Crisis Today

I had a bit of a crisis today.  You see I have this beautiful dressor, but it has been misstreated while in the care of a friend.

As you can see this is really a beautiful piece.  It has nine drawers, the origional hardware (I have the other handle) and such a great form.

The probem is that this dressor (now used as a side board) has some damge:

It has been chipped, scratched, and even burned. 

So today I set out to paint it.

I took out all the stuff from inside it....

I took off all the hardware... and pulled out most of the drawers.

When I saw this:

Just for kicks I went online and did a quick search on this furniture maker...

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I found this dresser for sale online for $650!!!!  Now my dresser is not in as good a condition, but this threw me for a loop.  Turns out that Huntley Furniture was made as early as 1906.  It is not handmade furniture, but it is still very good.

After posting a quick panicked message on FB for advice, I talked to my hubby and decided to wait to paint it.  I could be diminishing the value of the piece if I painted it.  So I guess I will have to learn how to fix up this one, without painting it. 

I really wanted to paint this dresser, but now maybe I won't.  It all goes back to that age old debate between painting an old piece, or keeping it the original wood.  The wood tones are very nice, but when you paint you can hide a lot of damage. 

What would you do?  Any advice for this very indecisive woman?  I'm just afraid to decrease the value...but on the other hand, I don't plan on selling it...I just don't know what to do.  (I should also mention that I don't have the money to have it professionally restored, that would be my top pick.)

Do any of you have this problem?  Do you get nervous about painting your old furniture?  I would love to hear your stories. 

Laptop Sleeve for My Hubby

After the hubby saw my computer sleeve, he wanted one of his own.  I used this opportunity to make a better sleeve than the last.

I must say, it was a bit more complicated, a bit more involved, and I made some mistakes, but in the end it came out quite well. 

I used two different shades of grey for this one, and it was not just normal felt, but wool felt (fancy stuff for my hubby).  I also used magnetic clasps for the cover flap, so that it would be easy for my husband to open his sleeve and get out his handy laptop.

The process is similar to the last one, found here, but because of one mistake I made (the front layer of felt was too thin in width), this project was slightly more labor intensive. 

Supplies:

1/2 Yard of felt in two colors
Thread
Two magnetic clips (not too strong, you don't want them to interfere with the electronics in the laptop)
Scissors
Sewing machine
(And the computer so you have the right size)

Like the last one, I cut the outer layer of felt to wrap around the laptop one and a half times.  make sure to leave enough fabric to overlap sufficiently and create a close. 

Fold over the close where you want to have the magnetic flap. 

I gave the overlap of about an inch, a generous inch.  This has to be done first so that you can attach the clips, before you sew the two layers of fabric together.

To attach the magnetic snaps, you have to make small cuts, slip the clasps through and attach them to a piece of cardboard (I was not sold on the cardboard, but now I see that this was a good idea, it is easier to open the flap with the cardboard to hold on). 

Then you have to add a layer of metal (this is included).

Fold over the spokes and the clasp is done.  Repeat these steps for the remaining three snaps (the second side of this one, and the two for the other side).

DON'T DO THIS!

Notice how I put two different sides of the clip on the same side of the flap?

I had to undo the second clasp (on the right) and put the right clip on.

Next, it is very important to find the right place for the other snaps.

I had the laptop in the sleeve, before I made the marks, and even then I had to change them later. 

When you have all the snaps in place, then you can start the second layer.

Measure out the second layer, this is where I had my chance to fix the too thin outer layer.  I made the inner layer a half inch wider on all sides. 

I then sewed the two layers together on all sides.  I made sure to mark here the button flap would overlap.

I used a zipper foot (after breaking a sewing machine needle) to sew near the snaps.

To sew the inner layer, I turned the pieces inside-out, and only sewed the two sides to make a pocket. 

I also sewed the snap flap on both sides of the snap, it make for a better line on the outside. Then I trimmed the felt around the top.

I think it came out very well.  I especially like the way the inner layer shows on the sides.  I tried to get my hubby to pick a brighter color, but he liked the grey. 

Overall I'm very proud of this. 


I can see this in many bright contrasting colors.  I would do a pink and ornage for me, or black and red.  Oh there are so many great options.

What colors would you choose? 

Turnover a New Desert

When I need a quick dessert I make these: Turnovers.

They are so good, and so easy.  A little fruit, a little something sweet, and some defrosted phyllo dough, then you are done.  

Here's what you do:

Cut one piece of dough into four squares.  Each square becomes one turnover. 

Place a small amount of fruit (here I used strawberries) and a little something sweet (I had chocolate chips so I used that).  Apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar would work too. Really any filling is great, get creative. 

 

I make sure to put the filling diagonally on one side of the square, to make them fold over easily.  

Fold over the dough, and pinch down the sides with a fork. 

Cut some slits in the top for steam. 

Put your turnovers in the oven at 350 F for twenty to thirty minutes, and you have desert. 

 

Now, if you are a small family like my hubby and I, you will have some leftovers.  Just put the extra turnovers in Tupperware and freeze.  

They are great another night.  Just take them out and bake for a bit longer.  

Now that it is summer there are so many possibilities.  I'm thinking peaches and creme fresh next!

What would you put in your turnover?