Uncategorized

Blog business and please don’t ‘rate my space’

June 15, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 53 Comments

Edited to Add: I’m joining Kimba’s Garden Party with this post (Taylor’s Graduation Party) so visit Kimba to see lots of fun garden ideas. Also, I’m planning to host a ‘Painted Patio Furniture’ Party next Monday so be working on your projects. If you won’t have enough time to finish, just link up and show us your plans!

First item of business: I started a Google Reader this weekend. I know, I know, that’s ‘s0 last year’, but I needed a quicker way to look at blogs and I wanted to re-evaluate my list. In the process, I found a few new blogs (mostly design blogs) that I love like this one and this one and this one, but I’m also eager for you to share a few of your favorite blogs with me, especially ones that I might not know about. Share links or names of sites in the comments that I MUST put in my new google reader.

Second item of business: Upon the urging of one of my blog readers (whom I can’t presently recall) I uploaded my kitchen pics to HGTV’s Rate My Space. I’m a naive soul to such activities and thought it’d be fun to have others (besides you, who are so supportive) critique my work. Imagine my chagrin when I read,

“I love the cottage look but this just looks plain messy and busy to me.”

” I love the cabinet color and the floor, but there’s way too much clutter on the countertop. Why would you put lamps on the countertop? You are cluttering up your work space and lines by doing so.”

You can see the fodder here and I must add that most people were very kind and encouraging. But I wanted to defend myself and say, “Hey, I’m not a professional here and I was really cooking dinner when my daughter snapped that photo of me in the new kitchen. So, sorry that I cook with pots and pans and other ‘ real’ things on the counter.” But I didn’t. Because I guess I asked for it and with every criticism we receive, there’s usually a certain amount of truth in it. That may be why I’m sheepishly decluttering my countertops this morning and why I will very hesistantly upload any more photos to Rate My Space. I’ll just take your word for it next time.

Why is it that we let a little negativity creep into our heads and camp out there? I love my kitchen and it works for our family. And ‘clutter’ seems to me a small price to pay for the tremendous amount of food and love that flows from its’ countertops everyday!

Meeting Adjourned. Have a blessed week!

3 things

May 27, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 26 Comments

This post has 3 clearly defined objectives.

1. I wanted to make sure you saw my new button. Isn’t she lovely? She’s located at the bottom of the page.

2. Because it makes me feel like I’m giving an important presentation:

I wanted to use the ‘block quote’ box; which one would use for highlighting important points. You may argue that this is not a particularly important point, but I’d beg to differ.

3. a. I was thinking of hosting a linky party to feature painted patio furniture. What do you think? Would you participate? How much time do you need?

b. I fell behind on anwering emails during my sons’ graduation. If you have a question for me, ask away. It can be anything. And I’ll copy Kimba and answer you here on the comments. And if I can’t answer it here for reasons of posterity, I’ll let you know.

For example, someone ask me where I got the dress I wore to Taylor’s graduation party…….

answer: Maurice’s about 3 years ago.

Example 2: Do you watch tv? Not much. I watch 24, Grey’s Anatomy and Lost. That’s about it. I’m not a fan of reality tv which constitutes about 90% of what’s on tv. We’ve tried different methods for our kids—-no tv during the week, very limited tv with no set guidelines. In general, if you ask my kids, they’ll say that ‘mom says tv turns your brain to mush’.

c. I haven’t added back a blogroll to my blog yet. Do you like blogrolls? I’m thinking of making it a separate page that you have to click to get to. Do you prefer them on the side? Tell me all your blogroll wisdom.

3 things

May 12, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 9 Comments

1. In lieu of painting my living room (and risking vehement verbal outbursts from my family), I’ve been working on a wall of frames sorta like this:

I’ll show you later today. You’re gonna love it. I just know it.

2. Darcy, from Lifewithmy3boybarians and Graphically Designing, is tweaking my site for me as we speak. I told her this morning that I feel as if she’s here, at my house, helping me move my heavy living room furniture and I keep saying, “Can we just try it on this wall”, for the 47th time. She’s a wonderful mommy and talented writer and designer. Her recent post on her son ‘Trouble’ is an incredible story that should be read and shared.

3. My blog friend Jessica, who is back from a blogging sabbatical, sent me the link for this audio segment on ‘The Thomas Jefferson Education’. It’s a must listen. I’m starting it for the 2nd time this morning. Thank you Jess and I’m so happy you’re back.

Because Painted Wood is Pretty

April 30, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 21 Comments

As promised, here are a few of my favorites from the “Because Painted Wood is Pretty” linky party. To see my new kitchen and all of the links, go here.

This is my friend Kelly’s house. She lives in a beautiful house in the historic district of town and if I could go take these doors off the hinges and bring them back here, I would. I would have nowhere to put them, but I’d take them anyways. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Then, there’s Sarah’s piece, which she painted and then added fleur de lis. Love IT!

And Annicole’s kitchen, which is TODIEFOR!

You mark my words (I used to love to hear my ‘mamaw’ say that) I will paint something this color before summer is out. I love this changing table from A Familiar Path.

And this is where TidyMom keeps her TRASH. I would crawl up in this beautiful primitive piece and sleep. She has other beautiful painted projects that you should go see.

You must see this beautiful transformation at Saucy’s Sprinkles…or as they call it in the business….this ‘flip’. The whole project is amazing. You’ll have to check out the whole house.

I’ll conclude with the only kitchen that has more blue and looks more retro than mine:

Thank you all for sharing. If I featured your project today and you’d like a copy of The Verity CD (my son’s band) just send me an email! You can hear them play here.

The boys are playing at the World’s Fair Park in Knoxville tomorrow. We’re all pretty excited about that. Taylor is graduating with first honors so I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures at the banquet and at Honor’s Day tomorrow!

I was pondering showing you my modest bathroom redo, but it’s sure to be quite a let-down after the kitchen. I’ll probably show you anyway. Stay tuned!

Retro Cottage Kitchen is STILL at it……

April 29, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 36 Comments

Y’all have no idea how much fun this Retro Cottage Kitchen has been for me. First, just the fun of watching it all come together, then the fun of the big reveal and the linky party. I’m exhausted! But I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words and encouragement. And those of you who joined Mr. Linky, I love all your projects and plan to feature of few of them later today or tomorrow!

A few thoughts from the Retro Kitchen:

1. The little girls (7 and 8) have been walking around ON the countertops trying to pick their favorite cup. I think Elea has settled on the flower fairy mug and Emme is still undecided. Picking out a glass or bowl to use for dinner has become an epic adventure.

“NO, Mom, I don’t want to use that bowl today, I used it yesterday.”

Moral of the story: Open shelving may have its’ downside.

2. I was talking to my sister on the phone yesterday while I looked at pictures of my kitchen on my computer…….while SITTING on the sofa. I could just walk into the kitchen and see it for myself, I guess, now couldn’t I? But in the picture, there are no dirty dishes, nor are there children with dirty little feet walking all over the countertops, nor is there a 50 pound golden retriever jumping onto the island to try to reach the brownies. I’ll stick with the pictures for a few more days.

3. My blog friend, Rhoda, from Southern Hospitality, that I met at Blissdom this year, is FEATURING RETRO COTTAGE KITCHEN ON HER BLOG TODAY! (capital letters indicate screaming and doing hitch kicks). I’m already verklempt at all the nice people who have come over from ChattingattheSKY, the Nester, 320 Sycamore, Our Suburban Cottage, A Soft Place to Land, and others. I may be impossible to live with after all this fun. I truly am thankful and appreciate your generosity!

4. I’m still waiting for Hobby Lobby to restock the vintage glass knobs and I have two more cabinet doors to paint and hang. I thought I’d better confess that in case you decide to pay me a visit. And consider yourself warned, children will likely be walking on the countertops contemplating which pretty plate to use for lunch!

5. The most common phrase I’ve received about my kitchen is, “It’s sooo you.” I take that to mean that you can easily envision me wearing and aqua skirt with a cute white ruffly button down, a yellow and orange scarf, and a dark green military jacket…..all as one outfit. And I’m pretty sure I have an ensemble like that. My eclectic tastes are pretty easy to spot.

For all you new friends visiting, I thought you might like this post (about my son Taylor leaving), or maybe this one (about southern women)….to see if you might become a subscribing friend to lifeingrace. Thanks for visiting!

faq

April 23, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 5 Comments

1. What is your faith/denomination?

We belong to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod—-ie. the conservative ‘branch’ of the Lutheran church. My husband grew up Lutheran while I journeyed through fundamentalism and then pop American evangelism before embracing Lutheran doctrine and practice. I often blog about my journey of faith in Christ. I recently wrote a post on Lent (new to me as a former Baptist) which you can read here.

2. What type of camera do you use?

Nikon d90. I love it and really still BARELY know how to use it. I shoot in auto mode almost exclusively, which I am a wee bit ashamed to admit. I edit photos on iPhoto but plan to get photoshop soon. My advice for taking good pictures is: 1. Take a lot of pictures and a few of them will be great 2. Take pictures close up. Even closer.

3. How is been hard giving up your career?

I have written about this here. But I will say that staying home with my children has been THE most blessed gift my husband could have given me. I feel honored to do it and eager to learn to do it well. I’ve never been more sure of anything—than that this is what I was made to do.

4. How do you manage to do it all?

I’m so glad you asked because it gives me a great opportunity to say absolutely, unequivocally that I DON’T MANAGE TO DO IT ALL. Not by a long shot. My bathrooms are dirty, I haven’t showered in two days, I have 76 unmatched socks sitting on top of my washing machine. My husband shakes his head at the outlet covers that I still haven’t replace from my kitchen remodel!

5. Do you have any outside help?

Not unless you count these two ‘merry maids’.

6. Where did you get your necklace?

I bought it here. I love her stuff. And I love buying from mom-artists.