Thimbleanna

Wherein SweetiePie and I are Strippers

Strippers for a day.  Our entry hall had this wallpaper that I have Disliked since we moved here 12 years ago.  The main paper really wasn’t too bad, it was the border that I didn’t like.  I think the person who put this paper here was trying to convince herself that she lived in a tropical climate — not the freezing, landlocked midwestern US.

Stripping

The problem has been that our entry hall is very tall.  The ceiling is probably close to 20 feet from the floor.  So, not an easy stripping job.

Stripping

And maneuvering those ladders around that glass light fixture was delicate work.  But, once we got our system in place, things went well.  SweetiePie did all the really high stripping, while I worked mid-level and below.  It took us about 8 hours with a little break for dinner.

Stripping

SweetiePie is a trooper.  We work well together and she made the job fun.  We made a big mess too.  There’s wallpaper and glue everywhere.  Today’s job will be figuring out how to clean those ladders.  The easy way would be to take them outside and hose them down, but there’s a dusting of snow on the ground, so that won’t work.

Stripping

Ah well, the hard stuff is done — yipee!  And we won’t be doing the painting.  Paint everywhere just wouldn’t be pretty!

Have a good weekend!

XOXO,
Anna

48 thoughts on “Wherein SweetiePie and I are Strippers”

  1. This scares me just seeing the photo. You would never, ever, ever get me on those ladders. You get the brave award. Your hall is gorgeous. Can’t wait to see the post-painting photos.

  2. LOL – do you know the kind of web traffic you are going to get with a post title like THAT!?

    Stripping WALLPAPER (just to clarify) isn’t a fun job and those ladders, I’m afraid will have paper on them for the rest of their lives…Ask me how I know!?

  3. Just the kind of project that makes you so satisified! And even better done with someone you enjoy sharing time with. She’s a keeper!

  4. sweetie pie certainly is just that…you are lucky!
    bet there was a lot of laughter up “in the heights!”
    the weather here is beautiful…had my back door open while i was baking mid- morn!

  5. HOLY MOLY! We’ve stripped wall paper in the family room and living room with 9 ft ceilings and I thought we were gonna kill each other! Once we agreed on a system, we worked fine together but OY VEY!! What a sticky mess to clean up! ;p

    If it were me? I’d take those ladders outside and lean them up against that beautiful retaining wall and hose them down with krud kutter! They could dry in the wind/sun and you would only have to take wet rags to the feet once they are dry. ;p

    Sweetie Pie IS a sweetie! ;p

  6. i simply could NOT have gotten up that ladder.
    kudos to you two!!
    so…you are getting it painted then? excited to see the rest of the story!

  7. OH MY goodness!!! That looks like one heck of a job, I’ll bet you are SOOO glad it’s done. Don’t you just want to smack whoever put up that wallpaper?

  8. I’ve done my share of stripping this past year!! I only have one little wallpaper border left in my house. I’ve instructed the fam to take me out in the yard and beat me if I ever suggest wallpaper as a decorating option. Glad you are done. And I know I’ve said this before, but that Sweetie Pie is a keeper!

  9. Wow. Good job!

    You know, while you’re at it in there, {wink wink} you might as well give the room some real wainscot . . . a 20′ ceiling needs beaded or paneled wainscot at least 5′ high. ;o) And some transoms . . . you could definitely use transoms in there, to help it not feel cavernous, you know . . . hmmmm . . . should I keep going? lol

    It’s fun to catch a little glimpse of you . . . you’re one of the bloggers who continues to keep her smile to herself. ;o) Have a wonderful weekend!

  10. Oh you brave (crazy) girls. I’m not scared of heights; just scared of falling down haha.
    It sounds like you make every job fun, Anna :)

  11. Wow you ladies are brave, six feet is about as high as I go, I think I can and then I chicken out… It looks better already, girl power lol. Oh and thanks for pinning the best pins ever, which this morning lead me to use up about three hours trying to figure out a circle granny square…lol I think I have it and I may be addicted, thanks Anna.

  12. Holy Moly! I was fine when you mentioned you were stripping wallpaper. Then I saw those ladders! Not for me. More power to you both!

  13. NOT NOT NOT Fun. My heart goes out to you. I would be a mess on a ladder. I have a hard enough job staying on even ground. I know what you mean about wallpaper. I’m so glad we stripped ours off a couple years ago. You will be so happy when it is done.

  14. Wow, that is quite some job you did there. I am impressed!! Hubby would never let me on a ladder like that, I am always falling down. Good luck with cleaning xox Clarioce

  15. A picture of you! Boy, you do work well with SweetiePie. You’re a gem of a mother-in-law. I would find it funny that you lived with that for 12 years but I’ve been here seven and you’ve made me think about what I’ve been living with for so long!

  16. How’d I miss this one! You’re pretty high up there Miss Anna. I don’t do heights! Knees buckle, it’s not a pretty thing. We have a 19′ ceiling in our family room and I hyperventilate when I take out the telescoping duster. But you go girl!

  17. Goodness, I sure admire both of you!! That was a big job and scary to boot! :)

    I’m behind on my blog reading, so I have to tell you that I also love the corduroy shirt you made. Very pretty! :)

  18. good for you guys!!! and hurray for sweetie pie, who can apparently make any job fun. that’s awesome! it’s good to have a partner in crime, isn’t it? what color are you going to have it painted?

    love the joyful thimbles in your header. so cute and creative. your blog is a delight to read!! xo

  19. Oh ya I hate stripping, lol – no seriously I hate that job of stripping wallpaper – especially when it doesn’t want to come off :). Glad you had a great partner in crime who was willing to take the high road/ladder, lol. Plus it sure helps make the time go by faster. Will be fun to see the finished results. I always knew you had a little wild side in ya lol.

    hugs – Karen

  20. Oh, gosh, Anna! That’s more than I would even attempt! Such an absolute pit of a job. I am sure it will be beautiful when you are finished though. :)

  21. My gracious, you and Sweetiepie really did a lot of hard work! Just think, the money that you saved by doing it yourselves can be spent on fabric for more quilt projects!

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