My Fabulous Creative Space!

For downloadable plans for this little cottage CLICK HERE

Awhile back I promised a step by step of the building of my studio.  My husband and I built this together.  We did it in panels so we could take it apart for transport.  We started on it in mid-December so we built it inside our factory building in an unused area rather than onsite.  (Dec for us is snowy and rainy, plus DANG cold)

We started with the floor (of course) and then built each wall on it, we made sure it was level and square so it made a great surface for assembling each wall panel. You can see the first wall lying on top of the floor. The size of the building is 12' x 12'. 

Here is the first wall panel being lifted into place. My husband used all sorts of rigging to aid us.

The back wall was built next and raised into place, we used the 2 x 4's here to hold the walls upright while we built the side walls.

Securing the first sidewall.

And the the last sidewall.  Lookin' pretty good!

The beauty of such a tall ceiling is we were able to make a loft for storage.

Here I am nailing down the flooring of the loft, it was way up there!

Next came rafters.

Then the windows and doors!

I just love these French Doors, plus they open wide for big items to be brought in for fixing up.

The next move was to take it down and haul it to it's spot in our back yard!

Primer, then paint and a decorative doo dad!

We painted it the same color as our house.

And Voila!  A fabulous space to paint, refurbish furnture and what not!

I will share a few shots from inside one day soon!

I never tire of retreating here to paint, mostly signs for my small website business

 Pamela

PS: for a glimpse into the interior click here:The Inside Scoop

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I was asked how I shrank these buttons...here is the link to the blog I found the instructions on:
http://mmscrapshoppe.blogspot.com/2010/04/shrink-that-button.html

Another Suitcase for You!

As promised here is another suitcase I picked up at a thrift store and painted. I, regrettably, did not take a before shot of them but it is not hard to imagine a couple of plain jane hard sided suitcases

The insides were in very good shape so no need to reline or whatever. I don't know how well the painted design would hold up to the hard knocks they would receive if someone used them on trips that required going on an airplane (those baggage handlers can be killer on luggage) but I painted them with the intention they would be decorative pieces.

I used basically the same techinque as the sage green suitcase.  I lightly sand the suitcase so the paint can adhere better then spray painted on the base coat, on this one the white. I laid out the stripes with painters tape (I have recently found the Frog brand tape and it works great for stuff like this!)

And then spray on the pink.  After letting it dry I give it a very light sand on the areas I am going to hand paint the design.  Canned spray paint and acylics are not always compatible and if the spray paint is too glossy the acrylic craft paints will bead up unless you give it a roughed up surface to cling too. 

Now back I am going back to reading some blog tutorials.  I am trying to figure out how to tidy up my side bar and make a menu bar at top.  But I need to back up this blog first. Knowing me I will erase something vital!

Until next time! Pam (oh yea, I am trying to figure out how to do my signature too)

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We made it to Idaho!

We made it to Idaho.  The drive yesterday was in all sorts of weather.  We started in clear skies, drove thru Sacramento up 80 thru grey fog.  The cloudy skies through the Nevada desert painted the wind whipped hills a faded lavender which was actually quite breathtaking,  but it was not long until we hit rain.  Relentless, steady rain.  I tried not to think of the sunny warm skies at home that I was leaving.   On a more positive note, I actually got to read, a fun, frivolous book, I love it when I can just sink myself into a story and read it through, guilt free.  At home I am always thinking I should be doing something productive instead of sitting and reading.   We are here in Idaho, safe and sound.  The house here has sat empty for a couple months and the mice thought it a nice place to nest....so I spent the first few hours here cleaning.  We shall be here a week then back to Calif. 

A project I wanted to share was a couple suitcases I refurbished.  I only have the photos of one of them resized like I wish so I will post the other later on...

I found this hardsided suitcase at a thrift store for a couple bucks.  Made sure it was clean and scuffed it a bit with a light grit sandpaper. Just lightly.   I spray painted a coat of sage green.

I masked off the stripes and spray painted the white. I used the reverse stencil for the oval in the center. I cut out an oval of paper and taped it to the center before spraying on the white.

I painted on the roses after the base coats dried.  Each side has a little variation in design.

This was a lot of fun to do.  More to come....stay tuned!

Ta ta, pamela

A Sad Saturday

You may have noticed I have been absent a few days...it has been a long week. We buried my baby nephew today. Something I never could have imagined and a sorrow that is indescribable.  Little Evan Daniel was born asleep after losing his battle against a rare disorder called Hydrop Fetalis.  We were all looking forward to this new addition to our family. 
I confess to being a very doting Auntie and a new baby to snuggle was something I couldn't wait for.  I enjoy my nephews as if they were my own.  They are too adorable to be anything but pure joy.

AJ is 12, the oldest of the troop, Jackson is 3 and Cayden will be 18mos this month.  How can you not love those faces...
We have spent a lot of time together the past few months, especially while mommy was so much at the hospital trying to get help for Baby Evan, so we have gotten even closer.
The day was warm and sunny, making it a pleasure to be outside despite the circumstances of why.  The family gathered at my cousins house afterward for a meal and some visiting.  We have a close family, always there for each other when the need arises.  Though we never got to meet Evan Daniel he was already a part of the family.   We buried him next to his Grandpa (my dad) who passed away 2 years ago this past November.  
I know I am rambling here but my brain is all worn out.  Tomorrow we leave for Idaho to pick up some equipment we have sold.  A nice road trip will be a good thing.  Though I hear our house there is being overrun with MICE.  So I will have a ton of cleaning to do but in between I will be catching you all up on things I have been working on or stuff I just want to share. 
Until we meet again. Au Revoir

a day of painting

Good evening all..well after deliberating I settled on making the Mitchell cubbies instead of my console table for the dining area. I have some cabinet grade plywood that I can use for a portion of it so the cost is minimal. Here is what it will look like when done...

Mine will be 5 cubbies wide to fit under the dining room window and I am thinking of using a stencil and chalkboard paint to mimic the label holders.  I cut the lumber to size today and hope to start assembling it tomorrow. 

Then I had to paint, I have a few orders for signs and I need to fulfill the orders before we head out of state for a week to pick up some machinery we sold and we need to deliver it to the buyer.  For those that don't know yet, I paint custom signs for folks.  I started by painting vintage type signs and it expanded to custom orders.  Here are some of my signs I have painted. 

If you would like to see tons more signs go to my website

http://www.backwoodscottage.com/

One day soon I will share my studio construction photos.  I love my creative space and will be glad to share. 

I am tired tonight so I am headed for a hot tub and some relaxing. 

Until next time...Pam