Thursday, April 25, 2013

Life Is One Big Progress

 Well, I finally got caught up!  Ha Ha!  But only on my blog reading.  I was a little behind, but I am now back on track.  As for everything else, I don't feel I will ever catch up.  As the title states, "life is one big progress".  I need to put that on a t-shirt.  That would mean adding something else to the long 'to do' list, so I will pass.

This post is just a chat to tell where I am and where I'm going.  Slow progress is being made on the basement.  I'm trying to add little improvements to all of the houses and businesses, but it will take time.  I want to add doors, windows, curtains, etc.  I'm also making progress in the family room.  Initially it was going to be a family room with a small section set aside for me to do some work.  I decided to turn the entire family room into another workspace.  It will have a sewing station,  a desk,  an area for making clay creations, a finishing station for wood projects, and both my miniature houses.  Now that the plan is in place, I've started making some progress.  Below are a few pictures of progress and projects.

Here is part of my new sewing station.  The black organizer in the back is a recent $10 purchase from one of our supermarkets, Aldi.  I'm not sure if I will use it for sewing notions or something else.  Right now it's empty.

Another view.  A lot of times I stand when I sew, but I may add a stool later.

I've started my fabric storage project.  I won't be able to do all the fabrics like this, but it will be nice for the lightweight fabrics.

Monica is still working on her pet shop and asked me to make some things.  I need to add a strip to the top of the food bags to make it look more finished.  I found these on a mini printable site, but I can't find the link at the moment.  I will keep looking.  If you are interested, email me and I will send a copy of the saved file I have on my computer.

I made a small set of encyclopedias.  I see I need to even them up a bit.  These are from Jim's Printables.  He has since retired, but you can find these books here.   The rest of his printables are there, too.

I designed a magazine holder and made it out of wood, for Darius' office.  After spending the time to do it, I remembered there was one at Jim's Printables.  LOL!  That's okay.  Since this one is my design, I can sell it in the future if I chose.

My mom's latest thrift store finds.  The kitchen was $1.21.  I think she gets a kick out of finding 1/6 scale items.  She may need her own blog soon.

Last but not least, I picked up this grass rug at Lowe's for $18.  It's really big and easy to cut.  It won't wear down like the paper backed rug I've purchased in the past.

Moving forward:
Lots of stories on the horizon.  It's a bit slow at the moment as I make/acquire some of the items needed to make them happen.  I will be doing a series called "A Day In The Life", soon.  We will  follow certain families from sun up to sun down to see what their day is like.  

For the newcomers to my blog, my blog focuses on family life and the day to day happenings.  You can get to know most of the families by visiting the character page.  I will be updating that page within the next few weeks. 

48 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this with us! I have been slow on my blog lately because i too am trying to find the right pieces to put into the scenes! I also have several new characters on order so hopefully they arrive soon. I love the outside grass rug! I almost bought something simular at Hobby lobby but i didnt !

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    1. william - Hello friend. I'm looking forward to seeing what you build next. I suggest getting the grass from Lowe's or Home Depot. I think the one in Hobby Lobby is paper backed and won't last as long.

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    2. Thanks for the tip vanessa !

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  2. Glad that you shared all your updates with us. Those pet food bags are adorable and your little sewing aisle is to die for. My poor old sewing machine doesn't even have it's own proper place! Looking foward to more stories when you can.

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    1. Verona - Thanks. I am always pseudo organized, which means it's organized, but there's still a lot of clutter floating about. My dream is to get completely organized and get rid of most of the clutter.

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  3. Hello from Spain: I read your future work plans. Your sewing space I find a professional seamstress. You have many fabrics. I also like the grass carpet and new kitchen. Keep in touch

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    1. Marta - I figure if my sewing space looks better, I will sew more. That's part of the plan, too. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. You're making more progress than I am! LOL I try to be organized, but find myself digging around to find pieces to put in my blog stories. And I'm still trying to finish the pieces for Casey's! Thanks for sharing your progress and plans. :-)

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    1. Cindi - Before the big move, I could throw a dio together in about 15 mins. Now I struggle because things aren't where they need to be in the basement. I'm determined to fix that. Yes, we are anxiously awaiting the opening of Casey's!

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  5. Ok, this is getting ridiculous. LOL I just bought that organizer from Aldis when they had it on sale, I looked at the carpet from Lowes, but still deciding if it will fit my scale (don't want folks up to their knees in grass lol)It just dawned on me that you too are making a "neighborhood." Were we separated at birth? ahaha By the way I really like that dog food!

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    1. Grandmommy - Maybe we were separated at birth. LOL! Isn't that organizer thing wonderful? I have a feeling I should have gotten two, but they had so many great things on sale that day, I stocked up on other goodies.

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    2. I forgot to say how proud I am of you and the way you created your beautiful sewing space!

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    3. Grandmommy - Thanks. I was supposed to be making room for Calvin in my work room, but I opted for more work space. I will fix him a spot in the living room. LOL.

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  6. Wonderful, your such an inspiration. Guess what? I found that same kitchen in blue at Goodwill for $.99. Thrift Stores, I love them.

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    1. Becka - Hello and welcome to my blog. Glad to be an inspiration. I'm not surprised you found the blue kitchen. I have two of the blue ones from the thrift store, too. This was my first time ever seeing the yellow one. Funny how some of the same items end up there over and over again.

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  7. Your mom is fantastic at finding deals! It seems like you're having a lot of success with your progress which is really awesome.

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    1. Alura - The progress is slower than I would like it to be, but I'm happy it's moving forward.

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  8. Oooh, I can't wait to see what is to come! And yes, Barbie season at the thrift stores is ON! I've been making good finds lately too, after a winter of despair, LOL.
    The pet food looks great, btw, I can't wait to see what becomes of all those furry little cuties :)
    http://travelingtwig.blogspot.com

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    1. Heather - I sure wish I could snap my fingers and have it finished. No such luck. When I get a free moment (10 yrs from now), I will try to enhance a few furry creatures.

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  9. You work space is coming along great!

    Your Mom is the bomb.com! Lol! That is so sweet of her to look for things for you. I love those little scenery trash cans...too cute.

    The dog food bags are nice and I love your books. Great job on them!

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    1. Georgia Girl - Thanks. LOL at the mom comment. Any bright ideas come to mind for those scenery trash cans? I haven't decided where they should go yet.

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  10. Your dedication to creativity is awesome! The pet food - so real. Following your lead, i save anything that could made into something for my girls...one day I back to dollie crafts! Hehehe!

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    1. DeMari - Hello friend. Thanks for stopping by. I eat and breathe for my next creative moment. LOL! You, too, are quite the creative person. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

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  11. Love your room. I wish my mom supported my habit lol

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    1. Tinisha - Thanks! Hopefully your mom will one day understand the joy that can come from such a hobby.

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  12. I really like your sewing space! And like you have organized the fabrics! You're a professional! I look forward to your new series!
    Greetings!

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    1. Farbield - Thanks. Being organized and clutter free is something I strive for daily. It's a challenge for me. Organized = more production.

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  13. Looking forward! I think its sweet that your mom finds stuff for you. I think I said that before. Oh well saying it again. I'm under the hairdryer so I'm getting caught up now. Sometimes I have to be trapped to slow down.

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    1. Kenya - I know about trying to get caught up. You take every moment you can. Dryer time is a good one, otherwise you would probably be sleeping.

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  14. Arent Mommies the best? I enjoy placing what my Mom bought me from Good Will into my Dios and waiting to see if she rememebers or notices it. I love to hear the excitement in her voice when she calls to tell me she saw her purchase.

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    1. Mustiwait - Yes, they are. That's so sweet your mom gets to participate too.

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  15. Hi Vanesssa, wow I love your craft room, everything looks so organized. I can't wait to see the new touches to your scenes. Great job!

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    1. Ginger - Thanks. I didn't show the piles of fabric on the floor. LOL! I'm getting to it....slowly. Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. I love how you have your mom on board searching for everything 1/6 scale. She must get a real kick out of finding things she knows you will love.

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    1. Debbie - That was my mom's own doing. I had nothing to do with it. But I'm glad she's doing it now. She's found a couple of items I've been wanting for a long time. Go mom!

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  17. You stand when you sew? I don't know why but I find that very curious and would like to see you do that.

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    1. Muff - Standing allows me to 'keep it moving'. I can move around quicker when cutting patterns, ironing, etc. I stand when I do all of my woodwork, too. I may decide to get a stool to ease the wear and tear on my bones.

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  18. I'm always fascinated to see other's sewing spaces (and their sewing machines). It looks like a good workspace. Your 'Day in the Life of' series sounds great (and I'm sure your Mum's finds will be extemely useful).

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    1. Carrickters - Do you follow a lot of sewing blogs? I found this one yesterday, sewmany ways.blogspot.com. Lots of great ideas there. I don't follow but a couple of them. I try not to get overwhelmed with all the information out there. My space is still being developed, but I'm happy with it so far.

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    2. I read a lot - thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

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  19. Wow, you're making great progress. Love the idea of a neighborhood with the grass rug and the miniature animal food packets - yay, something for kitties, too.

    I see Jim's site has been updated since I last saw it. Thanks for the reminder.

    Your neat sewing station is inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. D7ana - Thanks. I remember you asking for pictures once I got organized. I'm getting there.

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  20. I love your sewing station, it looks a comfortable and tidy place to work! And the printables are great, thanks for sharing! Your encyclopaedia and the dog food bags look as real. Great purchases, too!

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    1. Rossetti - Thanks. I just found two small craft tables and a chair at the thrift store, to add to the room. So excited to get this room finished.

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  21. Your sewing stating is really inspiring me to clear and organize my dollie area better. Love everything you bought, great items.

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    1. Tracy - Sunday I found a few more perfect pieces at the Goodwill to help towards finishing the new sewing/craft room. I work so much better when I am organized. Good luck reorganizing the dolly stuff.

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  22. I'm glad to see that someone has caught up with there reading! I haven't and am thinking about giving up on trying. I try to catch up with yours.

    I just love your sewing area! I had one I shared when I lived at my parents house. Two of my sisters and my nieces do a lot of sewing. I did a lot of sewing when I was younger. Lately I'm just sewing a few doll things but it would be nice to have an area. I have not started the organization process yet and I give you BIG congrats on yours! Maybe if I did, I would find things easier. That is what I tell myself.

    It is so nice that you have someone to support your doll collecting like your mom! She need something special for Mother's Day!!!!

    I would feel so fulfilled if I could put together a dio in 15min! It takes me most of the day. You are a star!

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    1. Ms. Leo - I feel your pain. With the latest computer problems and the new internet issues, I have fallen behind again. We know you are out there when you can be. Not having internet access yesterday, gave me the opportunity to work some more on the sewing area. It's coming together slowly. I'm afraid to start sewing yet, because I may never stop. I need to do more organizing in the basement so I can get back to doing things quickly.

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