Kim's Before & After Party

I'm trying to decide, on this gray and rainy afternoon, whether I've had an "artful" day. Or I've just plain lost my mind.

I've always wanted to do something with this window that is between the kitchen and my garden room. But I never quite knew what.

This is how I started out this morning (above.) I was fueled by coffee and ready to roll. Determined to have something new ready for Kim's debut party.

Except in this windowless room, you can't really see it very well. And I had to practically stand on my head (not a pretty picture) to get some photos of it.

So what on earth is it, you ask?

Why, it's a... it's a vintage spool and beaded...a...swag, I guess you'd call it. Yeah, I guess you could call it a swag.

I didn't actually mean for it to loop three times. But once I got started with my needle and spool of twine, I didn't quite know where to stop. I'd put a vintage spool on my needle, then three various-shaped beads. (I went through a phase about 12 years ago when I thought I wanted to make jewelry. And the result is a plastic box of supplies.)

Are you laughing yet? Well, it's okay. There's even a sign over my stamps that tells you to.

This is a case where I was trying to kill too many birds with one stone. And too many birds showed up. (Where do they get that expression? I'd never kill a bird.)

I've also wanted to do something with the various tags I've received from bloggers from time to time when I order on Etsy. And so the "swag" became a display for those tags.

And so what is said swag hanging from, you may be asking? Well, that's an extension curtain rod I found in the garage. And I put one of those fabric cord covers over it.

Oh, all right. I should have just stayed in bed today.

Or made something with my stamps.

You see, some days, despite your best intentions, inspiration is just not going to be there when you come knocking.

I'm sure it's happened to all of you at some point. Please tell me it has.

So...ahem...my before and after project for Kim of Savvy Southern Style's first B & A party, is something I worked on for much of the day. I don't really know what to call it.

Please go visit Kim's other participants. I sure hope they fared better than I did.

(Kim, I'll work on this Before & After stuff. I promise I will.)