My mom arrives in Virginia in less than two weeks. I've not seen her in over two years, and to say I'm excited is putting it mildly. To be honest, I'm so anxious to see her and the rest of my family that I can barely think straight.
For the past five weeks I've been getting ready for our distinguished guests. In fact, I made a list... a plan of attack... a schedule, which included digging in, cleaning out, and a couple little room makeover projects. But as my husband likes to say, "Nothing is ever as easy as it seems." Once again, he was right, because my "little projects" turned into huge projects, and my plan of attack temporarily took a back seat while I recovered from an annual bout of bronchitis.
But I'm back on track! Yay! And regardless of whether or not everything gets done, my mom will soon arrive and she won't mind a bit if my closets are messy and my windows are dirty. Best of all, she will appreciate the little things that I have managed to accomplish, because more than anyone, she knows that when I take on a project that involves a sewing machine, I lose track of the hours and days and weeks.
I've named the latest project The Hugs and Kisses Project because the room was updated based upon a quilt I made especially for the makeover. What started out as John's childhood room (the place he slept before he found independence and decided to move down to the basement, which he has since taken over as his personal domain), has now become a second spare bedroom... not The Ritz, and nothing fancy, but a room for a single guest to find a bit of privacy and lay their head when we have a house full of people. Keeping in mind that the only time we have a house full of people is when my entire family comes for a visit, this room will probably be used most often by Alyssa's out of state college roommates who come home with her on three day weekends. Either way, I think the room will be used frequently, and so the time spent giving it a makeover was well worth the effort. Plus, it felt good to dig in and get rid of John's old toys and little boy treasures (things that weren't really treasures to begin with, i.e. rocks, comic books, broken pencils, and all sorts of odds and ends that had no place other than the trash can).
I began with the essentials: a color palette, two gallons of paint, a pile of fabric, and a sewing machine. The colors were chosen based upon the quilted wall-hanging that I planned to make. The bedding was purchased at Target for the low price of $39.99. Seriously, who can beat that price for bedding? I LOVE Target! The paint color was chosen not for the name (Cabbage Green???? Yuk!), but because it looked fresh and clean, and this little room was in dire need of something fresh and clean.
First, I made the curtains, then I painted the room... one coat... and then I got sick. So everything sat undone and messy for an entire week. When I got back on my feet, I finished painting the room and then sat down to the business of sewing the quilt. The quilt took an entire week and a total of 52 hours to create - which only goes to prove that my husband is right: nothing is ever as easy as it seems. But in the end, I have to say that making this quilt was one of the most challenging things I have ever sewn. And even though it will hang in a room that is used only on occasion, it was made with love, knowing that whomever stays in this room will always be an honored guest in our home. And for that reason alone, I am in love with this quilt.
Here is the end result of the room makeover. I've included before and after pictures, but the "before" is not really the true "before" because if I were to have taken pictures of the true "before" I would have had to explain why an entire room in my home was filled to overflowing with boxes of crap. And to be honest, I'd rather not have documentation of all that junk (which I gladly gave to the Goodwill). So the "before" picture is actually the "after" picture of what the room looked liked "after" I cleaned it out and "before" I painted and redecorated it...
Next on the agenda is digging out my scrapbook room because, like the unseen "before" pictures of John's childhood room, the scrapbook room is filled with boxes of... stuff (I won't say crap since *I* consider the stuff to be treasures, much like John considered his rocks and broken pencils to be treasures). The scrapbook room is low on the totem pole of rooms that will be used when my family visits, but I guarantee that if my mom or my sister were to see that room in its current state of being, I would never live it down and they would probably be shocked at my disregard for all those so-called treasures. Note that there will be NO SEWING involved in this next project, therefore, I anticipate the task to take one single day. I'll let you know how accurate that guesstimate turns out to be, because like Jeff so often reminds me: nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
OMGoodness, I looooooove the Hugs & Kisses room!!! The quilt and the bedding are perfect!! :)
Posted by: Amanda | November 07, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Well, girl how is John doing in his new found freedom. It's been about 6 weeks since you talked about his medical side of life. I am hoping things are going well.
Is your daughter getting ready for college now?
It's been awhile since I have visited. I am happy to hear your mom is arriving soon. Also I love your quilting. The colors are wonderful!!!
Later,
Callie
Posted by: Callie Ann | May 30, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Can I come stay in that little slice of sunshine?? The room looks great and I am so happy for you to get to spend some time with your family. I know you are going to be over the moon with joy. I haven't written lately because I know how busy you have been, but do expect an update soon. Love, Nancy
Posted by: Nancy G. | May 29, 2008 at 01:43 PM
I love the colors, the design and the words! It is truly wonderful!! I am always happy when you post something new. I need to go and clean. My twin girls graduate from HS on Sunday. The Open House is on Saturday and I have lots to do. Thanks for the inspiration :)
Posted by: Holly | May 29, 2008 at 12:20 PM
gorgeous room make over. I am always in awe of your sewing talent. I wish I could quilt it is a dream of mine to learn.
Posted by: Chiara | May 29, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Wow! Another beautiful and happy quilt. You've been a busy girl. These colors are so bright and fun. My whole house is a cluttered mess. You inspire me. Take care and enjoy your mom's visit.
Kim in Wilmington, NC
Posted by: Kim | May 28, 2008 at 08:15 PM
You are so darn talented, lady! That quilt is absolutely beautiful. That bedding matches perfectly! Your mom and family will just love it and know how hard you worked on it. So happy for you getting to see your family soon. :)
Love,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Stewart | May 28, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Happy to see you back. Believe it or not I've been looking forward to your mother's visit too. I know how much her coming means to you and I couldn't wait to read the joy and excitement in your writing and...here it is! Hope things are better for Alyssa and have fun with the rest of the prep for the big visit. Have fun!
Posted by: Donna | May 28, 2008 at 11:25 AM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the quilt!
when you get done with your scrap space, can you come do mine? LOL!
Posted by: slammie | May 28, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Looks awesome. Glad to see you posting again. Can't wait to see what you do to your scraproom.
Posted by: becky | May 27, 2008 at 06:28 PM
The room looks real nice. We just got back from our Alaskan Cruise, check your e-mail for pictures. We had a great time. Kelli has only three more weeks before she is home for the summer. It will be nice having her home again. Have to go..lots...lots of laundry to do. Randi
Posted by: Randi | May 27, 2008 at 05:24 PM