Saturday, January 2, 2010

How I Became a "Handywoman"

That's right.  I consider myself a handywoman.  Even though for every one thing I get right, I do about three things wrong, nothing ever goes the way I think it will, and there is a lot of grumbling (I'm not really one to curse, but if  I were...) in the process. But if you accomplish the task in the end, then it's a success.  Right?

So, I've been working on my project for the I made it without my hubby party at Shanty2chic, and I started thinking about all the things I have done without my hubby and how it all got started.

Here's my story.  My now husband and I had both just graduated from college, moved back home, and were looking for jobs.  We both found ourselves working at wal-mart.  I was head of lingerie and he was in charge of hardware.  His family and friends were always laughing and joking about his working in the hardware department, but I just didn't get what was so funny.  We lived in apartments the first few years of marriage, so no decorating or anything was really done.  We finally moved into our home and I was bitten by the decorating bug. I started asking my husband to do things for me-hang pictures, paint, build things.  That's when I got the joke.  My husband means well, but he has no knowledge, interest, or skill to do anything with tools, hardware, paintbrushes, etc.  I didn't think it was so funny.  What??  You are a man and you are not going to be at my beck and call for all my decorating projects?  So being the hardheaded, stubborn (I mean motivated) person that I am, I decided I would do it myself.  And now I am actually grateful.  I feel stronger and more independent and I'm having a lot of fun.

Here are a few of the projects that I have done without my Hubby:



I built new cabinet doors with fabric.





Took down cabinets and put up open shelving...
(I'm planning a total re-do of these shelves that I hope to show soon)



Built three shelves from one long shelf...




I cut the brackets from scrap wood with a jigsaw...




Made this ugly shower door disguise...




And used lots of molding.  Crown molding in the study...




And in the dining room...




Molding around the fireplace mantel...




On kitchen cabinets...




And the powder room vanity.




Not to mention window treatments, blinds, and shades installed on every window.




That's just a few and I'm just getting started. 

I am joining the Saturday nite special at Funky Junk Interiors.
Hope to see you there.

Janet


11 comments:

  1. You can't see me, but believe me when I tell you that I am bowing down to YOU!
    Really fantastic projects.
    Your house is gorgeous.
    ~Amy

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  2. Wow! You GO girl. Can I hire you? I hope you post some tutorials and list the tools you use. Crown molding? Wow. Rosie

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  3. Wow, you are my new hero! You have such talents. Creative and handy make for a beautiful home.

    Stop by for a visit. I'm not near as handy as you and depend on Hubby a lot for the building. My ADD prohibits long term focus so power tools in my hands would be lethal :)

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  4. Hi and good on you! I get my hubby to most man things, but last week i bought my own drill. I can't wait to use it. You should be very proud.

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  5. Wow! So many projests and they all turned out beautiful! I love the shower thing that you did. I never thought of that before. Thanks for the idea!

    Hugs,
    Lee Laurie

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  6. I am bowing down to the queen. Your home is beautiful. I love the shower thing. Simply gorgeous. For a beginner what tools would you recommend buying? Seriously, my husband is like yours, no skills in that dept at all.

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  7. You are totally awesome! From crown molding to the shower to cabinets! Wow!

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  8. Do you hire out? My husband CAN do those things...but I have to WAIT forever for him to get MOTIVATED! Everything you have done looks spectacular!

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  9. Ohhhh boy do I need to follow you! You've done some things I haven't. I'm all eyes. :) Fabulous and you just prove to the masses, that we CAN do it ourselves. :)

    Thanks for linking up! Great collection!

    FJ Donna

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  10. Hi Janet
    You have done a great job on a lot of different projects!
    I started out just like you. I had people come to my house to do things like put in windows or trim and I figured I could do it myself and better! So I started small and now I am a woodworker. I hope you will check out my blog http://followyourheartwoodworking.blogspot.com/

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  11. I am sooooooooo impressed. You are amazing!!!

    - The Tablescaper

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