FAVORITE PROJECTS - 2011

In reviewing my blog posts for 2011, I realized that we didn't do as many projects as we usually do.  Then, I realized you have to stay home to get a lot done.  But, I was fortunate to do some traveling this year to Germany--

 And to France--

 Plus, I had a great girlfriend's trip to Santa Fe for 5 days, and Bob and I went to the Round Top, Texas antique extravaganza by way of New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  At our age, I'll take traveling any day to staying home and working on stuff!!  Here are a few small projects that we did accomplish.

We had been looking for a way to display Bob's collection of plumb bobs for awhile.  When we were in Round Top we saw some displayed on a big spool, so this was our copy of that idea.

This was a cheap yard sale rocker (without it's rockers).  Bob made new rockers and restored the finish to its Mission-style roots.

I upholstered a new seat and made a cushion for a more comfortable back.  This project went home with our son for his study.

 Below was a little rearranging project with a Restoration Hardware vibe.

Another rejuvenation on an old chair -- Bob did his magic in the workshop taking this walnut Victorian chair apart, regluing and refinishing.

 

We then upholstered it in blue velvet.  We just took it to the consignment shop, and hopefully it will find a new home.

 A two-year entry way project was finally completed when I found this table; and we refinished a yard sale frame and inserted the mirror.  The alabaster lamp was a gift, and I covered a lamp shade with a herringbone wool fabric.

 Another project from the long ago-entryway project was this gallery wall.  I debated a long time about what to put on this wall, and finally decided on this arrangement.

All in all, nothing big or too exciting, but fun projects just the same.  I have a few things in mind for 2012; we'll see how many get done (if I stay home)!

I'm joining the following parties this week.  Check these blogs out for a plethora of inspiration.

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Southern Hospitality for Top 2011 Projects on Wednesday

From My Front Porch to Yours for Auld Lang Syne Party on Saturday

PLUMB BOBS

I'm convinced that there is something unusual out there for anyone to collect. My husband collects plumb-bobs. It was a natural - after all his name is Bob and in his career as a Civil Engineer, he was a licensed land surveyor.

According to wikipedia, a plumb-bob is a weight usually with a pointed tip on the bottom, that is suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line.

It has been used since ancient Eqypt to ensure that constructions are plumb or vertical. It is also used in surveying to establish the nadir with respect to gravity of a point in space.

Bob has been wondering how to display them in his office. When we were at Round Top, Texas this fall; one of the dealers had theirs displayed on an old spool. So the search was on for a spool big enough to hold his plumb-bobs. We finally found one last week.