Thursday, December 29, 2016

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

Another year has rushed by.  I've been so busy, I hardly noticed - until I stop to think back on the high (and low) points that marked its progress.  The most life changing was the day I walked out of my home of 20+ years and moved to my son and daughter-in-law's  home to become a permanent family member.

This move prompted the get-it-done renovations (DIL) Luli had longed for for years - which is how I got both a bedroom and a studio/office and a totally rehabed bathroom.  When my bathroom is finished, the kitchen is up for a major renovation. Though Gus did a good upgrade job adding a new tiled counter top and a small pantry a couple of years ago, the kitchen footprint was obviously laid out by someone who had never cooked.  Insofar as load bearing walls will allow, we plan to enlarge the footprint and make it more efficient.

Then on to the master bath!  And the new garage door, the new irrigation system and new landscaping.  And God willing, my back will hold up long enough to have a small vegetable garden.

But best of all is the room I now call my studio/office, just three steps from my bedroom.  And like my bedroom, it's crammed full of those things I simply cannot function without; my computer, my sewing machine, the BIG storage container full of fabrics and furs and idea starters.  The TV and dog food container are in here, too, as is a table Luli gave me.  It fits perfectly in the space I had alloted for it and is long enough to lay out and cut a pattern.  The sewing machine sits on one end.

But space so limited is forcing me to rethink my requirements.  I'm giving my pretty sewing box to my grand daughter who is the go-to person for costumes that she and her friends wear when visiting medieval fairs.   My husband gave me that sewing box the first Christmas we were married. It is leather covered wood and so well made it 's still beautiful after 62 years of use.  With a little loving care, perhaps it will last another 62 years.




  

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

IT'S HAPPENING!

Today, workers finished laying the bamboo flooring in what will become my new bedroom.  The room has been freshly painted and practically glows.  I've been told I can move furniture in tomorrow, but they will start putting in (after first tearing down) my new bathroom tomorrow.  I will have a walk in shower with a bench.  No more lifting my stiff and aching legs into the tub.  SO.  After workers leave this evening, I start hauling stuff out of the bathroom - and into the new bedroom for the time being.  After the bathroom rehab, my current bedroom will be painted and have a new bamboo floor.  THIS WILL BE MY LONGED FOR STUDIO!

But, moving furniture to and from the storage unit will be a problem.  I'm considering hiring the same crew that moved my stuff from Macclenny to Jacksonville.  Hmmmm, after today's shopping spree, I wonder what my checking account looks like.  Guess I'd better check it.

DETAILS . . .

So, I've all but finished a little draw string bag and a clutch.  The clutch needs some binding and a latch of some sort and the little bag needs -- a better drawstring than I've provided.  I'll tweak it a bit and if I can't make it work, will buy something easier to work with than a metallic embroidery floss.  I've also finished my Elf and Sock and have hung him on my bedroom door.  He will be a gift to anyone who wants him.

Monday, November 21, 2016

MOVING FORWARD - SLOWLY

If I could just STAY AWAKE!!   Sleep deprivation is a real problem for me.  It seems every time I sit down at the computer, sewing machine or tv, my eyes slam shut.  Then it becomes a choice of lay down or fall down.  I prefer to NOT fall down.  Naps are some times no more than 15 minutes, but necessary to get me back on my feet.  Consequently, any project I'm working on is interrupted numerous times

MOVING FORWARD - SLOWLY

If I could just STAY AWAKE!!   Sleep deprivation is a real problem for me.  It seems every time I sit down at the computer, sewing machine or tv, my eyes slam shut.  Then it becomes a choice of lay down or fall down.  I prefer to NOT fall down.  Naps are some times no more than 15 minutes, but necessary to get me back on my feet.  Consequently, any project I'm working on is interrupted numerous times

Friday, October 21, 2016

WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG??

I am SO frustrated!  My little Singer Light Weight has a piece of thread caught in the bobbin  mechanism.  Couldn't get it out, so took it to a sewing machine repairman - who has had it for a week.  I can't understand why it's taking so long to do a piece of work that should take someone with the proper tools, only 15 minutes to do.  If he screws up that machine he will pay with his flesh!  Well, his ears, anyway.  My sister "loaned" me that machine years ago and promised me a slow and painful death if anything happened to it.

I will need to take it to the DollWorks meeting on the 7th of next month which is rapidly approaching.  Meanwhile, I have not only doll work to do but   Christmas gifts and mending.  I'm hoping I will be able to have my sewing machine back by this coming Tuesday.  It will probably cost an arm and leg because I wanted it done ASAP - but I probably could have fumbled around and done it myself in a week's time.

Yes, I'm a very impatient person.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG??

I am SO frustrated!  My little Singer Light Weight has a piece of thread caught in the bobbin  mechanism.  Couldn't get it out, so took it to a sewing machine repairman - who has had it for a week.  I can't understand why it's taking so long to do a piece of work that should take someone with the proper tools, only 15 minutes to do.  If he screws up that machine he will pay with his flesh!  Well, his ears, anyway.  My sister "loaned" me that machine years ago and promised me a slow and painful death if anything happened to it.

I will need to take it to the DollWorks meeting on the 7th of next month which is rapidly approaching.  Meanwhile, I have not only doll work to do but   Christmas gifts and mending.  I'm hoping I will be able to have my sewing machine back by this coming Tuesday.  It will probably cost an arm and leg because I wanted it done ASAP - but I probably could have fumbled around and done it myself in a week's time.

Yes, I'm a very impatient person.