And The Wall Came Tumbling Down

Since the first time we looked at this house, we have wanted to open up a wall in the kitchen. That way it opens the sitting room to the whole kitchen. It wasn't top priority on the "to do" list, but it finally made it to the top.

The plan of attack being discussed.

Take off the first piece of pine and make sure there are no ugly surprises, then start to cut out the rest of the pine from the sitting room wall.

The circular saw is heavy when you're holding it over your head. Taking turns makes it easier.

Just about finished.

Pulling the nails that held the pine on.

Now to start cutting the kitchen side.

It's hard cutting the drywall above your head and between studs on the wrong side of the drywall - or I guess it's the right side of the drywall.

The first peek through.

Trimming the edges.

Getting it ready to put trim on.

There we go ... time for beer. Now we have to go shopping for trim and a railing.

Then there will be flooring and furniture.

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This wasn't part of the wall. Ken brought me some roses the other day and the picture turned out so pretty.

The Valance Project

The valances in our kitchen are tired. Very tired. They are navy blue, that has faded, and they are "old fashioned", I'm told.

My friend Carolyn, who makes all kinds of "window treatments" and gets paid big bucks for it, told me that she was going to teach me how to make valances for my windows. (How hard can it be?) I got the fabric and yesterday afternoon, we started the project.

First we had to measure and cut all the pieces for all five of the windows. That took us most of the afternoon. This is Carolyn working on one of the pieces.

This is me cutting one of the long pieces. This fabric is so pretty and cheerful!

We cut out the pieces for 48 tabs for the tops of the valances. This is me sewing them together after Carolyn left. She loaned me her sewing machine.

After they were all sewn, I trimmed them.

The next step was to turn them right side out and press them. Here they are all sewn, pressed, folded and ready to sew on to the tops of the curtains.

Stay tuned, next Monday is phase two; sewing the valances together and hanging them.

(And wait until you hear about my next 'how-hard-can-it-be' project. Response from my partner in crime for this one - "I'm stoked Granny")

The Viola Progress

With the move I kind of got behind on my viola. I've been back to it and getting some work done on it the past few days. This is the front and back with the purfling set in the groove. Tomorrow, I'll take it out, trim it and glue it in place. I'm pleased with how it came out and now I'm pumped about getting it glued and starting work on the insides.

To give some size perspective. This is the back of the viola alongside the violin that I finished making last year. The size difference shows when they're side by side. When I start my cello this summer, there's a huge size difference. Not to mention the double bass that Bethany and I are going to start making later this year.

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Did the purfling today. I can see the barn door now!

The Visitor

The visitor strolls into the yard, I see it out the window.

It sniffs around and finds a comfy spot by the rhubarb.

Settles in for a little snooze.

Hears Muggins bark, so heads off into the trees behind the antique sattelite dish.

And that my friends is why I am not going to compost!