Red Leather Pocket Protector

 Scott just turned a  "junk collection" room in our downstairs into a bright, cheery craft area to work on all our projects!  It was so fun to watch it come together, and I couldn't be more excited about the great job he did.  This is my new craft/wrapping/project area, and the other side of the room has Scott's area to work on his sewing and leather projects (yes, girls...I have a husband who sews).

Because it is a downstairs work area with no windows, I wanted it as bright as possible, so I chose white...walls, doors, shelves, cabinets, and work areas. 

I will open myself up to gasps and tuts...and admit that THIS is what part of the area looked like before we started this project.  So...all those people that constantly talk about how organized I am?  Well, here's the reality hiding in my basement.  We quickly dejunked the cabinets and countertop, and tore out the old shelves and cupboards.  This area will become Scott's new sewing area with perfect space for his commercial sewing machine.

Besides painting walls and ceiling, we painted the shelves in an adjoining closet, and installed four new doors in the room.

We also did some new rough electrical so additional electrical outlets could be added at counter and floor height, as well as wiring for under cabinet lighting in the areas where I planned to put cupboards.  We also added an outlet in the ceiling near the light fixture, so we'll be able to plug glue guns and other devices into the ceiling above the working area island/table--no cords to trip over!

Scott's first experience installing laminate flooring was a good one...we chose a maple Pergo, and he had it installed in an evening!  Fresh baseboards followed.

I wanted plain, simple and clean lines in the room, so we elected to  purchase Ikea cabinets as well as countertops and island/table.  The nice thing about the counters is they're not attached, so we can move them if we ever need to.  A few bright red rolling chairs allow us to move and turn from one area to the next as we work.

The new cupboards were quickly stocked into labeled containers and boxes for quick, easy location of all my supplies.  I found some dollar store metal magazine holders for my files and current projects, and added a row of duct tape to brighten it up.  Decorative scissors, paint brushes, and markers are stored in clear plastic bins held by a white wire rack.

We installed white slatboard in a few locations in the room and in the closet to help organize the things I'll use a lot and want to have accessible, like ribbons, punches, scissors, tulle, rulers, etc.  We added red plastic strips to the slatboard grooves to give it another splash of color.

I bought some red canvas totes to fit in the Ikea 4 by 4, and I store my larger projects and supplies in there.  I also found a six tier scrapbook paper rack (12 x 12) that I discovered fit perfectly in on of the shelves.   I made a couple of crafty signs and framed them in red (again from Ikea).

It's true...this was a "before" picture!  Another disorganized area off of this room is this walk in closet where I have been collecting, filing, and stacking "stuff" from my church callings....books, visual aids, handouts, chimes,  Primary singing aids, posters....All of it just kept getting deeper and deeper until I literally couldn't step in the closet....so...out it all went!

I also added a slatboard area in here for storing some tools, cleaners, mop and broom, and also some hooks to store those bulky baskets up high where they won't take up so much room!

Remember the picture at the top with the counter and cupboards stacked with tons of cr.. uh.... stuff?  This little area was the perfect place to install some new, fresh cabinets, under cabinet lighting, and Scott's commercial sewing machine.

We added slatboard here as well for his tools and supplies, and all of his projects (leather, canvas for the awning, and other manly man stuff) are stored in boxes with a row of red and white polka dotted duct tape.  He hasn't got them labeled yet, but he'll be able to find everything quick and easy now, I'm sure.

Because I wanted to make sure this area was personalized for Scott, I made him a pair of Star Trek prints....the first is a Singer sewing machine converted to the Enterprise (NCC 1701) and it says "Boldly Sewing Where No Man Has Sewn Before."  The print on the right is Data being domestic, and Captain Piccard's caption says "Make It Sew."  I know...cheesy.  But perfect for my nerdy hubby!

With the addition of some slatboard with hooks and baskets, and some under cabinet lighting by Platinum Electric, the sewing area is done!

Scott and I have already been down  working on projects together and loving having a space to spread out and make a mess!  The first project completed in the new craft room?  Scott made himself a new red leather pocket protector for his reading glasses and his cross pen (see...I told you he was a nerd), and I've already made some shower invitations, some gifts, and worked on some church projects.  It's great to have an area that I can work until I'm tired....leave my mess out and go to bed!   Happy Crafting!

Gavin and the Grommets

We had an unexpected visit from Kathie, Gavin, and Griffin, who flew out for three weeks when Kathie's dad had a terrible accident.  (More about that here.)  During that time, Gavin anxiously helped Grandpa with his huge awning project.  After the canvas panels were sewn, over 500 individual grommets had to be punched, placed and set.  Gavin helped grandpa with a good portion of these:

 He'd get the grommet pieces out of the box, and place them correctly on the base, put the top ring over the bottom one,

 And then do his "happy dance" each time grandpa would hammer the grommet connection closed.  It reminded us very much of Jim, who would concentrate and stay focused on a project forever when he was a little boy!

 Gavin, here's the finished product....Grandpa says "Thank you" for your help!!!

I'm Going to Deck You

A couple of months ago, Scott and the boys filled up a dumpster with the remnants of our master bedroom balcony that has been needing replacement for quite a while. He got right back to work replacing it with some beautiful Trex decking, and then added the posts and rails.

It's a beautiful new addition...now all I need out there is a lounger and I might sneak out on the back deck with a book occasionally.

I'm so lucky to have a husband that is handy (and handsome)!

I've Got A Case of Shingles!

No, not that kind! The kind that go on your roof!

For several weeks, we collected buckets with rainwater that dripped through our family room ceiling spot lights during every storm this spring. After trying to patch and repair the problem areas up top, we finally determined that it was time for a new roof.

So, last August, we picked a week to get it done. After two months of record setting dry days, the week we picked was, of course, the week that it rained and snowed all week! But the crew took shingles off and got us dried in as they went, so we never had water problems throughout the process. They filled 2.5 25 yard dumpsters with "stuff" from our roof!

Before the new shingles went back down, Scott did a quick run of ZMesh to eliminate the ice dam problem we always have on the eave over our bay window.

Then, the crew got started with the shingles....for about 7 days straight!

They almost got finished when they ran out of materials...but not to worry....


By Monday afternoon, the house is done. No more staples, generators, air compressors, hammers and saws. And hopefully...no more water dripping from my light fixtures!

Now We're Cookin'!

Our family blog followers may have noticed a sudden lack of blogging activity the last few months, and so when people ask "What's cookin'?" I simply answer, "Absolutely nothing!" That's because I haven't cooked for two months during our kitchen remodeling period. Our friends have asked when they get the tour...and you are all welcome any time to come and take a peek at the new rooms. But for those who don't want to make the trip, here's a quick photo essay of the before, during and after photos.

Yes, my kitchen was submitted by well-meaning friends to the "Ugliest Kitchen" contests in hopes that this would force me to make a much needed change. I've resisted remodeling for 20 years since we've owned this home, but finally agreed to submit to the construction chaos. Here's the before picture as we were unloading and starting to remove appliances, etc.


Once the room was emptied out, Scott stripped flooring and removed the hanging soffits, which exposed the room to the attic, and all of the insulation contained therein. Yeah, we're talkin' messy!


After a round of sheetrock and paint, Scott and Joe installed Heatizon Systems ZMesh radiant floor warming on the floor so the room (and my feet) will be nice and cozy all year long.


The heating system was immediately covered with a porcelain tile that I am really enjoying a lot.

Chris Buckingham and his crew at Canyon Craft Cabinets did a wonderful job on our cabinets, which are a clear hickory with a black glaze. I couldn't be more pleased with how beautiful they turned out, and how they were able to give me everything I asked for!


Cabinets were immediately followed by appliance delivery, and then countertops were installed over the next several days.


The tile guys came back for another round of work, this time a tumbled travertine backsplash.


So, other than a few details like a couple of missing lights, and window treatments, etc., I'm going to call this kitchen done. And, now we're really cookin'.

No Tears Shed for The Shed!

September 6th, and in honor of Landon's Birthday, we completed a project in the yard that he would have loved to do by himself, but in his absence, it took 3 men, 3 teenagers, and 2 women (supervisors) to complete. Finally, the old shed got demolished today! Scott, Tyler, Clint, and three neighbor boys (Jeffrey, Dallin and Garrett) took to it with sledgehammers and axes. They all took great pleasure in the destruction--what is it about men that makes this task enjoyable?

Happy Valentines Day!

Okay, you girls out there got some pretty nice things for Valentines Day, but I don't think anyone can top this: Scott had been gone for 10 days to Australia and New Zealand, and arrived home on February 13th. A huge snowstorm had just come through, so when he got home from the airport, he unpacked his suitcase, put on his boots, and went right out to start clearing the driveway. The back yard had about 18" of snow, and even though he was tired, cold, and jet lagged, he took time to make me this special valentine in our back yard. Of course, I didn't snap this picture until quite a bit of snow had melted, but this should still melt your hearts . . . . Isn't he just a sweetheart?