...* ~ * Aahhhhhhhhh...!! * ~ *...

 

It's been a very long journey since we started the Stumptown house (January 2009), and it's absolutely refreshing to breathe a huge sigh of relief and say that it's finally over!

 

 the empty lot

 

beginning of the project

 

Construction is my husband's passion, and I have learned over the past couple of years that it is also definitely not mine.  I enjoy the process of seeing a home built or renovated but I do NOT enjoy the physical part of it  - at all!  I'm still very young and yet lately I've felt 20 years older than I am.  I know this process is physically taxing on my husband's body, too, but his passion for it overcomes his pain by a long stretch!  So many times he went the extra mile for the homeowners by doing things that the average builder doesn't....adding little touches to make things extra special or extra durable, putting up a mailbox, installing blinds on the doors and windows and even combining all the papers, registration forms, manuals, etc...that come with all the 'parts' of a home, collecting them in handy binders with custom-made labels.  The bar top in the kitchen had a few scratches on it that honestly no one would have really noticed or even cared about, but he couldn't let it slide and spent another $175 to have it replaced.  I'm ashamed to say that so many times I told him he could have left this out, or not done that and gotten away with it, but he wouldn't go for it - he's not one to cheaply cover up his mistakes.  He even baked cookies for the closing attorney and his staff last night!!!  You don't find builders like that anymore and I'm truly honored to know one!

 

We had a mini celebration after the closing today....one final little 'picnic' on the living room floor - tater skins and Cokes from the local gas station!!

 

 

 

We learned not only a lot about construction, but loads about ourselves and each other.  Even though there was a lot of blood, sweat and tears (more my tears than anything) along the road, I truly wouldn't trade this experience for anything!!

 

 

knockout roses in front of the house

 

I'll just post one more batch of some of the final pictures we took today. 

 

 family room

 master bath

 kitchen

 back patio

 private patio off the master bedroom  

outside view of private patio on side of house

 Thanks to all of you who cheered me on with your notes of support ~ it kept me going! :)

Private Gonzales reporting for duty!!!

One of the things I love about my mom is that whenever she comes to visit she always wants to help out with whatever I need.  Whether it's cleaning house, cooking meals, working in the yard or even tying quillows, she's always ready and willing!  Today she had planned to clean out my flower beds but it is cold and rainy so I put her to work straightening up my fabrics.  My stacks were in dire need of attention because I was 'losing' fabric in the midst of the mess!

 

She looked so cute just working away at those stacks!

 

Her name isn't 'Gonzales'...she just likes to wear fatigues because she thinks they're comfy.  She gets them at the local Goodwill or thrift store.  She's very cozy with the Salvation Army and refers to it as "Sally"!  :)

 

Anyway, it gave me a chance to work on this bevy of bloomers for a boutique order while we chatted.

 

While trying to get my boutique orders out the door, I've been straying from the path and had to put together a few halter dresses in some new fabrics I got in the mail this past week.

 

 

 

They are sooooo pretty and so much fun to make!!  Irresistible!!

 

 

They are now available in my Etsy shop with plans to make more!

  Don't forget that all my 'Ready to Ship' items are 10% off right now!!

 

It's been a lovely day and I'm looking forward to all my chickens coming for dinner on Sunday!  I hope your weekend is a lovely one, too!!!

 

Thanks Mom!!

 

 

 

Just a Reminder....

...for me, that is....unless, you need a reminder, too, then I'll be happy to share these words of wisdom: "...in the middle of my little mess,I forget how BIG I'm blessed..."    

Easter Shop Note!

Just a quick post for those interested in my Etsy shop....

I've got a large selection of clothing items for both boys and girls!

I can't guarantee delivery of custom outfits in time for Easter,

BUT I have marked down all my READY TO SHIP items 10%!!!

These items ship immediately via USPS First Class and should arrive within 3 - 4 days.

 Just click here to go straight to my shop and these READY TO GO items!!  

The Scent of Montana Memories

Today, my day was pretty much shot as far as getting any sewing done....I spent at least 6 hours getting lost in the big city of Columbia while trying to pick up miscellaneous construction and sewing supplies (and taxes - ugh).  No time to get into any cutting or sewing now, soooooooo....why not blog a bit!  Haven't talked with y'all in a while so a short 'chat' will be nice, doncha think?

 

The weather here is absolutely beautiful!  I sneaked a few flowers into my shopping cart while at Lowe's this afternoon and finally got the planters on my back porch filled with something pretty.

 

Never mind that the house itself is disgustingly cruddy in places - at least my pots are full of flowers and that's all that matters to me right now!  It's so nice to come home to a welcoming stoop surrounded by color!

 

 

Since Spring has arrived here in the South, my lilacs are in full bloom and they smell absolutely wonderful.  I caught a whiff as I was crossing the breezeway and it swept me back to my childhood in Montana.

 

 

 

Lilacs grow like crazy there, overtaking all the alleys and lanes.  We used to walk home from school down the alleys and smell the lilac bushes, picking them and tearing up the soft smooth leaves.  They were such an abundance it was really harmless.  Here, they don't grow so well and are often very spindly, lasting only a short while.  It really is amazing how a scent can carry you straight back so many years to a specific time and place!  I close my eyes, take a big whiff and BAM, I'm 10 years old and back in Montana, strolling down the alley and swinging my emtpy "Muppet Show" lunch box.

 

 

This fat little fella just didn't want to stay still to let me get a decent picture of him.  He was definitely enjoying himself.

 

 

I just couldn't leave that loveliness outside because I knew it would be gone in a few days and I wouldn't have time to walk out and smell the flowers each day.

 

Never mind that I don't have a decent vase for it!  It's just pure Spring and I'm loving it!!

 

The stork paid me a visit while I was gone....I came home and had 3 babies waiting for me!!!

 

 

This is my artistic shot...I call it...."Dummy Tummies"  :)

 

 

 

If flowers are blooming in your neck of the woods, I encourage you to stop and enjoy them and even take a few inside with you if you can!

 

 

 

Quick Drop In

Hello...I know I've been gone, like, forever, and I knew this would happen as the house project was drawing to a close.  We have the closing set for April 7th and still many things to do.

If you look back at my last post you'll see the walls were still unpainted....Praise the Lord, we hired a painter!!!  I was so glad, too, because I was having bouts of depression thinking of how I was going to get all that painting done....seriously!  Anyway, this is what those same walls look like now:

 

Lovely, isn't it!!  The dining room is the only room with a special color, the rest is a light shade of cream which contrasts nicely with the white gloss trim.

Next, Bill sanded floors....

while I installed all these...

It's amazing how we don't realize how many of these things go into a house...there were 92 of the outlet covers alone!!!  I stopped counting when I got to the switchplate covers!  I also installed my first dimmer switch and eyeball can lights! 

 

YAY me!!  :)

Looks good on the entertainment center, ya think?

Next, we applied polyurethane to the floors....I started by cutting in around the difficult areas

and Bill came along with the roller...

Now, isn't it REALLY lovely?

We're installing finish electrical and plumbing now and, to me, that's really the fun part!  I enjoy electrical work!  The plumbing is questionable at times.

In the midst of all this, I'm still trying to keep my head above water with orders of baby clothes, but I'm managing.  I love it when my customers send me appreciation pics of things they've bought from my shop.  Isn't this just the sweetest picture??

I was super excited to team up with a designer in New York that wants me to help create a line of clothing for them....wow!  This is new territory for me and I'm excited but also a little nervous as I really don't know what to expect!

Spring has sprung here in the South and I have been taking pictures of some lovely things...I'll leave you with a shot from my back yard as the sun was rising...