Heartfelt Inkspiration

I’m not saying I’ve been forbidden to paint walls, fences, etc., during my marriage, but I can still remember how appalled my husband was when he saw me in action. He is so careful, he barely needs to use painter’s tape or put down a drop cloth. I only say the word “paint” and I have it on my body and clothing and other places it doesn’t belong.

So I thought it was about time to ask him to teach me how. And I had just the project.

Last week I finally got something that’s been on my wish list forever: a garden workbench, or potting table. (Peter told me I didn’t need one, I could just use a stool with a tray on it. Exactly how I’ve been managing for years, but not efficiently or happily.) I found a 6-foot workbench kit, and we asked Peter’s parents to meet us at the store to haul it (and a new grill) back to our house in their van. I must have said “We have a construction project for the weekend,” but I seriously didn’t mean to imply that they had to help with it. Even so, it’s good to have generous family members, and DH and his son assembled the workbench while our DIL and I assembled the grill. Peter tightened screws, held pieces in place while we persuaded them to fit, and generally offered help as needed (including with the lunch dishes, thank you!).

After they left, and after a brief nap, we went to the paint store. I had already picked out Dutch Boy’s Cattails, but we had it mixed at Sherwin Williams. The bench is outside behind our garage, under an overhang that will keep it mostly protected from the weather.

If you’re wondering why I’m telling you all of this, it’s because Cattails is nearly the same as the new Stampin’ Up! 2021-2022 In Color Soft Succulent, just darker. I had not planned that. Here’s what the bench looks like, five days later:

It’s not really this blue IRL, it is a blue-green.

This makes me so happy. And now, in my gardening shirt with paint on it, I’m ready to put this bench to good use!