Extreme Home Makeover - Parent's Bath #2

Wow!
That about sums up the progress (and stress) of my parents bathroom addition.
Work started with a bang and seemed to progress so quickly, we all thought this bath may actually be done in about 2-3 weeks.  Done, fin, Finito.

NAHHH!!! Think again...

It really hasn't been bad.  But between my hubby and brother in law and a friend, each has lives outside of the potty room, and progress has slowed to a snails pace.  My parents are not very happy about living in the "moment" in a home mid-construction (and they are very verbal about that).  They are also a bit ReSiStaNT to change as we are finding out.  Mostly about that dreaded brown 70's paneling. Mostly my Mom... Dad doesn't seem to care about wall color, fixtures, etc... go figure?!?

But slow progress is still progress...  The outter wall is up with the exterior dry wall in place.  The door has been framed but is not in yet.  Yes, the horrid wallpaper is still visible, but look at that floor!  The new bathtub has been placed and the copper piping is there, half way up the wall.

Enter bathroom and look to the left... you will see the peek-a-boo wall into the kitchen.  This wall next to the tub is were a small 24 inch sink is going to live...

Enter and look to the right... and there is the pretty little potty!  Notice the beautiful brown panelled wall with a stripe of the paint color we picked out.  We chose "Pale Honey" from Behr at the good old DePot since Mom had told us she would like yellow.  Such a pretty color.  Long story short, my dear little Momma whom I love so much is so in love with her walls she told me I could not paint them.  So OOOPPSie Daisy... the paint brush kinda attacked.  (Don't worry, she didn't hit me & she wasn't all that mad considering  her wall now really needs to be painted).

The color is actually more of a pale yellow than the peachy reference from online.

Seriously now, I don't quite understand (well I do - a little bit) why my parents (or anyone for the matter) are so darn resistant to updating things.  I want to preserve a rustic ambiance there for her but throw in a little chic.  I am just hoping (and praying) that she is happy with everything once it gets finished.

The men will be working again this evening.  The plumbing is all but done.  I know the toilet is hooked to the sewer line, but not flushable yet.  The tub is set to drain but not hooked to water yet.  Keep ya fingers (or knees) crossed that at least one potty project becomes flushable tonight!

Guess You Can't Win 'Em All

When I received my new Ballard Design Catalog in the mail last week, I was so inspired!

Fast Forward Halloween and even Thanksgiving to the bestest ever Holiday...EvER!

Christmas.

There isn't much I don't love love love about the Holiday (perhaps all the money that flies out the window kinda stinks) but everything else is wondrous and magical.

Decorating for the Holiday is always fun.  We are a bit traditional as far as our decor goes.  My husbands grandmother passed on soon after Jim and I were married but we inherited a good deal of hand made ornaments crafted by her hands.  I admit, when we first received them I was not all that thrilled (sorry family) because a new young girl on her own (me-kim the crafter) wanted non traditional, non hand made, new stuff for my first tree.  Believe me when I tell you that they have grown on me and I cherish them each year as we place them on the tree.  We also add a little something new each year as our tastes change.  I've done a blue and silver 'area' in my home, purple and silver another year. themed decor like all Santa or Snowmen, but the tried and true deep red and green seem to stick! 

That said, after drooling over browsing the catalog I  have a feeling Christmas may be a bit WiLD this year especially with all of the great animal print inspired decor!  Okay, Okay... just a little bit not full on Jungle Christmas.

{both images via}

Hooray for me, I had just bought an animal print sheet set last week for just $9 (I just knew they would come in handy for something dandy).  Cheetah/leopard type print.  Well, after browsing, I right away thought about making us all coordinating stockings with drop cloth canvas and some animal print.

Easy Peasy!  I set out making my (own) pattern, cut and started to sew the first stocking.  I was amazed and so proud of myself... it was progressing so quickly.

As I turned them right side out and proceeded to fold the cuff down, I realized that something had gone quite wrong!

Bottom of stocking, fine... cuff, inside out!  Hey I told ya all way way back here that I was not a pro sewer,  I kinda just go for it and work it all out.  I know if I used a pattern I might relieve some of my self induced headaches, but that would be too easy, right? 

Christmas is not tomorrow,  it isn't even next week so I know I have time to figure it out.  As frustrating as it is, the words I constantly tell my kids have come back to haunt me... "Guess you can't Win 'em all".

I you have some words of encouragement or a link to a quick tute, I'd love to have you leave me a message in the comments.  If you visit me often, I just want to thank you... If you are new here and like this post, consider following along.  Go ahead, hit that follow button if you dare and leave me a comment so I can follow you back!

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