I took the day off yesterday to rest. So I stayed in the bed, with my computer, planning out my next big project. (That's my idea of taking the day off). I did take a run to the post office to mail out a newly finished sofa. This morning, I was renewed and full of energy. I got a ton done in about 4 hours. Actually you can double the work you see below, because I designed new areas, then redesigned them into new rooms so quickly, my head was spinning. When I woke this morning, the only thing I had planned was a photostory with Rod and Danielle telling the kids about the pending wedding. That didn't happen, but here is what did happen. CAUTION: All of the rooms are still pretty rough. Some are still in the concept phase.
Zahara and Nikaya got a new room. It used to be Nicole's, but turns out she and Rod will be moving in with Danielle and the boys. Don't worry. Danielle has decided to let Nicole have the guest room.
There are all the little erasers from Michaels. The Connect Four is from Party City. There are about 6 in a pack. I need to make some books to go in a couple of the cubby holes.
Remember the Hello Kitty pez I bought a couple of weeks ago from Michaels? Minnie Mouse is from the Dollar Tree.
I will make sheets, pillows and comforters for the beds.
The Beauty Salon moved to the other part of town. It used to be right above Racquel's boutique. There is a nail salon area and a make-up area. Kara was the head stylist, but she recently bought the salon when the former owner decided to sell. This doesn't leave a lot of time for her singing, so right now she just focuses on song writing. That's where the money is.
Still lots of decorating that needs to take place.
Darius and Nikki got a new kitchen. Oh did I tell you? They moved in together! Lydia (the interior designer) left the wallpaper sample so they could live with it a couple of days. They are just not feeling it. They are waiting for more samples. They are also waiting for the new table and chairs.
The boutique is going through a trial and error phase. The shoe area was completely gone from the boutique and made into a separate store. As you can see, it is back. I don't know that it will stay. Yesterday, as I was ordering a couple more dresses, I decided that all new clothes needed to be housed at the boutique and the ladies needed to go there to buy them. This meant that the boutique needed more space. Initial thought was to make it 2 floors. Not practical when I have so many more rooms that need to be built.
Everything looks pretty crappy right now, because I am just trying out different things. Once I decide on a layout, things with be painted and covered to bring it all together. The cabinet in the middle will probably have another shelf, instead of the hanging bar. Accessories and jewelry may live here. That chair won't be there. I may have to make one of my little accent chairs for the space. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? The table would be covered with a table cloth. Not sure what I would put there yet.
The hanging bar will be painted silver and installed. This is where the new clothes will hang.
I even started the school room for the kindergardeners. These desks are probably just place holders. I need to buy or make smaller desks. I think there will be at least 6 kids in the class. This room needs walls and a rug, then lots of kindergardener stuff. This was the new shoe store for a brief moment until I thought of the school room.
I decided to resurrect the daycare. I didn't get a lot done here except dividing the areas. This is the toddler area. I still have to put in walls, lots of decorations, make more kid books for the reading area, etc.
This is the infant section. When I started designing this entire area, it was going to be Racquel and her husband's bedroom with the baby's room off of their room. So much for that. The daycare is in the same building as Racquel's boutique. Very convenient for dropping off and picking up the baby.
Here is a video from Feb 2010 of my first daycare. It was one of my first videos. There isn't any music and you can't read what is being said, but is was a pretty nice daycare. It is currently just over 142,000 views.
Bottom Line: I have come to realize that I will never get to all those groups and storylines like I planned. So the Bikers, the Studio Dreamers, the Sisterly Love girls, and the Generation group will all have to get in where they fit in. Between the salon, the boutique, the school, and the nursery, you will start seeing them in some form. The Families will continue to be the central part of my stories.
