Getting There

Slowly but surely. There were three coats of primer. And then each color required three coats. Yesterday I removed the masking tape and touched up a few places where color had seeped under the tape. Those touchups will need two more passes. And then the whole thing will get three coats of sealer. And then, oh then, John and Justin will hang it on the outer wall of the workshop.

I don't know what folks charge for a custom painted barn quilt,  but it probably isn't enough.

 

 

Almost Done!

Come on in!

The shop is near complete--major stuff in place and there's a lathe passed on to us from John Jorgenson via our friends Pat and Connie Toops, that we are picking up this afternoon.

John is painting the back door and I'm at work on a barn quilt to  be hung outside, above the long window. 

The place is a miracle of light and space.

The workbench under the window is a treasure--handmade by and given to John by our friend Drew Langsner.

A place for everything and everything in its place . . .

And the hydrangeas are still at it, joined by an exuberant volunteer Buddleia!

It's been a long journey--but thanks to the help of friends, the shop is back!

 

And Just like That, It's June

And the shop is nearing completion. One side is done and John is building tables and benches and putting up pegboard and bringing order to his scattered stuff.

The other side is in progress--Justin has hung and spackled the sheet rock and a bit of sanding, more spackle, more sanding, some paint, and Bob's your uncle! (For an explanation of this mainly UK phrase, see HERE.)

At one point, well, at several points, we wondered if this rebuilding would ever become reality. But thanks to the many friends who helped and to Good Morning Builders who really kicked things into gear, John has his shop again. Almost.

 

Shop Update

Come on in! 

Yes, it's a mess but the wiring is done, insulation, wainscoting(of a sort,) and drywall in place, though not yet mudded and painted. Ceiling to come.

 The pleasant weather is allowing John and Justin to make progress. John is fairly itching to get benches and power tools and storage shelves in place and turn it into a shop rather than a worksite.

Soon. I'll keep you posted.

 

Good Morning! (Builders, That Is)

I can't say enough good things about Alastair Aylward and his Good Morning Builders crew--Gilberto, Justin, and Doug.  And our neighbor Mark. After months of indecision, intermittent activity, and a bit of faffing about, now, in less than two weeks, the shop is a reality.

Roof on, windows in . . .

I grabbed a few pictures when I took down some muffins yesterday morning, thinking to get the whole crew in shot when I came back after Josie's nap.

But by the time we woke up, the crew was done. And gone.

There's still work to be done, of course--trim, doors, insulation, etc.--but John and Justin can do that.

Check out the re-purposed door, set in as a window.

And the gorgeous big basement --room to bring the tractor in. As you saw from past posts, we had lots of help here from Josh and Lisa and Bob and Shayne and Doug and Justin and Claui.

And the wonderful, airy shop interior. John, of course, is planning on where to put what tools and machinery, but I'm envisioning it draped with quilts and tables set up for another Easter party. If not in 2021 (and I'm not holding my breath that Covid will be under control by then,) perhaps in '22.

So much to be thankful for!

 

And There Was Siding!

 

Josie Helps Make Stromboli for the Work Crew

I helped Meema make stromboli for the boys working on the shop down at my place.

I rolled the dough into a big rectangle and Meema put pesto and ham and dried tomatoes and cheese all over it.

Then she rolled it up and baked it.

When the stromboli were done, Grumpy came and got them and took them to the work site. 

Meema ate some for lunch but I said No thank you and had yoghurt.

The boys worked very hard and very late. I think it was my stromboli that gave them so much energy.  And look what they did!

Note from Meema: Wow! 

There will now be a bit of a break while everyone recovers and resumes other (paying) jobs but we have decided on a green metal roof.  

 

Continuing . . .

The crew, augmented by Doug, got an early start yesterday.

When I came down to deliver lunch, this is what I saw!

They are making amazing progress.

More materials being delivered.

And we are so grateful for this skilled help.

Such a joy to see this happening!

Lunch break.

And by 4:30, most of the heavy ceiling joists were in place.

And Now...!!!