Progress

We accomplished a lot in the kitchen over the last week, including installation of the under cabinet lighting, tiling (but not yet grouting) painting the walls (but not the trim), and a few other small things. The only big jobs left are grouting and the floors. Everything else is small tasks like putting in new outlet covers, moldings, vent hood, and a couple more under cabinet lights over the sink. We need to order the ceiling light fixtures as well. All things we can get finished in a month. Too bad I won't be here to enjoy the finished kitchen....Here is a progress pic:

A close up of the cut for the undermount sink (ignore the lack of grout and face plates):

In other news I've taken up antiquing. Or junkin' as my aunt always called it. She used to take me when I was young, and while I loved going with her, I never really got into it. Until now.

I have managed to do a little sewing lately. I mentioned before the kitchen set I started and the Patchy Bird Quilt. I want to add a pair of towels to the ktichen set, but have not yet been satisfied with anything I've done. So for now, it is a pair of pot holders and an oven mitt. I did a pleat detail down the center of each and quilted in a diamond pattern.

Finally, the Patchy Bird quilt. I still have to quilt it together. Right now it is basted together with safety pins, and I think it will look really nice when it is all finished. Below is a picture of the front and back. It is a chocolate brown cotton with a cool Japanese fabric patched in there.

Raining cats and dogs for days

I finished the Fold Quilt, but have not taken final pics of it YET. It has been raining cats and dogs for days, so I haven't had the chance. Here it is during the quilting process:

The butcher block countertops came in (FINALLY). We removed the old laminate, sanded the butcher block, cut the hole for the undermount sink, did some more finish sanding, and we put the WRONG sealer on them! Because two destructive boys live in this house (my brothers), we chose not to put mineral oil on them (which is what normal people do). We decided that since we don't plan on cutting on them anyway, we'd seal them with something water proof, because, as we all know, wood and water don't mix. Unless it is one of those weird underwater logs that are worth a bunch of money. Anyway, we chose a water based poly to avoid the ambering that occurs with regular poly. Mistake. It had copious water spots immediately. So, after hearing a million different opinions from a million different people, we decided to go with indoor/outdoor oil based poly, then we decided to just oil it like normal people, then we couldn't find mineral oil, and were looking for it online, and found Waterlox. It advertised itself as a perfect finish for butcher block that won't water spot, stain, etc... It was perfect. Once we get the Waterlox on, I will post a pic.

I ordered some new fabs a couple of weeks ago, and I got some really nice Japanese prints that I'm excited about. Here is my current collection:

I started making a purse. Here it is before I put in the lining and attach the strap. It is my first bag, and I am making it up as I go. Now that it is lining time, I am starting to lose steam....


I got the urge to make a smallish quilt, mainly because it would be a fast project. I hate when things drag on.

I got my hair cut, and I promised a before and after, so:





The other day I took Beagle for a walk on some trails, so here are a few of the pics I took: