Hello my friend. Can I tell you something personal?
I had a hard time typing out the title for this post.
I worry that it sounds shallow and that it conveys a staggering insensitivity about all the deaths happening right now around the world. Especially after I got an email from a dear friend in Italy who let me know that Italy has been going through hell.
Can we all agree that there is profound strangeness about life right now?
Even if Covid-19 hasn't reached your life in a personal way yet, I think we all feel connected to this crisis by the ominous drip of daily news that's reminding us of our humanity. Our connection to each other as loving citizens, irregardless of race or political party or any of the other labels that separate us in normal times.
Personally, when I see all these health care professionals on the front lines overworked and risking their lives on our behalf, it's hard. There's a feeling of being stuck on the sidelines, of wanting to help them is some way.
And yet--at least right now--the biggest impact we can have is to stay home and isolate ourselves which is the opposite of what we do in times of crisis which is, seek out people who make us feel safe and connected and yes, useful.
See what I mean?
It's a strange--but very serious time. As of this morning--- experts are telling us the next few weeks are critical. What we do today will literally have a direct effect on how many people die out there in our community.
It's hard to fathom, right?
But then I got this email that reminded me of something else that's also important right now. Taking care of our spirit. Making time for those things that replenish us, for the sake our emotional health. And for me--- this means tapping into my creative side to find peaceful distractions.
This was from Hometalk, reminding me of a long ago DIY post that had apparently gotten some views. And I thought--hey, maybe it's time to share another DIY post, you know...as a way of spreading a few cheerful vibes out into the world.
Don't we all love a good Before and After? So here it goes.
This is a project I started in January when I was really struggling and lucky I remembered to take a few pictures for you.
So here's the BEFORE picture of my linen closet.
Michael says I should have taken a 'real' BEFORE picture when the floor was full of plastic bins and you could barely get inside
(ah..maybe because a certain hoarder of unmatched towels and old bed linens was in charge)
But she's better now.
And here it is dark and empty.
Odd wires coming from the walls. No baseboards but we did have the wood flooring extended inside here when we moved in.
Wallpaper vs. Stencil
My first plan was to try a peel and stick wallpaper mostly because I wasn't in the mood to paint, but also because I was seeing some great choices out there.
But in the end I was worried about the stucco finish on our walls being a problem. And I didn't want to go through all that work, only to have it drooping in spots.
So I ordered this very cool Batik stencil and decided to use two shades of blue on the pattern, and another shade of blue on the shelves.
I repainted the whole space a bright white. Installed baseboards. And painted the shelves this sapphire blue.
At this point Jim popped his head in and thought I was done.
(Silly man)
Once I got started I didn't want to stop for pictures. But stenciling is pretty basic. Once you line the pattern up, taping it in place is the key. After that you just dab dab dab that paint on.
The part of the project when you think,
"it's all in the details"
I ordered some gold French style upholstery nails from Amazon.
Finally on the second trip to Home Depot I found a drill bit that was the right teeny-weeny size for the nail.
If you're curious, here's the drill gun I use.
I drilled holes into the front of the shelves.
Then I used a hammer to pop them gently into the holes.
Ta daaaaa
Because the pattern was so busy I stopped at the ceiling.
And yes, I decided to purge all my colored towels and go with white from here out.
I ordered this quilted floral ironing board cover from Etsy (#StandWithSmall) and Jim hung it on the wall. And as you can see, I still haven't repainted the closet doors and put them back on yet. So that's a peek at my bathroom.
Drum roll please. One last time...
Before
Before
After
And that's it.
I sure hope you enjoyed seeing my little closet project and most importantly, that it got your mind off the sober reality we're all facing now.
We're all in this together friends.
But we have to stay home for awhile. That's all. And it's such an easy sacrifice compared to all those health workers who are risking their lives for us every day.
We got this.
We got this.
Sending you a virtual hug glass of wine right now,
xoxo
Leslie
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