Sunday Sevens – Aug 7 2016

Good morning all, and welcome to today’s Sunday Sevens. Sunday Sevens is a round-up of sorts, little bits of your week that don’t really need a full post. Pop over to the creator Natalie’s site, Threads and Bobbins, to see if you’d like to join in. It’s fun, easy, and has no real rules. What follows are bits of my last couple of weeks, in no particular order.

No more blue room

Bedroom is now primed, and finish coats go on today. The color will be richer, a nice soft cream – this is just the primer – 50% saturation. Trim is glossy white. Hmmmm, what colors now to use for linens and such? I’m leaning toward a darkish shade of turquoise perhaps with printed curtains over white sheers? Maybe some coral? Any ideas?

Curvy corner closet

This will be my closet. Since it is so tiny and shallow, we will opt for shelving with some hooks for scarves, belts, bags, etc instead of a hanging rack (that will to go in another room). The tiny corner shelf already in place will hold my hat boxes. That is, if I had hat boxes, they would stack there. I’ll surely find a good use for it.

Sewing

This might explain why sewing has been so SLOW to get going. Until my sewing room is finished, I’m squeezed into a very warm (yes, it’s really hot) and crowded laundry/storage/”where-will-I-put-all-this-stuff-from-the-blue-room” room! Can you spot the sewing center in this embarrassing shambles?

In spite of the mess, I have started a new project…

My new blouse! Pattern printed, assembled, and cut from muslin. Gotta love finally seeing some progress.

Transformations

My oak leaf hydrangea outside the kitchen has transformed. Now that the bees have had their fill, the once vivid white flowers are now green, deepening to pink. So lovely!

Off to the races

We went to the local racetrack. Our friend’s son was in the main event, and although he didn’t finish well, he did finish. And in a crash-filled race, surviving with body and machine intact was a huge accomplishment.

Scary seats

The racetrack and the bleachers have been around for decades. It might be better not to watch your step when clambering around these seats; if you don’t see all the holes it feels less precarious. Pay no attention to the wobbly steps. Ack!

Relaxing weekend visit

After a sunny, Friday afternoon followed by evening at the fire pit, I awoke to a wonderful, misty morning.

Bridging the gap

We nearly drove past this jewel of a spot, but quickly turned around to see what it was…

Was this originally a railroad bridge? A foot bridge? What is it now? Next trip, we’ll make time to investigate the surroundings and story of this old bridge.

Fun fest

We made our first visit to the Park Avenue Summer Art Fest. The weather was ideal, there were arts and crafts, home services, and food choices a’plenty! We opted for poutine, a delicious mess of French fried potato strips covered in gravy. I chose the vegetarian version, and pretended it was calorie-free and absolutely healthy. The residents along the avenue were out in force, playing music, even offering cheap lemonade from front porches. Businesses also were open for business and they were packed! We found a coffee purveyor, serendipitous as we just finished our last bag. Timing is everything.

Well, I guess that just about covers the last couple of weeks. Hope your last weeks were lovely, and the next one even better!

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Sevens – Week 73

Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s installment of Sunday Sevens, highlighting some trivia from the past week. Sunday Sevens was started by Natalie, over at Threads and Bobbins, and gives a little peek into bits of everyday life that may not call for a whole post. Check it out and see if you’d like to join in, anyone can play!

Two weeks have passed since my last Sunday Sevens post, so here is a little update for you.

Remodeling

The bathroom reno is so close – only little touches remain: the shower door, a towel/robe hook,  replacement radiator, vent cover, paper hanger, and glass shelves in brick alcove, all of which will be installed this week. And not a moment too soon, as mom has arrived!

Fold-up shower seat (aren’t we fancy)

Into the “Hobbit” closet

Corner sink

Cat testing

Sewing

A second muslin (from different pattern) created for my floral fabric.
It will have its own post shortly.

Happy Sunday to all, and have a fabulous week!

 

Sunday Sevens – Week 71

Hi all, we’ve arrived again at a new edition of Sunday Sevens, started by the lovely Natalie over at Threads and Bobbins. Why not take a peek at her blog and check out the “rules” for the Sevens….you might want to join us. It’s fun and easy – no pressure!

 

Construction Progress

Since construction is the main thing going on around our household, this post will contain too many bathroom photos. The little under-the-stairs bathroom will be completed in less than two weeks, so you’ll soon see the finished room….and then we’re done!

Shower stall and toilet areas are framed. The shower is dark here because it is coated in dark red water proofing. The little brick patch is the back of to-be built-in shelves, honoring the old house by exposing the decommissioned kitchen chimney.

Old, tiny closet to remain undisturbed (except for the floor and some paint).

This newly uncovered corner (space stolen from a teeny tiny shelf closet in the bedroom) is where the corner sink will go. Tile work begins tomorrow, then painting, and then the fixtures can go in.

Once it’s completed, we will need only to ready the bedroom. Piece of cake, don’t you agree?

While our little crew works (3, 2, or 1 depending on the day), I hide out upstairs with a book – sometimes reading, sometimes watching Cat TV with Frieda.

Motto of the week

This is a card I’ve just sent out. Inside says:
Here’s to making history on your birthday!

And here’s to history-making sewing/crafting for all of you! Have a great week!

Sunday Sevens – Week 70

Hi all, we’ve arrived again at a new edition of Sunday Sevens, started by the lovely Natalie over at Threads and Bobbins. Why not take a peek at her blog and check out the “rules” for the Sevens….you might want to join us. It’s fun and easy – no pressure!

Progress

As you can imagine, my week consisted mostly of the fun and games that come along with any construction project. See how the tiny bathroom is coming along. It’s still a shambles, but demo is complete, shower is framed, and even bigger changes will happen next week. The week draws to a close….

Books

One of my goals is to do more reading and I’ve added this title to my shelf (temporarily in this case, as it is on loan from the library). I’m excited to get started on this one, The Pink Suit, by Nicole Mary Kelby. But it will have to wait just a bit, as I  am still enjoying Kate Atkinson’s Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

More Books + Cooking

Have a couple of newish cookbooks that I’ve barely used. The next recipe I’m planning to use, hopefully this week, is Cauliflower Orecchiette with Red Pepper, Basil, and Parmesan, from Cat Cora’s Classics with a Twist. Next up, something from America’s Test Kitchen’s The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook – it has a great variety of yummy dishes to try.

Cats

My own kitties were most uncooperative on “photo day”, so I’m substituting this cool metal sign. I’m certainly not advocating smoking, but I do love this sign.

Sewing

A separate post is coming which will spell it out, but I have completed a muslin (yes!) for my first make of 2016, and first garment for the SWAP. Changes are afoot. There are positives and negatives. Watch this space.

Bagels, how I love them

New Yorkers swear their bagels are the absolute best. It’s a bagel, says this California girl, what’s the big deal? But they are better, so much better. My local Balsam Bagels is the best of the best. And therein lies a problem. During my recent 2-month stay in California, I had one bagel each month. After returning home, I’ve had one bagel each day. This is undoubtedly contributing to the problems with my muslin. (oh, could that have been a clue?)

Till next time, stitch on everyone!

Sunday Sevens – Week 69

Hello everyone! I hope 2016 is starting with a bang for all of you. Thinking about starting a new blogging tradition? Then why not pop over the Natalie’s site, Threads and Bobbins, and check out the Sunday Sevens. It’s a great opportunity to blog about random loveliness, with only the slightest suggestion of rules (you just need to include seven photos; and if you don’t have seven, any amount will do nicely).

At our household, we begin 2016 in a bit of disarray…this was the view from study into bathroom just two days ago.

The little half bath of my hubby’s study was slated for a very minor rehab sometime far down the road. We planned to update the sink and vanity (or down-date?) to a more period-appropriate set. The house was built in 1910, and these fixtures were added in the 80’s. We thought we’d also install a tile floor and either wallpaper or repaint the walls. But my mom is coming! In twenty-one days, this will be her room, and she will need a shower. So we are making room for one. No easy task in this awkwardly arranged space.

Partial demo

Further demo. A bit of electrical investigation and old floor removal will be done tomorrow – then the new installations can get underway!

Look at the study now. Impressive, isn’t it.

The old lath and plaster ended up temporarily on the front porch.

Items from the old bath closet are now parked on the dining room table, and the desk from study is in the dining room, too. Wherever shall I sew?

And what will I be sewing? For starters, this pattern in this gorgeous fabric.
Here is a question for you: does anyone remember the term “yardage” and does anyone use that anymore? Just curious.

Now, I do realize this is Monday, and not Sunday, but I have a really good reason for not posting yesterday. We were in Buffalo at an NFL football game, the Buffalo Bills v NY Jets. It was a beautiful, although very, very cold day and the Bills actually won, which is something they do not do often enough!

So there you have it. The pictures are not so very pretty, but that will change in just a few short weeks.

Stitch on, everyone!