Why does this time of year always get me motivated for home improvement projects? I’m not sure but it seems that this time of year my husband and I are always getting into something. This weeks project – Finishing the pantry downstairs. Now don’t get me wrong I’m really excited about getting some more storage space in my house to organize things. I’m just not nuts about painting trim – which I guess is why it wasn’t done last fall. My excuse was I couldn’t find what I needed and the holidays were coming, thus the newly built shelves sitting in our garage still.

So since my friend Rosemary from Leadership could paint her bathroom during a northeastern winter storm I could paint my trim, right? Here is what I’ve learned during the process of my painting the latest trim.

1. I really don’t believe it is cheaper to have painted trim. (This was our builders reason for going with white trim, verses the stained trim I wanted. I’m not sure he included the fact it has to be painted, repeatedly. But it sounded good to my husband at the time and it does pop and look nice when the paint is fresh.)

2. I’m not very neat at caulking. It seems like I end up getting more on me and the rag that the trim. Thus the pile of rags – that reminds me I need to locate more rags for tomorrow. (However, since I’ve taught myself through trial and error and the end project looks ok, I guess caulk and soap are cheap.)

3. I really hate caulking and painting the trim around framed openings and doorways. There are waaay too many corners and edges and some how I always need to lean on the wall next to me. Thus the paint on the right side of my body and hair – I forgot the fact I just painted that wall – LOL!

4. I reeeally really dislike painting an exterior door – why did they make those gaskets black anyway? And what was I thinking wanting all those doors?

5. If anyone were to tell you I’m a perfectionist, they are wrong and they obviously haven’t seen me paint trim. A good enough job is perfectly okay with me! Shhh… don’t tell my husband.

6. Being able to frost and decorate cakes does not mean you’ll be good at mudding sheetrock, caulking, or painting trim. This is the logic my husband has used since 1987 for the reason I do the detail and trim work when painting. Personally, I just think he hates doing those things more than me. But since he does the hanging, sanding, spackling, and rolling which I’m REALLY bad at it works out, right?

7. Bifocals make detail work a bear – especially when you’re blind as a bat! I’m sure my husband would have been howling with laughter if he were watching me paint today holding my glasses in my one hand while painting with the other! Thus the paint on the left side of my head – hopefully I got it all when I showered, that way he’ll never have to know!

Of course, all of this is like childbirth right? When you’re done you forget all the pain involved. And I’m really looking forward to the finished result – a new storage space to organize!

So now to treat myself, I’m off to stamp in my classroom. (Even though my video space is covered in wet trim, I made sure I left enough space to stamp. Priorities – seriously:) But first I wanted to share this fun card I made.

The color pallet for this card was pulled from the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper. Don’t you love our Designer Series Paper Stacks? They are so great for card making and since there are 12 different designs to choose from they’re great for all kinds of projects! I’m reaching for mine all the time.

Just a tip when recreating this card you’ll want to attach your Designer Series Paper to your card stock before you punch the two ends – it will make things a lot easier, ask me how I know.  And since the base layer is Whisper White you won’t have a problem with your punch.

And do you recognize the ribbon used on this card? It’s the Coastal Cabana 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch trim that can currently be found on our Weekly Deals list. How cool is that right?

Click HERE to see all our Weekly Deals for this week.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Four You (130535/130538) and Petal Parade (Sale-a-bration 133599/133602)

Inks: Coastal Cabana (131175) and Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad (126949)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996), Coastal Cabana (131297), Crumb Cake (120953), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Coastal Cabana 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch Trim (130024),  Scallop Tag Topper Punch (133324), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (132187), and Arrows Embossing Folder (132187)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 10th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014). Make sure you forward me your confirmation email so I can send you your FREE gift!

Best Of Stamp Sets (Only available through March 31^st, 2014

New Digital Downloads