I was driving in an urban area across the river last week, when I saw a sign at a newer shopping center: Hobby Lobby and The Christmas Tree Shops. I let out a little squeal and quickly changed lanes in order to make the turn into the entrance. Some background information is in order: We haven’t had any Hobby Lobbys this far north. Fellow bloggers mention Hobby Lobby all the time. We have Michael’s, which is very good, but no Hobby Lobby. That is, until October apparently, when this one opened. The woman I spoke to at the check-out said it was the first one in the Northeast. By the way, I didn’t buy much this time out, but it is amazing.
My good friend, Donna of An Enchanted Cottage, talks about The Christmas Tree Shops all the time. Previously, I have encountered some that were rather far from here, but this new store is very convenient to my country home. I went in looking for a lampshade for my birthday vintage parakeet lamp (and got one) but then I saw this:
You might remember I have been looking for a bookcase for my upstairs hallway? Looking and looking for a vintage bookcase that wasn’t too tall, too wide, but was just right? Oh, and I didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg for one. I was unsuccessful. Then I saw this sweet, cottagey bookcase. Okay, it is made of particle board…but who cares when it is so gosh darn cute? It was very inexpensive, so I snapped it up and brought it home. When I arrived, Don was out and I thought I would have it put together in about 20 minutes – well before he got back. Things went swimmingly; I screwed the bottom to one of the sides using the pre-drilled holes.
I grabbed the next side piece to screw it to the bottom and realized something was wrong. The manufacturer had given me two left sides, instead of a left and a right. It was late in the day on Wednesday, the next day was Thanksgiving and I didn’t want to turn around and take it back. Determined to make it work, I spent the next 2 hours cursing as I measured and tried to drill new holes that would make a left side into its opposite – a right side. With particle board. Much time elapsed, with me sitting in the midst of bookcase parts, screws, measuring tape and screwdrivers. Sometimes I am just too stubborn for my own good. My husband came home in the middle of all this and gave me a “What is she up to now?” look. Miraculously, I somehow pulled it all together.
Because the backing of these types of bookcases is basically thick cardboard and we see the back of the bookcase coming up the stairs, I used a little Mod Podge and added some neat scrapbook paper I bought when I was in San Diego.
And now I have a home for a small portion of my books – these are mostly theater books.
I added a few things to the top of the bookshelf to personalize it a bit.
That’s my sister and me – taken a few years ago. And yes, that is a cow’s nose you see in the upper left hand corner of the photo – we were in a local restaurant that had a mural on the wall. And the cow was part of the mural. It looks like he’s watching us.
A cake plate with a serving of Betty’s pincushions. They look good enough to eat, don’t they? I have now officially declared the upstairs hallway to be my studio. It may be small, but it is all mine…okay, I let my husband and dogs walk through it, but it is mine.
My next big project, in the spring, will be constructing some built-in bookcases for the den. I am determined to do it. Our many books need a home and I need to see them. Oh, and I have to paint all the walls, but somehow that isn’t as exciting.
That little bookcase is so stinkin’ cute!!! It’s such a great find, and will look so darling in your cottage.
Hugs,
Jill
How cute is that! You can’t stop a woman with power tools!!!
Oh my gosh, Claudia – you got the bookcase that matches the nightstand that Amanda wanted SOOOO badly! Over the summer we were at CTS and she fell in love with a robins egg blue nightstand (same as your bookcase but nightstand sized)… She already had a nightstand at home, so we passed on it. But then in September, when she found her apartment, we went running back to CTS to get it for her and they were sold out! So we can now add that to the dog beds and the shower curtains and all the other identical items that you and I seem to fall in love with! We definitely have similar tastes!!!
It looks fantastic, and I absolutely love how you finished the back of it. I can’t believe you got two left sides though… Well, actually I can. You have to be very careful with CTS… Of course when you’re buying a boxed item that needs assembly it’s pretty hard to check and see if you have all the right pieces!
Donna
Too funny! That’s exactly what I would have done. It looks fab in you studio! And I love the scrapbook paper on the back – great idea!
Have a great week!
Leann
Well, now that is the story of my life….being given two left sides. :)
Adorable bookcase, and I would never have known it was particleboard…the scrapbook paper is also a perfect touch.
Claudia!!! Can you hear me chuckling all the way over here in Michigan? I LOVE a stubborn woman’s will to get the job done! And you did! And it’s great! Thanks for sharing your whole endeavor and enjoy your newly discovered space! You’re gonna’ love it! Have fun! Hugs, Coralie
What a darling bookcase! Ha ha, you were determined and it paid off! And I like how you decoupaged the back, very clever!!
Have a super day!
Hugs,
Marsha
Claudia, you ROCK!!! You are my idol now, lol!! I have never done anything like that, I always have to have Chad do it for me! You are amazing :) I love the bookcase and the way you decorated it is perfect! I am so glad you have a Hobby Lobby now, yay!! I love that store!!
Big Hugs,
Amy
Go Claudia…Go Claudia…
You are the Girl. We are all clapping for you sister. Job well done, and with no help. I am so proud of you. Don’t you just hate it when they give you the wrong pieces in a box? You made it work.
I love the backing that you used. It looks so pretty behind the stairwell. Love your books arranged on it.
I really adore that picture of you and your sis. How cute is that? Cow snout and all. Love it.
I am going to check out the blogger with the little pin cushions. Those are just precious. I really love the one with reds.
Have a beautiful day sweetie.
Country hugs and much love..Sherry
Oh I would be the same, that bookcase had to be constructed there and then. Good on you because it looks great.
And I am so envious of your hobby lobby, we don’t even have Michaels. None of those big, big stores have franchises in Europe. we have to make do with totally over the top priced speciality craft stores. Ah well, that’s life.
My Mom was a bit like you are- single parent and if something broke then she would fix it- she would find a way! I have even seen her fix a washing machine! I love the bookcase- it is perfect – and I LOVE the scrapbook paper on the back- super fantastic job!
Claudia… I adore that bookcase! It looks like an antique! I love the design, and it’s perfect for your landing. HOW cute! I’m so happy that you found it AND that you now have Hobby Lobby. Life is good!
I wish we had a Christmas Tree Shop around here. We might, and I might not know about it. After seeing your cute piece, I’m going to check!
Have a great day. Oh, and I love the pic of you and your sis, cow nose and all! ;-)
XO,
Sheila :-)
What a great little bookcase. I can’t believe you had the patience to struggle with it. I bet you are glad you did though.
~janet
How very creative of you, but I should have expected nothing less of you and your talent, sugar! I love what you did with it. (Me thinks the love “love” is thrown around a bit much in blogland; however, in this case, it is definitely my reaction!) I’m thinking maybe I’ll so something similar and get rid of my tall bookcases and some of my plethora of decorating books. Yikes!!!! Did I really say that, sweetpea?!?!
xoxo,
Connie
Love the bookcase, Claudia! 2 left sides. This kind of thing happens to me much too often, and like you, I am determined to make it work. Well, you did, and it looks fab, darling!!! Fab!
:)
Zuzu
Your little bookcase is adorable I love it. Happy you found it and when I am in the US I love the Christmas tree shop too.
Love your bookcase. Too bad about the 2 left sides but it looks like you got it to work. I am a big Hobby Lobby fan. I am sure you will have many happy visits there. Blessings!
Gwen
well I’ve heard of Christmas tree shops…it is awesome!! they have them back home in Rhode Island, don’t tell my sisters but sometimes I visit them just to shop!! Haven’t heard of hobby lobby…will have to check that out! bookcase is so perfect, love the decopouge you did! brilliant!
xo
paula
I came to get caught up on your blog after my return from Thanksgiving and who do I see but ME! I love the bookcase and I would have done the same thing. I can’t wait to see new shops I have never been in when i come to see you. Miss you a ton, Mere
Gosh, I love that cute bookshelf! I am glad you were determined to make it work, too! Good idea to finish the back with decorative papers. I really like that!! Have a lovely week, sweet friend! Vicki
Darling~absolutely darling. I love the detail on the book case. You did a great job of installation! And, I love the idea of putting scrapbooking paper on the back that shows through the banister. I love getting little glimpses of you wonderful home.
Have a great evening!
hi claudia,
your bookcase is adorable! way to go, determined one!
so hobby lobby is better than michaels? i have got to visit one of these! love the christmas tree shop. great deals and fun to wander through.
how is tomorrow december 1 already?
xo
Hi Claudia
I think your bookcase looks wonderful! I wish there was a CTS near me.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks for entering the Christmas teapot give away on my blog — I’ll be announcing the winner on Wednesday!
DEAR CLAUDIA,
YOU ARE THE QUEEN…
YOU RULE SUMPREME
JUST GIVE YOU A PROJECT WITH TWO LEFT SIDES
YOU’LL MAKE IT WORK…THROUGH TRUE GRIT AND PRIDE
I CAME TO ADORE YOU THROUGH THOSE BEAUTIFUL BLUE GLASSES
THEN I REALLY GOT TO KNOW YOU AS YOU TAUGHT YOUR VOICE CLASSES
EVERYONE LOVES MOCKINGBIRD HILL COTTAGE BECAUSE IT IS FULL OF CHARM
RUN BY YOU, THE CARETAKER,SUPREME QUEEN, YOU GUARD IT FROM ANY HARM
YOU HAVE BECOME A FRIEND, PRECIOUS AND DEAR
I LOVE…LOVE…THAT BEAUTIFUL BOOK CASE…IT MAKES ME DROOL AND TEAR.
I LOVE YOU SHARING THE STORY OF THAT BEAUTIFUL BOOKCASE AND THE DARLING PICTURE OF YOU AND YOUR SISTER. I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE PAPER YOU PUT ON THE BACK….I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I ALWAYS TOLD MY DAUGHTER AMY AND MY SON RICHIE……”I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT BECAUSE YOU WERE A SMART BABY.”
I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE STORE…IT SOUNDS LIKE A FUN PLACE
I ONLY HAVE A HOBBY LOBBY IN MY TOWN….THERE IS A MICHAELS ABOUT 90 MILES AWAY….THE THING ABOUT HOBBY LOBBY IS THEY HAVE FABULOUS HALF PRICE SALES AND I LOVE THEIR THINGS YOU CAN PUT IN THE GARDEN.
ANGEL HUGS
DEBBIE