Making it Home

Clearing Out

2008-09-08T10:58:00.001-07:00

Drama. Of course there is drama. Someone called the city and complained about the trees being cut down and the city came by to inspect and ask if we had permits. Contractor had been told no permits were needed... it went around and around and I'm not sure where that stands. What a headache. All the lumber from the sick trees in the back yard has been removed and some of the logs left today. The sun has been shining ever since they were cut down and I'm so thrilled by the light. It's still all good. And will only get better and better. Stump grinding, new top soil, then the fun part - planning and planting.

What were we thinking?

2008-08-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Twelve trees in front, a dead one on the side, a split and dangerous one out back and a grove of dying dogwoods... seemed like a good idea at the time. In progress though... oh, what were we thinking? My poor yard. My poor ears.

Getting the Boy's Room Ready for Homework

2008-08-27T16:32:00.001-07:00

Mad rush to get everything done that needs doing before back-to-school and back-to-work starts. Of course, it's crazy, the tree people are here cutting all our trees down (pictures later) and so Luke and I were stuck here in case they had questions or needed something. Good thing we had a project and half - I bought a desk for him yesterday to replace his little blue toddler table and chairs (he loved them so much but is finally outgrowing them and agrees it's time for them to go). So we got that in his room, took down his baby art and put up a surfer poster and a world map and now his room is looking very grown up with lots of space to do homework and stuff. Because we hear, 2nd grade has a LOT of homework. I put a cork board behind the desk hutch too - I think that was very smart of me, don't you? Hah.

Mmmnnn... Grilled Pizza!

2008-07-14T21:01:00.001-07:00

This turned out way better than I thought! Wolfgang Puck's Pizza Dough, grill on one side, flip, add your toppings and let melt and bubble. Yum! Next time fresh basil, goat cheese and caramelized onions.

Summer in the Garden

2008-07-14T21:00:00.001-07:00

Grow Tall, Clematis

2008-05-21T11:20:00.001-07:00

I had this extra piece of trellis from the studio and decided it would be a good thing for my clematis to grow up on. It will look great once the plant fills up and out and is covered with purple blooms.

Here are some things that are blooming now..

And lots of these:

My Garden

2008-05-19T18:20:00.001-07:00

It's amazing what just a couple of days of sunshine can do.

Skirt

2008-04-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

I made this skirt today to go around this old shelving unit - it hides the ugly dog food and telephone books. Happy, even though it's just a "making-do" kind of thing - I have not been able to find a tiny little hutch to fit the spot yet, not that I spent all that much time looking before I gave up.

Grout Note

2008-03-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Just in case we need it for later: Polyblend brand, non-sanded, oyster gray, #386.

The rest of the wall

2008-03-24T10:39:00.001-07:00

As my 7-year-old says, "it's starting to feel like a REAL home".

I heart walls

2008-03-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

Oh, you know there is progress being made when a wall goes from 2X4 frames to sheetrocked in... so that the cat can no longer jump out at you (or the dog) from the shadows under the tub, or you can no longer see through three rooms at one time... when you don't see pipes and wires and the construction mess piled up... SOLID. Even if not yet plastered and painted... they are real walls. A place I can someday hang some of my art. Happy.

And then, on the other side of that wall - the new section in the hallway, not the one next to the table - you can finally see the room taking shape as well. I can't wait to soak in the tub - I hope it happens in time to enjoy the lilac tree in bloom - right outside the window. I don't know though... things will have to happen pretty quickly, the tree is growing buds right now.

And the Master Bedroom

2008-03-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm about ready to paint in there... I just can not stand the depressing olive green and aqua curtains in there any longer. I'm going to try Ben Moore's Homestead Green. This is my inspiration photo, for colors and windows.

I also like these bedrooms, for various reasons:

And check out this bed, I love it!

Mulch, Patio Talk

2008-03-18T20:07:00.001-07:00

So... my latest bright idea. Probably not the brightest one I ever had. But brighter than the time I threw down about 5 bags of white gravel trying to make a small spot in the yard level enough to throw an outdoor dinner party.... see my problem? A bumpy lumpy yard. Yeah, I could get a dump truck of dirt. But the thought of all that dirt with two big dogs and a boy.... ugh. And no, I can't break up the ground and level - too many BIG roots.... I *should* get a dump truck of gravel, that's what I really want, a tuscan country courtyard patio... but Frank is not convinced (and he wants to wait 'til next year to work on the landscaping so all discussions are on hold there). But I need a place to put the table so we can enjoy the yard this year, bbqs, etc... and bark mulch seems like a decent temporary solution: it composts in time and will turn back into yard if I let it, with the added benefit of a more level yard than I had... I can still put gravel on top of it next year if that's what we do, or sand and pavers... or whatever. So bark. I need about 10 more trees worth... and a bunch of rain to pack it all down... and then maybe it will be ok. Hopefully in time for our first bbq of the year, whenever that will be.

Here is some gravel patio inspiration:

And yeah, I say I want a tuscan gravel patio area... but what I really want is something paved and totally unique and cool. Something like this maybe... only with a curving rock wall that can serve as a seat as well... fun.

Since I'm dreaming, I'd also like a big old outdoor fireplace. Even better if it had a pizza oven in it!

Or...

2008-03-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

Just paint the dining room the same color as the living room and then it will all go. That's too easy. I might just do it.

Dining Room Inspiration Pictures

2008-03-18T09:13:00.001-07:00

I need to pick a paint color for the dining room ASAP as the one wall and hallway will need painting very soon. Some ideas floating around in my head include:

The rest of the move:

2008-03-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

The living room... trying things out this way. Not totally loving it, though it's an improvement over being squished in the smaller room. This room is too long and narrow and is really hard to come up with an arrangement that works for modern living. If I could only figure out what would work... I'd go shopping. I don't know - a couch and two oversized arm chairs? And an cabinet with doors for the tv? Ideally I'd like the tv across from the fireplace, but how to get enough seating in for everyone that way is a problem. Hmn...

A couple of Before versions, as you can see, I've tried just about everything:

After:

Moving Around... and Around

2008-03-17T10:51:00.001-07:00

Still trying to make this house work over here. Have moved everything all over the place until my back is sore and my husband grumpy... but I think this is going to work. Unless we do the remodel in which case it will all change again. The dining room is in the old living room, far away from the kitchen, but... oh well. No farther away than if we were eating outside on the patio... not that big a deal. Here is the new dining room, will share the living room another day. Assuming we keep this arrangement, I'll get a new chandelier instead of the track lighting and figure out a better placement of things... all in good time. I have green fabric to re-cover the chairs with... again, all in good time.

Before:

After:

The wall hanging is one of my grandmother's most impressive works of art. This one was her answer to the book 1984 and it took her about 10 years to complete. It is an image of her back yard at her old house in Natick, MA. A real treasure.

It Works!!!

2008-03-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

The powder room is functional!!! And on the way to beautiful too - I'm SO happy... have been waiting so long for this day. This photo was taken while Frank ran to the home improvement store for um... the 4th... 5th?... time this weekend. He just needed one little thing and then when he got back he got it all together in no time and turned on the water... and just a few more tweaks on the connections (don't.want.to.tighten.compression.seals.too.much or some such greek explanation) and it worked great!!! Yes, a lot left to do, but this was such a big milestone... we even opened a bottle of white star to celebrate. Cheers!

Luke Draws on the Walls... with a Sharpie

2008-03-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

but it's ok ;-)

Grout, Check!

2008-03-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

The grout is in. It looks great! And it went in way easier than my studio - I think because it was unsanded grout, the tiles were smoother, and the grout a little thicker... whatever, I'm glad it wasn't a huge pain.

Here is my question though: I know I have to wait 2 weeks before I can seal it... but when can I (er, Frank) install the toilet and sink? I know we didn't wait two weeks in our old house when the tiler and plumber did it all - in fact, I'm pretty sure once one was done, the other came right in. But it was a long time ago, and Luke was a newborn... I might not have my facts straight. I am thinking the toilet and pedestal sink can go in this weekend. Frank thinks we have to wait until the grout is sealed. Anyone else with an opinion?

Lights... Camera... !!!!

2008-03-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

WOW, I have lights! I know, I know, there are only two lit, I thought I had bulbs but I don't... so off to the store first thing in the morning. Had to special order my grout color - it will be in tomorrow afternoon... I might just grout tomorrow night, I'm so excited! I have to look and see how long I have to wait after grouting to install the fixtures... but maybe they will be in this weekend, if all goes well.

Look what I made!

2008-03-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

I did it! I made a hutch for my jewelry bench! Frank helped of course, good thing since this was bigger than that small shelf I made from the scrap wood - my trial run project. He drilled pilot holes this time and the wood didn't split like it did when it was just me ramming the screws in and trying to hold it all together by myself - teamwork pays off. I hammered in little rusty-looking upholstery tacks along the top to give it some personality. Still organizing and filling my jars with beads, excuse the mess, I just wanted to share and it's still several hours away from being perfect :)

Powder Room Painted....

2008-02-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

... and about to be tiled. It's been awhile since I posted, but that's not to say there hasn't been any progress. The sheetrock plaster took several tries, but finally was right and then I painted. Then the cement board went down and today we cut the tile to fit. Maybe it will get mortered in next weekend.

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T14:20:00.002-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

The cute little vases on the mantel are by Julie of Farmer Julie. Check out her etsy store - she's got a really cute cake stand there right now!

Can I just say...

2008-01-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

I hate sheetrock dust. The sanding of the plaster dust. It's all over the whole entire house, in the computers, the TV, the speakers, the camera, the dishes, the floor... and even though I mopped the floor, it still looks gross. I hate hate hate this and really can't wait to be done.

Our Christmas in a nutshell... er, longer than that I guess.

2007-12-25T17:25:00.001-08:00

Nice. The nicest Christmas I've had in... I can't remember how long.

Tyger got stoned on catnip and loves his new fuzzy pink slipper toy.

Zoe spent the day nursing a rawhide bone and letting us put ribbons around her neck.

Kesia went through three toys, pulling the squeekers out along with all the stuffing. She's one happy girl as she just stole the remainder of Zoe's rawhide. And will soon get Zoe's last stuffed toy and de-squeek it, I'm sure. She also has multiple ribbons on, she looks good in red.

Luke is STILL playing with the new Wii. He's all hot and sweaty and tired... it's GOOD. He got tons more of everything else a 7-year old boy could possibly want, his favorites besides the Wii are a digital piggy bank (it counts the money as you put it in) and a voice recorder/warper thing.

Frank got all new leather's for riding the motorcycle he got for his birthday last month. And a new pair of Chuck Taylors. He's also been playing the Wii and thinks it's the best toy ever.

Me. I gave out a list this year for the the first time ever and I got most of what I put on it. I got some cool glass presses - crunches and a spiral press (for making glass beads), some gold foil for melting into glass, some books and new ski gloves and socks. Some Lush bath bombs and a promise that my bathtub will be ready for a soak early in 2008. The new dishes I wanted are on backorder but no biggie. Oh, and I got a NAP, made a super easy but yummy scone recipe for breakfast and have the simplest of roasts cooking. I did NOT spend the day cooking and cleaning and waiting on everyone else... and I'm not sick. What a change from years past, I don't know how or why, but I'll take it.

OH! And it Snowed. Perfect. And the Zune got hooked up to my stereo so I've had constant nice music all day long. KT Tunstall is on now. Love. And my friend from Germany put me in an Etsy Treasury with some of my best WetCanvas friends. Yay. Only thing missing is the big family dinner, but maybe next year - my parents and grandmother are planning on moving out this way next summer.

Wishing a happy day for all of you too. Hope you got everything you wished for and nothing you didn't. Xoxo, Pam

Powder Room Colors

2007-12-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to prime the walls... I need to pick colors. Originally I was thinking a silver blue with a fancy silver framed mirror. Then I got the bright idea...maybe a latte with black framed mirror... Frank is leaning more to the latte, I'm leaning more to the blue, go figure. What do you think?

It's not a hole anymore!

2007-12-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's kind of exciting all of a sudden again. Look! Four walls, a ceiling, a floor and a door! A real room! Not a big hole in the middle of my house. Frank is working on taping and mudding and then I get to paint and tile. It's really close finally!

Oh my stars...

2007-12-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

I made these stars to hang in my diningroom windows. Polyclay, a rubber stamp, paint and string. Pretty easy. I think I'll make some for my kitchen.

Zoe Says Merry Christmas

2007-12-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

Oh, and we are hanging the door to the powder room now... and one more little piece of sheetrock to hang and that is done in there... yay!

Circle Art

2007-12-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

Have been in the mood to paint lately and finally got a chance to do it. More circles.

Also, I decided to separate my jewelry and beads from my paintings on Etsy. So here is my new shop: TheBlueBetween.etsy.com. Thanks for looking!

Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2007-12-08T20:06:00.000-08:00

Got most of the rest of the holiday decorating done today: the tree is up, the mantle is about as good as it will get, outdoor lights are hung (yay!) and I'm happy.

Udate on Flooding

2007-12-04T09:31:00.001-08:00

Things are drying out. Have added "getting a drainage specialist out here" to the house list. It never ends, does it.

Go AWAY Rain.

2007-12-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

Snagging the last 16 gal Wet/Dry Vac at Home Depot (Major Score): $100.00
Six gutter extentder jobies: $60.00
Two floor squeegies and poles: $20.00
Digging ditches, sweeping out gallons of water: Much hard work, sweat and tears

... A House that is starting to dry out: Priceless

Holiday Decorating

2007-12-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

Haven't gotten very far... not really in the mood. Granted it's only December 2. But still. I think I'm burned out already from all the retailers having Christmas since before Halloween. Or because the house has been in the middle of remodul/flux since we moved in two years ago. Oy.

Anyway, here is all I've gotten done, seriously. I put a wreath on the door and a garland and bow on the light post... and then this inside.

Luke keeps saying "Mom, when are we going to DECORATE???" and I don't have the heart to tell him "I already did."

The Door Has Arrived

2007-12-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

However. There is a BIG difference between raised panels and flat panels. The door will have to go back.

The Door Has Been Ordered!

2007-11-28T12:58:00.001-08:00

That's all folks. Over and out.

Still Thinking Over Here....

2007-11-26T10:54:00.000-08:00

This one has a laundry room and a covered porch.

We Got the Tub In!

2007-11-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

And by "We" I mean Frank of course, with the help of his brother. But yay! Look! They got the plumbing hooked up, mixed up the cement to set the tub, filled it up with water from the hose to weigh it down, and hammered it all in. So excitiing.

Not that I get to take a soak anytime soon, I fully expect that to be months off... but what it means is that the Powder Room can finally start moving forward again - sheetrock can go up on that tub wall and then I can paint and install the floor tiles that I purchase A YEAR AGO (I hope I still like them)... and then hang the mirror, the light and attach the toilet and sink... and Wowie Wow Wow! (in the words of Junie B., First Grader, Luke's newest favorite book series). Done. Oh yes, the door needs to be hung as well... but first it needs to be ordered. Today, I hope.

Addition(al) ideas...

2007-11-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

I'm always thinking, I tell ya. This time it's about my squishy livingroom, having moved the third piece of the sofa set into that room... it's cozy... to say it nicely. And then there is the issue of the still missing garage... and the no-foyer thing... and no coat closet thing... so I got to thinking... why not combine a garage and an addition and get everything all at once? I bet it would cost about the same price as the stand-alone garage off to the side of the property that we were thinking about... not including the dreamy kitchen remodel I've got going on in my head... but still.

Here's my latest idea.

Current floorplan layout to refresh your memory:

Proposed addition (rough, proportions are off), to include a 2 car garage, a real foyer with a coat closet and room for a table or bench, a dry space at the door for packages and guests waiting for the door to open, a larger living room, an OFFICE even, and the enlarged kitchen. The office wall would be a set of glass French doors with matching windows on each side so that all the light from the office could come into the living room. The entryway door could also be a double French door. Inside, after the entryway and coat closets, could have pocket doors that are frosted glass... or not, maybe even just wood? for privacy at night while watching tv. Yes, this could work!

I'm thinking on the outside... somehow.... a storybook cottage front. How to tie it all into the existing roofline will have to be someone else's job... someone more qualified than me. Here's what we've got currently, it would look a LOT different, but could still be charming, even more so. Right? Hmn....

Dining Room Update

2007-11-06T12:24:00.001-08:00

I moved things around and think I finally have things where they will stay, at least until I go shopping and add new things. I did a switcheroo on the rugs which kind of messed things up and made me have to shorten the table again. So a rug will probably be the first new item to hunt for. Don't worry about the Halloween things, it's all been taken down and put away and things are looking much more normal again. (Too bad.)

Here you can see my new "faux" foyer, with a bench to toss the backpacks on, place to put on, take off shoes, hang coats, the best I can do at the moment.

And here is the livingroom with the right rug and all the couches back together. It's kind of squishy, which brings me to my next post.... stay tuned.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

Having a blast here, you should hear the kids: "most tricked-out house yet!" "best house ever!" and the like. Good kids!

Repurposed Space

2007-10-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

I got a bright idea the other day when trying to figure out how to fit all the guests in for my son's birthday party: instead of trying to squish a dining room in alongside a second, mostly un-used livingroom, turn it all into diningroom! At first I thought I'd just move it around for the party and then move it back... but now I think I'm going to leave it. And figure out what the heck to do at the two long ends... cozy seating space? A desk? A library? I have no idea, I'm waiting for more bright ideas. This is as far as I've gotten:

Luke is going to be so happy!

2007-10-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to the walls covered with taped-on construction paper halloween decorations.... each room had several and I pulled them all down and told him tape only on windows and the fridge. Such a bad mom...

Anyway, I took his hint and went to town, I think he's going to be thrilled when he gets home from school today:

What's with all the Studio Shots already?

2007-10-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

You might be asking yourself "what is with this girl and all her studio photos?" or "Goodness, she takes way too many pictures of her work space and not enough time working in it" or something of the sort. Well, I'm here to tell you there is a reason to my madness, it's that someone has asked me if he could put my studio into a book he is creating and publishing in England about sheds and backyard workplaces. Exciting! SO of course I had to clean up and take some new shots, right? Anyway, sometime next summer, my little studio might be published! And Zoe too, because she posed for me while I had the camera out.

For more information, check out this post about the Shedworking book: http://www.shedworking.co.uk/.

Settled into the Garden

2007-10-09T14:00:00.001-07:00

The Studio - it gets better and better

2007-10-08T22:38:00.001-07:00

It's been a few months now that I've been able to work in the studio somewhat regularly - I've added some fun new things like my shiny cool glass storage rack, a "creation station" to hold my torch with armrests and elbow padding, a wired "busty" lady to hang finished pieces from, a shelf made from an old shutter, etc etc. I have not been able to hang anything on the walls yet... for some reason I can't bring myself to hammer a hole into that plaster I worked so hard to create. Hah. It will come.

Tub Filler Ordered

2007-08-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Decisions, decisions, decisions. One more down. I ordered this tub filler from Home Depot, then found it online for $100.00 less and so canceled and reordered. I'm sure my debit card is going to be hung up for a week now with the two orders and refund... but oh well.

Here is the tub filler - Moen Brantford #T924:

And here is the matching sink faucet, not ordered yet, as we are no where close to installing the sink yet.

From the Outside

2007-06-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

Here is my new little window - it came with the black finish on the outside and we will (probably not this year, but hopefully next) paint the rest of the windows black, with white trim and grayer house paint all over. New gutters are on the list too.

I just have to say...

2007-06-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

I just have to say... there is SOMETHING about a brand new window with double panes that comes with a screen that opens and closes and locks securely.... seriously, it's nice. It ALMOST makes me think Frank might be right about replacing some of our old, adorably charming drafty ones. Maybe...

Look! A Hole in the Wall!

2007-06-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

Tyger thinks this is just his kind of thing.

OOOh fresh air...

And then there was a window (this is the future powder room):

My Working Studio

2007-06-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Well... what a crazy week (or was it two?) since I last posted. First of all, my hood did not work and it was SUCH a disappointment. After several days of trying things, the best solution ended up being a sheet of metal acting as a baffle. It works fine now, but is definitely not as easy on the eyes as before. I will probably change it to something else, down the road...

But here it is, mostly done on the outside, it just needs a little patio and path so I don't have to walk in the mud to get to it.

Inside, it still needs the trim painted, but we rushed getting the stuff out there because we have a house guest and needed to make some room in my old art room for a guest bed. So it will get painted eventually, and shouldn't be too much of a hassle to do it even though all my "junk" is now out there. I also need some storage, shelving, art on the walls... it's definitely not feeling homey yet, but it sure is NICE to hang out there and melt glass!

Here is my lampwork bead making side:

And here is my jewelry creation side:

Thank you everyone for all your nice comments along the way - it HAS been fun watching it go up! But I sure am glad it's just about done and I can get back to work again creating beautiful things. And Frank can get back to working on the house and all the bathroom remodel stuff. Yay! xoxo, Pam

Lotsa Progress!!!

2007-06-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a good weekend this was for the studio. Frank just about knocked himself out though - he had to dig this ditch so the electricians can come this week and electrify my studio -and he dug most of it in torrential downpours:

Then he started hanging the trim inside:

And while he was doing that, I painted some trim outside (just the corners - I think it looks better, don't you?):

AND THEN!!! We hung the hood - oh, we are SO close now!!! It's just too exciting!

Two more house plan ideas

2007-06-08T09:05:00.001-07:00

This one keeps the greatroom theme - which would allow flexibility in dining room/living room placement. Maybe a wall of french doors instead of just the one?

This one has two tricky issues - one is that red chimney that would have to be moved (hot water tank exhaust) and the other is the roof line/ceiling levels. But it would leave a nice dining area by the fireplace and a bigger living room area. No separate office/den area though.

Oh, the decisions....

Veggie Babies

2007-06-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

Part of the dream - a real veggie garden. Only these will be in pots, rather than the ground. Hope they do well. Baby cukes, baby green beans, baby tomatoes. I also have strawberries and raspberries growing.

The Latest Bright Idea

2007-06-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

Not that I don't have enough going on here... but now I have another major remodel in mind. I swear when I bought this place I thought I wanted it "as is". But, a year later, it's not working out that way. I realized the other day, as I was getting a drink for a friend and she sat down on my only stool in my tiny kitchen and refused to get up and move to another spot in the house, leaving me standing as usual (as they all seem to do, no matter how much I hint about let's-go-sit-down-in-the-other-room), that I just need a bigger kitchen. One where people can sit and chat and drink and eat and relax. I admit, I was wrong... the small kitchen may be efficient and cozy, but it's not right for our real life.

SO. I've decided. I'm going to move the wall out to the edge of the dining room, stealing that space and doubling my kitchen size. Then I'll have room for a big island/table in the middle of the room.

This, of course, is not just as simple as moving one wall and redoing a kitchen... oh NO! Of course not. Now it leaves me without a dining room. Which means stealing the covered porch and capturing that space and making it part of the house. And moving the french doors. And putting another wall up to separate the living room from the dining room. And somehow out of all of this, we will end up, possibly, with a home offic/den/library room as well. Oh, and let's not forget the new foyer entryway that MUST go along with this remodel project. Sheesh. I do not know how to do anything SMALL, do I?

Ok, here are some illustrations so you can see what is going on in this brain of mine. This is the current main floor layout:

The rooms in question currently look like this - kitchen first with the obviously TOO comfortable stool. The root of all my problems - maybe I should just remove it and that would be the end of it? Hah.

The living room/dining room. Notice the loft - the wall I'm proposing will drop down there at the end of the loft, doubling my kitchen size:

And from the other end - out those two windows by the buffet, is the covered porch I'm thinking of capturing as indoor space:

And this is the current TV room - the room you walk into from the front door:

OK now. The dreaming part. I am thinking of a farm kitchen. Or cottage/farm kitchen. Old fashioned, with modern appliances. Beautiful but practical. Usable. Roomy. Beautiful. Always beautiful. Must. Be. Beautiful.

Frank would like a kitchen/family room - you know the kind - all one big happy room. Like our old house. I would not like that as I think it gets too noisy when you combine the rooms. But I do sometimes see the appeal when it comes to entertaining. There ARE times that would be nice. And so part of the bright idea includes this compromise - a sliding barn-like door that opens the kitchen up to the living room, or closes it off. Where the door opens it reveals a bar with stools that tuck under. When it's closed it is just more counter space in the kitchen. Ingenious. Though I can't claim the idea as mine, I spotted it today in the new Sunset magazine. Here's their picture:

If we did that... and the other ideas... then there would be walls to arrange furniture along in the fireplace room and I could put comfy couches, chairs and an entertainment center/armior in there for the TV. Which would free up the TV room to be an office/library/den/whatever. And the dining room could go at the end in the new captured space with a lovely view of the garden and yard.

So, with that in mind, here is a new, possible layout for the house. The dotted line in the kitchen wall indicates the sliding door. Note the new foyer, the new dinging room and the tv room turned office. The grey box in the new dining room is a chimney to the furnace/hotwater tank... but I think that's workable, perhaps some built-ins around it to disguise it? Something - it looks like the only snag to the whole project... besides the when, how, and how much, and where will that come from? Still very much in dream stages, but it could work, right? Even though the dining room is all the way across the other side of the house? How far is too far?

Or would I just be better off if I took that comfy stool right out of the kitchen? Nah... that's no fun. A girl needs some dreams, after all.

Painted

2007-06-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

This is Big!! We got the studio painted and it's SO cute! I just love it, though the "cape cod grey" I picked out seems a little lighter than I was really thinking. I'm just not the best paint picker am I? I think it has something to do with lacking patience. Anyway.... It's done and I'm happy.

Not too much left to do before I'm out there melting glass and creating again. Interior trim, hanging the hood, punching a hole for the propane hose, cleaning off the dusty grouted floor and sealing it, and getting the electrician back out to do the finish work. Outside just needs a lattice skirt and some plants!

Fan box installed

2007-05-29T08:30:00.001-07:00

Frank built this for me. It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but it's rock solid and will keep the fan noise out of my studio - or at least, that's my hope. So we are ------ THIS ----- much closer to being done!

THIS was satisfying

2007-05-28T09:45:00.001-07:00

Tiles are a little darker than the picture shows, walls a little lighter - strange. Will try to grout tomorrow maybe.

Studio Walls are Done.

2007-05-23T18:32:00.001-07:00

I gave up on the faux/weathered look. Went with Ben Moore's Aura AF-535 - a foggy beachy blue, it's a little darker than this, but it will be good once the trim and floor are in. You can see the floor tiles under the starfish.

Studio Progress

2007-05-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

Steps were finished last night:

I finished priming and started painting. I'm trying to get a look similar to this (from a Veranda magazine cover, Feb 07):

Here is my first layer, glazes go on next:

and:

The Studio Has Steps

2007-05-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

And they are almost done. Also got the priming inside almost done. Lots of "almost done" these days.

Sunny Day

2007-05-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more garden shots, now that the sun is shining. I also had to add some rocks to the beds to keep the dog from laying on the new plants.

my mouldy old roses, I don't know what to do with them, they need more sun:

The old birdhouse that the squirrels play in:

A Walk Into My Garden

2007-05-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

I've been taking so many macro pictures that I almost forgot to capture the big picture in my garden's most colorful month. Here, take a walk with me.

Come in through my gate, it's covered in fabulous wisteria right now.

The first thing you will see is my new garden bed on the left - all new except for the old camellia and wisteria. I've been working on that for about a month now. On the right you can see my hosta garden, the big rhody tree, and in the back is the studio, still waiting to be painted.

Step down a little ways and you will come to my arbor - I'm trying to grow a clematis up and over it, though it doesn't have much to grab on to yet.

Still further in you will come to a new bed of baby hostas and other shade loving things:

At this point you will be right by my back door, have a seat in one of these chairs beneath my wall of clematis - isn't that a wonderful vine? I think it's over 50 years old.

While you are sitting there, look around at these old azalea/rhody things that I don't know what they are. They lose all their leaves in the winter, unlike my other rhodys, but their flower is similar. (ETA, a friend in Oregon tells me they are 'sun azaleas') In the back you can see my magnolia tree and way back is Luke's swing set.

Oh, why do you smell lilacs you ask? Come, I'll show you... but first, you have to walk by my only "full sun" garden. I've got all my colorful stuff packed into it - it should explode in about a month.

And here, turn the corner - yes, they smell soooo good. And they remind me of New England, I'm very happy to have them here.

One more thing to show you - the future site of my outdoor dining room/patio. I've finally got the plants dug up and moved from there, now I just need some fill, sand and stones/bricks of some sort. And lots of time and muscle of course. But it looks ready and that's a good thing. Oh, and there is my studio again, the next time you see it, it should have a front porch on it. Maybe even by tomorrow!

And that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by to see!

Poppies are Blooming

2007-05-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year in my garden. Of course the new lens makes it all the much more fun.

weeds made beautiful

2007-05-02T15:47:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me

2007-05-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

Frank and Luke got me the micro/macro lens I've been wanting for my birthday yesterday. I'm so happy! I can take pictures my way again - I feel like I have a brand new camera. Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 D - I adore it.

Playing with Mud

2007-04-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

This was actually more fun than I thought it would be - it is like preparing a giant canvas with my kind of textured base... the only thing is now it's giving me new ideas how to paint the walls... trouble, because I really just want to get it done and melt glass, not turn my studio walls into a work of art! (Though that WOULD be fun too...)

Bad Computer News

2007-04-20T10:00:00.001-07:00

Well. It turns out I did not properly back up my Outlook files and so I've lost 4 years of emails, receipts, files, and contacts. And my Cirque Dreams tickets. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal. But right now, I could just cry.

So... help me out please. If you are reading this and you are a friend who's contact info I should have, please email me with it so I can get both your email address and your info saved again. If you are a customer and are waiting on an email from me, or a piece of jewelry, please send me an email so we can communicate again. Thanks.

Studio News

2007-04-19T13:05:00.001-07:00

The last piece of sheetrock went up last weekend and the hole for the exhaust fan got cut. Frank's work out there is just about done, now it's my turn. I've got to mud the walls next (I'm not sanding, I refuse, so I'm going to make it look old-world and textured like a rustic old cottage), then prime, paint and then figure out the floor.

Studio Design

2007-04-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

I've decided, I'm going with soft beachy paint colors for the interior of the studio. It was a toss-up between sandy beach (sands and blues), cottage garden (greens and blues), or mediteranean colors (turquoise and blue and white)... but this new necklace I just made decided it for me - this will be my inspiration:

Magnolia Goodness

2007-04-10T12:08:00.001-07:00

The view from my studio today. Isn't this the best? So much better than the dark cave my last studio was.

And this is the view from my bedroom window. I'm feeling very lucky today.

Studio Progress

2007-04-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

Sheetrock has been going up! It's starting to feel like a real room. Frank has been calling it the "Art House". I kind of like it. It's much better than what his friend at work told him to call it: "Pimp my Shed". Huh.

Return Air Ducting

2007-03-31T17:49:00.001-07:00

Things are coming together! I know, it doesn't look like it, but trust me, we are one step closer to being done. Frank has been working hard all day on this and it's almost done. After I built some of the components (cut duct, pieced things together and taped up), I mostly stood around handing things to the poor guy on his back under the studio. Here is how it's looking on the inside so far - these two ducts will bring fresh air in to replace the toxic air the fan (which will be centered between them) will exhaust out. Under the studio, they run about 10 feet and have mesh to keep the rodents out.

And here, a picture looking under the studio - doesn't it look like it's about to blast off?! I'm happy this part is done, but I think Frank is estatic about it.

Studio Progress

2007-03-30T20:58:00.001-07:00

Not too much happened all week, but today we made some big progress. I finished insulating and Frank finished the support/cross beam things in the roof and then prepped the ceiling for sheetrocking. Not very interesting BUT then we got into some good stuff. At the last minute as we were about to cut the holes in the wall for the return-air vents, I got a bright idea. Frank isn't calling it that, but I am. He's more along the lines of "pain in the butt idea", if you get my drift.

Anyway, my idea was this: instead of having the make up air come from the wall behind me while I torch, blowing cool damp air past my head on the way back out of the vent hood, why not have it right under the vent hood itself and duct it under the studio so that it's clean air coming in? Why not? Well, other than the pain-in-the-butt factor, and the more-money factor and the more-work factor... it sounds like a great idea. And so off to Home Debit I went and got all the materials needed. And Frank started cutting holes and putting it together. It's too dark to get a good photo, so I'll share a boring insulated wall one instead. I'm really excited, it's going to be so GREAT!

Studio Progress

2007-03-25T16:25:00.001-07:00

Inside construction began today. Frank and I built my workbench - the base of it - which will eventually be covered with my stainless steel top. I insulated part of it (extra thick insulation that will hopefully keep the fan noise out of the studio), and Frank worked on making the support beams "prettier". Yes, PRETTIER, because if you know me at all, pretty matters!

It's Not Pretty

2007-03-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

But it makes me happy!

Yesterday:

Today!

Phase 1 Done

2007-03-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

The construction workers are all done with the studio (they still have some clean up to do.) The doors are on and even have door knobs and locks.

The rest is now up to us. Outside, we need to give her a bath, put a porch on, and she needs a skirt and some flowers planted around her. Inside, we are insulating, putting up prettier support beams, building a work bench, sheetrocking, painting, tiling the floor.... lots to do. Really a lot, but I hope to be melting glass SOON.

Vent Hood Progress

2007-03-23T11:50:00.001-07:00

I've made a little progress on my vent hood. You can see the details on the Bead Studio Page if you like.

Yum... Bread!

2007-03-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine just started this site - it looks fun. 3 Bakers, 12 Months, 36 Recipes - A Year in Bread. Pizza tomorrow.

Power for the Studio

2007-03-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

The electricians did their rough-in today. My studio has it's own circuit box, outlet boxes, light boxes, an in-wall heater (it will be right at my feet when I'm at the torch!) and switch boxes for the lights and blower. And a light for outside.

This is the corner with the circuit box:

This is where my workbench will be - the 4 plug box is for the kiln and is on it's own dedicated circut. I'm not sure that was necessary, but that's what the electrician thought was a good idea. One plug above the bench, one below for my oxycon (can't you just see it now?!).

And my lightboxes for my track lights:

Kind of boring, huh? But exciting all the same. None of this is powered up though - we need to dig a ditch so they can connect it all to the house power. Soon, I hope.

Studio Progress

2007-03-21T08:48:00.001-07:00

Roof is finished, including skylights. The door is hung, but something is wrong with it. Also, I bought the wrong doorknobs so they need to be returned. But close, very close. I can stain/prime/paint or whatever I'm going to do now and then put on the decorative slats so the siding matches the house. And build a porch of some sort. And.... oh it's not that close really.

The electrician is here today wiring it up and installing a wall heater. I need to call about the door problem and find out what that is all about.

I made a studio page for those of you who want to see the progress all in one place - it's going to be good for lampworkers because I'll be setting up the ventilation system and showing step by step photos of it - it's a very mysterious and confusing project for us girly artsy types who don't know what end of the fan (blower!) the air even goes in through! Check it out on my site: The Blue Between Studio.

Progress Again

2007-03-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Nothing new to report on the Studio... they seemed to take a week off and are supposed to be here today, but I don't see them yet.

But good news is still to be had - we have the electricians in! They are running the wires to the new bathrooms and also the master bedroom - updating the wires from old knob and tube.

This is so great, not just for the obvious fact of having power in the bathrooms and safer electricicy in the bedroom, but now I can actually do some things again! As soon as they are done with the master, I'm priming and painting - remember that nice blue/green/robin's egg color? And as soon as they are done with the powder room we are putting up the walls and then I'm putting in my marble floor! And then, omgoodness - we are so close - we will have a second toilet and sink in the house. And real walls in my tv room. I'm about to burst with excitment - can't you tell?

Magnolia Tree About to Burst into Color

2007-03-17T11:38:00.001-07:00

Photo Greeting Cards and Wall Prints, etc.

2007-03-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

I started a little cafepress store yesterday that turns my photos into greeting cards and postcards and prints... if anyone is interested, please take a look! Thanks :)

Blue Between Photography

blossoms

2007-03-13T17:41:00.001-07:00

The yard is starting to burst out in color again. Pink, white, yellow, purple, blue. Spring has arrived.

First daffodil from the yard...

2007-03-09T09:30:00.001-08:00

More Studio Progress

2007-03-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

Today was exciting! They got the roof up and mostly shingled. Getting close!

Here are a couple of shots from earlier in the day:

Snow

2007-03-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

Woke up to this today. It's all melted though... well, just about.

Studio Roof

2007-02-26T17:51:00.001-08:00

They were only here for a few hours this afternoon, but they got the roof framed.

And holes for my two skylights!

Studio Doors

2007-02-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

My doors arrived this morning, and the guys are up on the studio building the roof now.

Studio Build, Day 4

2007-02-22T16:45:00.001-08:00

A floor, 4 walls, an opening for the double doors and some roof! Isn't it HUGE? It does not at all look like a cozy little garden shed. Not at all. It does look like a great big garden studio though.

Studio Build, Day 3

2007-02-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

Doesn't look like much, he wasn't here for very long though, so it would be hard to expect a wall or anything. I did get a floor, I shouldn't complain. Maybe more tomorrow.

Studio Progress

2007-02-20T17:18:00.001-08:00

Wow, this thing is NOT turning out the way I envisioned it. It's going to be way high off the ground and now it will need a little porch - not planned for, can't picture it in my head even. And the windows didn't work out so I ordered French doors - the price for them caused Frank to stop breathing... so I canceled that order and went with a slightly less expensive set of glass doors aka "Store Doors" - without the French grids or separate panes - maybe I'll add a grid to them in some other day. Or faux them with paint or something... Or just plant lots of flowers all around so you don't notice... or something. Crazy day, I feel like I could use a do-over. The builder guys are cute though, and like dogs, especially Zoe, the one you either love or hate - they love her, always a good sign. One of the guys went on and on about how nice my house was, how much character and how interesting, what a great layout, blah blah blah. Was very nice to hear instead of the typical "You traded your nice house in Carnation for THIS???? And you paid HOW MUCH for it???? Are you CRAZY???" Even if it just means there is one more crazy person in the world that sees this house the way I do, it makes me feel a little better. Huh.

Anyway... here's a shot of the progress... more tomorrow.

Shaping Up

2007-02-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

Good news, the pipes under the new studio are no longer in use. The yard is all marked up with red, yellow and orange paint and little yellow flags to show where NOT to dig. None of them point to the studio. Things should start moving forward again this week. The contractor is having a hard time finding windows in the style I want so I'm thinking maybe double french doors and no windows. That will still be lovely. And some climbing peace roses growing up the wall next to the door. Perfect!

Have been spending a ton of energy in the yard - spring is springing up and I'm taking advantage of the little bit of sun and dry weather to get some things done. I moved a rock border and bagged some yard waste and then did something I'd been wanting to do but had been to chicken to try... I trimmed up my camelia bush and turned it into a tree. I imagine there are those who would think what I just did was criminal, but I really like it - it opens up the space, mirrors the old rhody that has been trimmed up to a tree shape and lets me think about planting some boarder plants along the fence. I'm happy and really, that is ALL that matters.

Before:

After:

Garden Sheds

2007-02-13T18:06:00.000-08:00

Oh! Something to drool over while I wait for mine to happen:

Garden Shed Hall of Fame: http://gardenshedhalloffame.blogspot.com

And look what popped a few minutes after I put my camera away for the first time:

Spring Crocus

2007-02-13T16:17:00.001-08:00

I have good news and bad news...

2007-02-13T14:16:00.001-08:00

...which would you like first?

(I can't tell you how many times Frank starts a conversation this way. I'm not sure why he feels the need to balance the good with the bad, but he does. He says this so often that Luke is doing it now too... and look, I just started a journal entry this way. And I HATE it. I don't want to hear the bad, and if I can't get the good without the bad, don't give me any of it. Of course I never say that... but look, I just did. So there.)

Anyway... the bad news is these pipes. They are running under my would-be studio. All work is on hold until a "locator" comes and gives us his opinion. I can't imagine these pipes are connected to anything real anymore... but better safe than sorry.

The good news is our new bathroom console is getting delivered this weekend. I got such a great deal on it - it was $900 total, regularly $2200 and the very next day when I was checking the measurements it had gone up to $1299. Overstock.com - do their prices change daily or did I just luck out in a very big ($400) way?

Oh and more good news... because I want the good to weigh more than the bad. These little cutie pies are coming up next to my front walk. Spring in February. Always a good thing.

Studio Build: Day.01

2007-02-12T17:25:00.000-08:00

Not a whole lot of progress, he ran out of concrete - I guess there was more digging than anticipated. I took the dirt and started filling in some of the many holes in the yard. Need much more dirt. Anyway, tomorrow will see the holes filled with concrete and then they need to dry... and THEN they start building. Hopefully on Wednesday. Valentines Day.

And then there's the good ol'girl. She loves it when we spend so much time in the yard. I do wish she wouldn't lay in the garden beds, especially where the tulips are coming up.

Oops! Change of Plans...

2007-02-11T16:28:00.000-08:00

The studio won't fit diagonal without cutting down the old rhody tree... so it's going square in the corner facing west. And also, it's going to be 9X13 now instead of 10X12. And I'm adding in two little skylights, one on the South side and one on the East side. The contractor doesn't know yet, I hope he won't mind! We've been working all weekend getting the site ready for the contractors tomorrow. Hope it all goes easy from here on out!

New spot - see the ropes in the far corner?

New view, standing where the door will go:

Making it Home

Clearing Out

What were we thinking?

Getting the Boy's Room Ready for Homework

Mmmnnn... Grilled Pizza!

Summer in the Garden

Grow Tall, Clematis

My Garden

Skirt

Grout Note

The rest of the wall

I *heart* walls

And the Master Bedroom

Mulch, Patio Talk

Or...

Dining Room Inspiration Pictures

The rest of the move:

Moving Around... and Around

It Works!!!

Luke Draws on the Walls... with a Sharpie

Grout, Check!

Lights... Camera... !!!!

Look what I made!

Powder Room Painted....

Happy Valentines Day!

Can I just say...

Our Christmas in a nutshell... er, longer than that I guess.

Powder Room Colors

It's not a hole anymore!

Oh my stars...

Zoe Says Merry Christmas

Circle Art

Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Udate on Flooding

Go AWAY Rain.

Holiday Decorating

The Door Has Arrived

The Door Has Been Ordered!

Still Thinking Over Here....

We Got the Tub In!

Addition(al) ideas...

Dining Room Update

Happy Halloween!

Repurposed Space

Luke is going to be so happy!

What's with all the Studio Shots already?

Settled into the Garden

The Studio - it gets better and better

Tub Filler Ordered

From the Outside

I just have to say...

Look! A Hole in the Wall!

My Working Studio

Lotsa Progress!!!

Two more house plan ideas

Veggie Babies

The Latest Bright Idea

Painted

Fan box installed

THIS was satisfying

Studio Walls are Done.

Studio Progress

The Studio Has Steps

Sunny Day

A Walk Into My Garden

Poppies are Blooming

weeds made beautiful

Happy Birthday to Me

Playing with Mud

Bad Computer News

Studio News

Studio Design

Magnolia Goodness

Studio Progress

Return Air Ducting

Studio Progress

Studio Progress

It's Not Pretty

Phase 1 Done

Vent Hood Progress

I heart walls