Trim is installed

This weekend, Nick and I installed trim in his office. 

This week will be caulking the trim.  As you can expect, I am not looking forward to this. 

Hope your weekend went well!

Trim Painting

So, this weekend I worked painting all of the trim for Nick's office. 

Nick's office has temporarily turned into trim painting area.  During this week, we will attempt to get trim around doorways. 

I hope to show you pictures next weekend of the office's progress.

Pinning and Pining: April 2014

Since we are in full kitchen reno mode, I thought a kitchen inspired Pinning and Pining would be appropriate.

Pinning:

Pinterest

These Gorgonzola truffles look delicious.  I love all the ingredients, so how can I not love them.  When the kitchen is done, I plan on making these.

Pinterest

I found a hack for a microwave built into Ikea's cabinets.  We had to get another microwave to fit it right, but I'm okay with that.

Pining:

Now, I need some cool things for our new kitchen.

Crate and Barrel

Crate and Barrel

Amazon

A simple utensil holder, oil mister, and a turquoise immersion blender will all go nicely in the new kitchen.  

Kitchen Renovation

I have been missing for several weeks now.  It has been very busy around here. Let me show you what I mean.

Flooring removed:

Wall Opened Up:

Repair and Install Floor:

Cabinets Installed:

Drywall Repair:

Adding Doors, Drawers, Side Panels, and Pulls:

Yes, we've been busy!
I am so lucky that my dad and mom were able to come down and help.  Without them, I'm not sure this project would have happened.  Since my dad is a carpenter, and experienced with renovations, I knew there was nothing this house/renovation could throw at him, that he couldn't handle.  It was mesmerizing watching him figure out the wall opening.  A couple softball-sized holes, and he was able to get the doorway prepped for location and demo.  I promised both of my parents next time they visit, there will be no big projects. 

We still need the countertop installed (we've got a quote coming this week for this), install the sink/plumbing, attach trim and moldings to cabinets, and add trim to floors/doorways.  It feels like we're in the homestretch though. 

I will try to keep you updated in the coming weeks better than I have.  Working on a Pinning and Pining for April too.

Demo has Begun!

We have ripped out cabinets, and flooring!  It's back breaking work, but we are trying to get as much done before my parents arrive to help. 

Can't wait to be done with this reno.

PS. No Pinning and Pining this month because of the big reno!  March is a busy month for us. Hopefully it will be back in April.

Removing Trim

This weekend, I cleaned up some of the landscaping.  It has been neglected for some time now.  I looks much better, but still needs another weekend of work.

I also worked on ripping out some trim for the kitchen reno.  It needs to be done, but I hate it.  The flippers that sold us the house added texture to the wall, and just taped around the trim, flooring and cabinets.  It was not done well either.  I can see in every room, where the texture is on the trim.  This along with, what appears to be 10 layers of paint and 2 layers of caulk, makes ripping out trip back breaking.  I was able to get the little hallway off the kitchen done Sunday afternoon.

I hope to get more trim removed throughout the week. 

PS. Sorry, no post next week.  Nick and I will be in San Antonio, for his sister's wedding.

Kitchen Lighting

Last summer, I laid out the plan for the kitchen lighting.  After months of researching costs, and options, I finally found the best option.  A track lighting system, by Hampton Bay from Home Depot.  It wasn't my first choice, but it was the best in our price range.  I just had to wait for a sale.  A couple weeks ago, the 12 light heads went on sale, and we save $85. 
This weekend, I installed the long perimeter lights.  The shorter island lights will have to be installed when the island is in place. 

These are two 12 foot suspended tracks connected together, with 10 lights attached.  The other light (seen in the last photo) will be the power supply to the island. 

The kitchen is a lot brighter now.  I can't wait until all the lights are up. 

In the coming weeks, I will be removing trim, and painting the walls. 

New TV

Before the Superbowl we bought a new TV for Nick's office.  He had a small LCD, and we always knew we would upgrade it eventually. 

This is a 50in Sharp.  It's on an extending swivel wall mount so it can be adjusted for perfect viewing depending on where you are in the room.

I went to look at some granite this week.  Fell in love with so many slabs.  I know most won't work in our kitchen, but they were beautiful. 

Pinning and Pining: February 2014, Valentine's Edition

This month is a simple Pinning and Pining. 

Pinning:

Pinterest

I love Salmon, and this Honey Salmon sounds great.  This will definitely be part of the Valentines menu.

Pining:

NHL

I have gotten back into hockey after too many years away.  Go Avs!  Nick and I will really enjoy this mutual gift to each other. 

Busy Sewing

I've been busy for the past couple weekends sewing.  I had a bunch of little projects that needed to be completed.  Yes, I completed projects!

First project was finishing alterations on a bridesmaid dress for a wedding in March. 
Before:

After:

Don't mind the change in the color of the dress, the before picture is much more representative of the true color of the dress.  I wanted to get rid of the spaghetti straps.  I feel more comfortable with wider straps, and I feel they are more proportional with my body.  I used the waist bow to create the straps.  Yellow is the secondary color for the wedding party, hence the yellow shoes, and yellow flower on the waist.

The second project was working on some baby blankets for a friend.

A simple hand-tied, extra long blanket.  I threw this one together because I had extra cotton batting, and extra fabric left from the first blanket.  All I needed to get was yarn.   I think every new mom needs as many blankets as they can get.

This is a machine quilted blanket.  This was my first time machine quilting, and sewing a binding on a quilt.  I am not good with either, yet.  Lots of mistakes; pinching, puckering, poor seams, etc.  I looks alright in photos, but not as much in real life.  

Both of these will be good blankets for ruining.  The patterns will hide stains, and not perfectly executed.  They are both 100% cotton, so they are washable if accidents happen.

So that's what I've been working on.  Hopefully, I will get started with some projects for this kitchen reno. 

PS.  I love the Olympics, so the next couple of weeks will be fun!