And the room is DONE!

The new Quilting/Craft room has actually been done for a while.  I've been so busy with MANY things that I just have not had the time or energy to post the final picture.  I have had time to spend in this beautiful room and I just love it.  Christina (who sews with me when she can) also loves it and has "staked out" her spot.  She helped me to get organized and move things around.  We sure had our drama getting this room to completion.  Many wonderful friends and family came to the rescue to get the the end.  Can't thank everyone enough for the help....  An experience that we would not want to repeat EVER!  We are off for some much needed vacation to celebrate New Year's on the Sapphire Princess with some friends (Tonya and Jim).  Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

And finally........................

 We are at the final stages to finish my quilting and craft room.  Since firing the contractor, we have made the most progress in just a couple of weeks.  The inside and outside have been painted, the bathroom floor has tile (Thanks Shay Wild for stretching my tile and doing an awesome job), the trims around the outside have been installed with facia and sofett.  Concrete to to put a front patio and walkway all the way to the back of the house and a slab for our storage area has been done.  A new wall for the fence has been put up complete with stucco.  A wonderful experience to deal with TRUE professionals who show up on time or earlier and take TRUE pride in the outcome of their work.  Jim Streety--hats off to you and all your workers for taking such good care of us.  Full recommendation and high compliments in how you do business.  A big THANKYOU! (and a hug later).  Today the floors are being installed (by my wonderful brother in law Christopher) and the electrician (Ernie) is here so everyone cross your fingers because as of today at some point I may actually be able to turn on a light and start moving all my fabric to it's new home!  We will have to finish with some baseboards and touch up paint, but our list is just about complete.  Are we over budget?  Yep, sadly so, but it could have been worse I guess.  If we would not have had to pay for things twice to get the job done, we would have been right on target.  Lessons learned--TONS.  Next pictures will hopefully show me all set up and being productive in the new place.  This headache is just about over!  Happy SEWING!  Carole





Getting ready for concrete



Concrete Poured--Looks Fabulous!

Ready for the wood floors!

YES, WE HAVE DRYWALL!

We have continued with our slow progress to the new sewing room.  What should have been completed by the end of August now has us hoping for the end of October?  We actually got the outside stucco done and are waiting for it to "cure" so that it can be painted.  The plumbing has been moved and the bathroom floor is concreted and ready for tile. Drywall, just about done and then ready to put some texture on it.  If the contractor would actually show up when he says and put in a full day of work, it is possible that we could get this completed. Still plenty to do, and  thanks to my sister's wonderful husband, we actually have a plan B if we have to finish it on our own.  We have had to pay for some supplies twice to keep the job moving and this has not made us happy at all.  We have been assured that the flooring has been paid for and is on order, but something tells me this may not be the truth.  Guess we will find out this week.  We will both be so happy to have this completed!  As the saga continues....  Happy Sewing!  Carole

PROGRESS????????????

 We really had hoped to have the room addition done and behind us before summer was over, but that has not been the case.  We have had very slow progress and it has been disappointing to still be working on this.  While the quality of work being done is fine, it is the timing that has been the most headaches. Contractor's work on a "I will get to it" schedule and the "I will get to it" has not been getting to.  Jerry and I work much differently and are the types to identify what needs to be done and just get it done.  Construction workers can identify the work, but do not prioritize to get it done.  We would make a list and go to Home Depot, get everything needed and then proceed to work.  Contractors make numerous trips to home depot (and spend countless hours) while there and then sometimes do not get back to the job until the next day.  "On my way" means they will be here in 4 to 5 hours and "butt crack of dawn" means sometime after noon.  Frustrating to say the least.  I have heard that this is pretty common and while I am sure there are some that do not work like this, it certainly has not been our luck or experience.  So, now on to the progress since one month ago.....  The break through to the main part of the house and the plumbing is just about done.  We have all doors on  and they actually open, close and lock.  We have sound proofing done and are ready for stucco which is scheduled for tomorrow (crossing our fingers).  The dry wall is will be started this week and then the flooring.  Not sure if it's too much to hope for, but with the exception of outside paint which has to wait for the stucco to cure (almost a month), we should be done in a couple weeks.  We have some things that are being done separately, but we do not expect delays once we are complete.  While we still have a large amount of room on our property with potential of building, I am positive this will be the last thing we would consider.  I know that the end result will be fabulous and I can hardly wait to get in there with all my fabric.  I would not want to have this experience again!  I'll update when and (IF) there is one soon.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Sewing/Craft Room Electric and Wall Down....

We have not had much visible progress this week with the room addition.  It has been a week of watch and wait while the contractors "adjust" their schedules with other jobs.  We are a small job in comparison to some of the others and we seem to have to wait our turn for them to do the work.  This week they did remove the stucco from the attaching wall and started the process to move the electric from the other side of the house all the way to my sewing room.  Good thing our contractactor is small as he had to crawl through the attic to put a "pull line" through to our existing power supply.  This was done at the peak of the heat of the day, so judging by how sweaty and dirty he looked, my guess it was well over 100 degrees up there.  If it had been me, I would have scheduled this for 5AM, but this did not seem to bother him at all.  We quit trying to figure out some of the things they do.  Behind all the stucco, is insulation and styrofoam to the main house.  I peeked behind to look at some of the termite damage (which is no longer active due to lots of treatments).  I only found one area that was a little chewed up and it was not bad compared to some that we removed from the patio section.  I am constantly on alert for signs of them.  I did give it a good dose of spray for good measure before they cover it all up again.  Electrician is coming today to finish up and then another inspection followed by drywall, doors and stucco.  Will it ever end?  Happy Sewing!  Carole

A Tile Roof..... Just in time for the rain!

Front View

Back View

Yesterday, bright and early, the roofers could be heard hammering and cutting just outside my bedroom as I was getting ready for work.  When I left, they had one lonely row of tiles set upon the roof.  Forcast of a monsoon storm to arrive later in the day, I crossed my fingers in hope the storm would hold off until the workers were done.  As I was leaving the office some 12 hours later, a storm was coming in.  I could smell the rain (mixed with dust in the blowing wind).  When I got home, this is what I saw.  The roof on.... and matching the existing tiles almost perfectly.  Our lighting order did not arrive on schedule so Jerry and I had to do a Home Depot Run to find the rest of the parts and power supplies to be ready for the electrician.  We lucked out and have all but two items that I will have to search for today.  The storm rolled in about 9PM last night.  Lots of rain and wind.  The roof got a work out on it's first day.  Not sure what the plans are for today, but I'll post if anything new.  Happy Sewing.  Carole

GETTING READY for STUCCO!

We continue to see progress on the room addition almost daily.  Not fast enough since we really want to have it done and over with.  When you start a project of this size, you just want it to finish.  We passed another inspection this week and were given the "green light or tag" to load the roofing materials and start the stucco process.  Plan now is to have the "mud" on tomorrow and the tiles all done on Tuesday.  Not an exact science when you are dealing with construction workers, but this is the tentative plan for this week.  Electric to start this week as well.  I have changed my mind from tile to hard wood floors so my stuff will roll around easier.  Since I got these really cool fans for the ceilings, I will match to them to the floors.  We are surprised the workers don't start at the crack of dawn to avoid some of the heat, but they seem to like to work later in the day or we are the 2nd job.  Not sure.  All have been pretty nice and are certainly hard workers.  We got most of the lighting this week and the rest is on order at Home Depot and set to be in on Tuesday.  I think I got more than needed, but better to have a bright working area than one without enough.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

ROOFING!

The roofing guys arrived very early yesterday and started getting the roofing materials on.  The patio roof is completed to match the rest of the patio and the rest of the house will have the tile roof to match close enough until the sun fades it a little over time.  We are happy with the progress.  I believe there is an inspection in the next day or so and then we will move on to the inside of the room.  We bought some wonderful fans over the weekend and started on the lighting. We will finish getting everything we need on Saturday.  Each day it is fun to come home and see the progress.  Below is a picture on the inside.  Happy Sewing Everyone!  Carole

Today Walls and a Patio! and.... a night of sewing!

Today my sewing room is getting walls and a covered patio.  We are having light rain which has not stopped the workers today.  I think roofing is on it's way and will be up soon as well.  It is amazing to see the progress and the room looks even larger with the walls up.  I have to shop for lighting and fans soon as the electric may start to go in within a week.    The mess is still on the outside of the house and both Jerry and I are dreading the day that they have to make the door to get in to the house.  When we reach that point, it will be close to completion.  Exciting still!

Last night Tammy, Kathy and I went to Patrick Lose's quilt studio to have a "sew in".  We had a very fun time and will do it again soon.  It makes me so happy to be around so many creative and fun people.  Below are a couple pictures of some of Patrick's quilts.  His designs are colorful, fun and unique.  I want to do all of them!!

Framing the Sewing Room

Just a quick update and picture.  The framers started the process of walls today.  They worked until dark and should be back this morning.  The goal is to be ready for the roof in a few days.  Lot's of excitement while they were working last night.  While our "usually" quiet cul-de-sac was full of work trucks and supplies an apparent fight broke out at the house next door.  Our little spot was then filled with police, firemen and paramedics as one of our neighbors was being subdued, he pulled a gun on the police and was quickly tasered to the ground.  He was taken away still yelling at the police  and only in his underwear.  I did not know this gentle looking older man was like this.....  The house next door has always had interesting owners and has changed hands more than any other house in the area.  It is not a rental, but one would think it was with all the different people who have lived there.  Enough gossip today.  I'll post more progress as it's done!  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Sewing/Quilting/Craft Room Addition

As many of you know, I long ago outgrew my current sewing room.  My house (like many of you out there) is overflowing with fabric, machines, cutting tables and gadgets.  It has been a dream to have a larger room where I can sprawl and not have to continually put stuff away to avoid the cluttered look.  This year, we decided to cut back on our travel and use the money to add on an additional 500 sq feet to the house.  We have plenty of room in the back that just sits there looking empty.  Everything is in process.  Here are a few pictures to show our progress.  The first one is the area at the side of the house before anything has been done.

This is the area that has been cleared and is ready for concrete.

After the contrete was poured.  Flooring plus a nice patio that will lead out to the pool. 

These are the trusses delivered yesterday and ready for the framers.

Building supplies..........

An Assorted Couple of WEEKS!

Happy 4th of July Everyone.  I've had a busy couple of weeks and thought I'd just post a few tidbits.  I finally finished the Beach Scene Picture quilt (added an additional border).  I really enjoyed getting this one done and am looking forward to a new Christmas Scene soon.

My grandson, Jayden turned 5 years old.  We had a pool birthday party for him with some of the family.  It was quite warm, but the kids enjoyed the pool and the barbecue.  Big sister Aleyah is shown below.  Could not leave her out.  You know how I love the grandkids!

The picture above is with two "old" friends.  I don't mean old like ancient, but well, Robin, Tonya and I have been friends since grade school.  We are all 50 now.  Ouch!  Tonya was the last of us to join the "50" crew.  We are the "Fafooda's".  An old name for us from years ago.

This last picture is of a large sewing machine label.  For those of us who attend classes, we are often asked to put a sticker on the back of our machine with our names on it so that the instructor and those around us can call you by name.  I've put this together complete with eyelets to hang it around my machine.  Now that I'm in my 50's, I can always hang it around my neck so I can look at it and know who I am.  LOL!  Note to self.  Take my fish oil.....  July is officially here and will prove to be a busy month.  Christmas in July is celebrated throughout the month at many of the quilt stores.  Our trip to the Long Beach Quilt show will be here before we know it.  We are completing the plans for the addition to the house and I have to tell you that I'm so excited.  I'll be asking for input from many of you when it is in process.  I want my new Sewing/Quilting room to be very efficient and one that I hope many of you will want to visit and join me in some projects.  Tomorrow, I'm going to do at least one of my Hoopsisters blocks of the month for the TNT quilt.  I've been putting it off and I'm way behind.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Happy Anniversary!

Today is a day of anniversaries of sorts for me.  8 years ago, I reached a huge (and I really mean HUGE) weight and had to really make some drastic changes in my life to get things under control.  I needed a new hip, was in awful pain every day, and no surgeon would even consider doing that surgery unless I lost at least 100 pounds.  Sooo......  the journey started 8 years ago today and here I am a little over 200 pounds lighter.  7 years ago (yesterday) I did get a new titanium hip that has set off alarms all over the world.  My wonderful husband also joined in the journey and shed 170 pounds himself.  Since that time, we have traveled the world, climbing the Great Wall of China, the Acropolis and ventured to places that we never dreamed of.  Some of you never saw this "side" of me while others (and you all know who you are)  cheered me on to success (but cared about me large or small)!  Here are a few "before" shots and the last one is of us just recently in Cabo San Lucas.  Life is Good!   Carole

Beach Tile Scene with Border

I got the beach scene put together and I've added one border for now.  I am going to look at it for a few days to decide if I need to add another border or two.  My thoughts were to find a fabric that had some type of nautical theme and then another solid border after that, but the more I look at this, the more it just may stay as it is.  I think the blue that Jerry picked out really makes the rest of the picture look really nice and I'm glad I did not go with my first choice of the red.  (Thanks honey, for stepping in and going shopping with me to find this fabric)  And for any of you reading this--this is not something that he does often.  Lately, he has assisted me in the sewing room to help me organize, going through the tutorial of threading and operating "Bella" and an occasional look see in to what I'm doing.  Somebody I work with saw this tile scene and said it looked just like "Cape May".  Now I've never been there, but I told her I'd ask the designer.  So Steve, if you see this, let me know. 

Now that we are in the planning stages of the big sewing room, Jerry is going to be a little more involved at least until it's done and everything is moved.  The architech is coming over tonight to do the final approval stuff with the contractor and work is set to begin in the next two weeks.  I'm giving up a few cruises to help make this work....  I'm such a whiner!  Oh how worth it this will be in the end!!  Happy (REALLY HAPPY) Sewing!  Carole

Block 9 "The Last Beach Scene Block"

The final block has been stitched (close to 84,000 stitches).  Block 9 is the other side of the fence line and looks almost like a mirror image of block 7.  I am in the process of putting all the blocks together.  This can be a challenge.  Everything has to line up close to perfect.  I will have to do a little pulling and stretching to make it work.  I will use invisible thread on top and have decided not to use anything to cover the seams.  I don't want to distract from the picture.  So.... with this post, I'm only going to show you block 9 and as soon as I put everything together, short of quilting it, I will post a picture with the total scene.  Hard to believe that I've gotten this far in just over a week.  Stay tuned for the finished product.

Other exciting news for the week is that my dream sewing room will become a reality over the summer time frame.  We will be adding 500 square feet of sewing and crafting space to the house.  I knew someday that all this property would have a use and can't think of a better way to get rid of some of the yard work.  I will post pictures of the progress throughout the summer.  All my machines will have ample space and I will even have a section for all my scrapbooking supplies.  This will truly be craft/quilt/embroidery central.  Ready girls?  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 8

I really enjoyed doing this block.  Not only am I just one block away from completing the picture, it had the big flip flops in it.  I'd like to think it's ME taking off my shoes and running on this beach instead of putting on my shoes and heading to the office......  or maybe staying in my bare feet and sitting right here sewing....  Guess it's okay to day dream a little bit, right?  I found some really nice border fabric with the help of my husband who was brave enough to not only birthday shop for Jayden (our grandson who will be 5 this weekend), but to go to on the search for fabric.  He actully stood in line for me while I grabbed a few extra items.  I'm still in the hunt for another border.  Something nautical I think.  If I can't find the right thing, I'll just stick with the solid.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 7

Block 7 starts the final row and is a very high stitch count block.  Nice to be on the final row.  This block took well over 6 hours and I did get up and let it run a few times leaving the baby monitor on to hear for funny sounds.  I lucked out and it went well on auto for the most part.  I am really loving those pre-wound bobbins which seem to let the machine go forever without stopping except for the occasional color change.  Enjoyed an evening out for wine tasting last night with friends and slept for about 4 hours straight.  A record this week.  I'm off for a nap right now as when tired calls, I better let it happen if I can.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 6

Row 2 is complete for the beach scene with block 6 now done.  This block had around 68,000 stitches and makes the picture quilt really come together.  It's a tranquil picture that I wish would help my sleep pattern.  One of my friends told me yesterday that I needed to sleep more to regenerate, but how wonderful that I can get so much sewing done.  I think I'd like a happy medium.  Yesterday was Hoopsisters block of the month club (This was block 5 and I've yet to sew out block 1).  I plan to start after I finish this project.  The last Hoopsisters block of the month was started when I was 4 months behind and I ended up finishing pretty close with everyone else, so in that aspect I'm ok.  The afternoon was spent in EQ6 class (soon to be EQ7).  Christina and I are trying to get a handle on this quilting software.  Time seems to be the biggest issue...  There is just not enough of it!  I finished the day with a quick stop over to my friend Tammy's house to discuss ummmm.... quilting!  I finished up the day with a stop to buy a few birthday presents for my grandson and to pick up some take out for dinner.  A long, but eventful day!  Now on to block 7.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 5

Block 5 put me officially at the halfway point and I really enjoyed doing it.  The "sand" fabric, used on the sand castle looks even better than I thought it would and certainly made for a great result.  This block had almost 84,000 stitches and took me almost 6 hours.  It is very detailed and I made an error at the mid point and had to spend an extra hour or more to carefully remove some stitching.  That's what I get for turning my back and letting the machine go on "auto pilot" while I showered for work.  I'm now starting to think about borders.  Going to have to look at some more nautical fabrics to audition.  I'm thinking of doing several different borders with a solid in between so that I don't distract from the picture it self.  I am hoping that I can finish it this weekend.  Today is a busy day with TNT block of the month class and also EQ club, so more of a "learning and spending" Friday with the girls.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Tile Scene Block 4

With Row 1 complete, it is now on to the "beach and sand" section starting with row two.    I have not been sleeping again, so it is nice to have the distraction, but......  I'd really like to be getting some sleep.  Two - three hours each night is just not enough.  Of course, if I sleep, when would I possibly get time to sew.    Work is still taking about 12 hours a day so, I guess it's a trade off.  I'm anxious to get to the sand castle since I found some fabric that is going to look really great.  This block has less than 50,000 stitches and a little applique.  The next couple blocks on this row are stitch intensive, so things may slow up.   The picture below shows how the blocks are all starting to form a picture.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 3

Block 3 seemed really fast and easy even though the stitch count was around 42,000.  The clouds in the background took up a good portion of that and I was able to get some other things done while it was stitching this portion.  I have a baby monitor set up next to the machine and I attach the mobile part of the set to me or set it wherever else I may be in the house. When I hear something other than the normal hum of my machine, I just go check on things.  We all get familiar with how our own machines sound, so even the smallest of strange noises will have me go to the other side of the house to see what is going on.  My husband, not aware of my little trick was trying to figure out what this noise was and thought our air conditioner had taken a turn for the worse until I showed him the use for yet another of my gadgets.  I think I got the set on clearance and it even will tell me the temperature in the room where my sewing machine is.  Can't have it getting too warm, can I?  I am ready to start the next row of blocks and I am anxious to get to the sand castle.  Below, is a picture of all three blocks put together so far.  The detail is amazing and very dimentional.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 2

I found it fitting that the week I am working on this Beach Scene, that quite a few of my family members are actually spending time at the beach while I'm here having to just sew one. I keep seeing pictures and notes from them on facebook. (Such teases they are). While I do enjoy every moment that I can find time to sew, really being there also sounds pretty good. Okay, on to block two. This block of the beach scene has alot of detail. Just shy of 56,000 stitches, it took a little over 3 hours. Some of the stitching is very dense in places for the shading and I did encounter some "thread shread", but I used a little sewers aid and it solved the problem. There is a surprise color (Madeira 1059) at color #24. It is on the color guide sheet for the block, but omitted on the master color list. So, if any of you are in the gathering and organizing stages of doing this design, make note now. Not a big deal as most of us that embroider have enough thread in many shades that we could stitch most any design without having to purchase any more.  Here is a picture of the block all by itself and then blocks 1 and 2 together.  Gotta love the detail of the design.  I'm hoping to start on block 3 some time today after a few hours at the office.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Beach Scene Block 1

This is block 1 of the Beach Scene that I started today.  The detail is quite nice and it was an easy so out.  This is another picture quilt designed by Steve at Anita Goodesign.  This block had just about 33,000 stitches and took several hours.  There are 9 blocks to complete the picture.  I am trying some pre-wound bobbins and now I am wondering why it took me so long to use these wonderful little things after all these years.  I doubt I will ever wind another bobbin on my own unless it is to do bobbin work using the same color as the top thread.  These pre-wound bobbins last more than twice as long and the thread does not seem to produce much lint.  I never had to change the bobbin for this whole block and still have almost half left on the spool.  The box I bought works for both my machines.  Pure luck on that one!  Gosh, it does not take much to make me happy does it?  Happy Sewing!  Carole