How An Ugly Little Table Renewed Me

 

My husband and I went to the Habitat Restore to do a little browsing. Hubby bought this homely little table and said now go paint on this. Normally this would not be a big deal but.....

I started decorative painting in '92. Oh I dabbled in painting when I was younger, my father is an incredible artist and I am by no means as talented but I enjoyed it.  My family and friends are wonderful and my biggest fans, they would say what I painted was beautiful even if it wasn't. I love them for that!! I painted up to about 3 years ago.

 A neighbor  lady down the street asked to see the things I painted, she was a mural artist with her own business and I was hoping she could  help and give me constructive criticism, what I got was,"Oh no one buys that type of painted stuff anymore!" Well I laughed and said I do it because I enjoy it. This rolled off my back like water off a duck. Or so I thought. Slowly I painted less and less. I had a bunch of excuses,
can't find anything worth painting, don't have enough time and my time can be better spent... etc.
The other day I was watching a motivational speaker on TV and I had, as Oprah says, an AH HA moment.
Rolled off my back!!!  NO IT DID NOT! I thought it had but it didn't. I let a women I hardly knew steal my joy! That comment all but stopped me from doing something I loved to do. I can not believe that one negative comment did that.  I am ashamed to admit that she had that much influence on me but I was in awe of her work. I have made a promise to myself that I will watch what I say to people. Not that I would EVER say to someone what was said to me, I wouldn't. We must all realize that words do hurt and may change someones course in life. If I change anyones direction, I want it to be for the better. I want to help and mentor and give them all the encouragement that I am able. Sure wish someone that I had looked up to had done that for Me!

So.. I picked up this little guy and I sanded and I primed....

.......and I painted.

 

 Ya know, it felt pretty good. I still have a long long way to go, this time with a renewed sense of why I paint! Because I want to and I like it and from now on I am going to enjoy this journey.

I am linking to:
 missmustardseed.com,
theshabbycreekcottage.com,
romantichome.blogspot.com

Paper Bag Bathroom Redo

This is how our guest bathroom looks now.
I originally put venetian plaster on the walls of this bathroom
and I did like it but it was very stark.
The plaster is still on all the walls except the wall you see when you enter.
This is done completely with brown paper grocery bags
torn into small pieces and attached to the wall with wallpaper paste.
You can seal it if you like, I did not because I prefer easy removal.
I also painted the ceiling gold. I love the warm glow it gives the bathroom.

A new towel rod and toilet paper holder.

Cabinet was painted.

Builders mirror replaced with one with a frame.

I have a project in mind for this space.
 I will share on a later post.

This is the way the bathroom looked  before cosmetic surgery.

Yeah, this was before teal was cool.
 I was ahead of my time.
LOL

 

I still kind of miss this look.
Until next time!!