Bro. This week was a tough one. I didn’t get as much done as I hoped and what I did get done was a struggle. I’m going to try and keep it positive and go with the classic Housewife Reunion question: What was your rose and what was your thorn?

The Rose

I went to my first estate sale and (like my bad tattoos) I AM HOOKED! I am starting to collect Nancy Drews and Dress-Ups for Stella and I hit the jackpot on both.

The heartstrings: One year for Christmas my mom gave me a blue trunk FULL of dress ups. They weren’t the crappy polyester costumes you get at party city. These were INSANE – wedding dresses, vintage slips, antique clothes from all over the world. When I had Stella, she brought the trunk up to me and there are still a few dresses from the original haul but I want to add to what’s been saved. I found a beautiful wedding dress and have already carefully packed it away. Now to start trolling estatesales.net.

The Thorn

I will preface this by saying: I am crafty but I am NOT a diy-er. The other issue I have is that I am overly confident when it comes to what I can accomplish project wise. In my head it’s like “oh yeah. I can for sure do that. Piece of cake.” My friends, it is never a piece of cake. For cake I call my friend Kate. She’s got cake. Me – no cake.

I wanted to wrap a lampshade with fabric from a crib sheet of Stella’s that I love. I thought this would be a nice touch when this becomes her big girl room so she would have a little piece of her nursery with her always. Let me tell you, sentimentality gets you no where when it comes to wrapping lampshades. Especially when the lampshade is 1. – Tapered and B. – A scalloped edge. Trash. Absolute TRASH. I ended up making three patterns out of fabric (throwing those away), shooting my shot with the material (that looks a mess), and FINALLY watched a tutorial on how to do it.

I tell you this is a cautionary tale. Kids, don’t be like Tara. Do some research. Read an article. Watch the YouTube. Don’t be a hero.

I have now changed the saying to “Fifth time’s the charm”. It’s not perfect. It’s not even great. But it is done. Or does it need a ribbon edge?

The Plan

More DIY because apparently I am a masochist.

• Headboard Fabric – Pattern, Cut plywood, Cut foam, Wrap in fabric
• Headboard Frame – Prime and Paint
• Closet Doors – Paint, Bifold to French Doors (?)
• Repair Dresser Drawer
• Hardware – Closet door, Dresser Two Handles
• 17,000,000 other things I can’t think of right now.

My hopes are high for week four. Ts and Ps appreciated.

And make sure you check out all the talented designers over at the One Room Challenge site.