Monday, February 1, 2010

85% Finished

Yes, 85%. That is my answer, and I'm sticking to it. The Craft Room redo, that is. I worked on it all weekend except when I went out to lunch Friday and Saturday, had people over Sunday evening and discovered an old friend on Facebook that I had to chat with for hours. Hello Lil Suzie!

First thing, was the mold on the corner of the ceiling, under the roof leak. I know, you're supposed to fix the roof leak first! Well Jim is an Olde Yankee, and they never ask for help.  He has worked on that section of roof 2 or 3 times now, and it still leaks. He can't fix the ceiling till the roof stops leaking, and it's winter and dangerous, etc. I was going to bleach it. But the more I thought of bleaching over my head, the less appealing that sounded. So I covered it with plastic (on a slant, so any new drips would drain off) and I covered the plastic with a white sheet. Clever? (slipshod, I know.)

Moving the furniture was damn near impossible, and even though I live with my brother and nephew and niece, I wouldn't think of asking for help! (see a trend here?) There was no place to put anything in my living room, so I moved things mostly filled, rather than unloading everything. Those Ikea shelves weigh a ton when loaded and don't like to be moved! And those old tables, well they are great, cause the tops are enameled and can be scraped with a razor blade. But the legs are all wobbly and the leaves want to fall off, and the floor is way crooked! So I shimmied and shoved and grunted and groaned till they were in place, then I took Tylenol and slept in the recliner till my knees wanted to work again.
 
Saturday I finished moving the tables and started to organize the stuff, which is a process of discovery: every piece of paper has to be checked out; everything has to be dusted and read and examined; every gadget and geegaw has to be placed with other gadgets and geegaws; everything that can goes into containers that go onto the shelves; everything else is stacked and awaiting classification. And the magazines have to be looked at again. Trash needs to be hauled out. It's HUGE!  So, I'm about 85 percent done. I seem to have lost the camera in the mess, so I had my computer take the picture. It is mirror image, so it is backwards, but here you go!

 What I have learned from the Studio Redo:
I have too much stuff
Don't spray bleach on the ceiling
Staple guns are not made for human hands
I'm not as strong as I think I am
I need a crew
I have too much stuff
My favorite ivy has scales!
I'm stronger than I think I am
Good enough is good enough
It will never look like a magazine redo
I have too much stuff

On the upside:
The room is flooded with light in the winter, as it faces south. It's cool in the summer, as the other part of the roof shades it in the afternoon. I will have a big L-shaped work surface under a window looking out at the woods and the river. I have tons of ephemera and all kinds of projects waiting to be made and I will have ready access to all my STUFF! Now I can get to work. (well, after that 15 percent next weekend!)

Here's the best part: You All!  Thank you all for visiting me and encouraging me in all my endeavors! As I have mentioned before, I'm so thankful to have found this community of wonderful people who want to exchange ideas, art and encouragement.  I love seeing what you do--the art, the beautiful pictures, the flea market finds, the furniture refinishing, the decorating and projects you are working on, and best of all, your wonderful spirits. I am inspired and empowered every day!  Thank you so much!

P.S. Part two of the Dream Vacation should be out next weekend!

8 comments:

  1. Wow, I'd say it's looking pretty good. Looks like a real big project though. I think you are going to definitely going to have to ask for help.

    Sissie

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  2. It looks like it's getting there. I know what you mean about the grunt work first. I don't like that part much. We scraped popcorn off ceilings, painted, new lighting. I'm not as brave or capable as you, so I had to wait for weekends when my husband could help. Finally the good part comes, the putting together. I agree with what you said about re-discovering things & having to re-read the mags. LOL I really like the shelving you have. Looks like cubes or something, boy I could fill those up! Can't wait for the reveal & pics from the dream vaca. Lisa

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  3. You do rearranging and organizing like I do. I never ask for help. Prefer to be alone, everyone out of way, and then I grunt and push and groan and pull without taking things off or out in the process. Much easier that way, I think! :) HA! Good luck getting that last bit done. I still want to make one wall along my tv room just for crafting -- need to find a suitable desk and some shelves. That way maybe my dining table will stay clean. You will have a beautiful view from your window for great inspiration. Thanks for your visits to my corner -- and yes, I did do a blog redo. I decided each month, a new header, new music and new background. I like to change things up a bit (often). Have a great day! Tammy PS I also have too much stuff :/

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  4. Sherry! You need to: ask. for. help. :)

    It's looking good! Love the sound of all that light in the room & your view.

    I buy & use up things as I go since I have NO space to store stuff. So I don't have a cool studio - just a 40-year-old red toolbox full of art supplies and a few things in the armoire. :)

    Have yourself a wonderful day!
    Zuzu

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  5. Oh, Sherry, you're a braver woman than I! I'd be in my chiropractor's office by now! Aspirin can be my best friend!
    Diane

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  6. What a great space and that storage untit is a dream. I am always looking for good storage pieces and I love the little cubbies. You're getting there! 15% left.

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  7. Your space is going to look wonderful when your done...those cubby shelves are perfect to store all your stuff...and the light shining in is perfect...don't stop now...your almost done.

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  8. I always figure I can rig up a curtian,,,lol,,,its a blessing just to have any space to call your own. I guess you did probably find the camera.

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