Bonus Room/Retreat Room

Continuing the re-do of the bonus room.  I ended up moving the sconces up so I could put some vacation prints above each bed.  The photos are from Scotland.  A few years ago I traveled there to visit my son and his family.  We went to Skye and visited several castles, the beautiful Eilean Donan being one of them.

I added the little wall desk this past weekend.  I built one that looked more like a floating shelf but it was pretty heavy as the frame was made from 2x4s.  I was afraid it was too heavy for the two studs that held it.  So I bought this pine wood shelf and used some 1x2s I had, to build supports that would screw into the sheetrock studs.  It is a lot lighter and I think looks fine for the space.  The little metal chair is perfect and light for the desk. I found it at Hobby Lobby.

This room is so big, there is still space across from the recliner.  I have a loveseat ordered to go in that spot....maybe even room for a small coffee table.  It is surely going to be a great retreat room. I've had such fun fixing it up!
  

Before and After

 I'm still working on the room.  Printed some photos from a vacation in Scotland to hang, and really am thinking of raising the sconces and hanging them above the beds.  Still need to find a floor lamp, a small end table, and a few other minor things but am thrilled with the look.....even though it is a very, very similar look to the twin bedroom.  That is ok with me, because that is my favorite room in the house.  :)  Here are a few before pics.....

Before my son and family moved in, I used the room to collect some old furniture that we didn't use in the new house - our old queen bed, an antique full from my son's college days, the table we used in the kitchen in the old house and some mismatched lamps.  The rug was new, but didn't go with all my quilts, so even though I loved it, I needed something more neutral. Since Elijah would be needing furniture I saved everything for his family.

They didn't leave a lot when they moved....which was great!

Using full size beds and putting them on each side of the window opened up the room so it now has a bigger sitting/reading area.

Retreat Room Update

 Just a few days after the kids moved out, we had more guests in the upstairs bedroom.  I only had mattresses and no beds, but they didn't mind.  They were in town for a funeral.  While they were here one of the beds came and my brother-in-law and sister helped me put it together.  They left this morning and I've been playing decorator.  I love it so far.  Have another bed coming tomorrow. Still need some artwork, a small lamp for beside the recliner, and a few other things, but I am getting there.

I played with several quilts, pillows, and two different rugs before I settled on these.  Honestly, the pictures don't do the room justice.  It is becoming very beautiful and calming.

I found a recliner cover, to change the look of the recliner.  I'm happy with that too.

Bonus Room progress

 I'm calling it several names....bonus room, Airbnb room, my retreat.....but I am loving finally getting to decorate it like I've been dreaming of since we moved in.  Our builder is bringing a couple over at the end of the month to see our home.  They are interested in building one similar to ours.  That was the deadline I needed to go ahead and make the decisions on what I wanted to do in the room and get the furnishings purchased.  I love the cheap and easy faux shiplap I did in the twins bedroom so I did that on the window wall. I have one of the sconces installed.

Found this little glass top table at Hobby Lobby.  Awaiting a recliner cover for the chair.

I purchases the antique chest a year or so ago, with the bonus room plans in mind. Flowers and vase from Hobby Lobby.

Ordered the loveseat for the sitting area of the room.

I've been trying to figure out some more quilt storage.  Once the bonus room closet was cleaned out I realized these shelves are perfect to store my quilts.

Of course I have to decorate with some of them.  These are on the stair landing.  I plan to have the curtains up, the beds here and made up with white coverlets and quilts, a rug, the loveseat, and possibly a floating desk by the time our builder brings his clients.

The kids moved out but we had a couple of visits this week.  Gotta ride in the wagon while Papaw mows!

And of course do the 'spider' swing in the backyard.

Both kids spent the night Friday night.  We made chocolate pies!  Emma loves to cook.

Board and Batten

 I had forgotten to post my final pics of the board and batten project I did in our back hallway.  It isn't perfect but I do love it so much. So much even that I'd like to do a wall in our great room by the front door.

I used furring strips which were pretty rough.

I've decided if I do it again, I may use some other board that are only 1/4".

I do love the look.  :)

We are empty nesters again

 After nine months my son and his family have moved to their own place.  It is bittersweet.  We will miss the littles so very much, and I know my DIL is so ready to be the woman of her own space and to be honest I am ready to have my house back. Living with family can be hard and we've had our moments, but when they look back I hope they know how much we love them and have done our best to be helpful to them on their journey of life. I hope the grandchildren realize the joy they have brought to our lives these nine months.  I couldn't have asked for a better grandpa than my husband. These are not his biological grandchildren but he loves them as if they were his flesh and blood.  He is the best! Always taking time to play with them and thinking of things they would like to do.  The house sure is a lot quieter.  Thankfully they are only about five minutes away.  Not like across the ocean like they've been the last six years.  

A couple of weeks before their move they got their first pets - two precious kitties.

I am in love with the little white one.  His name is Apollo and he is the most laid back, gentle little soul.  My grandson, Haddon, can carry him around like a baby (on his back) and sing him to sleep.  It is something to see.....

Artemis is the grey tabby, and a feisty one is she!  Like my granddaughter.  

My Emma found her first four leaf clover the other day. What excitement in that little toothless grin - she also had just lost her second top tooth.

There was a little accident on their moving day.  Poor Jesse, our 13 year old cat, accidentally got his tail slammed in the door.  Off to the emergency vet we went.  They bandaged it up but said most likely it was broken and that part needed to be amputated.  Little Haddon did it and when he realized Jesse was bleeding and hurt he was hysterical, "Oh Mamaw, I'm so sorry!  I made Jesse bleed. It was an accident. Oh Mamaw, I'm so sorry."  It was the most pitiful thing I've ever seen.  This little four year old boy, who has a heart of gold was absolutely heartbroken he had hurt the cat.  That broke my heart so bad.  He was shaking uncontrollably. I had to get down in his face and tell him "You are more important than Jesse. It was an accident. I know you didn't mean to do it...."  Jesse really didn't even act like it bothered him today.  His bandage had fallen off and he went about as usual. He will be fine I'm sure.  They amputated it today and we pick him up tomorrow.

So, after they got almost all their stuff moved, I've spent the last couple of days washing bedding, quilts, rearranging and even doing some purging.  It has felt so good. I absolutely love dressing up the twins (the twin beds) in quilts. These were the ones I settled on today, a couple of my pandemic scrap quilts from 2020.

And the empty room upstairs where my son and his wife have lived the last nine months. All cleaned up and bare.  But -- I do have some plans for this room and can't wait to decorate it.

These pics will serve as my "before" shots.  :)

I feel like this blog post is a catch up from the last few months.......good for you if you've read to the end!

Board & Batten

 After putting the primer and one coat of paint, I was disappointed.  The boards were still too rough.  So I have spent several hours now sanding, sanding, sanding, and sanding.  I *think* I have it smooth enough to start painting again.  It will be a while before it's finished. 

And some more pictures of the faux shiplap I did in the grandkids room.

We had a house guest recently so the littles slept upstairs with their momma and daddy.  I was able to get the room back into shape.

After I saw these pictures I realized I didn't do a line of tape at the top where the wall and ceiling meets. I've since done that and it completes it.

Oh, how I love this little room.  I love the vintage beds, the antique chest, how I can change out quilts on the beds, and the magic light trick in the sconces, and of course my favorite pictures of the littles. 

Memory Quilts Finished

 Got all four of the memory quilts finished and ready for a rest from quilting for a bit.

Shirts are hard to work with!  So, I'm ready for a break.  The recipients seemed very happy with them.  I am glad.  After finishing these I was ready to do a little painting.  Here's a few things I've done recently.

The little guy and I hid the clover rock yesterday in preparation for St. Patricks Day.

I did a thing this week.  I have been wanting to do a faux shiplap wall in the grandkids bedroom.  I did it in an afternoon, about three hours and cost me about $5.  Seriously.  Here is the before.  Pardon the toys and mess.  The grandkids are still living here for a few more weeks.

I placed a mark on the left corner every six inches from top to bottom with a pencil.  Then took a level and made a line all the way to the other corner for each mark.  After than I started at the left side again with 1/8" black whiteboard tape (Amazon) pulled it out 12-24" at a time, pressed it down all the way to the right corner for each line.  Then put a dot of hot glue at every interval in the corners to help the tape to stick.  I did use a little purple school glue stick every now and then if some needed some extra stickiness.

I think I like it and if I don't it will be easy to pull off and use a magic eraser to get the pencil marks off.  When the kiddos move out I'll be back to having this little room in tiptop shape and change out the quilts for the seasons.

Memory Quilt Two

 This one went together quicker and easier than the first. I think it is going to be my favorite.  I made up the pattern based on something similar seen on Pinterest.

The top is done but still has to be quilted.  I did something today that I enjoyed.  Mended a hole in some favorite Loft jeans.  They were the 'ripped' style and at my age, I really don't like seeing my white knee sticking through the jeans when I bend my knee. After doing my little random stitching on them, I happened to look on Instagram and found some amazing menders. They seem to use Sashiko cotton thread. It appears thicker, so I went to Etsy and ordered some.  Going to use it for future jeans mending.

And this picture just made me laugh.....my home is full of toys now with the grandkids living here.  That is going to change in a month or so, as they have decided to move into a condo close by that belongs to another family member.  It will be good for them to have their own place, as much as we have enjoyed having them with us the last 7 months.

Nothing like a crocodile crawling out of your bathtub!

Memory Quilts

I was asked to make four memory quilts.  I have never made more than one for a family, and this has proven to be quite an undertaking.  I have one top finished, didn't have enough shirts for four, but when making these you don't know that until you get them all deconstructed and cut for a pattern.  They gave me more shirts from other family members so I'm not sure the fourth quilt will have much of his shirts in it.  Oh well. I learned something. One - I don't have a slow button so whatever I have on my agenda to do, I will usually work like crazy to get it done, and Two - not to agree to making more than one memory quilt for a family.  It is just too much for me.  I've been very stressed about these.  I finally got one done, and two more mostly cut for the patterns I've chosen.  They are not in any hurry so I am going to put this on pause for a few weeks, if I can.  I just hate having projects hanging over my head. I am definitely a finisher.

I've been waiting on a new pantograph to quilt my latest scrap quilt.  It is called Easy Orange Peel.  I think it worked good for this one, although I can't show the quilt yet.  I've submitted it and don't know yet if the magazines are going to take it.

I like to color code the design if there are two interlocking patterns.

I've been sewing the binding down on the front side, then using school glue to stick it to the back side. Then iron it down and machine stitch it.

Of course you can see the stitching on the back side, but the front looks flawless.  SO quick and easy. I doubt I'll ever hand bind again.  This quilt is so cute!!!