Journal

Live From Topsail

2009-11-21T14:21:29Z

We’ve been @ Topsail for at least 6 or 7 days. I’ve lost track. Just a few more nights though. Our original plan was to stay thru Thanksgiving, but that would have required driving home on Friday since Tom must return to work Monday so we decided to leave early - avoid the crazy drivers and spend turkey day @ Ortona. Hopefully Ortona weather is as nice as Santa Rosa, FL. It has been absolutely gorgeous and the campground has been nearly empty til yesterday. Perfect time of year to be here.

We’ve been exploring the area more than in years past. A few days ago we took a day trip over to Alabama to visit Bella Terra RV resort. Nice place — we’d love to own a lot someday, but we are just not ready to commit…too many other priorities and we are not quite sure where we really want to buy so seems best to keep the money in the bank for now. We also drove thru Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. Now that was amazing — they have 400+ sites there. All full hookup.

Besides enjoying our nightly camp fires, I’ve been piddling around inside. Cleaning, purging, and reorganizing some cabinets, etc. And shopping. I found some great antique stores not far from the campground. The Smith Antique Mall was my favorite. I cannot believe it took me 4 years to discover these. They are just fabulous. I love old shutters and I’ve seen several down here - some real unusual ones. Probably abundant because of the number of old beach houses that had them. I think these would make a great art piece in our stick home. Haven’t bought any. Yet. grin

I did buy this folk art angel. $20. She sits on top the valance in the bath. The small thread spool was $3. I found it at an antique store near our home. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

And I found this new accent lamp at a lamp/shade store in Destin. The perfect size for this small bath area. It also has a dimmer switch. Never seen that on a little lamp like this before.

As a part of the “redo” I’m still on the hunt for some other things — mainly for the front room now. So the hunt continues. I actually enjoy the hunt more than the find.

That’s it for now. Suppose to rain today, so I may sew. I am working on two 12” quilt blocks for the bathroom walls. Thought that may be the good way to finish off that room and make the valance tie into the wallpaper border. We’ll see. When I get more done I’ll post some pictures.

Bedroom Valances

2009-11-10T14:15:54Z

Tom says — when are you going to do another post? My answer — when I’m done with these bedroom valances. So now I’m done. Good grief these were tough to do. Really tough. All those layers — it was like doing 6 valances instead of 3. But I’m happy with them and thrilled they are installed.

I moved the cow into the motorhome. A cow in the bedroom. Not something you see everyday - eh? Umm well probably never. Except here. grin

We leave later this week for Topsail for a long stay and then return to Ortona for Thanksgiving. Ida and all the downpours that follow should be long gone by the time we get to the panhandle. We hope.

I hope to blog more on our trip and once I get these valances done. They have just consumed my time lately. I think I finally reached my limit on this type of project, but I have the front room left to do and I’ll start those after we get home. But for now it’s time to rest.

Construction Site

2009-10-22T12:54:53Z

It’s a bit of a mess in here. And will be so for several more weeks.

I just started covering the 2nd layer for the bedroom valances yesterday. Took me all day to do this one side.

I screwed up on the cording the first time. Hard to explain so I won’t. Anyway — 2 layers on each side per valance plus a middle section. That’s 18 sections for just the bedroom. Cording on each. Exhausting to think about so I try not to.

I have to secure each layer using brads. First time I’ve used those. Bought an electric staple gun for that task. I feel so powerful. he he

This recovering project is a.l.o.t. more involved than the first time around so I am taking some construction photos. I figure some fellow RVers might like to know how to do this so I will add a new section to the Bus Renovations eventually. Or why to completely avoid it. [cheesy grin]

When I picked up the extra cording @ the fabric place they had a finished valance sitting on the table.. just back from the professional upholsterer….it was perfection with a capital PPPPPPPP. I nearly drooled all over it. Anyway — it looked something like this. Only his was way better and he used white gimp. Gimp — is the flat decorative trim. I could not find white anywhere that day and I stopped at 3 places. In an area with 4 million people you’d think you could buy anything.

This was pretty messy inside until I covered it. Getting the silk to lay nicely was hard to do — being so flimsy. And I had barely enough cording to wrap to the inside and staple. Now no one knows except me and you.

I’m going to try and skip this step for the rest of the valances. That’s too much work. Good grief. But I may add the gimp over the staples if it looks too sloppy.

~~~~

Other things. I found these cute signs on Etsy. My first Etsy purchase - ever. Plan to use them in the Bus.

I know - I’m such a child.

A Figgy Pudding Weekend

2009-10-16T13:36:13Z

The Bus valance project is in limbo since I’m waiting on extra cording.. soooo I figure it’s good time to finish up some xmas projects. Like the Figgy Pudding xmas tree skirt. Yep it’s been hanging here waiting on M.E. I’m the plug — as usual.

The WIPs are out of control at Lucy’s place so I did what most procrastinators do.

I started another one. gulp

I can’t help myself. It’s a sickness. I saw a finished one of these Stick Santas at the quilt store and it was instant love.

How could I resist? I couldn’t. And obviously didn’t. Now I just need to make another section like this one and put it all together.

The kit comes with the cardboard tube and all the accessories inside. The fuseable grid is a separate purchase. You can buy the kit here. The did buy the grid too, however, I didn’t follow the grid lines - I just placed my squares one on top of the other and pressed one or two rows at a time. It was easier to keep it straight - imo. So you can probably save money just buying a piece of this iron on stuff at JoAnns…

Here’s hoping I have a good Figgy Pudding weekend and I have no more distractions. Like the other one I created last Tuesday.

A trip to the antique store.

I bought another jar for my threads. $4. Since I’m behind on my projects - thread usage is down. Not really an antique, but it spoke to me. Like lots of stuff does. Especially things with $$ signs.

Bus Bath Valance

2009-10-13T21:35:36Z

I opened the door to the bath storage room. Two days ago actually. The first of three layers on the bedroom valances are done. I checked my inventory of the other fabrics and cording and found out I’m short cording. Dang. I was bummed about that and a little worried — what if I can’t get more?? But the design consultant assured me it is no problem — I should get the rest in by early next week. Whew.

So I switched gears and worked on the bath valance. Easy Peasy. The embroidery fabric is silk and hard to get a picture without lots of glare. This was taken with no flash.

I wasn’t real certain I’d like this — but now that it is done I’m happy with it. The embroidery is reflective of my sewing hobby even though I have not done a lick of embroidery. Hiding my head in shame cuz I have a machine that makes that easy to do. If you were thinking hand embroidery — well let’s get real. Of course not. I’m too lazy.

Anyway - moving on. This is a little closer shot with the flash to show some of the fabric detail. The little check and cording is what I’m using on the bedroom valances too. I just love checks — I cannot get enough of them.

Now I just need to figure out what to do about the wallpaper border in that room. Kinda doesn’t work anymore - eh?

Hmmm. And I might need some new accessories, towels. I feel a shopping trip coming on.

grin

Fun RV Renovations

2009-10-10T12:31:30Z

This couple has the most fun renovating their homes. Sticks and Bricks or ones on wheels. I’d love to tackle the renovation of an older RV like they did. Even once! They have done it 3 times — so jealous. Maybe when ours is 15 years old I’ll get brave and paint the walls??? eek! Probably not, but wouldn’t it be fun to just “go for it”! Take a look at their accomplishments …in Flickr albums.

1994 Fleetwood Flair

1983 Minnie Winnie

1998 Alpine 36’

I’ve blogged about this couple before, but fellow RVers who are not familiar with them might enjoy reading thru their old and current blog.

In summary — they toured the U.S. with the ‘94 Flair to promote green living. Then sold it to upgrade to the ‘98 Alpine for something bigger. They sold that to buy a house when she got pregnant again. Bought the ‘83 Minni Winnie to use for vacations and latest blog entry says they plan to buy another Alpine - 40’ this time and go back on the road full time I guess. Somebody got that cute Minnie Winnie for 8K! I think I got that all straight but check out their blogs to get specifics. Anyway she says they plan to renovate the 40’ Alpine and add bunk beds. How fun!

Home Again

2009-10-07T14:30:18Z

I’m back from Illinois. It was a great trip except the weather was cold and rainy a couple of days. That’s the midwest. Just as I remembered. But it did not dampen the visit — I really enjoyed visiting with everyone and was able to spend lots of time with my son and his new girlfriend, Sara She’s a real sweetheart.

Anyway I’m slowly getting back into the groove here at home. Very slowly. I thought about starting the valance project today.

But then I just shut the door.

Maybe later this week. Or next.

Travel Tote

2009-09-29T02:13:37Z

My latest project - a funky travel tote.

Made using Montana Modern fabrics from Bernatex. Duck cloth interlining. Embellishments - buttons, trim, and some old jewelry that I just don’t wear anymore. Like the ribbon pin below.

It’s big enough to hold all my gadgets and my purse. Yep a purse for my purse. he he

Lots of pockets. Two on the outside.

And two on the inside.

Some more of my jewelry added to this pocket — i.e, the beads. They are from an old necklace.

I used the pattern Half Moon Tote from Seams and Dreams. You can fold the sides in lots of different ways to give it a different shape. Pretty easy to do, but it is tough to get those tabs sewn around the handles.

It’s all loaded up in the pictures above as I’m headed out early tomorrow a.m. Flying up to Illinois to visit my son and other family and friends. Back in a week.

On A Roll

2009-09-18T12:23:50Z

Figgy Pudding all pieced. Just waiting on some extra backing fabric to finish.

The Bus quilt. I decided to just stick with the fabrics I have. I’ll figure out where it will be used once it is done. I’ve actually made progress on this one. Seriously.

All 9” strips are sewn. 160 of them. 60 more than the pattern requires because I had plans to make it bigger.

What a disturbed person I am.

Next step, cut all those strips to make a bunch of 4 patches. 320 total. Told you I was disturbed. But I have a plan. Wonkiness will occur you can count on that. Wonky beyond repair - well those will go in the garbage. Lots of wonky = smaller size. Hopefully good enough to assemble into one quilt vs. a bunch of hot pads.

Next xmas project. I plan to get this cut out this weekend. Sure would like to get a few more xmas projects done before December. This year.

Project Progress

2009-09-15T12:01:27Z

Looks like I’ll get another quilt project done before year-end. *gasp*

Right now it is 36” square and should get to about 40” once finished. The plan was to add an outside red border, but looking at it I have an urge to go with the pattern design — i.e., a pieced border. I’m going to quilt this myself. Stipple it. I have the thread, the batting, the spray baste. Just send in the ambition and I’m on the way. grin

Other things …

Fabrics are picked for the valances in the front living area. Oh the agony. I’m quite sure the store consultant was ready to strangle me for changing my mind. Once again. I’m struggling because these choices must blend with the taupe sofa and grey walls. The original feature fabric worked, but it was too expensive so I spent days looking at alternatives and it all clicked yesterday.

Base - Linen. This has some taupe in it although you cannot really tell in this online pic. Again this for the background part of the valance. A lot of texture in this — the little dots are actually rectangle and very nubby. Kudos to the store consultant — she’s the one who found it.

Accent - Terra Cotta. Goes on the middle board so just a strip of it shows. A canvas look that I like very much as the other two fabrics have a sheen to them. And it keeps that reddish tone in the front area which I love.

Feature - Outlandish. My goal was to use a paisley because it is so timeless and I love this one. Plus this one compliments the existing dining chairs. Lucky me. Although I would love to change the chairs too just to give the entire area a new look, it is not a priority.

I have a cording picked out, but I cannot find a pic online. It’s the same color as the Terracotta accent so it will just bring in more texture.

All of the fabrics I’ve picked are from Fabricut except the paisely - which is from Robert Allen. I cannot find a reliable online discount source to order the Fabricut choices myself. I’ve tried many times. sigh My usual resource no longer carries them. The contact said they had too much trouble getting the right selections. The other source tells me my choices are not in stock. Which is not correct. So I’ll order the Robert Allen thru the discount site and rely on the store consultant for the rest. She told me you must order Fabricut direct as their online system is not reliable. No kidding. Of course she does not know I have been trying to locate all of these myself. Trying to save buck you know. Anyway the discount place refuses to call Fabricut to workaround that problem so I gotta go with the sure thing. It’s OK. I feel good about using the consultant — she has been a big help to me so I’m glad she will benefit too.

Off to get a haircut (it’s a rats nest) then to the sewing room for the rest of the day.