Too Much Going On, Must Redecorate

It seems like it's been forever since I wrote in my blog, but I guess it was just a few days ago.  With everything that has happened since Sunday, I feel like months have gone by, instead of days/hours.  My mind is swirling and I have no ideas on how to keep up.  It's a good thing I took a little down side from baking.
With chaos going on around me, I've had to do some things that keep me focused on the bright parts of the day. I've been in a redecorating phase, and while my Husband is none to pleased with his "please cut this" and "please do this" list..............

Chris...so not happy!  Anna, how's Australia???

......it's all coming along nicely.  I am starting in one of our spare bedrooms (we have 3) that we call the "beach" room.  When we first moved in, I felt it necessary to hang up a wallpaper border.  I've hated every single inch of that border since I put it up!  What was I thinking????  That's not even me.  Here's to taking that down and off.....

Wallpaper Border - YUCK!!!!

Almost gone.  YEA!!!!

Taking this off, was not near as difficult as I imagined.  With a little research, I found that if you mix fabric softner with water and spray directly onto the wallpaper, it comes off really quickly!  While you do get high on the wonderful floral fragrance, it makes for super quick removal.  And, it barely left any markings on the wall. I thought we might end up yanking sheet rock right off the walls, but it didn't happen.  Now the room is rather plain looking.

Before redecorating.....

I really wanted to stay with the beach themed room, but just wanted to update it and make it a bit more shabby-chic.  My inspiration for both this room and the spare bathroom came from the striped pillow on the bed.  I found that pillow one day while we were wandering thru TJ Max.  I got it months ago.  It's been my favorite thing about this room.  Something about bold, wide stripes, just makes me feel happy.  And with a nautical/beach theme going on, it fits right in.
As some of you may know, I've been looking everywhere for red and white striped material, to make a shower curtain.  It was not to be found anywhere I looked.  I finally located some online, from a nice lady in Texas, but wasn't sure the fabric was thick enough.  So, the other day, I went all the way into Tempe, looking for a fabric store.....ended up being out of business.  Great!!!  Well, since I was out that way, I decided to hop into IKEA and take a look around.  Maybe they'd have some strange sheets that I could use as fabric.  Low and behold, I found the jackpot!!!

My IKEA Fabric

Of all places, who in the world would think to find fabric at IKEA????  It was perfect.  I was so excited, I laughed out loud in delight, as I stood there like an idiot, smiling down at my find.  (I had to look up and explain to the other people staring at me, that I had been looking all over for this fabric... a little bit embarrassing, but so worth it!)  Not only did they have red and white stripes, they had navy blue and white too!!!  I swear, I practically danced to the check out, with a huge, goofy grin on my face.  It turned out to be quite a day.
As I said, the red and white fabric is for the shower curtain.  The blue and white stripes are for a curtain I'm making.  While all of this seems all well and good, I should mention that I don't have a sewing machine.  It puts a little kink in my decorating plans, but I'll be okay.  Luckily, I don't have to have it right away.  As for the curtain, I think I can make it without any actual sewing involved.  I'll post a picture when I'm done.....
I've [Chris has] also made a frame.  Stained it and then applied some very watered down white paint to it, wiped it away and got a wonderful shabby frame.

Frame in the staining process

Painted (weathered) Frame

When I finally get around to finishing just one project, before jumping to the next, I'll be one happy camper.  Right now, I've got so many ideas floating around my head, I can't seemed to stay focused on one thing for too long.  Now I'm off to paint a bathroom shelf and play with 30 feet of rope.  Oh, the fun!!  "Chris!!!  Get the drill....I've got another project!!"