Marcolo, we definitely need drapes - not so much for privacy (we have a about 24" inches between our house and neighbors and conveniently, our windows don't "match up"- but for a bit of texture and color. I will have to see if 108" will do it. There is a pillow coming for the bed, and M made a series of little 3D paper frames that spell her name that I will hang over the bed once I get the hardware to install the hanging knobs. I am putting up a large corkboard on the wall that cannot be seen from the "public spaces" of the house so she can hang whatever notices, etc. there. We also have a peg board where she hangs her karate belts on the back of the closet door. None of that stuff is in yet :-) I am just enjoying the lack of "stuff" (of course, the Littlest Pet Shop is out in the formal living room, so it's all smoke and mirrors!) Thanks for all the kind words - this room was actually quite easy and fun to do. Usually, I labor over stuff forever and then don't really get it where I want it. Maybe I should get out of my comfort zone more often!

RM :( I'm so sorry to read your son is still challenged. And more so to see you're on the horrific "diagnostic" road trip literally. I wish there was something that could be done to blow that danged road up....I don't miss it and hate hearing anyone is traveling it. I can only hope you have a short trip! Virtual hugs in the biggest of ways hun! I have only this advice, learned in year three of that road....carry a big purse and a wine opener. You'll be a friend to many a parent if you lock the door to the parent room and crack open a bottle quietly :) Screw tops can be your friends as well. (And for those horrified that one would drink in a hospital...you haven't spent months in one I guarantee). A quiet glass of wine at 11 when the kids are finally asleep and it's marginally quiet (only the sickest kids are making noise that never goes away, soft cries of pain...that glass of wine alone in the dark while you thank god that's not your child every so often is a peace you don't understand). Enough of that....back to the chickens! hm here's a photo of just the backsplash uninstalled. We framed it in nordic black antique granite to make it fit the space it's in (Joe the tile guy rocked!) So the funny thing is....I've had to move (because of my son's health we had to leave alaska) so we have a new house and two kitchens to remodel/build LOL So I get to start planning all over again :) I can't wait to start from the beginning all over again....(which makes you wonder if I do crack does it not? I can't afford it, I have to finance another kitchen LOL). Star thanks for the nag. I missed the first one :) (You're good LOL) I'll work on the worksheet over the next couple of days. :)

"Fine Paints of Europe (FPE) and Farrow & Ball each make great oil enamels and have the price tags to prove it." If they meet the present VOC rules (federal) they are likely excessively thick for good leveling and a flat smooth surface. Those perfect and smooth surfaces took at least a couple coats with light sanding between to knock off ANY dust nibs that settled into the paint. Few can afford, or are willing to perform, this amount of labor. I have a house from ~1930, with a few original doors. After cleaning them up from years of sloppy painting (dust nibs do not go away, they get larger with each coat of paint) they are spectacular.

Hi Cindy; I do alot of One Stroke. My best advice to start off - take another class. The best way to learn is to watch someone in person do it. The videos are very helpful also. I hear DD is usually on PBS every Saturday morning- so you might want to check that out. She DOES make it look SO EASY!!!!!!!! It does get easier with practice. The RTGs (reusable teaching guides) are a great help too. Check out Yahoo for all the different forums you can join regarding OS. There are alot of great tips and techniques and there is a group for beginners. Use your Michael's coupons to get the videos, you won't regret it. Have fun with it, most of all. I still can't believe you went to a beginners class and they expected you to know how to load your brush already - for me, this is the hardest part to get right and I still have days (after painting almost 2 years) where I can't get that brush loaded right for anything! So don't give up!! Take a class or find a teacher locally (www.Onestroke.com then click on "find a teacher"). Maybe a teacher in your area can point you in the direction of other classes or private lessons! Never know!!! Glad to see this list has some spark in it again. Did you all see the Michael's paper this week?> Lots of great deals on all kinds of stuff - and all OS stuff is 50% off. Haven't been there yet myself. BYE!!!!!!!!!!