Studio Pics - Big Reveal

It's been months in the making and I've shown you glimpses of certain parts throughout the process. I am happy to say that this wonderful holiday weekend, I was able to finish the Studio.

Here is a quick look back at what I had to start with...

Back in August of '07 (taken during my closing walkthrough)

Here is the space with a new floor from Sept. '07.

Here is the studio in January '08. Definately useable; but not proper for a creative environment.

And here is the studio today...

Definately more my style. Thoughts?

Partial Reveal of Studio

I teased some of you readers when I showed you my new window trim a few posts ago. Well, the studio is still a mess, all of my stuff is in the center of the room so I can paint; but here are some photos of the east wall (on either side of the window I previously showed).

As you may remember if you read some of my first post, there were two ugly built-in closets located here. Unfortunately for me, those closets existed before the ceiling was textured, so when I removed the closets, the ceiling was smooth. There was no way in h-e-l-l that I was going to try and replicate the texture, so I needed to cover it with something.

Fast forward almost a year and a half later. My family was discussing what options I had when one day at good ol' ReStore, I come across a huge pile of reclaimed wood. It was partially painted white, had a look all it's own and was priced right. I bought up what I could and went merrily on my way. The only thing we did to the wood was lightly wipe it off with a damp cloth removing the dust and then proceeded to cut the boards in half.

What do you think??

April Showers Bring May Flowers and June Veggies

Many of you are receiving the same torrential downpours that St. Louis has been receiving lately. It seems like it rains for 3 days, is dry for 1 and then rains for another 3. While this makes enjoying Spring hard, it does bring lovely things to the garden.

Here is my garden in May...

and here is my garden a month later...

It completely amazes me how I can look outside one day and the pole beans are just starting to creep up the string and the next day it's like they've grown two feet taller.

I did get to eat the first veggies from my garden today, two fresh radishes. One is a German Giant (red one) and the other is a White Icicle (white, obviously). Let me tell you, they were yummy!!

Memorial Day 2009

Window Trimming

I can't believe it was the end of March when I was telling you how the new window sill was added to my studio's eastern window. Well, it is now May 17th and I'm proud to report that the window is finished...trimming and all. Doesn't it look lovely.

Oh, and if you are wondering there is something secret going on with the walls; but that's for a later post. It might have something to do with the below picture too...hahaha.

Brand New Garden is Born

All of these postings about building concrete walls, getting rid of a patio, etc...are probably leaving you wondering if anything was ever going to come of the construction zone.

Well, I am happy to report that over the last few weekends, a lot has gotten done. The raised boxes were installed and filled, a trellis was built and veggies planted.

See all the madness wasn't for nothing and yes the little veggies are beginning to grow in their happy home.

Patio is No More...That's a Good Thing

There once was a patio, whose appearance was ugly.

It's location made no sense and it's brick floor was covered in weeds.

One fateful weekend, it was given a new lease on life.

The rotting timbers were gone and a proper wall was started.

Soon you could see the vision come to life.

Two walls were constructed and the brick removed...

at least from where it was before.

The ground was raked level and smooth.

Landscape fabric was laid down, sand and bricks laid on top

so it wouldn't blow away.

Offsite, 3 raised garden beds were built and are waiting for

a nice and sunny day to come home.

Feathered Visitors

This past Sunday was extremely rainy and although I don't have a pond in my back yard, whenever it rains one *magically* appears. This time, it was nice to see some visitors making good use of it.

A small group of mallard ducks (3 males & 1 female) found their way to my temporary pond and certainly appeared to be enjoying themselves. They were out there most of the day and only took shelter under the big tree in the back when the rain became a downpour.

Easter Weekend Demo

While most Easter Bunnies bring chocolate ducks, marshmallow chicks and painted eggs. My Easter Bunny brought this...


a wonderful 20 yard dumpster. This was at the top of this year's To Do List and while it did show up amidst rainy weather, being able to use the holiday weekend to get stuff done was well worth the muddy clothes.

My backyard is a mess of projects; yet none of which could really be started if I didn't figure out this area first.

It is the brick patio which I've mentioned a few other times on this blog. This is the "entrance" to my backyard and certainly wasn't much of a doorway. The brick was laid directly on the ground, no sand, no pattern and no real purpose except to fill the space.



Instead, this area would be better served as my vegetable garden due to it's location. So we ordered up the dumpster to remove the debris from this and other areas around the yard.

Suprisingly, the removal of the timber walls wasn't as hard as it started out to be and it left us with time to work on part II. This is not to say that it wasn't labor intensive work, we just didn't come across any major obstacles to hold us up (unless you count the rain).

Part II involved building a proper retaining wall for the driveway and separating the garden. We built the first form, poured the concrete and then crossed our fingers that the impending rain that night wouldn't wash it all away.

Earlier this morning we took off the forms and were glad to see that all held and looked good. Of course, it all looked a little too good and we had to roughen up the surface and edges so they weren't so square. Once this all dries, it hopefully will look like it's been there for many years.

Not bad for a 3 day weekend, 20 yard dumpster, concrete mixer and several hands to help.

St. Louis Fashion Week 2009

My blog has been quiet for a while as I've been very busy with preparations for St. Louis Fashion Week. I was part of the Stage Management team for the Washington University show; which was this past Sunday, the 29th.

I was backstage during the show, so I'm including some photos taken by Kris Medem, one of the photographers. If you'd like to see more images, you can find them here.

All the garments are made by the 11 Senior Designers and 7 Junior Designers from the university's Fashion Design program...of which I am an alumni.

The models are all volunteers; but you certainly couldn't tell by the way they outshined the professionals of the week prior.