Projects I have been working on...

Thank you for joining me today. I wanted to update you on how things are going in my life. What has been on my mind, my table and in my hands to read. This summer has gone by so quickly and I have done some major changing over that past few months. I have been taking charge of my own mental health in very positive ways. I started seeing a therapist and that has really begun to help me feel and become a much happier and healthier person.  I have learned so much about myself so far and I am looking forward to continuing on this path. One of the things that has been missing from my life for a while now is creativity. Something I thrive on, something I need and something my ADHD mind craves. I had been denying it, and stifflening it. With the help of my therapist and some amazing friends, I have some truly great projects to report on that I have started, continue to do and am really proud of.

The biggest project I have taken on in years is my bench project. I had a friend move away this summer and she left me her Victorian Bench ends she purchased in England and did not have time to make nor space to take with her. So for several weeks I worked with friends on this bench, sanding the cast iron ends, priming and repainting them, selecting wood, staining and with the help of some very good friends, cutting and putting the bench together. I am almost done with this project too. We have two more boards to stain, cut and drill, then I will be bringing my bench home. My dear friends Jen and Mike have allowed me the space to explore, build and work on my project and with their guiding hands and the help of friends I have seen this project come to life.

I am also into painting and creating new pieces from old, such as painting  this chair, covering it with fabric I have had for years, waiting to have the right moment to use it. This project is slightly on going as well as I need to finish painting and sewing a throw pillow as well. My dear BFF Angela and I recovered the seat last week. 

Painting projects are piling up here, with the side of the road find of the perfect dresser for my room. I will be painting this one in the coming weeks and I am thrilled with this find, I have washed and sanded it and await the right moment to paint it with some lovely grey and blue paint colors I found.

Sunday's Craigslist free find!

Completed project, I even sent this image to the lady who I got the cabinet from and she responded with "Okay how much to you want for it, I want it back!" I told her sorry it's not for sale!

My nieces from Montreal came this summer and stayed with me for a week. We put this puzzle together over that week and it was so hard for me, not being a patient crafter, I was amazed at the patience of my nieces but also my boys, and friends Anna and Spencer who all with the leadership of my niece Cadence turned 1000 pieces of cardboard into this amazing work of art. I managed to modge podge, fame and hang it in a place of honor a few weeks back. I am truly impressed each time I see it.

I also began painting again, at the encouragement of a true friend, I have rediscovered a love of painting. Small dollar store canvas are quickly transformed into calming pieces of art that I truly enjoy. Painting at the beach is such a wonderful and freeing experience.

Painting for me has been the most satisfying, painting from memory, photos, or just letting the brush guide me has truly helped my creative mind.

I even have tried my hand at watercolor, a very different experience for me.

Do not worry I have been reading too, but not as fast or voraciously as I have. I just finished Bailey Cattrell's Marigolds For Malice, will share the review shortly. I have also continued my passion for collecting teacups and using them.

I even took my sewing machine out and finished projects that have been waiting for me for more than two years. I made Halloween themed throw pillows that make me smile!

Creating a new reading space undercover for myself, now that the tea tent is closed for the season...

That is pretty much my project update...

Today is the 8th year anniversary of my mother's death. It was sudden and shocking to me at the time, still is to me today. My mother was only 56. Many things have happened since her passing and today I want to remember her and celebrate her memory. Yesterday I was with my 10 year old son and we were walking to the Indigo books to get his book he ordered and he said out loud with a large sigh "This is my favorite store" I turned to him and said "That would make your Nanna very proud", normally I would have let that moment pass but I didn't I embraced it, and it felt good. Not sad, good.

Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a look at what I have been working on while not blogging, I promise to share more and as regularly as I can. A new month, a new job and a new outlook, pretty much working on improving me.
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com