Almost Done

This is the second new project that I started at the beginning of the year. It's a lovely kit from The Cross Stitch Guild by Jane Greenhoff called Blue Genetian. Now I know a lot of you are not fans of kits but this really is a quality one. It has a really nice linen and the thread, while I'm not sure of the brand, is very nice to work with. And there's plenty of it. So I can highly recommend it to anyone. I did make some minor changes to the chart. The trees next to the house are supposed to be worked in algerian eyelets but they are not my favorite stitches, either to do or to look at, so I changed them to smyrna crosses. I much prefer that stitch so out went the eyelets, in went the crosses. I also had to adjust the size of the letters of my monogram in the heart. There was just not enough room for the "W" so I made it a little skinnier. I'm also going to put french knots in the center of the flowers on the border instead of regular cross stitches. I think it will just add a little more interesting texture. When this is all done and framed, I'm going to use it as an introductory class in stitching on linen at the shop.

Another Finish

It's a very rare day here in Arizona. It's very gray and overcast and it has rained all day. I decided that it was a good day to stay in and stitch. I haven't been able to do that in a long while so I took advantage of the time. I watched movies from the Syfy channel and finished up my cross stitch hybrid piece. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I love the bright colors and the very basic shapes. While it's very simple, it has an elegance that I really like. I'm not sure how I'm going to frame it yet. I do know I want a shiny, black frame around it. I'm no sure about the mats though. I'll have a chat with my framer and see what she thinks. Now to add another new project to the mix. I really should be stitching on a UFO but I have another hybrid in mind that I have most of the supplies for and am anxious to start that one. I keep telling myself to work on the older projects but there's just so many new ones calling my name.

Phase 2 Done!

Well, phase 2 of the great remodeling project is done. The countertops were installed on Friday. I am so pleased with the way they look. I always second guess myself as to whether or not I made a good choice. This time I think we done good as my dad always used to say. The installers were here all dayon Friday and then the plumbers came after they left. The only problem that occured is one of the backsplashes broke as it was being installed. I think you can see it in the picture of the stove. Since it is a bookmarked piece, we really didn't want them to replace it. So they took it back and were going to repair it. They'll be out tomorrow to install it. I am really thrilled with the way this whole thing is turning out. I can actually see the end coming soon.

Day 7: Getting There

Well, we're on day 7 of the great kitchen remodeling project. As you can see from the pictures, the cabinets are hung, and the floor cabinets are in place. Dave is still try to get the dishwasher and the sink hooked up. The stove needs to be pushed back and the microwave hung, and I think that will do it for phase one. The countertop will take about 1-2 weeks. The floor will probably wait until the end of the month. That was the soonest our guy can lay the tile. But I'm okay with that because he's really good and I want it done right rather than quickly.

I really LOVE these cabinets! They are some of the prettiest I've ever seen and certainly the nicest we've ever had. Our cabinetmaker is a real perfectionist and makes sure that every i is dotted and every t crossed. But as I said before, I want things done right and am not in a hurry for this project to be done.

End of Day 1

So we're at the end of the first day of the great kitchen remodeling project. As you can see all of the tile has been removed. It's gone! The old ugly saltillo is forever vanished from the kitchen, dining room and foyer. It will never show its butt-ugly face in my house. Can you tell that I really, REALLY disliked that stuff? The guys (and I include my dear husband David in that) did a superb job in keeping the dust out of the rest of the house. Big sheets of plastic, open doors, and the swamp cooler did wonders in keeping the air and the dust out of the house. The dogs spent the day outside. Rosie loved it, Bear keep asking why he couldn't come in. Squeak spent her time either in the closet or under the bed. She was NOT a happy kitty. Tomorrow will be more of the same as our floor guy comes back and gets the floor surface ready for the new tile. That will be laid in several weeks because he has another job he has commited to but that's okay cause the ugly tile is gone forever!

It's Starting!

We are starting a huge adventure at our house. We are getting ready to start remodeling our kitchen. As you can see from the pictures, it looks very dated and dark. The tile is saltillo and is very hard to clean. In fact, five minutes after the floor is scrubbed, it looks like you haven't washed it in months. The cabinets are dark and sagging. My glass cabinet (which was the first to go) was actually shored up by a 2x4 and the glasses still rolled to the center. The house is 32 years old and the kitchen has never been renovated. So we decided that it was time. We've only lived here for 17 years. The cabinets will be a natural hickory, the countertop will be a gorgeous gold/gray granite and the floor is going to be a gray tile. The guys are coming tomorrow to remove the tile and grind the floor if necessary. We know there's a crack that needs to be repaired and that will be done before the cabinets go in. Hopefully that happens later this week. Apparently the cabinet-maker is waiting for the doors to be finished. I really getting excited about this. Not the mess, of course, but having a beautiful new kitchen. I may even be inspired to start cooking.