - picked out paint colors for the walls in my house! With help of course! I just can't do it on my own you know!? I know - I paint, but I can't pick out my own wall colors. Pitiful! I'm shocked at the direction that Em's bedroom walls will be . . . very shocked! But I'm certain it will look good. I just need to get started. For those wondering, her furniture is definitely going to be the muted pink as is her crib. And just in case you don't remember - the furniture I'm referring to is her dresser, mirror and night stand. But it will be a few more weeks before we really get started! I still have to work on the rest of her bedding {I still don't have anything other than fabric!} Such a tedious job . . . that I LOVE!

Last night with a friend, I was discussing what direction I wanted to take small words. I got so excited and pumped during our conversation. For the first time, I really felt what I did with halting new orders was definitely the right thing to do! And I realized that the "stress" I've been feeling is not the typical stress - but stress from excitement. You have to know what I'm talking about - when you have soooo much running through your head and you are thinking of it all at one time. And you can't really get your thoughts organized on paper, much less in your head. And then you get that really crazy feeling that is close to overwhelming. And as you have the overwhelming feeling wash over you, you realize you really can't do anything you are thinking about, because you have all the immediate issues at hand?! Yeah - that's where I've been.

Tonight, I'm going to do my best to put my number of orders at the top of the blog. And then knock down the number with each painting I finish. Which could be obvious - but it's really not. Only because I don't post pictures of every piece I finish. Sometimes they are gifts, sometimes Classic collection or sometimes surprises - so sometimes you never see a picture of those. This way, you all can see where I'm at during my Operation 'Catch-Me-Up.' Embarrassing as it is, you will really see the weeks I'm able to work . . . and those that I'm not.

I still have not emailed quite a few folks {actually it is a lot, I'm only pretending it is a few for sanity purposes,} to see if they want their orders. So, my numbers will really drop {I'm sure} as soon as I do that and hear back from them {or not hear from them - I can take a hint!} I don't know why I'm still putting that off - except for the fact that I earned the title Queen of Procrastination years ago! Seriously, look up procrastination in the dictionary and you should see my picture.

Fantastic color scheme . . .

I'm somewhat frustrated with my computer and photoshop - only because I don't know how to use it?!? I've been running to the other computer for picture uploads. But Lonnie was on that one, so I had to brave the MAC - only I'm not very brave. And I've not had the time to learn this joker! So, I've spent the better half of naptime screaming obscenities at this thing - because you know, I'm the kinda girl that does that! Classy, I know!

BUT as promised - better pictures!!!!! I still have not adjusted my camera settings, but I had alot of direct sunlight - which obviously helps.

Since I was having PS issues, I combined fabric swatches, paint chips and room pics into one picture.

I normally hang whatever I have for color matching on this doo-hickey when I paint. I love it - makes for some major convenience. Check out the fabrics! I love the patterns together! Notice there are 2 beds?? But there is only 1 child {in this room - not in the family!} So, we decided to paint a "W" for her first name and an "M" for her last name! Lucky us, it was the same letter flipped! Makes for great balance!

I'm really liking these tween rooms! Most that I've done are not the "girly" type - but the mothers still really want them to be {just a little!} So, I really enjoy making it work between the 2 personalities.

I swear these are 2 different canvases!! {I did NOT flip them - remember my PS issues!?} {And for the record - Photoshop for a PC looks different than Photoshop for a MAC!!!}

And what can I say - I LOVE THE OVERSIZE ANIMAL PRINT!

Since I just spent all my quite time with the pictures and this post - I gotta go! I promised this to be shipped out TODAY! And I haven't boxed these up?!?

And let me just give you another sneaky peeky on my way out!

Have YOU emailed me? I'll get on it tonight!

Cone head . . .

I love when I find surprises like these. Quite certain that Carson did it - since he is the only kid I have that likes to play with last year's eggs.


Unfortunately, Em took the phone and smacked her head. Now, her 5 point crown has only 4 points.

She might want to wear the egg a little longer.

Thankful for Sunday . . .

Last week was an incredibly, long week. Nothing bad happened to me, it just wasn't a great week. I have been doing really great about staying on top of the blog . . . but this week I spent more time glued to the TV watching all the devastation in Haiti. A reality check of how wonderful I have it - how blessed my life truly is.

And even though I feel blessed, I still had a "long" week. Nothing went the way I wanted it to go. Obviously, the world doesn't spin around me - so I need to get over it! Right? And I am over it. But it still doesn't help the fact that I told people I would do things - and those things didn't happen! But it is a new day - a new week - and things are going to happen this go around. {Even if the world doesn't turn around me!}

First order of business - to get the settings on my camera adjusted! {Pictures soon to show you why!}

Saturday, I hosted a baby shower. We did an ice cream sundae bar. Do you know how many toppings you can find for ice cream? Oh.my.word and my new favorite is Smuckers apples and cinnamon {limited edition!} "Du'Wishus" as Hudson would say!

Since I had made her bedding 4 years ago {for her first son,} I knew what I was working with. She told me "funky bird on a branch." Really - that is what she said she wanted on a painting.


I am to please!


Definitely a bird. on a branch. and he is funky!


I love the wings.


And just because I haven't done a sneaky peeky in a long time . . .


Let me do something with the camera settings and I'll show the whole thing! When I was looking at the pictures I took, I cringed! The colors are really distorted.

For a fat laugh . . .

Preface

Let me start off by saying that my kid is not naked! As soon as we get home, he strips down to his underwear {so he is almost naked - but not naked!} I, on the other hand, was unloading groceries from the car - hence, the reason I have on a coat.

Hudson found this spray candy at the grocery store and had to have it. I knew that they use this at school and at first he would not participate. {I really need to know if he does now. ?!?} I bought it to see how he would do for me. He picked out both flavors - fully aware that one was "sweet" and the other "sour."

For him to participate at all, is a huge step! He doesn't put anything in his mouth {including food} and this is a major step out of his comfort zone. I still see feeding therapy in our future for the next up-teen years.

sweet and sour from Kim Wheeler on Vimeo.

I have some art to post {I'll try my hardest to get those posted today!} I've not quite figured out how to on the new computer - because I'm slow like that. Contrary to popular belief, I'm scared of the computer and completely illiterate to its ways. So, forgive me as I learn this thing!

I hope you all have a fantastic day and that this video cracks you up as hard as it did my husband when he watched it this morning.

This is why I love Craigs List . . .

So, as you know - I've been swapping rooms with Em. Finally - I will be able to make my room - MINE! I knew we were going to swap for a while, so I really never did a whole lot with my original space. And good thing, I actually got rid of a large table. And that was because my computer situation changed! Oh, yeah - I got a Mac book!! {**happy dance**}

But I still wanted some more table space other than my painting table. My husband had a great idea about looking for a sofa table. Of course I had to check good ol' Craigs List before I checked anywhere else! And the first table I pulled up was this . . .

Oh.My.Good.Lord - she is perfect! Love the color. The style is almost exact to my paint table {which will be getting a paint job of WHITE in the spring!} PERFECT!

Except for 1 thing.

The price.

The price of $252.

I was not a happy camper. People, I just bought a Mac. I don't have any dough left!

None.

Zilch.

Zero.

Nada.

Whatever I found was going to have to be on the cheap!!!

The next listing I pulled up was this . . .


Holy COW! It is basically the same table! ??? And I could paint it?!? But the price {always the kicker.}

Oh.My.Good.Lord - only $25!!!

Come to Momma!!!

And being that I have a quart of paint in the color that is very similar to the top one . . . . this project will cost me only the 25 smacks!

I need to also add - this ended up being a heavy and solid oak piece. I'm quite confident that the green table was only a pine. I got way more bang for my buck!

I love Craigs List!


FYI, I think I'm selling Emme's crib - that fantastic, pink crib. Any takers??

"Nannie's" table {and I'm officially dead meat!}

As promised the how-to on my lil' table {as I watch my life flash before my eyes.}

Here is the thing - not all people like painted furniture - especially the "beat-up" kind! Now I, on the other hand, adore painted furniture and the more beat-up the better. With 4 kids, I look like I really have nice stuff - thanks to the trends these days. And frankly, before the worn and shabby look was so big - I was a huge fan. I've loved vintage my whole life! And the chippier the better.

Here she is. Brown paint and all. Now, let us get something straight . . . . this is brown paint - not stain. There is a huge difference. I might eat these words {I hope not, but I might} but I have to confess and come clean about a pet peeve of mine.

I hate furniture painted brown.

There, I said it! Finally - it is off my chest!

Why, you ask? I really don't know. I just don't like it. I guess, maybe, if you wanted it brown - just stain it?? I don't know. I just don't like painted brown furniture. Ughh - just gives me the shivers. {As I slightly turn my head, my eyes start to roll in the back of my head, my tongue sorta hangs out and my hands draw up and do something weird!} Oh. yeah. it's that bad.

Case in point -

I think this table proves my point.

The story goes like this - my Nannie gave me the table AND I had every intention of having it refinished BECAUSE most all the family heirlooms I've acquired are in the best condition of their life at this point. For obvious reasons, I normally don't paint them and spend the boo coo bucks to have them redone to beat their former glory. My grandmother has flat out told me on numerous occasions about another piece of furniture {cedar closet that is no longer in my possession} to never paint it. And I should capitalize the word "never" because that is the way she stressed it. My assumption is that same ruled applied to the table - but she never said I couldn't paint the brown table. Only the cedar closet. Ignore the fact that she has always been under the impression that I was going to have the table refinished - so why reiterate the fact that furniture should not be painted. Although she, and everyone else in my family, knows I loved painted furniture and might possible choose my fate by painting whatever I deem necessary to paint. To include this ugly, yet adorable, brown table.

Are you following me?

Now, the story goes this table belonged to my grandmother's parents and was originally a "radio." At further inspection, you can tell that they did remove something from the center and re-attach the top of the "something" back on the base {with nails that had huge heads(?).} Therefore, making this table. As far as the brown paint and the why - I'm quite certain it has to do with the original finish the table had. The brown paint was painted over a lot of "chips" and "drips." One can only imagine what this table looked like before the brown paint. {I'm sure awesome in her chippy state - but like I said, not all people agree with my "4-kids-living" style!}

I did save up the boo coo bucks and was prepared to have her done up the "right" way. But my guy said it would cost way more than the table was worth. Way more. Because it was just that Ewwgly! Do you know that word?? When Ewww and ugly meet. I've never heard it either - I think I just made up a new word!!!! That is fantastic!

Anyhoodle, so after all this time - I finally found her a home in my house and figured out what to do.

Blue. I wanted her blue. With a stained top.

My choice of color was Sherwin Williams Quietude - SW6212. I think it is the same color that Nester used on her armoire. I think. I was going to link up, but her format has changed and it would take me forever to find it. I had this color picked out for my bedroom for a long time, but just never knew how I would like it all over - so the table was a "try on color" to see how I felt about it!

I made the mistake of trying to strip the paint off the top - remember, I wanted the top stained. The stripper was probably the dumbest mistake I made that week. I should have put on a mask and got out my sander! The paint on top was sooo thin and barely there that the sander would have bumped it off in a matter of seconds. I really wanted to stain all the lips going down the sides, too. But the sander would not have been good for that!. Hence, the reason I thought the stripper was the best idea. Well, the stripper made the top really gummy and basically smeared all the paint around - one, nasty, hot mess! So, after 24 hours {to insure it was dry,} I sent my husband outside to sand the top. I would have done it, but it was only 22 degrees - he did it really fast {haha!}

After I wiped it down with a tack cloth, I went to painting the base and legs. Only 1 coat of interior latex, flat paint is all it took. And about 27 minutes {I seriously timed myself just for this post!}

The next night. I took a foam sanding block and just started sanding. This took about 2 hours. It was late and I watched 2 episodes of Criminal Minds while I did it. I basically sanded down the areas that would be worn the most if it was truly "worn" over time and not in a 120 minutes.

I normally do not do the sanding thing - only because it takes a lot of arm work. I do like the Vaseline trick - or wax - but where this one did have brown paint underneath the blue, I wanted to try to remove a little of the brown with the worn look and reveal the chips and cracks and drips.

After all the sanding, I cleaned it up with a wet rag! I know - horrible isn't it! But I wanted all the dust to be gone! As I then took my fav-o-rite color of stain . . . Minwax Special Walnut . . . and a sponge brush and I laid it on thick! I stained the top. Then I did the blue parts. I would brush it on an entire leg and then with the same wet rag I had used earlier {rinsed} I would wipe off the stain. One coat of stain. That's it. Just 1!

As you can tell, I ended up painting some of the lip/edge area that I wanted to stain - originally that is the top of the base {where the blue starts} and it was easier to paint it blue than to remove the brown paint in that area. And as much as the nails resemble shingle nails {the biggest nail head you can find,} I really do like how they are exposed!

I love how this leg looks! The dips you see are actually from the original finish - the finish before the brown paint.

I tried hard in all these pictures to really show the true color. I messed with every setting on my camera - which is now out of whack {Krista come over and fix my camera since I've now jacked it up!!!}

I still need to poly it. But it has been so wet or cold or both! I have a lot of poly jobs for the spring!

Any questions, let me know!

And here is a peek of the lamp that sits on top!

Dang, that was a long post - thanks for sticking with me!

ha!

Proof they are crazy! from Kim Wheeler on Vimeo.

Carson and Hudson - a dangerous combination!

Somebody is needing an intervention!

Every morning, Hudson wakes with these words on his lips, "Does Sonic have train Wacky Packs?"


And every morning, I say, " I suppose so, unless {of course} they ran out of them since the last time we were there?!"

I finally wised up and asked him "why?"

His response, "I think my train is lonely."

"You're kidding, right?"


I heard that McDonald's has Alvin and the Chipmunks.


Lord, help me.

Look what I got . . .

. . . for the new studio!


The color scheme will remain, but I do plan on brighten it up a smidge.


Em's chandelier is still hanging in her former room. And I love the look it gives! But baby girl has to have it back. Luckily, a friend just bought an older home with this beauty hanging in the breakfast nook. She hated it. I loved it. Wasn't hard to talk her out of it.

Thank you Ashley!!!!

Nothing like authentic tole!..

And for those wondering . . . YES, I finished the table!!! And oh.my.word! I love it - and oh, I'm so dead when my Nannie sees it! You guys think I'm joking? I'm not!


Sorry to disappoint - it's not white, but a robin's egg blue.

Give me a few days and I'll show you guys the "how to" on the table. {I must first finalize my will!}

I also did something that I've never done before! Made flower arrangements.


Uhmm, but I thought I had some shots of the full thing{s} . . . {I filled 2 gargantuous sconces up!}


Apparently, I didn't!?

I'll show you those as well in a "coming soon to you" post?!

And believe it or not - they are on the same wall as the robin's egg blue table! I'm sure you want to see how I pulled this off!

{And obviously, my studio is a much funkier space than the rest of my home!}

Well, that should keep you all hanging! Isn't that mean?!? Sorry, my kids have been pretty good today . . . I had to be mean to somebody!