Monday, June 26, 2017

MORE REARRANGING AND HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS...AND A COMBO QUILTING/SEWING PROJECT!


Well we spent ANOTHER week-end working on this house....I am sure you have all experienced how things like this work.  One project seems to lead to another, that leads to another, that leads to another, lol.  Of course you all know (if you follow this blog) that ours started with the "fixing" or cleaning of ALL of our tile grout.  Hubs and I have not quit talking about the joy that this transformation has brought us.  It's just sooo pretty.  There is no doubt that it was hands down the most involved and time consuming home improvement project we have ever been on in our 43 years of marriage, with the exception of the time we actually built an entire bedroom to include a closet AND a window in our finished off garage, but that's another story.  But that one was done over 30 years ago and we've aged just a little since then, lol.  Anyway...getting back to my story....the tile grout lead to the replacing of our carpet.  At first we were going to just leave the back bedroom (LONG story) but hubs changed his mind (it was never a question for me, lol) and we went ahead and had that done on Sat.  So now ALL of the floors in this house have had either the "new" tile grout procedure done, or new carpet put in. And since we had the rooms taken apart to put in new carpet, that lead to a detailed and involved deep spring like cleaning of the rooms.  Walls brushed down, baseboards wiped down, vents cleaned, curtains washed, ceiling fans taken apart and cleaned, detailed cleaning of all knick knacks, mattresses vacuumed and flipped, furniture oiled....you get the idea.  I should have done all of these things in the spring time when I usually do, but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to do it this year. This was the "little push" I needed, but it meant of course doing it in MUCH warmer weather,  In fact, we hit the high nineties yesterday which made for some HOT cleaning.  And then....lol....since the rooms were taken apart, I decided to do a little re-arranging as well.  I already showed you what we did to our bedroom, but this week-end I decided to do it to our living room.  I knew I was pushing my luck as hubs had decided he was going to finally re-screen ALL of the windows in this house.  Many of them had small holes or worn through areas, but ALL of them were old and looked tacky as well.  It definitely needed to be done.  But of course since we were taking the screens off to replace them, then naturally we might as well clean the windows inside and out to include all of the little areas the windows slide through as well.  I was going to "hire" someone to clean the windows, but decided we'd just go ahead and do this ourselves.  Of course this took WAY longer then we anticipated, but they really came out nicely, and both the windows and the new screens are glistening in the sunshine this morning.  NEVER MIND the arguing finger pointing talks hubs and I had getting er done though, lol. He of course worked on the outside (in the horrid heat) since of course at 6 ft 3 he can  reach most of them without a ladder, and I worked on the inside (yes, in the cool air conditioning).  We pointed to spots we each could see from our views, tapping on the window in annoying ways at times, sure of course the spot or fleck was NOT on our side, lol.  He did the screens himself (while I was sewing...another story) so by the time it was finally time to "re-arrange" hubs was definitely dragging his feet and getting a little grumpy.  But if there is one thing I have learned after 43 years of marriage it's just how to coax and work him along to get something done, lol.  Now I will admit I know when to shut these lips too and just do it another time.  But I knew he had a little left, so we began. Without ever having seen my house before you'd just can't appreciate or know how this room is.  We basically have TOO much furniture that is really big as well, and have tried to fit it in an odd shaped room to accommodate it all, so that we have the seating we need for our large family when it gathers, lol.  It was especially important to both of us that we have "our chairs" in this room, since there really isn't another place in the house where we could have.  OUR CHAIRS are large, super comfy, lazy boy recliner, swivel rockers, that we use EVERY SINGLE week-end morning to "chat" and have our breakfasts and catch up on our weeks.  Truthfully, I'd love to replace them both.  It's time.  But then I also want to punt the piano (Melody is going to take it eventually) and replace the couch as well.  I want to put two couches in this room...facing each other...and get smaller recliner chairs to finish it off.  I can SEE it all in my head.  It would give lots more seating room, and LOOK soo much better. But all of this can't happen until WAY down our list of what were spending money on, so for now (and who knows how long) we work with what we have.  Sooo basically we kind of had one of the chairs somewhat in the middle of the room, not in a weird way totally but just sort of between two areas.  (the living room attaches to the formal dining room in sort of an L shape)  I have hated it there since the first day we put it there...I wanted to "punt it" then, but hubby drug his feet.  He usually has no opinions and could care less about any decorating or furniture, etc., so when he does have a preference or a wish I TRY to accommodate it.  But 7 years is a long time to dislike something, lol.  I first approached this week-end with the possibility again of getting rid of one of the chairs.  I could quickly see this was not going to work without some stress, so I quickly changed tactic's to let's just move things around a bit.  Now like I said the furniture is large, heavy, and cumbersome, in addition to the fact it was hot and hubs was tired and done, and I am completely pointless for any assistance anymore.  Sooo I couldn't get ALL of the possibilities it could be without a complete revolt, so I had to be sure in my mind my first choice would work.....and it did! Now it is FAR from perfect.  The furniture is still large, the room is still small and oddly shaped, and I still want to replace it all, but for now at least the chair is OUT of the middle of the room, and it all at least seems to be a little more open and spacious.  Soooo now with all of this background info, let me show you how it looks. Sorry, I DID not take a before pic...which almost ruins this story...but what can I say?

OK THIS IS THE VIEW STANDING BY THE KITCHEN AND AS YOU ENTER THE FAMILY ROOM ~ AND THERE IS ONE OF THE "CHAIRS",,,  THE OTHER ONE USED TO BE SOMEWHAT ACROSS FROM IT THERE BETWEEN THE DINING AREA AND THE REST OF THE ROOM...I REALIZE THE LIGHT COMING IN THE WINDOWS CAUSES A GLARE THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE, BUT I COULDN'T BEAR TO SHUT THEM ALL AND REOPEN LATER, BUT I THINK YOU GET THE IDEA

HERE'S A CLOSER VIEW...AGAIN, BAD GLARE

HERE'S A VIEW FROM THE CHAIR INTO THE DINING AREA.  I AM SOOO GLAD TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS VIEW NOT BLOCKED BY THAT CHAIR.  

AND THERE'S THE SPOT FOR THE CHAIR NOW.   WE HAD TO MOVE THE PIANO DOWN A BIT ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF THE WALL, WHICH MIRACULOUSLY DID NOT RESULT IN HAVING TO MOVE ANY OF THE PICTURES ON THE WALL THANK GOODNESS, LOL 

Now I feel like you need to know that the chair that is sitting by the piano USED to be my chair (I am switching now to the one at the end of the couch as it is not broken and is much more visible and is in MUCH MUCH better shape!) that I used for many hours every day!  I do my devotionals in that chair, I do my blogging and computer work in that chair, I talk on the phone in that chair, I nap in that chair, eat my lunch in that chair...you get the idea.  Well....to say it was dirty is putting it mildly.  The footrest was almost black in places. So I told my hubs IF he could figure out a way to clean up that chair we could keep this arrangement and the chairs for a while longer, lol.  I told him to spray it with fantastic and scrub and see what happened....Didn't take him long, and the result?  Almost like new...

CLOSE UP ON FORMER BLACK FOOTREST...SORRY, AGAIN NO BEFORE PICTURES.  YOU CAN SEE A CLOSE UP OF THE NEW CARPET HERE TOO.

I am going to go ahead and share my latest sewing project as I have a busy, busy week coming up and Melody and her family will be here on Sat and I am sure no blogging will be done for a while.  Sooo I had decided to make a gift for my oldest son's wife Leah for her birthday on the second of July.  She has mentioned a few times that she needed a LARGE bag to take to the beach with them, so I of course I stored that info away in my head.  A while ago I had bought a kit from Shabby Fabrics that was for a Trendy Triangle Tote bag (as they called it, lol) which I decided would be both pretty and practical.  It was quilted and it didn't look hard.  I had bought the ruler/template I needed to make the triangles with as well figuring I could use it for projects in the future too.  Well....I began working on it last Thursday, and as I was two hours into all of the cutting of the pieces I needed to make the bag, I realized this was not going to be some quick sewing.  I think I might have mentioned that I don't really like to quilt as much as I like to sew.  I must be in the mood!  Quilting requires MUCH MUCH more precision and accuracy, and as a OCD gal I find this kind of stressful.  I like things TOO perfect I think, and let's face it, what is perfect besides our God?  But anyway, I was taking my time cutting carefully the 66 triangles I needed for this bag, plus all of the other pieces as well.  Then I began putting the triangles together and remembered ANOTHER reason quilting and I are not a good match. The sewing itself must be done slowly and accurately and to be perfect you really need to pin as well. When I sew clothing I rarely pin a thing, whip along very quickly, and honestly day dream while I do it.  Quilting not so much, lol.  Anyway, I finally got the piecing done of the triangles, and then had to quilt both of the sides, make the straps, cut and make and quilt the bottom of the bag, and ALL before I could even begin to assemble the bag, lol.  I finished it up this week-end along with a boxed zippered pouch I thought would be perfect to put in the bag so that her wallet, keys and phone could be popped in there and she could leave her purse either at home or in the car at the beach.  They came out really nicely, but don't think I will be making this again soon...maybe ever, lol.  If I should make another beach bag it will definitely NOT be with quilted triangles though that's for sure....Let me show you....

THERE IT IS!  LOL  IT IS LINED IN THE SAME FABRIC AS THE BOXED BOTTOM AND THE STRAPS

JUST ANOTHER VIEW...THE BAG IS REALLY BIG...COULD EASILY HOLD AT LEAST 3 TOWELS, SUN SCREEN, WATER BOTTLES AND THE LITTLE ZIPPERED BAG

A CLOSE UP LOOK AT THE QUILTING...I JUST STITCHED A QUARTER OF AN INCH ON BOTH SIDES OF EVERY LINE OF EVERY TRIANGLE

AND THERE'S THE BOXED ZIPPERED POUCH....I WISH NOW I HAD USED A STIFFER INTERFACING, BUT I JUST USED THE FUSIBLE FLEECE I HAD ON HAND

A CLOSE UP OF THE ZIPPERED AREA

AND THE LITTLE TABS YOU CAN HOLD ONTO TO OPEN AND SHUT BAG

NOT A VERY GOOD LOOK AT THE LINING, BUT I TRIED, LOL,  IT'S ANOTHER COORDINATING PRINT.  THERE WAS ENOUGH LEFT OVER FABRIC FROM THE KIT TO MAKE THIS BAG, AND I WAS PLEASED.  THEY WERE GENEROUS IN WHAT THEY GAVE YOU WHICH ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE AND ONE OF THE REASONS I AVOID KITS SOMETIMES....NOT ROOM FOR "MISTAKES", LOL
I will finish this ridiculously long post with a few cute pics for my books....I have two more little dresses to make for Claire before Sat., plus a hair appointment, a nail appointment, an eyelash extension appointment, and a eyebrow threading appointment too....time for all maintenance on this gal, in addition to a few errands to run as well.  Tired before I start.  But I am sooo looking forward to the 4th when our whole family will gather at Joe's.  Hope all is well with all of you!  Many blessings to you all.... Debbie

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THESE CUTIES!

YOUNGEST SON JAMES AND HIS FAMILY ARE IN NEW JERSEY AT OCEAN CITY...THEY ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME, AND YET THEY WILL BE BACK BY THE FOURTH!
 ,
THEY ARE ALL GETTING SOOO BIG!

RENTING THIS CONDO FOR 10 DAYS WITH FRIEND OF LARISSA'S FROM NEW JERSEY.  LARISSA GREW UP IN NEW JERSEY SO SHE HAS LOTS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT LIVE THERE




6 comments:

  1. Hello and Happy Monday! Firstly, I love seeing your family room and dining room and LOVE your quilt that is hanging-it's gorgeous. Also, love all your changes. That is quilt a big bag you made-will be so handy. Also like your pouch-you did a great job on it. I just finished a Sew Together Pouch/Bag and won't do another one-it was too hard!
    Love seeing the grands.
    Have a great week dear friend.
    Noreen

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  2. Glad that you were able to accomplish so many projects together! And the quilting with those fussy triangles looks amazing and will be put to excellent use. I wouldn't enjoy such small pieces and am glad that the "chunky" look in quilting is in. Ha! All the grands together for the 4th will be a blast. You have a beautiful family!

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  3. My, but you are one super busy lady! Your home looks spotless and inviting! I love the smell of 'clean!'
    I am so very impressed with your quilted bag! It looks amazing and that zippered box bag is impressive!
    I admire all of your many accomplishments!

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  4. Yes, indeed, you and Hubby have been busy, busy. I got tired just reading about all of your "doings." Everything looks so nice and I know it feels so good to have it done. Thanks for your sweet words about my eye issues and thanks for your prayers. I am feeling much more encouraged. Happy week!

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  5. Freshening up the house feels so good, doesn't it? You guys have done a LOT of freshening in a short time! Your house looks fabulous!

    Love the beach bag, custom made no less! I know you're looking forward to your visit with your family and having everyone together. Those times make a mama happy!

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  6. Your home looks so warm and inviting and there's nothing that makes you feel better than completing those long awaited projects. You are a wonderful seamstress, Debbie...that beach bag is a work of art! Those grands look so adorable in their patriotic beach wear too...enjoy your time together!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!