New skills and a little tour info
As some of you might remember from previous posts, I've been doing a little redecorating the last year or so, trying to bring back some of the charm of our old Victorian house. We've redone the roof, the foundation, and everything in between. We've found old bottles, grave markers, and a fax diamond ring. We discovered that there is no insulation in most of the exterior walls, (excuse me?!?) and that the chimney running through the bedroom is usable if we care to invest a few dollars.
I grew up comfortable with works in progress, but most of the big jobs here are out of my reach, not to mention having been so busy that even painting the walls has fallen to others. I've been able to pick out colors and styles like crazy and have learned the skill of power shopping, and am consistently recognized in the home improvement store as that "that couple that uses two carts", but I've missed the actual doing when it comes to the interior work.
The grand suite has been a sticking point with me. It's always been comfortable, but there were a few changes I wanted, and I wanted to make them myself, darn it. The door was out of my reach, and the new drywall on the leaky ceiling, but I could repaint the stupid thing. Finally last weekend, I was able to devote a little time, and thanks to some prep work two weeks previous concerning picking out colors and patterns, I announced to Guy early Sunday morning that I needed his help moving the bed because I was going to wallpaper one wall in our room. (One wall, and only one wall, never the entire room. That's all I wanted. The rest gets a new coat of paint Thanksgiving weekend.) Knowing that I've never wallpapered anything, he nevertheless helped me move the bed–and then wisely got out of the way. -grin- I didn't want any help. I get frustrated when people help me before I've had a chance to try it on my own first.
My, my, my, I had a good afternoon, let me tell you. The tiny slip of instructions that came with the rolls was very helpful once I found my bifocals, and the claw foot tube was a much better choice for soaking and folding the paper than that ridiculous tray I had bought. With the plumb line and level to get me started, (and lucking out by starting in the right direction) the first strip went up in a mess, instigating a reassessment of how to do this and quick run through the house to get a second towel. The second one, though, was easy, and by the fourth paper, I felt like a pro, whipping out that stiff-bristled brush and smoothing lines without squashing out any of the paste. (big smile) So now I can add wallpaper to my deck of home improvement skills. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable papering around lots of windows or doors, but big blank walls? I can do that!
PS The picture of the orchids has absolutely no meaning to the above post, but I've got a mess of blooms starting, and I can't wait until they pop. I'm thinking . . . Feb? Right when I'm on tour? sigh Also, I should have a lot of tour info soon. The Tour-T's are also ordered. We will have about 200 available for holiday shopping, and then more after the first of the year. I'll let you know once they are actually in my hand and we know how much to charge for them. Freebies are being prepped as well. More on that as I get them. And finally, because the PALE DEMON mass market is going to be out very soon, you can find fabulous discounts on the hardcover right now. Happy Hunting!
