Amazing

This has been a long process. The only thing left to do is find some area rugs and something to hang over the mantel.
Check out the transformation:







I'm so happy with the results. Now to the next project.....

It Will Be Worth It

For the last two weeks, this is what life in my house has been like:
Removing carpet
Sweeping up all the sand/dirt that worked its way through the carpet these last 15 years (Why did I even vacuum?)
Removing all the nails
Moving furniture and way too much stuff out of two rooms.
We are in the process of having our living room and dining room floors refinished. So far, they have been sanded and two coats applied to the floors.
Before
After two coats
I'm loving it even if it does smell. By Thursday evening, we'll be moving back the furniture. Oh, joy!

So Long, Matlock

Monday I say goodbye, so long, see ya later gator to Matlock and hello to another year of middle school. Why goodbye to Matlock? Well, over summer break, I absolutely love to take a catnap while Matlock is on TV. There haven't been too many days where I wasn't able to do this. I do not know why I love Matlock. I know I have seen each episode a dozen times or more. It is just something about this program. Maybe it is his southern charm.

The summer has past quickly but I am actually looking forward to seeing all the young people at school and all my buddies. I haven't knitted much at all but have done some sewing this summer. Besides the potholders, towels, pin cushions and tissue holders I posted on an earlier post, I have also sewn:

Window toppers:


Pillows:

The pillows were made for the purpose of trying to find a way to save some of my mother's needlework. She had made about 12 panels each with a different design of French knots. I recall her saying many, many years ago, that she wanted to make a quilt. As I was cleaning out a closet, I came across these panels. Apparently, while cleaning out her house after she died, I had stuffed them into a back closet. My thoughts in making the pillows is to make one for each of her grandchildren, daughter-in-laws and myself. Don't know if her grandkids will appreciate it or not.

Another project I worked on this summer is getting photos organized. For whatever reason, when my grandparents died and then my parents died, I inherited a ton of photos. (Who am I kidding...I got all the photos because I am the only girl in my family! Three brothers - zero sisters)
Photos of my childhood,


photos of my parents' childhood,


photos of my parents as young adults before they were married,


photos of great grandparents known and not known,


photos of relatives I never knew nor ever met,


photos of forgotten memories.


It hasn't been an easy task nor have I completed this task, but it has been a wonderful way to reflect on the journeys of my great grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and to see how God's hands, love and grace has played out in my family and my life.