Remodeling Begins....

I've always had issues with narrow doorways! 

This one is our bedroom doorway... or I should say WAS our bedroom doorway.....

Last week the remodeling started on this doorway which is something I've wanted for a very long time! I could always envision a wider opening... kind of utilizing the hallway making it seem more a part of the bedroom.  Well.....

.....mission accomplished! I could feel the difference in the room immediately as the doorway  went from a mere 30 inches wide to a whopping 72 inches wide!! 

Oh be still my heart!  Never having to bump my elbows or struggle to get a piece of furniture ( which happens frequently around here LOL!) through that old narrow door!

I've also never been a fan of looooonnngggg narrow hallways... but ranch style houses usually come with them!

In this case it was a blessing... the long wall....  because it allowed space for this......

A HUGE 6+ foot rolling door!  Yes... the beauty had to be custom built! Our talented carpenter Dan Borntrager did a great job on the construction and installation!

I held my breath as the guys carefully carried it through the doors 

to it's new home on the bedroom door opening!

Using a burnished steel track and rolling hardware it works so slick!  Rolls super smooth and quiet!  

I probably won't keep it closed much... I am loving the more spacious feel!  

We have more remodeling in the bedroom underway as I write.

Dave is tearing out the closets in there.... wait! I changed my mind several times on this idea due to a dire lack of closet space already in this house!! 

But never fear...  

a small bedroom directly across the hallway will become a big walk-in closet!  But my printer, bolts of wool and all my pattern making supplies, file cabinets etc....  need to find a new home.

Don't worry... I've got it all figured out!

The extent of my "hair brained" ideas 

never seems to end!  LOL!

So carry on honey... the sooner you can get the old closet torn out..

the sooner I can paint, have Dan do a little remodeling to remove yet another door, install new laminate flooring and  a few more changes can take place! 

In the meantime.. I need to go check on the new rolling door!

And pick out a door handle!! 

The fun begins!!

Cathy G

When the Going Gets Tough....

The two Betsys hold Betsy's ( on the left) patriotic whale rug!  She used a great gold wool to hook the background!  Just love how it's turned out!

You know what they say!  Yes... "The Tough Get Going!"  That's my mantra these past few days.  The heartbreak of  losing our dear little Smokey is still fresh on our minds but you know what helps is having good friends come around and share their delightful work.  Several of us in our hooking and sewing group have lost those close to us in the past few months.  Some are undergoing health issues... Saundra, Lorena, and Sharon we are thinking of you and hope you can join us again soon!

Betsy ( it's so fun having two Betsy's in our group) and they are SIL's, has finished her little patriotic cat rug with that same gold background I believe!  So sweet!  And look at that darling little leather suitcase she found at a flea market!  OMG it makes the perfect little sewing tote!  So jealous you found that Betsy and only 15.00!!   

Betsy has finished her hooked rug footstool!  And it is GORGEOUS!!  

And she's started this chicken rug... this is only a day or so of hooking.... she's catching up to Lisa!!!  

Rhonda our newest member is making more wool appliquéd and crocheted bags.  She's used the designs in Rebekah Smith's first Wool Applique book.

Love her beautiful stitching!!

The colors in this one are fabulous!  I believe she sold this one to one of our gals here!!

Rhonda starts hooking a new rug also!  She has a great eye for design and color!

And Nancy with her handy dandy needle in hand is working on a quilt block! A winter theme and of course I can't tell you who the designer is!  Please help me out and comment if you know.

I'm so bad at writing things down during our hook-in day as it gets so busy!

Had to show you my Mullien weed!  Would you look how tall this crazy thing has gotten!  Dave measured it and it's over 7 feet tall!   The yellow flowers keep blooming up and down the the top stem thingy!   I know there must be a name for it... comment if you know! 

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I'd like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your kind words of sympathy and caring about the loss of our Smokey!  

It sure helps to know so many of you know the feelings we have, having lost a dear pet of your own. 

Your words and cards have meant so much!

I can't begin to tell you how much it means also that you keep following here on the blog. 

I'm determined to post a little more now that I have a little more time.

There's projects in the works here at the Greschner household.

Some things I've been wanting to do to the house are getting a start!

Here's a sneak peak until next time....

Cathy G

Smokey Our Beloved

On Thursday June 29 we had to put our beloved  little Smokey dog to sleep.  Our hearts still ache and  I can't even write or talk about it much without having to grab the box of kleenex.  

Life is sure different around here.

He would have been 15 years old this Sept.

The vet said you hardly hear of diabetic dogs living to that age.

Even so.... we didn't have him near long enough.

Here I go.......

just can't write about it yet.

But I wanted you to know.

Cathy G.