Studio Time

I have contract on my home. I am thrilled. There will be an inspection on Monday but that should go well. So now we can have a life until the closing December 1.  Hopefully the new house will be ready before then and we can move with no storage time involved. Fingers are crossed. 

Yesterday I embroidered some guest towels for the new house. Machine embroidery is one of my hobbies and I love to make things for my house. These designs with the bugs are from Anita Goodesign and called Beetle Blossoms. Now we all know that if I actually saw one of these bugs in my house I would have to call 1-800-Pest Control. The first design is from Urban Threads and has a French flair. I will do another with a postcard next.

The wonderful thing about selling so quickly is that now I can do some of my projects again. The quilting will have to wait until I am settled in my new home but the machine embroidery, needlepoint and some knitting can be done and we can cook again without worrying about what the house will smell like. We like onions and garlic!

Color charts are spread about and thread is all over sewing table.

Jack is making out the grocery list. Think Puttanesca sauce.

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Fine Line . . .

This is most of what was in the house. There are a few more boxes in the garage which will go to storage today. Now I shall pack at my leisure and as the spirit moves me. I am most anxious to knit or sew or do some needlepoint. This move and the new house have consumed me this summer. Most of my projects are packed away.

My sewing corner is all but empty. My project table is in storage.

My quilts are in the now almost empty linen closet.

My coffee table has one side that lifts up to make a desk/table and there is storage. There are two little seats on rollers and the seats lift up for storage. Think knitting.

My pine cupboard has gone to its new home where it looks better than it did here.

The concrete walls are up and the wood arrived. 

We went to Pop's Sunset Grill for lunch and while there (sipping an adult beverage), I decided that I can do no more packing until there is a contract. I need to be able to live here. So tomorrow I am going to do some machine embroidery. I will pick up as I go along (a challenge) and then maybe make a list of what needs to packed next.

Happy weekend!

And we have begun

Jack is taking a break from packing and is trapped in his chair by bubble wrap.  I would have to say we made a dent albeit a small one. And tomorrow is another day. 

The house has been listed and my realtor has a mover who will help transport the larger items to the storage unit as we stage the house for attracting buyers. I guess the idea is have it look spacious (empty?) so a prospective buyer can visualize the space.

The coffee table is covered again. I have packed 8 boxes so far and will do more tomorrow.

The dining room table is covered. The rug is covered.

Sleep, my little pretties. Christmas is coming. 

So, we shall continue with vigor. I don't have room for one of my pine cupboards so it will live with some friends. The sofa will go on that wall which will open up the living area.

This packing has not been too bad yet but the nightmare will be my sewing room and studio. I don't even think I can take pictures of that....

Later.....

Summer Changes

We are saying farewell to Querencia, the little red cabin on the lake, where I went to stay after my Rich died and where I slowly put my life in order. The cabin was a special place for me where I could heal my heart. A while later Jack entered the picture and a new life began for both of us. Now 12 years later, this chapter will close.

When Jack came to pick me up for our first "date", he too fell in love with this little cabin on the lake.  However, 2 miles up the road he had a lovely home. Over the past few years he has made some wonderful improvements and I have become more needing of the comforts he has added. We would commute back and forth and it has become too much. We will spend summer in his home and winters in Florida. We will miss the little cabin and our landlords who have been good friends as well.

Now, in Florida we will start a new chapter. We are moving. We are building a new home right up the road and it should be ready by Thanksgiving. I am overwhelmed with all that has to be done but we shall start the sorting and packing when we go back next week. Think bubble wrap - lots of bubble wrap.

The motivation for the move is to be on one floor in a smaller community of homes. And I no longer want the pool. The wonderful features of the home are just a bonus.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and I am sure I will have something to say when I am in the midst of the packing! Until then.....

Upside down

Yes, that is how I feel and it's ok. In early June we made a life changing decision and we are right in the midst of it. We will be moving and are building a new house not far from where we live now in Sarasota. The last few years have pointed out to us both that living on one floor would probably be a very good decision. So on the spur of the moment we went to visit the model homes in neighboring development and just like that (pretend I am snapping my fingers!) a contract was signed. In two days, all the amenities were chosen and we were on our way back to Maine. We will soon return to Florida to begin the process of "staging" my townhouse (very big groan) and put it on the market (another groan). This is the upside down part. I have a lot of "stuff". I enjoy my collections and I use all those dishes ......

I had that big birthday and it was wonderful. My boys brought me flowers and Jack and the boys treated me to lunch. Lots of laughs and memories shared. The party has continued but I think it is finally over with my latest acquisition which shall be shipped to Florida. 

The machine was made in1924 in Elizabeth, NJ. The decals are in perfect condition and the name of the design is La Vencedora. Included were a bentwood case and a sewing table called a 301 combination. Maggie is guarding the attachments and all too rare key.

These vintage machines have always spoken to me. I have the newer ones but these to me are so visually appealing. This one shall live in my guest bedroom as a night table with a vintage lamp.

So that is my news of topsy-turvy. There has been a lot going on this summer and as always the internet is very costly. It seems easier just to post on FB but I shall try to do more on the blog when we are back in Florida!

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!