It’s that time of year to get ready for summer ! I have already been working in my gardens but now it is time to tackle the patio. It needs a good clean and a pop of color. Let’s see what I did! The first part of the cleanup was the windows that look over the patio. They had collected a lot of dirt over the fall and winter months. I used vinegar and water and microfiber cloths . A friend told me about the microfiber cloths. They do an amazing job! Nothing like clean windows! Our wrought iron table and chairs also took a beating over the winter and needed repainting. Using a wire brush, my husband smoothed out any rough edges and loose paint before spraying. Then he used RUST-OLEUM flat black to spray paint them. We always use RUST-Oleum on our outdoor projects. It goes on easy and wears well. The patio set after painting. It looks brand new ! Ready to pressure wash the patio. I was smart this time and wore boots. The last time I used a pressure washer my feet got soaked. Once you get everything set up it is fairly easy to use. What a difference! We went to Wayside Garden Center in Macedon, NY, to pick out flowers for the two large urns on the patio. Originally, I was going to buy individual flowers and create my own design, but quickly changed my mind when I saw the hanging baskets. It was the same price as buying individual plants, and they were already mature, so it was a no-brainer. When I got home, I removed the pot and plopped it right into the urns on the patio. Easy-peasy! I also picked up two ferns to add to the mix . Here is the finished patio. The best thing is I only had to purchase flowers and plants. The rest I just shined up! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

I was planning on writing about my cottage garden in my blog this week, but heavy rain kept me indoors last week. Not a bother though. I just chose one of the many projects that are bouncing around in my head. In this case, an accent wall in our family room. I have done accent walls in the past only to have an uneven transition between the two colors. I was able to fix it, but it took many do overs until I got the sharpness I was looking for. To avoid having to redo the wall, I used a technique I saw on You Tube on how to create a the perfect edge. Let’s see how the technique worked: This is the wall in question. I like the color in the room, but I always felt like the couch and lamps disappeared against it. I chose Ottertail from Behr. It is a complimentary color to Doeskin also by Behr which is already on the other walls in the family room. I taped off the baseboard and crown molding. Then I abutted the tape between the two walls. This part is key to using the technique I spoke of. Once the tape was on, I applied the paint color that is already on the wall (Doeskin) to the edge of the tape to create a seal. I was skeptical but had nothing to lose at this point, so I started painting. As I was painting, I saw the couch and lamps started to pop against the color. Done! All that’s left is to pull off the tape (fingers crossed). I would say painting over the tape was a successful technique! No do overs needed! I never would have thought an accent wall would make such a difference. It not only draws your eye in it also makes the room look bigger. The couch and lamps definitely don’t disappear into the wall now. Love the change! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

For over a decade, I've been refinishing furniture and sharing my projects on "ImpulsivelyCreative.com". Limited by space, I've worked on small projects in my office and dining room, or outdoors weather permitting. Now, my husband and I are converting the garage into a year-round workspace to accommodate my growing workload and desire for a dedicated office, freeing up the dining room. The first thing we had to do was rent a POD to store everything that was in the garage. I thought it was too big, but it was barely big enough for what we needed. We will definitely be reorganizing and purging before everything goes back in the garage. I forgot to get a picture of the empty space, so I took a quick picture before the framers got started . The electrician surprised us with two options: breaking through the drywall ceiling or burying the wires in the ground in front of the house. We chose the latter, which proved to be a better alternative to than opening up the ceiling. We are electrified! Then the inspector came and required insulation to be buried outside of the exterior walls to help keep the heating/cooling from leaking out of the concrete slab floor. This meant cutting the driveway across the front of the garage and digging up our plants on the outside wall. This time the plants had to be removed. I left my Hydrangea bush but tucked it into a box for protection. Insulation is done on walls and ceiling. After it is all inspected and approved, then comes the drywall! Look for Part Two coming soon! I hope... If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

I never thought I would be a “real” gardener. I thought I would have bushes, pots on the front stoop, and maybe some flowers for curb appeal. But here I am with three good-sized gardens (at least that’s what I would call them): one is 22′ x 20′, another is 25′ x 8′, and the third is 23′ x 7′. I have to admit I am enjoying myself. It is hard work, but I like digging in the dirt, breaking a sweat, and feeling tired in a good way at the end of the day. As a plant novice, I'm learning to care for them properly by considering factors like height, watering, sunlight, feeding, and maintenance. To keep track of everything, I'm creating a plant map and journal for my gardens. The map is essential for me because I can never remember what is planted and where, so I have to wait until they start to grow to figure it out. I am hoping the journal will make me a better gardener by recording what works and what does not. It will also give me something to look back on to see my progress and prevent me from creating yet another garden when I look back at how hard I worked on the other three. Front Garden Map Cottage Garden Map Back Garden Map (AKA Mom-Siegel's Garden). I ordered this journal from Amazon. With this journal and my garden maps it should help me learn how to become a better gardener. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.

Our garage conversion is finally finished. It took longer than expected but was worth the wait. Let’s see how it looks! In order to be able to work in the garage year-round. The garage was insulated, dry walled and heat and air condition were added. One thing I asked for is to have the bottoms of the trusses in the garage to be left visible. I wanted them to look like beams across the ceiling. They said not an issue and actually thought it ended up looking pretty cool. While construction was going on, I painted the breakfront from my office and two shelves I got from Good Will to get them ready for the space. I picked a beautiful shade of blue to compliment the paint color in the garage. I also painted the cabinets we already had in the garage black. It looks fantastic! To finish it off we found a worktable on Facebook Marketplace and two stools at Good Will . The finished product. Everything really works well together. Look at my beams in the ceiling! I can’t wait to do my first project here . Now that I have new physical space to work in, it is time to redo this digital space also. On December 8th, the creative process of redesigning my website will kick into high gear and “construction” will begin. The build out will take place and continue through the holidays and the month of January. I am so excited to share my new site with you in 2024. Be on the lookout for the announcement ! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like' and subscribe to receive new post as they are created.

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree…. Yes, I am thinking about Christmas already. Especially after seeing the new Christmas Tree Mould from Iron Orchid Design. I used mine to create Christmas plaques that you can hang on the wall or put on a stand. When I started this project, I had no idea how much fun! Let me show you what I mean: This is the Iron Orchid Design O' Christmas Tree Mould, look at the incredible detailing! To create a backdrop for the design I had in mind, I used snow-themed wrapping paper that fit the wintry mood I was looking for. I attached the paper with glue (all products used will be listed at the end of this post). Once it was dry, I removed any excess paper with a sanding brick. Next, I poured resin into the mold and waited for it to turn white (which means it is set). I then popped it out, painted it white, and glued it to the plaque. To finish it off, I added pearl-like beads as ornaments, a cute ribbon stand, delicate snowflakes in the background, and a Christmas sign above. For my next project, I wanted the tree to look like it was sitting in a room. I had an idea of how to achieve the look using one-point perspective, but I needed a refresher on how to do it. I knew just the person to ask: the very talented art teacher, Kristie, that I work with. She was more than happy to help and proceeded to give me a brush-up course on one-point perspective. She even mapped it out on a piece of paper. After thanking her, I took the drawing and what she showed me and set off to start the next plaque. I used the map (left) that Kristie mapped out for me and applied it to the wooden plaque (right). With the guidelines in place, I was ready to begin. For the next two trees I repeated the same process as the first plaque, but this time I incorporated the use of one-point perspective. In the first tree (above top) I painted the walls to make it look like they were moving toward the tree creating the illusion that the tree is in the background. To increase the feeling of depth even more, I opted for a checkered floor pattern with larger tiles at the front and smaller tiles at the back. The design of the floor made me think of the '50s. To continue that theme, I added pink and blue decorations. In the second tree (above bottom), I stained the plaque to make it look like a wood floor and painted a ceiling, both of which I used one-point perspective on. I chose wallpaper that is used in dollhouses for the walls. To give it a tradition feel I painted the tree green. Then added tiny red balls as ornaments, foliage on the top, cardboard painted green for the stand, and lastly tinsel that like when I was a kid got all over. I think it would be fun to give these plaques gifts. It doesn't have to be just Christmas it can be any holiday or occasion that is special. If you like this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new post as they are created. Products used: Wooden Plaque Iron Orchid Design Mould Decorative Pieces For Tree

A few years ago, I discovered an image of a Mora Clock and instantly fell in love with it. The clock gets its name from the Swedish town of Mora, which faced a period of drought in the late 1800s, causing the residents to migrate to Stockholm to acquire new skills, including clockmaking. I was drawn to its unique shape, charming patina, and overall quirkiness. Upon researching the pricing of tall Mora Clocks, I found them to range from $3,000 to $12,000. I even looked at a similar piece the Katerina Floor Clock from Ballard Designs.com, priced at $2,999.00. Realizing I couldn't afford an authentic clock or even a reproduction, I decided to store this want in the back of my mind, hoping to stumble upon an alternative that could be transformed to resemble the clock of my dreams. Below are examples of what a Mora Clock looks like: The one on the right is an authentic Mora clock, and the one on the left is the reproduction Katerina Clock from Ballard Designs. You will not believe where I found something to transform into a Mora clock lookalike. "Good Will" is where I found the perfect item (pictured below). I know, I know, my husband had the same reaction. He kept asking me if I really wanted it, and I said yes, yes, yes. I didn’t like the color or the painted flowers, and it was short, but I could see the possibility. Like when Linus picks the sad little tree in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and says that all it needs is a little love, I bought this clock with the potential spinning in my head. All it needed was a little love!   The clock had some really nice features like the round face, the moldings, and the detailing, but none of it would matter if I couldn’t increase the height of the clock (which came in at 3 feet one inch). We were able to make a pedestal to increase the height to a whooping five feet and one inch. With the clock now looking like an adult clock and not a child's clock we were ready for the next step. Before getting started, I thoroughly cleaned it. I went with a gray base coat to make sure the painted flowers wouldn't show through, all the while hoping that painting it a single color would give the appearance of a one piece and not a small clock on top of a pedestal. I was thrilled to see that after the initial coat, it appeared as one cohesive unit. Hooray! After it dried, I applied a second coat.   I the final coat I chose Annie Sloan Aubusson Chalk Paint. Using water to thin it out, I gave it two coats, letting the first one dry before applying the second. I didn't paint the trim because I want it to be a different color. I used Waverly Chalk Paint in Moss for the trim color. To give it a more aged look, I used a chip brush to apply Annie Sloan COCO Chalk Paint, then spritzed it with water and wiped it with a lint free cloth rag. I repeated this process until I achieved the desired look. After it was dry, I sealed it with Annie Sloan clear wax then went in with Waverly Antiquing wax in areas that would naturally age more, such as around the trim, clock face, handle, etc. I used my acrylic paints to cover the flowers on the face of the clock, then replaced the broken mechanism with a new one. I found the perfect place for my clock. It is right between the transition from the family room to the kitchen, and it is the first thing you see as you enter our house. It’s funny, as I was looking at this picture, I noticed a full circle moment: the drapes in the background are Isabella drapery from Ballard Designs. I may not have the Katerina Clock from Ballard Design, but I have their beautiful drapery that goes perfectly with my clock. If you enjoyed the post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Below are links to products used: Annie Sloan Aubusson Blue Chalk Paint Annie Sloan Clear Wax Waverly Antiquing Wax

I have been looking for a bar cart for our patio, but the cost really surprised me. The prices range anywhere from $200-$600 even on Facebook Marketplace. With this realization, the bar cart was moved way down on the list of priorities. Having already put the idea of a bar cart out of my head, one day, I passed right by one in my neighbor’s trash. Needless to say, once I realized what I saw, I did a U-turn and snapped it right up. It was not the prettiest thing, but it had potential.   I began by giving it a thorough cleaning, then using steel wool, I removed any loose paint. There were some imperfections, so I chose a matte black primer paint. The matte finish will help mask the nicks and dings. The warped shelves were beyond repair, so I swapped them out with circular wooden discs measuring 17.9" in diameter. I then applied a whitewash finish to create the perfect background for the black and white transfer I had chosen, which had a floral pattern that seemed fitting for an outdoor bar cart. Using the tool that comes with the transfer, I rubbed over the surface until it released. The transfer starts to look dull when it releases. If you're not sure, you can lift it up a little to see the progress. The transfer comes in sections with a grid pattern which makes it easier to line up. While I was putting on the transfer, I decided I only wanted the flowers and no words, so I painted over them with white paint.   After pressing the transfer on the top and bottom for what seemed like hours, my hand was raw. Ouch! The finished piece! Drinks, anyone? We are looking forward to using it this summer! If you liked this post, please leave a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products Used: Rust-Oleum Primer and Paint Black Matte Iron Orchid Design Astoria Foliage 15" Unfinished Wooden Circle Plaque by Make Market® | Michaels Micheal's-15" Wooden Circle Plaque

Since I'm not the neatest painter, my paint cans end up looking less than tidy, so I was in desperate need of a cabinet to conceal the mess. Although I had a cabinet that was the right size, it had glass doors, which defeated the purpose of hiding my messy cans. After some research, I discovered that decoupaging over glass was a possibility. I was a bit apprehensive at first, imagining myself having to use a razor blade to remove the paper, but since I didn't want to buy another cabinet, I decided to give it a try. This is the cabinet I was talking about. It is great, but everything is visible on the inside. The first step was painting the entire piece, including the glass, with primer (all products used will be listed at the end of the post). It not only created a smooth surface for the decoupage to adhere to but will prevent the decoupage over the glass from having a different tone than the rest of the piece. This decoupage paper is fantastic. The colors and brightness are perfect for holding my chalk paint. To start, I spread wallpaper adhesive on the surface and then placed the decoupage paper over it. Working from the top down, I used a large chip brush to smooth out any wrinkles and gently press the paper into the crevices. A helpful tip is to apply the wallpaper paste sparingly and work in small sections; I tore the paper a few times because it was too saturated. Not to worry, though. I bought a smaller version of the same decoupage paper and used it to fix the tears. I simply cut out matching pieces, decoupaged them on, and you wouldn't have known the rips were ever there. It took quite a while to finish, but I like the end product. As you can see, it does cover the entire piece. To remedy this, I gathered all my tools: chalk paint, acrylic paints, various brushes, and a picture of the decoupage paper to reference. Using these tools, I am going to attempt to extend the decoupage design further onto the cabinet. Wish me luck!    To begin, I added paint to the base of the vase. After completing this step, I proceeded to mix my paints to match the colors in the decoupage paper. It's important to make enough of the color mixture at once, as trying to recreate it can be difficult. To blend the colors, I used a brush and ragging technique.   I knew I needed to keep going, so I chose a chalk paint color and went for it!  I used a spray bottle with water to thin out the paint, stepping back and adding more color where it was needed. To give it a three-dimensional look, I cut pieces of the smaller replica decoupage paper and added it to the composition. I wanted it to look like flowers had fallen from the bouquet. I continued on the bottom until I was satisfied then started adding color to the top. I color matched what was on the paper and brought it upward. This continued for hours I finally had to get up shut the door and walk away. After a few days, I came back and finished the piece. It was not as difficult as I thought it would be but very time-consuming. When (not if) I do this again, I will have to pace myself. Yeah, right! Who am I kidding? If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products used: Mint By Michelle Karen's Technicolor Bouquet Annie Sloan Giverny Chalk Paint Annie Sloan Antibes Green Chalk Paint Annie Sloan English Yellow Chalk Paint Craft Smart Acrylic Paint

I am in desperate need of a filing system. I have papers that are currently being stored in a plastic bag (no judging, please). It is annoying when I am trying to find something, and it takes twice as long as it would have if it were neatly filed away. I decided it was time to get a filing cabinet and get organized!  I started looking around for wooden stylish cabinets, but they were too pricey which left me with metal filing cabinets. Even metal filing cabinets like the one above was priced at $400. I don't even like metal filing cabinets they are tinny sounding and usually come in either beige, gray or black. However, the decision was made when I found a metal filing cabinet at Good Will. It was a mess on the outside, but the drawers were intact and worked well, and the cost was just $2. My thoughts were, for $2, I could try to make it a little more appealing, and if it didn’t work, it was only $2. As I stated above, the outside of the cabinet had seen better days, with rust, a dark substance, and stickers on the front of the drawers it was in need of a good cleaning. To tackle this problem, I used a cleaner containing bleach, as well as a rust and glue remover (a list of all products used will be provided at the end of the post). The first step was to remove the stickers in order to clean the rest of the cabinet. I applied the glue remover on top of each sticker and allowed it to sit. After a few minutes, I used a putty knife to easily remove them. Next, I dealt with the rust stains and dark substance; although it required some effort, I was able to remove those stains as well. Now that everything is clean, I wanted to try and do something about the drawer pulls. They were too industrial-looking for me. I decided to try filling them with a bonding agent. I glued a piece of wood inside the handle so I would not have to use so much of the agent. While I was at it, I removed the lock, placed a piece of cardboard on the back and then filled it with the bonding agent.   It worked like a charm. You could not even tell that the handle or lock had been there. Finally, I painted the entire cabinet with primer getting it prepped for what's up next. Be on the lookout for Metal Cabinet Transformation Part Two! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they a created. Products Used Goo Gone Adhesive Remover Soft Scrub With Bleach Bondo All Purpose Wood Putty