Thimbleanna » Wherein SweetiePie and I are Strippers

Wherein SweetiePie and I are Strippers

January 28, 2012 on 10:32 am | In Around the House | 48 Comments

Strippers for a day. Our entry hall had this wallpaper that I have Disliked since we moved here 12 years ago. The main paper really wasn’t too bad, it was the border that I didn’t like. I think the person who put this paper here was trying to convince herself that she lived in a tropical climate — not the freezing, landlocked midwestern US.

The problem has been that our entry hall is very tall. The ceiling is probably close to 20 feet from the floor. So, not an easy stripping job.

And maneuvering those ladders around that glass light fixture was delicate work. But, once we got our system in place, things went well. SweetiePie did all the really high stripping, while I worked mid-level and below. It took us about 8 hours with a little break for dinner.

SweetiePie is a trooper. We work well together and she made the job fun. We made a big mess too. There’s wallpaper and glue everywhere. Today’s job will be figuring out how to clean those ladders. The easy way would be to take them outside and hose them down, but there’s a dusting of snow on the ground, so that won’t work.

Ah well, the hard stuff is done — yipee! And we won’t be doing the painting. Paint everywhere just wouldn’t be pretty!

Have a good weekend!

XOXO,
Anna

48 Comments

This scares me just seeing the photo. You would never, ever, ever get me on those ladders. You get the brave award. Your hall is gorgeous. Can’t wait to see the post-painting photos.

Comment by Bonnie — January 28, 2012 #
So, what color is it going to be?

Comment by Marsha — January 28, 2012 #
SweetiePie is one in a million. It looks great. can’t wait to see it painted.

Comment by Penny G — January 28, 2012 #
Did you play burlesque mucis the whole time?

Comment by trash — January 28, 2012 #
Did you play burlesque mucis the whole time?

Comment by trash — January 28, 2012 #
MUSIC! I meant Music!!

Comment by trash — January 28, 2012 #
Yipes! I’m getting dizzy just looking at you. And you could always wait until it warms up to clean the ladders. :)

Comment by Elaine /MuddlingThrough — January 28, 2012 #
ah that’s so cool! Good job. You’re house looks gorgeous. Can’t wait to see the end result!!

Amber

Comment by amber — January 28, 2012 #
Way to go! I can’t believe you were up on those high ladders. There’s no way I would do that.

Comment by Jana K — January 28, 2012 #
LOL – do you know the kind of web traffic you are going to get with a post title like THAT!?

Stripping WALLPAPER (just to clarify) isn’t a fun job and those ladders, I’m afraid will have paper on them for the rest of their lives…Ask me how I know!?

Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — January 28, 2012 #
Just the kind of project that makes you so satisified! And even better done with someone you enjoy sharing time with. She’s a keeper!

Comment by Mary ann — January 28, 2012 #
sweetie pie certainly is just that…you are lucky!
bet there was a lot of laughter up “in the heights!”
the weather here is beautiful…had my back door open while i was baking mid- morn!

Comment by linda noblog — January 28, 2012 #
HOLY MOLY! We’ve stripped wall paper in the family room and living room with 9 ft ceilings and I thought we were gonna kill each other! Once we agreed on a system, we worked fine together but OY VEY!! What a sticky mess to clean up! ;p

If it were me? I’d take those ladders outside and lean them up against that beautiful retaining wall and hose them down with krud kutter! They could dry in the wind/sun and you would only have to take wet rags to the feet once they are dry. ;p

Sweetie Pie IS a sweetie! ;p

Comment by ina — January 28, 2012 #
i simply could NOT have gotten up that ladder.
kudos to you two!!
so…you are getting it painted then? excited to see the rest of the story!

Comment by Jenny — January 28, 2012 #
OH MY goodness!!! That looks like one heck of a job, I’ll bet you are SOOO glad it’s done. Don’t you just want to smack whoever put up that wallpaper?

Comment by Rohanknitter — January 28, 2012 #
Yoo hoo, I see you!

Comment by Emma (silverpebble) — January 28, 2012 #
Wow what a big job. Luckily Sweetiepie doesnt mind heights. Love your header too, very very cute!

Comment by sue — January 28, 2012 #
I always knew you were a stripper!!!! And a good one at that!! What a job.

Comment by Sharon Yeager — January 28, 2012 #
I’ve done my share of stripping this past year!! I only have one little wallpaper border left in my house. I’ve instructed the fam to take me out in the yard and beat me if I ever suggest wallpaper as a decorating option. Glad you are done. And I know I’ve said this before, but that Sweetie Pie is a keeper!

Comment by Cassie — January 28, 2012 #
Lucky girl to have such a sweetie in your family!
Can’t wait to see the big finale!

Comment by Janet — January 28, 2012 #
Wow!!! Brave souls nd hard workers! So what is the color option?

Comment by Jen — January 28, 2012 #
Ohh, you two are very brave getting up that high! My knees are quivering just looking at the photos! Lol

Love your light fixture!

Comment by Miriam — January 28, 2012 #
Wow. Good job!

You know, while you’re at it in there, {wink wink} you might as well give the room some real wainscot . . . a 20′ ceiling needs beaded or paneled wainscot at least 5′ high. ;o) And some transoms . . . you could definitely use transoms in there, to help it not feel cavernous, you know . . . hmmmm . . . should I keep going? lol

It’s fun to catch a little glimpse of you . . . you’re one of the bloggers who continues to keep her smile to herself. ;o) Have a wonderful weekend!

Comment by Annalea — January 28, 2012 #
Wow, you and SweetiePie are some brave strippers! Great job.

Comment by autum — January 29, 2012 #
Talk about ambitious!!! I can just hear the Gypsy Rose Lee music in the background! LOL!

Comment by Jean — January 29, 2012 #
Oh my … you guys were way up there! Sweetie Pie is a keeper, that’s for sure!

Comment by MJ Smith — January 29, 2012 #
OMG I have vertigo just looking at those pics!
I can almost touch my ceilings if I stand on tip toe – almost.

x

Comment by Abi — January 29, 2012 #
Oh you brave (crazy) girls. I’m not scared of heights; just scared of falling down haha.
It sounds like you make every job fun, Anna :)

Comment by Rachel — January 29, 2012 #
Wow you ladies are brave, six feet is about as high as I go, I think I can and then I chicken out… It looks better already, girl power lol. Oh and thanks for pinning the best pins ever, which this morning lead me to use up about three hours trying to figure out a circle granny square…lol I think I have it and I may be addicted, thanks Anna.

Comment by Shawn — January 29, 2012 #
Whew! A lot of work. But it’s going to look so nice when it is all painted and finished. What a good feeling.

Comment by Annette — January 29, 2012 #
Holy Moly! I was fine when you mentioned you were stripping wallpaper. Then I saw those ladders! Not for me. More power to you both!

Comment by Kristy — January 30, 2012 #
I generally don’t watch strippers, but you two bring it to a whole new level! (hee hee)

Comment by WendyBee — January 30, 2012 #
NOT NOT NOT Fun. My heart goes out to you. I would be a mess on a ladder. I have a hard enough job staying on even ground. I know what you mean about wallpaper. I’m so glad we stripped ours off a couple years ago. You will be so happy when it is done.

Comment by nanette — January 30, 2012 #
Wow, that is quite some job you did there. I am impressed!! Hubby would never let me on a ladder like that, I am always falling down. Good luck with cleaning xox Clarioce

Comment by clarice — January 30, 2012 #
Wow. We just stripped wall paper in our kitchen. I’m glad it wasn’t 20 ft up!

Comment by Katie — January 30, 2012 #
Wow, that’s a scarily high ceiling. Well done to you both!

Comment by Meredithe — January 31, 2012 #
That is a high ceiling! Looking forward to see moore photos.

Comment by Nancy — January 31, 2012 #
A picture of you! Boy, you do work well with SweetiePie. You’re a gem of a mother-in-law. I would find it funny that you lived with that for 12 years but I’ve been here seven and you’ve made me think about what I’ve been living with for so long!

Comment by Karen — January 31, 2012 #
How’d I miss this one! You’re pretty high up there Miss Anna. I don’t do heights! Knees buckle, it’s not a pretty thing. We have a 19′ ceiling in our family room and I hyperventilate when I take out the telescoping duster. But you go girl!

Comment by Susan — January 31, 2012 #
Goodness, I sure admire both of you!! That was a big job and scary to boot! :)

I’m behind on my blog reading, so I have to tell you that I also love the corduroy shirt you made. Very pretty! :)

Comment by Doni — January 31, 2012 #
good for you guys!!! and hurray for sweetie pie, who can apparently make any job fun. that’s awesome! it’s good to have a partner in crime, isn’t it? what color are you going to have it painted?

love the joyful thimbles in your header. so cute and creative. your blog is a delight to read!! xo

Comment by amandajean — January 31, 2012 #
Oh ya I hate stripping, lol – no seriously I hate that job of stripping wallpaper – especially when it doesn’t want to come off :). Glad you had a great partner in crime who was willing to take the high road/ladder, lol. Plus it sure helps make the time go by faster. Will be fun to see the finished results. I always knew you had a little wild side in ya lol.

hugs – Karen

Comment by karen — January 31, 2012 #
Oh, gosh, Anna! That’s more than I would even attempt! Such an absolute pit of a job. I am sure it will be beautiful when you are finished though. :)

Comment by Karin — February 1, 2012 #
My gracious, you and Sweetiepie really did a lot of hard work! Just think, the money that you saved by doing it yourselves can be spent on fabric for more quilt projects!

Comment by Robin Plummer — February 1, 2012 #
LOL….love the title!! No way I would go up that ladder!! Great job ladies.

Comment by Cheryl — February 1, 2012 #
Wow! That’s some job you’ve done there Anna! How lovely to have SweetiePie to help you!

Comment by lucylocket — February 2, 2012 #
Wow…you did it. what a big job. I can’t wait to see it all finished.

Comment by kim — February 2, 2012 #
That is quite the entry way. I can see why you didn’t tackle for so long. It’ll be great. Good for you!

Comment by Corrie — February 3, 2012 #