WOYWW 229

Back again – still loads to do in our new house and in my new ARThaven, with a lot of unpacking, sorting and putting away to be done. It is all still in a state of flux and things are not all in a fixed position yet. Here is how it looks today.

I have got Sheba, my Cougar cutting machine, out of her box and she is installed where she is going to live, waiting to be connected up and ready for use. The space above my main work area now has various shelves and rails. The shelf on the left has a rail with rings and clips to suspend my unmounted rubber stamps and various other bits and pieces. Mum’s old spice rack is on the right, at the moment housing all my distress stains, but they will probably end up back in a box as I shall want the shelves for things I use more often. Above, underneath the top shelf, I have put two Ikea rails for my collection of punches. Andy (chief builder) constructed the shelf unit sitting on the work surface, and this is where my carousels live, with small drawers underneath. The little black chest came from my dad’s workshop and will eventually be painted. Please see previous blog posts for more detailed photos. The wall unit on the left has small cardboard boxes with various contents – I am not happy with the arrangement yet and this will be re-organised at some future time. Lots of storage space underneath, with moveable units on castors where I need to sit – pulled out, these provide additional work surfaces.

I have already begun on a new project for our house – replacement doorplates for the downstairs doors. Upstairs, the original beautiful Art Deco ones remain, but they have been removed downstairs. I have made a silicone mould from an original one, and so far I have cast two in Friendly Plastic, but I think I shall be looking for a cheaper material to make the rest – I need to do some research on this, and if anyone has any helpful suggestions I’d be grateful – I had considered polymer clay or UTEE but both these options are probably a bit pricey too. I don’t know a lot about resins or other materials.

Once trimmed up and painted, I am hoping to create the effect of antique brass like the originals.

We have now got Mum settled in the annexe after an extremely rocky and traumatic start – lots of stress that I could well have done without! I have been remarkably well over the move but this past week have had some bad days when I haven’t been able to do anything but rest. It’s all catching up with me a bit, I think!

That being said, we are extremely happy in our new home, and love the house, the area and the nice neighbours, and having so many amenities so close at hand. All the renovations are marvellous and make life so much easier, and my hubby has to do less to help me these days. I can cook again, and my new kitchen and bathroom are an absolute dream. Trawl back through my blog posts for photos of all these delights – the before, during and after photos! The builders are here again today finishing off a few jobs and it won’t be long before everything’s complete. We’ve still got lots of boxes to unpack, though!

For anyone wondering what this “WOYWW” is all about, click on the logo in my sidebar and it will take you to Julia’s blog where all will be revealed.