HOPING FOR THE BEST

Today, my old friend Carolyn who lives near Charleston, SC, is undergoing a very risky surgery.  It is called a Whipple, which removes part of the pancreas.  She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October, and so many lives irrevocably changed because of it.  

You may remember if you read this blog regularly, that I asked for your prayers or positive thoughts, or however you offer supplication to a higher power, in her behalf.  She underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation because she was originally told that she was not even a candidate for this surgery.  The cancer had already spread to her hepatic artery, the blood supply to her liver.

After all the treatment, they said they could now try the surgery.  What you should know, though, is that this procedure itself is very risky, and many people do not have a positive outcome.  If a person makes it though, the rehabilitation is very difficult and lengthy.  The life expectancy stats are also not terribly encouraging.  

Carolyn has handled this with grace and has not let it slow her down much, by all accounts.  According to her family, she was out in the back yard gardening this morning before it was time to go to the hospital!  Her daughter said that she had everyone organized within an inch of their lives, and had made several trips even while in treatment.  The woman has boundless energy.

Just a bit ago, CaringBridge notified me that the tumor could not be removed because the hepatic artery was too involved.  However, they will try chemo again, and at this time she is in recovery. The surgeon said that perhaps they can try again later.

Her children have set up a CaringBridge page, which is a blogging place where people can create a login, leave entries on a guestbook and read updates by the caregivers.  You can also make a donation to help fund this service for people who cannot afford it.  I made a donation which will help others because I think it is a very worthwhile concept.  

Needless to say, I have been watching this site like a hawk today, in between running myself ragged trying to stay busy and not be focused on it all day.  I would encourage you to check out the site for yourself.

And while you are at it, maybe say another prayer for Carolyn and her family.  They need all the support we can muster.

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Some links:

Wikipedia
CaringBridge

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

I am the girl who loves her color.  If you have read this blog a couple of times, you already know that.  I am utterly enamoured with Bohemian Chic, as the style is currently being called.  Over the years it has been variously labeled Morroccan Souk or Hippie Style or Flea Market Chic.  I have researched the current craze known as BohoChic, and it's really all the same thing.  In a nutshell, the result conveys wild abandon with color and pattern, and the amalgamation of stuff in a space looks as though it has been collected from one's world travels.  The feeling conveyed is one of throwaway sophistication that does not really try too hard.  When it is done well, it all works quite harmoniously, although a person not familiar with the style would be at a loss to explain exactly why.  In a future post, I will write more about this style, and provide you with some links should you care to explore it further.

Two vintage Queen Anne armchairs

Orange no more!

Some of you may think I have totally lost my marbles this time when you see what I have done to those two ultra-conservative Queen Anne chairs from a recent estate sale!  I bought them because (a) they were comfortable, (b) a great price ($50 each) (c) in good shape and (d) because I wanted to practice my upholstery skills.  Well...  the best laid plans, etc....

I read on FOCAL POINT blog one day about using a product which is usually associated with floral design to paint fabrics.  (I have actually used this in the past to jazz up silk florals.)  I checked the company's website, and lo and behold, the product is also meant for painting fabric.  Still I tossed the idea around for a few weeks thinking perhaps that these chairs had too much texture for this to work.  Finally I said the heck with it, and bought one can of the paint to try it.  I tested a small place on the back, going over it till I had about three coats.  

Work in an open ventilated area!
This stuff is fairly smelly.

What the Raspberry paint did to the color was astonishing.  The fabric as you have seen was shades of orange, brown, gray and cream. After the paint, you see purple, and a gazillion shades of pink.  The orange part looks the most fuchsia.  I think these chairs are at least 35 or 40 years old, and were, like everything else in the house where I bought them, in great shape, very clean and well-cared for.  

One more coat

I can honestly say I didn't expect the spray on paint to work this well.  The fabric is no longer quite as soft and tactile as it was, but it is not stiff and scratchy either. I have debated about spraying it with Scotchguard, thinking it might rub off on someone's bottom, but that doesn't seem to be the case either.  I have sat on it, and it is perfectly fine.  I think it might get softer as it is used.

Isn't this transformation incredible?

I had decided I wanted the frames a high contrast -- kind of a chartreuse-y green -- and really zingy.  I fiddled around with various ways to get it, then I got it, and so I did it.  On the frame, I used Old White for the base coat followed by two washes:  Antibes ASCP and Glidden Banana Pepper Yellow.

The fabric had to be touched up a little here and there with Martha Stewart craft paint in Amaranth mixed with Fabric Medium -- just a couple of small places my nit-picky eyes were not loving.  I used a total of five cans of the Raspberry Design Master ColorTool from Michael's.  I think JoAnn also carries it, but Hobby Lobby does not.  If you have a tax number, you can order it directly from a distributor, but I no longer do. I bought it piecemeal, using 40% and 50% off coupons at Michael's because it retails for about $8 per can.

Here with the Old White base coat...

It is a good idea to tape off the fabric if you are working with this kind of piece.
My hand is steady, but it never hurts to be sure.

Several neighbors out walking stopped by, no doubt perceiving that I must have lost it at last, and then became very intrigued and asked for a tour.  They wanted to see everything I have ever painted (that I still have).  I was asked if I would conduct a workshop in my garage on furniture painting techniques.  I said "Sure, why not?"  We'll see if it comes to fruition.

You can see the difference in the one on the right with just the Antibes color wash,
and the one on the left with both washes.

Closer look

In place.

See those nailheads, now hot pink?  I first thought I would put some gilding wax, either gold or silver, on them.  Then I decided I like them this way!

I have not yet waxed the painted frame.  I might not.  We'll see.  The colors work well with the striped fabric on the adjacent table, don't you think?

I will probably do something else in the way of pillows for these.  Do you remember what was in this spot before?  Stay tuned for an update on a few tweaks in my living room.  It looks fresher, I think.  It's good to shake things up a little now and then, don't you agree?

I am linking to

Homework Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Home Stories At Oz for A to Z Link Party

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspiration Tuesday

Cedar Hill Ranch for Tuesdays The Scoop

My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia for Tuesdays Treasures

Maria Elenas Décor for Tuesdays at Our Home

Cozy Little House.com for Tweak It Tuesday

The Rustic Pig for Creatively Tuesday's

Knick Of Time Interiors for Knick of Time Tuesday

Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Monday

Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Love 2 Upcycle for Upcycled Linky Party

Mod Vintage Life for at Mod Mix Monday

 The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday 

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TWEAKING AND PAINTING ON THE PORCH AND THE PERGOLA

Looky looky!
The Lattice is on the Pergola!
Privacy!

If you look to the far right at the bottom of the back post, you can see that we have begun planting.  We have put in two pink climbing roses, four white jasmines, and two Lady Banks.  We are still looking for the Blaze climbing roses for the middle and the purple wisteria on either side of that.  Now I can really start dolling this thing up some!

This is what is keeping me cool today.
Some ancient shortie PJs and old fashioned fans and ice water on the back porch.
Plus, it is mostly raining, and that helps, too.  The old-fashioned methods of my childhood still work!

It is a hot sticky rainy Sunday.  Guess what?  Both air conditioners have mysteriously quit!  No, the breakers are not tripped -- that was the first thing I checked.  The main floor one is only one and a half years old!  Service will come tomorrow.  We trade with a local family business, Childers Heat and Air, in case you live in Birmingham and need some great people in this field.  

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This was the day I painted the sofa frame.
Things have to get messy before they get pretty!

In other news, I have done some more work on the patio sofa.  I have changed my mind about a half dozen times, going back and forth about painting the existing fabric versus slipcovering the existing cushions on that estate sale sofa I found for the porch.  The frame was painted a couple of weeks ago, and here is what that looks like.

World's best spray primer,
and hard to find!

I had long ago decided that the frame would be GOLD -- metallic gold.
The reason is because this would be adjacent to the brass rimmed glass-topped table you saw before.
However...

The first batch of paint I bought looked greenish.
The color was called "Gold Plated" by Krylon.
This was a cool look for sure, but not what I wanted here.
At this point I was still thinking red slipcovers,
and I just didn't think it was exactly what I had in mind.

So, I went back to the stores and came up with some different paint:
Rustoleum Specialty Metallic "Gold"
Perfect!

Finally, I took the plunge and started intensifying the colors on the cushions with some Martha Stewart craft paint.  Her stuff costs a little more than the 77-cent stuff, but it is worth it. Anyway I used a coupon. I was so happy with the results that I got a little kit that included the other colors.  I will show you a little more about the process later, because I have only worked on the hot pink color on some of the cushions here. This is where I am presently.

My bruises and bumps are healing up pretty well, although I did get some X-rays and tests that I haven't heard back from yet.  I will be glad to get the cataract surgeries OVAH!  Maybe when I can see where I am going I won't fall so much.  I am in the middle of another series of shots for my knees.  Aging sucks, let me tell you!  But, when you are still above ground, it is a good day, right?

Two crafty little things on the porch:
the horseshoes thingamajig, I didn't make.
It was a table favor from a long-ago wedding
--
one of my BIL's.
Unfortunately that marriage is kaput,
but the horseshoes still make a great little coaster caddy!

I have been working on some bottles, using a texturizing material from Martha Stewart.
This one is painted with chalk paint, and then embellished with some discarded mismatched jewelry.
It looks swell with pink gerbera daisies in it.  I will share others later.

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I am linking to:

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday

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Knick of Time for KNICK OF TIME TUESDAY

A Stroll Thru Life for INSPIRE ME TUESDAY

Kathe With An E's You're Gonna Love It!

Cozy Little House for TWEAK IT TUESDAY

 Cedar Hill Ranch for THE SCOOP ON TUESDAYS

Nita at Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday

 Susan for Metamorphosis Monday

The Dedicated House for MAKE IT PRETTY MONDAY