Hubby and I decided to do a small remodel job before he was called back to work. Wouldn't you know it, they called him back the day after we started. While I am thankful he was called back, I am wishing it would have been a week or two later as it usually is. Now I am stuck to finish what I can alone. Shame on us for waiting until the last minute to do it. I have been asking for years to get it done. Hubby is good at remodeling but really doesn't like it, so it is always a chore to get him going on it. We have been here for 10 years and it really needs some things done, well they are mostly "I wants". We did the kitchen right when we moved in and I am so glad we did. This time it is the entryway and living room. I love knotty pine, so this is what I've been hoping for. I finally just started on the entryway doing what I knew I could alone and then hoped he would jump in and help with the things I didn't think I could do. I purchased knotty pine tongue and groove for the living room and being in a split level the stairway has a very high ceiling and walls I can't get to. So, I am thankful he was able to get that much of it put up before work called. What I am left with is the subflooring and ceramic tile in the entryway, the built in hall tree that will ease the transition from one area to the other, trim work and the tongue and groove on the living room walls. I chose to do the entryway first.
This is the subfloor all laid out, I only have about 800 screws to go.
Here you can see the tongue and groove we were able to put up before he had to leave. Look closely - YES that is carpet on the walls (no I didn't put it there) and brick below it. We are having a fight on taking out the brick. He may just come home and find it gone:)
Here I have the start of my first ever tile laying. I ran out of the thin set cement, so I am at a stand still. I decided to lay the whole tiles first and let them dry so I can sit on them when measuring out all the tiles that need to be cut.
The hall tree is going to be a build in on this side of my snowshoes. It is the only thing I can think to do to ease the difference in that area. I am really unsure of what they were thinking when they built this house. I am guessing the entry way was added on at a later date and when they did the wall on the right hand side of this picture they had it off by an inch or so. Not sure why or what they were thinking because the carpeted area in the picture is a beam that is a good 6" out from the wall yet. Short of ripping out walls and doing a major make over, I will make it work. Sometimes it is good to have a creative mind:) It will for sure look 100% better then it has. Hubby made the statement that he had not suggested anything for this area because he was stumped on what to do.
So to give you some idea of what is going on in my mind. Here are couple pictures from pinterest.
Here are the colors the hall tree will be.
I am using a door blank for the back. I purchased one with out the hole drilled in it, so it is solid. The recessed panels will be stained and the other will be painted the black. It will be styled more like the first pictures with out the legs. If you can image photo one and photo two mixed together.
This is really what I would have loved to make, but DH (notice how he is no longer hubby and is DH) wouldn't have anything to do with it. He doesn't like the vintage paint look. So I am doing it the other way. After all I have to let him think he gets his way sometimes:)
On too my other projects of the month. I have been working on Block 5 of the Mystery BOM that is going on over at QATW. If you haven't gotten the other 4 blocks you should go on over and print them out. You can do that by clicking here They are free to members, if you aren't a member, I would strongly suggest you think about joining. It is a wonderful site for quilters and wool applique. They do a wonderful job of keeping us busy with contests, swaps, chatting with others and other things. Never a dull moment over there. I hope my projects end soon and I can get into another swap. If you haven't joined yet, please give the Admin a day or two to approve your request. She is a busy gal too. Ah..........I bet you are wondering about my charming stars quilt from a swap over at QATW. Well as usual my I wants are put on hold to make room for the must be dones. So, you say what must be done......the remodel, another baby quilt and the Mystery BOM. I did however finish the top and need to only sandwich and quilt it. So, it is getting there. Oh and yes some good news, I finally convinced my job that I really did not want to be full time and that is why I applied for and accepted the part time position that I was when I first started. I explained to my new boss that I really didn't have enough work for 32 to 40 hours a week. What did I say to convince her, I told her the truth. I said, "As I am sure you have seen, I really waste a lot of time here. Unless you have other projects for me, my position is not a full time position. If at some point you have something extra you would like for me to do, I will stay longer and do it. If not I would really like to go back to my .6 position." I will work 4, 6 hour shifts giving them 4 days instead of 3. That has me there more days to deal with employees so she doesn't have too. Much to my surprise she said "Ok" Woohoo I am back to my 24 hours a week, which will give me my sewing time back. I am so excited to get organized again and start sewing. Long story short, I will get to quilt it soon. I do have photo of the finished top. I really like it.
QATW just had a swap for the little 9 patches, I sure am wishing I would have had time to join that one. The 9 patch can be used in so many different ways. I just love them.
I better get on with my day, I have lots to get done and need to run to town too. That is the only bad thing about living so far from town. It eats up a lot of your day if you need something from there.
So for now
Happy Stitchin!!!
