New Life for an Old Treasure

This footstool was a housewarming gift from my Mom when I first moved out on my own.  I have had it all this time and always found a nice spot for it in each place I have lived. 

Now that I have my house... I thought it was time to breath new life into this treasure.

BEFORE:

This adorable fabric really had matched a lot of my places and decor. 

Light, airy, and worn by cat scratches (yes, at one point I had cats)

One of my favorite things about this little footstool is that the top opens up to a little hiding nook. 

I have always kept little treasures stashed away in there!  It now holds my color pencils, crayons, and crochet hooks!

I took the wee little hinges off the top and started to remove the fabric staple by staple.

MAGIC OF FABRIC:

Once I had the old fabric off it was just a matter of deciding in what orientation I wanted to use the new pattern and then cutting the new fabric to size.

Here it is ready for stapling!

AFTER:

And voila!  It's like a new little piece of art.  And it really fits the more modern and playful look I have going in my art spot!

Here's a peak at that nook!

Fancy crayons, sketching pencils, art books, web-cam, and I store crochet hooks in that re-used Japanese gummy tube (such a green re-use and it still smells like strawberries!!!)

I will still do something with that empty piece of wood underneath.  I'm thinking of painting something, but not sure what yet.

Do you have an old piece you treasure that could use a little new life infused in it?

This pop of color and my blue pencil and crayon case are serving as my Midweek Blues entry hosted by Rebbeca over at The Dusty Cellar. 

I hope you will check out other cures for the Midweek Blues there!






I have also linked this post to Fabric Tuesday hosted by Fresh Poppy Design over at Quiltstory (my new found favorite blog as I dust off my quilting juices!) 

Also, be sure to look at what others are creating with fabrics!

That's a long run

Calling all runners.

I have been fond of running for as long as I can remember. I 've run for distance, speed, and just plain 'ole fun.  I have done 24 hour team marathons, 5k's, sprinting, and cross country.

This is my very own stinky running shoe.

Why am I sharing all this?  Well, I'm back on the running horse! 

Last year collectively was probably the most stressful year yet.  We were house hunting, packing, moving, trying to figure out careers, being first year newlyweds, trying to make descisions about masters degrees, entering art shows, spending time with family, and that didn't leave a lot of time for much else.

This year is already a much different story! 

I live in the happy dream castle, stress is at an all time low, I'm feeling more healthy (as we are eating better), and Mr. Happy and I keep finding new ways to enjoy mega simple things.  It's heaven!  And in my heaven, I run!

A friend of mine asked if I wanted to train for a half marathon.  First reaction.  That's a long run.  Second reaction.  If I did that, I'd be in really good shape.  Third reaction.  I'd really like to prove to myself that I could do something that seems that... well... hard.  Fourth reaction.  Let's do it!  So, I am officially training for a half marathon coming up in March 2011 --t-minus 11 months to go. (I still have mega fears about the amount of snow that will be on the ground that time of year and how cold it will be, but one step at a time, right?)

A new goal, meant I could buy a motivator.  I had some Kohls cash and decided to splurge it on some new running gear.  I was specifically looking for water wicking stuff and a fitted sweatshirt I could use to kill the "it's too cold" excuse I muster up all too often.  Here's a look at me in my new motivators!! 

Oh ya!  So styling.  So comfortable.  So ready to get my butt kicked!

Here is what Day 1, pre run looked like.  I'm smiling.  I'm excited.  I'm ready~

My running partner extraordinaire was ready too.  One of the big factors of picking out a goldie was the fact that it would give me a running partner.  I was sure to follow my vets tips on how long to wait to begin training with her and how to ramp her up.  Now that she is nearly turning three -- she is prime!  She knows the deal of how to stay with me and follow my pace.  She knows that a run means more moving and less sniffing.  And she just flat out loves to run!  I think I actually need to teach her jogging now.  She really has speed!

See what I mean.  She saw my gear.. and most importantly my running shoes come out.  Then I said the magic word.... RUN!?!!?

Day 1 felt good.  I used MapMyRun and it looks like we went about 1 mile -- not including the bit that we played around on the lake beach.  Yesterday was a day of rest.  Today, I can feel those oh so familiar muscles meant for running screaming soreness.  Also, screaming happy endorphins!!

I also decided to let the competitive side of me help keep me consistant.  So, I have signed up to Run/Walk a Marathon in 30 days.  A marathon is 26.2 miles.  I decided I'm starting it today.  No time like the present!

What exercise or moving do you use to keep you happy?

I think I can sneak my sneaker in as a Mid Week Blues entry.  Hosted by the lovely Rebecca at the Dusty Cellar, click over there to see all the other cool entries too!  (sneaky of me, right?)

Kiss me, hug me

I got this little figurine while I was in Amsterdam with Mr. Happy.  It always reminds me of the wonderful memories of the trip! 

It was one of those trips where you travel a long time to get where you going.  When you get there you sleep really well.  You eat really well.  And you like it so much that you try and brainstorm ways that you never have to leave. 

Can you picture the two of us at a brown cafe over Heinekens or Amstels trying to figure out how we can maybe purchase a flat or boat house?  We talked about the kind of work we could do and even how we would get Katie sent over.

The trip also reminds me how crazy in love we are!  Before Mr. Happy came into my life, I was hard pressed to find someone else who dreams the same dreams or who would entertain my crazy ideas and find some wisp of viability in them to build on. 

Mr. Happy proposed to me in Amsterdam!  It's where we became a real family.  It's where we shared our fears and excitement about our future together.  It's where I learned how much I needed this man in my life.

I know what you're thinking.  This little statue really makes you think of all these things?

Yup!

It sure does!

Happiness is cherishing the ones around you and telling them how incredible they make you feel!  Kiss and hug someone you love (or even kinda like) today!

This is also my entry into this week's Midweek Blues hosted by Rebecca at The Dusty Cellar

Midweek Blues - while the power was out

Jientje, over at Heaven is in Belgium has been participating in a photo meme called "Midweek Blues."  Each time I see her blue photo's I melt a little.  Just take a look at this one here it's one my favorites! 

I think I have a weakness for blues at the moment as I think about how I will incorporate blues into my kitchen.  The same kitchen that has a deep wine colored floor.

"Midweek Blues" is hosted by Rebecca at The Dusty Cellar.  And talk about melting... you should see some of her blue shots from flowers to pottery and books to skies (their is a surprise ending to this post that is a must see)!!  (Plus her doggies are adorable!!)

So, while the power was out this past weekend I did have a little bit of juice in the camera and all that time free of ironing, tv, and chores left me with the perfect excuse to play with some natural light and things that are blue.


No power means no heat, so Mr. Happy and I spent a bunch of time bringing wood in from the wood pile.  The wood pile that is covered with a blue tarp.  I'm not sure that I have ever looked at the tarp before and said, "wow, that's a great blue"... but looking at it next to the snow and the brown of the wood seemed to  give it a whole new feeling.

I can't resist throwing in a "Katie Sniffing by the Wood Pile" snap either.  I can just hear her little nose working as her sense of curiosity had her searching for the culprit guilty of leaving cracked nuts near the tarp.  She looks hard at work, doesn't she?

My second blue snap is one of a vase that I adore.  I have been playing with ways to get blue and red to compliment each other.  I think it may be all about the tones of the colors.  But just look at this shot.  I'm not sure if it's the lighting, the tones of the colors, or the fact that I just love brick and this vase.  It makes me smile!

So, there you have it!  Blue!  Beautiful blue!  You can bet that I will be on the look out for more blue as I go about my happy week!