Stove Makeover

 I told you all that the walls of the Studio weren't the only thing that got a coat of paint.

And YES - anything I own it fair game for modification. I like things changed to suit my style. Stoves included.

When I needed a new space heater for the Studio, I wanted something with style, not just an industrial metal box. So we found this. 

It was available in colors by special order at the time, for an extra charge. We weren't exactly flush with cash at the time so I figured basic black would be fine, as I could always jazz it up myself.

Fast forward to the Studio getting blue on the walls and the time had finally arrived to tackle the Stove Makeover. At first, I thought I'd paint it all solid blue but half way thru, I changed my mind and let it be two-toned. 

It's several shades darker than the walls but the same blue family. I couldn't wait to share it with you all. It will have a new place once I move a few more things around. You'll see more picture of the stove soon.

Onward Into 2021!

 Onward we go into 2021, fingers crossed, resolve steeled, with a determined glint in our eye that this year will be better than last year, while remaining cautious, careful and considerate of others.

I'll be sharing some current projects and update you on some old projects. And then there's a future one or two percolating, as well. So many things did get accomplished last year - The Year of the Projects! - both at home & in Michigan. 

The current house project is my Studio/Home Office redo, which started back in August and is still going strong. It's being done in conjunction with a larger, ever ongoing purging of items that are needed elsewhere in the Universe. The redo has required the addition of some larger, more useful storage furniture. Of course, knowing me like you do, you know I don't run out & buy new. Half the fun of the room redo is hunting down just the right used piece and rehoming it. Thrift shops, estate sales, and moving sales are the best! It make take a bit longer but I'm just a wee bit persistent, to say the least.

Odie has been helping with the Studio Redo

I sent this DVD cabinet out the door to make room for this full size cherry bookcase that I scored right in town at the thrift shop that benefits women & children in peril. It's also where I send those items we no longer need or use. Support Local! 

The white rope bins contain my Studio DVD collection -
so much neater & cleaner than seeing the mishmash of cases.

I fully admit that I had to really wheedle the heck out of the manager to be able to purchase this bookcase. They were using it to house yarn for sale and didn't want to sell it. But it's made from cherry wood & I HAD to have it. I made him a cash offer he couldn't refuse. Interestingly, there was a gentleman in the shop at the same time who was also interested in buying the bookcase. He took no for the answer when he heard me asking about it. I didn't. Persistence paid off!  This bookcase was the beginning of my birthday present. 

W had asked me early in August what I wanted for my birthday this year, and I'm quite sure he didn't expect 'New Furniture' to be the answer. He does, however, know it's wasn't something we would just run out & buy in an afternoon of shopping. W gets the "Hunt", heck, he even joins in but he may not have grasped the scope of my that request at the time. 

See that braided rug in front of the bookcase? It figures prominently in this week's adventure. 

Stay tuned!

 

Back to the sewing area

And what a sight it was.  It's funny who when you are so engrossed in several projects with tight deadlines, you seem to overlook the devastation you are wrecking while creating. Okay so maybe it's just a me thing.  There it was piles of stuff everywhere - all over the cutting table, piled on the chair, stacked on the totes, falling off the wall ledge, overrunning the sewing table and even still in the traveling tote.  I had come downstairs with my graph paper to work on the barn quilt design, looked around and gave up any idea on drawing until the room was back under control!

 

While I don't have a dedicated studio room, the small downstairs family room is strictly my territory which means it was all my mess - no blaming the husband.  While cleaning, I decided to rearrange my cutting table & raised it up on bed blocks.  It may end up to high for cutting but I gained a bit more storage space underneath.  Two hours later - the space is back in order & ready for a new project.

 

Lately, I noticed my fabric stash has been getting hashed together as I pick through finding fabrics. That usually means its time to pull all the totes out of the garage and reorganize the whole stash.  While that sounds like a daunting task - and it does take the better part of the day - I found it's a great way to keep my stash current.  While reorganizing I make sure there is a box standing by - ready for fabrics that don't fit into upcoming projects or that are no longer my style or taste - for donating!  It keeps the stash organized, passes fabric along to others that can use it & frees up some space for a few new fabrics that are just waiting for me to buy them.