The first project I did was to redo my powder room. When I moved in it was painted a forest green and it was only a half bath so it was small. The forest green made it even smaller so that had to go. I primed and wallpapered the walls with a small leopard print. Then I took out a box cabinet sink and installed a pedestal sink, pulled out the linoleum and put in tumbled marble, put up an oval mirror and put in a new light. When I was done with that I painted my living room tango red. You could say that when it was finished it was "done".

I have always had an artistic knack and wanted to learn new things. I just jumped into it when I bought my house. I love it because I can be creative, and working in an office all day doesn't let me tap into that part of myself. It's such a nice change and it's so much fun.

I completely re-did my kitchen. The only thing I saved was the base of the cabinets. I sanded, primed and painted them in a white high-gloss. Then I took out the beige countertops and had black granite countertops put in. I tiled the floor in a black & white check pattern. Stripped the wall paper off the walls and then painted them warm lime green.

I couldn't just stop there so I put in pot lights over the sink and replaced the old appliances with new stainless steel ones. I wanted everything to match so I installed nickel plated faucets and a ceiling fan black with nickel plating accents. Out of all of that, the only thing I didn't do myself was install the granite. And I had new doors made for me but I painted them when they were ready.

I would definitely have to say the kitchen just because the before and after is sooo different. I just love dreaming up things and making them a reality.

I get such a great sense of accomplishment, so much so that I wish she could do it full time. I love it so much that I am starting up a business where I go into people's homes, help them dream up their own room and create it into reality. Until I can support myself full time on it, I will have to do it evenings and week-ends but at least I get to do what I love.

Perseverance. That's the most important thing for me in getting it done. Patience and then more patience; this is a lesson I am still learning. I have definitely learned a lot through patience.

It has affected me profoundly. It makes me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to!

My inspiration is around just being able to be creative. It makes me wish I would have gotten into more of an architectural type of work. I can't say it enough; it's just a lot of fun.

Don't give up and be sure to learn something new everyday in the skill that you're interested in!