Thimbleanna » Pick a Topic, Any Topic

Pick a Topic, Any Topic

July 10, 2011 on 9:33 pm | In Around the House | 48 Comments

So, what shall we talk about today? We could talk about all the cool tools that they use when installing granite countertops.

Or, maybe all of MeMum’s beautiful summer flowers that are keeping the neighborhood bees happy.

We could maybe go into the finer points of wallpaper removal.

Or, you’d probably rather see my fancy razzmatazz coneflowers.

Or we could talk about how I’ve been painting trim and now I’m REALLY Honked Off about the new paint formulas that comply to the low voc (whatever that is) rules. It means the paint dries too fast and doesn’t have time to level out. The paint guy said they’ve had several complaints. I wish he could have told me that before I bought the paint. Buh-Bye pretty, smooth paint finish. Hello Bumpy paint. Thanks Congress.

Or we could talk about the new floor. No more concrete. Yipee! Another week and they’ll be done.

But, by now, you’re sick of all this renovation talk. You probably think I’ve forgotten about the Aurifil giveaway – but I haven’t. TheManoftheHouse Random Number Generator has performed again. This time he belted out magic number 73.

Lesley Moogsmum, Come On Down! Send me your address and I’ll get your goodies into the mail.

In the meantime, in my attempt to save you from the next few weeks of painting, cleaning, and putting this house back together I’m going to take a blog break for a few weeks. Hopefully I’ll be able to sneak in a little sewing somewhere in there too, before I explode! ;-)

XOXO,
Anna

48 Comments

The flowers look so nice, I cant wait for spring when ours will be out again (as long as I dont get hayfever again). It sounds like everything is very busy at your place so maybe a break will be the perfect idea!

Comment by sue — July 10, 2011 #
Lousy about the paint thing. My house has SEVERAL signature blobs and drips and streaks and smudges dried into the paint courtesy of Yours Truly. After a while, you don’t notice it … so much. :(

Comment by Kristyne — July 10, 2011 #
Oh, oh, oh. Pick me. Pick me. I want to talk about the finer points of wall paper removal. I’m really good at it. But just for the record, I’m glad you didn’t invite me over for a stripping party. You know…wallpaper stripping. Sheesh. What did you think I meant?

I’m looking forward to seeing the smashing results of this makeover, Anna.

Comment by Cassie — July 10, 2011 #
Oh, I feel your pain. I’m beginning to think I’ll never be done. I finished painting but now need to go back and fix all the dings that the flooring guys made, or that the furniture moving made, etc. Bah. I’m ready to have a house again.

Comment by kim — July 10, 2011 #
Looks like the end is in sight! Can’t wait to see the finished photos. Enjoy the blog break and don’t work too hard!

Comment by Lisa — July 10, 2011 #
I’m also excited to the finish photos!! Hang in there..you are on the home stretch. Love the flower photos and sorry about the paint thing. We will all miss you, but again excited to see the photos!

Comment by Cheryl — July 11, 2011 #
Come back soon!! Looking forward to the final reveal!!

Comment by frayedattheedge — July 11, 2011 #
Ugh, don;t talk to me about paint. It always ends up in my hair, no matter what I do. I think I must actually lean my head against the wall as I’m painting.

Enjoy your break!

Comment by dottycookie — July 11, 2011 #
Can’t wait to see everything finished Anna! I know it’s a difficult process but so worth it. Try to enjoy your blog time off and don’t work too hard. Painting always looks so easy when someone else is doing it,preparation is the worst part for me….

Comment by Shawn — July 11, 2011 #
Oh Anna – you’ve made my day!! I’m off sick with a tummy bug and not feeling great but all of a sudden I’m much much happier! Thank you and your lovely random number generator so much :o)

I don’t envy you all that painting and getting it all back together again but it’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished and you’ll be so glad it’s done. Your floor is going to be gorgeous!

xx

Comment by Lesley — July 11, 2011 #
Luck Lesley!! Congrats to the winner.

I’ve yet to post “finished” pictures of my kitchen revamp…because it-is-STILL being finished…ugh

Bet you will get there before me!

Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — July 11, 2011 #
Ask your paint guy about using a flattening agent in the paint. I have not done this but hear it works to help with getting a smooth finish. Good luck!

Comment by Chris Hart — July 11, 2011 #
What does that first gadget thingy do?

The ONLY way we got smooth trim/doors/etc was to hire a painter who sprayed the trim instead of brushing it.

Comment by Sarah — July 11, 2011 #
Anna,

My painter always add a product to his paint…always. It slows drying time and makes the paint go on smoother. Can’t remember the name of it but I’ll find out and e-mail you.

Comment by Bonnie — July 11, 2011 #
I forgot to say that I love your echinacea. I have never seen any like these before. They are wonderful. I just have “plain old” purple and white ones with a brown center. I’m covetous!

Comment by Bonnie — July 11, 2011 #
After you take down the wallpaper are you going to paint or put up new paper. If you paint, are you going to texture first? I have a bedroom and bathroom that I want to re-do and the wallpaper needs to go! It would be expensive to have someone come in and texture the walls so I’m trying to figure out an alternative. One blogger from the south said they don’t texture walls. What do they do there?

Have a fun week!

Comment by Jean — July 11, 2011 #
Congrats to Lesley! You have a grand time away from us and I love the picture journey you take us on. I don’t envy you the mess but it will be worth it!

Comment by Susan — July 11, 2011 #
whew….looks like you will be busy…and we will MISS you!!!! enjoy your break!!!!

Comment by deb — July 11, 2011 #
whew….looks like you will be busy…and we will MISS you!!!! enjoy your break!!!!

Comment by deb — July 11, 2011 #
Yep, I know what you mean. we haven’t done as much but new carpet in the bedroom and hall, wall paper down and new paint up in our room and said hallway. Today I am finally reloading the book cases and trying to decide if I want different placements for the pictures and wall art. But I am off in a few minutes to buy yards and yards of Kona solids. Got to finish up the pillows for my granddaughters nursery and load up an IBOL box too!

Comment by Mary ann — July 11, 2011 #
certainly know that “explode” feeling!
try to enjoy all the reno’s as we are fortunate to be able to do them!
all the best & happy cleaning up!!

Comment by linda noblog — July 11, 2011 #
ah man, painting’s hard enough without dealing with the paint drying too fast to get smooth coverage. I HATE painting. I’m lousy at it and now I have another reason to HATE painting. :(

Comment by ina — July 11, 2011 #
Flowers- gorgeous. Counter top- beautiful. Floors-will be stunning. Wallpaper removal- the pits. Paint- Great color, sorry it didn’t perform. If you’re like me, all you will see when your lovely kitchen is finished is that stinkin’ bumpy paint. Write to the company and send them a photo. Maybe they can offer you a solution which will probably include sanding. Lots of sanding. :( Make them come do it.
Have a nice blog break, Anna.

Comment by Karin — July 11, 2011 #
the echinacea in my yard are u.g.l.y. – your coneflowers are not … i was going for hardy and now i can’t get them to stop growing every. doggone. where. they. please.

i miss the green tile…

Comment by dianne — July 11, 2011 #
My goodness, I thought you were just laying around in a hammock w/ a good book enjoying summer. Not working so hard xoxox Clarice

Comment by clarice — July 11, 2011 #
Good luck with the kitchen put-back-together project. I hope you get some sewing timein there too.

Comment by Jen — July 11, 2011 #
We just had a kitchen and master bath reno. Bad painting was an issue for me. I thought it was the painter – so I fired him! Did it myself and it wasn’t bad, but not as smooth as I had hoped. Didn’t ever think that it could have been the paint. My father was a great painter – smooth as glass, and he loved his oil based paint for that very reason. Unfortunately he can’t do that kind of stuff anymore. Another issue for me was paint color. I have a pretty good handle on color thanks to color theory and design classes, but picking out the right color I wanted for my walls was shear t.o.r.t.u.r.e. And all I was looking at were whites!!! Painted one wall in the kitchen three times. Deliver me….

Comment by Brenda — July 11, 2011 #
love the daisies.. and your cornflowers make me happy every year.
thanks for getting rid of that hideous wallpaper!!
we’ll miss you while you’re gone!
maybe the rest of us will have to blog and pick up the slack.
i went to msnbc.com to read the news and it was terribly boring so i popped over here for a bit of news instead – so thanks for the new post. i can go to bed, knowing all is right in the world.
(now that the wallpaper is gone)
:waves madly

Comment by brigita — July 11, 2011 #
That’s a bummer about the paint :{ But everything else looks lovely, especially your floors!

Comment by Karen — July 12, 2011 #
you are so busy, but everything will be fresh and beautiful. As soon as my kids ship out, I plan to do some home improving myself.
pretty flowers.

Comment by barb — July 12, 2011 #
have a lovely break Anna, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the sewing and thank you for the Cisco advice x

Comment by periwinkle — July 12, 2011 #
Loving those razzmatazz coneflowers!!!! you must be getting excited about the renovations. You’re getting closer!

Jody

Comment by Jody — July 12, 2011 #
Love your flowers, Anna.
Enjoy your blog break.
I will be looking for some wallpaper removal hints in a few weeks.
I hope the rest of the renovations go smoothly.

Comment by Miriam — July 13, 2011 #
Enjoy your blog break Anna!!

Comment by nicolette — July 13, 2011 #
Don’t stay away too long!

Comment by Isabelle — July 14, 2011 #
I have very much missed your posts since I’ve been away. Not much internet access and no blog reader. So, I’m catching up! :) Love the peek of countertop we can see, and the floors, too! :) Look forward to the finished product. :)

Comment by Jennifer Henson — July 16, 2011 #
lol . . . don’t try to talk us out of wanting to read your blog just because all of your content would be renovation-inspired. Most of my blogroll is home design and remodeling! I would LOVE to see some in-progress shots of your new digs.

Best of luck!

Comment by Annalea — July 16, 2011 #
Your renovations are going to be fabulous once they’re finished but I can see why you are heartily sick of them at the moment! Your flowers look beautiful and I am so delighted that Lesley won your giveaway!!! :o) Lucy xxx

Comment by lucylocket — July 18, 2011 #
I do love those razzmatazzcone flowers! Have a relaxing blog break…..

Comment by molly — July 18, 2011 #
I don’t know if you will remember but a few years ago we had a flood while on vacation. We did all this that you are doing. At the time I was so put out. But the insurance picked up 75% of the cost so in the end it was good…wood floor refinish (and it is huge), new countertop, resurfacing cabinet fronts.. and right before this happened I took the kitchen wallpaper off the walls and we painted. So really I got a kitchen redo and it has been a blessing. My heart goes out to you. I know it isn’t fun. In the end it is great.

Comment by nanette — July 20, 2011 #
Hmmm, all are worthy topics of discussion-lol. I’ll be sure to check back to see photos of all these different home improvement results.

Take care and have a great week!

Comment by Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY — July 20, 2011 #
Hope that you are enjoying your blog break and that the renovations are finished and successful – pity about the paint though.

Comment by Rowan — July 21, 2011 #
So I had to zoom over here since I couldn’t reply to your comment on bedifferentactnormal and 1.) support a local-ish blogger 2.) tell you when my cousin came from Alaska we went in the “glass elevator” door and did the carousel with the kids and then jet… we were avoiding the mall as well :) Although I spent a lot of time there when I went to college in FTW, not so much as an adult with kids

Comment by katrina — July 22, 2011 #
Ooooh that bumpy paint would be so irritating…..reno glimpses look great though! Try to sneak in some sewing time…..

Comment by Nicole — July 22, 2011 #
Hang in there! Look forward to your return to blogging!

Comment by Cindy Rutledge — July 23, 2011 #
I remember the days of hauling home wallpaper books (loved Waverly) and pouring over them for hours…and the $$$ expense! Now, I’ll just take paint. ;-)

Comment by Dianne — July 27, 2011 #
sooo…. fair warning. if i find my usb cord to my camera, i’m going to blog tomorrow.
find your meds.
sit down before you faint.
fan yourself.
call a helpline.

:waves madly

Comment by brigita — July 28, 2011 #
Okay, i’m officially impatient! IS IT DONE YET??!! ;0

Comment by ina — July 29, 2011 #