One of the first "before-and-after" blog posts I ever wrote involved an old wooden tray
that I transformed into this serving tray/vacation memento:
This summer I found a bedraggled ottoman at the thrift store
And in one of my thriftiest projects ever, I turned an Omaha Steaks styrofoam cooler
into an ottoman for my front porch:
One of my favorite large projects of the year was a makeover of my laundry room. It went from this:
To this:
To this:
I must say, though, that the project of 2009 that stands out most in my mind is the one that involved getting my husband from here to here. In case you're not schooled in reading ECG's, the first shows an example of an electrocardiogram strip from a person in atrial fibrillation. The second shows an ECG of someone with a normal heart rhythm--which is what my husband has now. Actually, we were most grateful for the a-fib. For my husband, the irregular heartbeat prompted a special visit to the cardiologist, and extensive testing revealed that he needed open-heart surgery. So now he has a brand-new stainless steel heart valve--and at his last check-up, the cardiologist said that his ECG looked like that of an 18-year-old. That was quite a project!
Now it's time for me to get busy on some new projects for 2010. Thanks, Rhoda, for the chance to look back fondly on what we accomplished in 2009!
Oh Richella, that laundry room, I just LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Richella - a hubby who now has a healthy functioning heart is the best project and gift of all. Thank You, Lord! Thanks for sharing ~ Kristi :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I remember those posts/projects and loved them!
ReplyDeletei love your way of thinking :) yes, your hubby has the best makeover of 2009!! and stainless steel! funny that even in the midst of a health scare, there is lots of thankfulness... i am thankful every day that my own husband's heart stuff turned out a-ok all those years ago :)
ReplyDeleteWow what a year for you and hubby !
ReplyDeleteSo glad he is like an 18 year old again , LOL !
Love all your projects and so great when they are thrifty too !
Hugs ~ Kammy
p.s. look forward to 2010 projects - just stay out of the health catagory, k ?
Hubby's good heart is the best 'project' of all, I so understand that. Love your laundry room.
ReplyDeleteYou must have the prettiest laundry on your block! Just fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteReally great projects this year! I especially like the ottoman you made from the Omaha Steaks cooler!! I love it! I re-did my Landry Room this year too. Such a huge difference. Yours looks great. Glad your husband is doing so well!
ReplyDeleteSuch great (and realistic) projects! You are so clever. Maybe I'll link up too...though I haven't crafted or decorated in months.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year sweet friend!
Richella, I love all your projects. Your laundry room turned out SO cute. and I'm just amazed at that styrofoam cooler transformation. So happy your hubby got what he needed & is doing fine! That's such a blessing & the best gift of all. It's been so fun to get to know you this past year.
ReplyDeleteLove your laundry room! I sure wish mine look like your after and not your before!
ReplyDeleteSo glad hubby is doing well! THat is a great makeover!
blessings
mary
The styrofoam cooler! wow.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on your most important project, the before and after of your husbands heart. I wish you and your family lots of health and fun in 2010.
Yes, I definitely think that a new heart tops the list! I'm so happy for you both :)
ReplyDeleteI think the most amazing redo is the styrofoam chest, but everything looks wonderful!!
rue
Hi Richella!
ReplyDeleteI would say your husband's improved health was the best project of 2009! I also love the storage bench you did - that fabric is so fabulous! I wish I had your laundry room - so pretty!
Manuela
You have done some great things over this past year. Cant wait to see what other goodies you will share with all of us! Take care~
ReplyDeleteI am just speechless over the "cooler" ottoman...too cool. You have some awesome projects, and I know 2010 will bring more fun from you, friend. :)
ReplyDeletePS. If you lived nearby, I'd totally invite you to Chick Flick Club night. ;)
Richella, you are so talented. I wlll be looking out for your projects this year. So glad your husband is fine too, though. It helps us count our blessings when we hear things like that.
ReplyDeleteI love all the makeovers but most especially the major one with your hubby. That's such wonderful news.
ReplyDeleteWow. I need a laundry room rescue - so envious! ;) I love your projects! Great job!
ReplyDeleteRoeshel
Great Projects, Richella! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI am wishing I hadn't thrown away my Omaha Steaks cooler. You could start a green revolution with that adorable little stool.
ReplyDeleteYour laundry room is gorgeous! Love what you've done.
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious! Your laundry room looks fantastic!!! I love it!
ReplyDeletesweetjeanette.blogspot.com
Love your projects, Richella. The laundry room looks great. Love the shelf in the corner---I need a shelf but my LR is so tiny.
ReplyDeleteGlad your husband is doing better. What a blessing.
Ok, the styrofoam cooler project was just brilliant. The rest aren't bad either.
ReplyDeleteI just want to jump in because these are all incredible.
ReplyDeleteYou're good!
And the healthy husband. That is priceless.
Happy New Year Richella! Love all your projects but I still find it amazing that you converted a styrofoam cooler into an ottoman. So clever! Looking forward to your posts in 2010.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the update!!! We were hoping no news was good news :) Much love - Renee & all
ReplyDeleteGirl, do you speak chinese?? :)(looking at the comment above~I have been getting TONS of spam lately too) I would say, bless his (and yours) heart literally and that is the greatest and longest lasting project. I love the tray with the postcards second best :) Love ya~
ReplyDeleteNo stinkin' way. A COOLER into an OTTOMAN!?!? Won't you be my neighbor? :D
ReplyDeleteI seriously may have to get your input on an ottoman re-do that has had me stumped for over a year.
And congratulations to you and your hubby! I'm so glad for y'all!
You are so clever with that cooler into an ottoman! And love the laundry room makeover too. You are getting me inspired for all I hope to be able to do in the new year!!
ReplyDeleteWow on your husband's heart! Such a miracle!
Blessings,
Melissa