Friday, October 21, 2011

Home Renos - Part One

Hello strangers...remember me? A couple of months ago my husband and myself sold our home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan...we than drove cross country to our new home in Gibsons British Columbia. Well...we had full intentions to NOT pick up a hammer or a paint brush for at least a year. We had firm intentions to take some time to enjoy our new home, relax...spend leisurely mornings sipping lattes and reading the local paper...NOT...THIS WINTER ITS GONNA BE A 2 ELEMENT HOTPLATE TO COOK ON AND A LAUNDRY SINK TO DO DISHES...YIPPEEE!!! 
 Dino mixing mortar to lay slate tiles

This morning I am stiff as *#!#$%#, tired and feeling like Cinderella after having spent all day yesterday on my knees washing, rinsing, scrubbing and sealing slate tiles. I love them, but there is a tremendous amount of work to do when laying slate. They look incredible...each tile is like a miniature work of art with no two being the same.
A selection of slate tile

First step, mortaring down plastic sheets in preparation for laying slate tile.

Beginning to lay tile.


 What once was our kitchen.

Our little home reno project has exploded into one big construction zone which will include...
1. slate tile 
2. wide plank fir flooring
3. new kitchen cabinets & island
4. upgraded lighting
5. two upstairs bathrooms made into one large bathroom
6. upgraded bathroom downstairs
7. new moldings and trimwork
8. New stair railings
etc. etc. etc.

 Slate tile scrubbed, cleaned,sealed and ready to grout.

My plan is to begin listing again on the TDIPT Mercantile site come January...hopefully by then the bulk of the home renos will be done and I can again get into my studio to work.
In other news TDIPT has a wonderful ten page (Part One) spread in the fall issue of Prims magazine with a Part Two article to be placed in the January issue.
Congrats to all...I really enjoyed perusing your articles.


Last but not least TDIPT Mercantile is having their fall open house with lots of wonderful prizes created by TDIPT artists...hope to can stop by to peruse their Unique and one of kind fall and Christmas inspired goodies.

Although I feel a bit rusty it seems I can still produce a blog post...I will be back to write about our ongoing home renos...hope I haven't bored you to death.It will be nice to have an online diary of the blood sweat and tears we are putting into home. I leave you with a parting shot of a deer who has taken a liking our gooseberry bush.



Cheerio...Susan

18 comments:

Len said...

Welcome to B.C.!

bayrayschild said...

Hello Susan!
I wish you the best during your renovations.
Don't forget to rest in-between projects!
I love the slate and hope to see more as you go along.
I sure miss seeing your creations and will look forward to them next year.

Hugs and blesssings,
Audrey

Kays Kids said...

Susan it is lovely to hear from you again. The slate that you have already laid is amazing. Big reno's ahead, but how wonderful it will be when finished.
I do hope you enjoy your new home when it is finished, and can then have your latte on the back porch.
Hugs

maddyrose said...

The slate work is fantastic. These pics bring back memories. I spent over three years living in a house being renovated and spent quite a bit of time down on my knees installing tile flooring. It looks like you're going to have a beautiful home once this is all finished.

Jean said...

So glad to see you back!! Can't wait to see more pics of your new home. Love the slate floor.

Theresa said...

You're back!!!! It's good to hear from you...looking forward to seeing other posts. :0)

Dogpatch Primitives said...

Wow Susan, the before and after pics are amazing! Lots of hard work going on! It looks wonderful! Congrats to you and Dino!

Mouse said...

oooooooo all those renovations are looking good and awwwww first time I have seen your wee mice ... they are adorable :) love mouse xxx

Melissa said...

Welcome back to BC, Susan! We chatted awhile back before you put your house on the market - glad everything has worked out for you.

Gibsons and the whole Sunshine Coast is so pretty, especially now that the leaves are changing. As much as renovations are a lot of work - they will be worth it.

I hope one day when you're back at your studio that I can finally get my hands on one of your beautiful creations. Until then, I wish you lots of fun transforming your home!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Yippee!! So glad you're back!
Love, love, love that slate floor! Oh my gosh is the color gorgeous!
Congratulations on your new home!
xx

The French Bear said...

Well, Hello Miss Susan, sooooo glad to hear you made it to BC, safe and sound. Fabulous renos and I am thrilled that your dreams are coming true!!!!! I have missed you!!!
Hugs,
Mags
xxxx

Barbara K said...

I love your mice! So looking forward to seeing more. Good luck with your renovations...

jerilanders said...

I am never bored looking at home renovation projects. I love the slate and the yellowish walls.
We have been renovating our 120 year old house for 20 years... so, I like to watch someone ELSE doing it for a change!

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

I just found your super cute blog, I adore that little black and cream rabbit on the right side of your webpage !

:-} Lorraine

Sherri Farley said...

I too have lived with renovation. There is an end!!! Your critters are so creative. So glad I have found your blog.

Maggie said...

Your slate looks gorgeous! Just wanted to tell you how much I like your cute little mice and other creatures!

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

Happy Home Warm Wishes to you!
Your slate looks so rich, I love the color variations.

I also look forward to seeing some of your work for sale!

HUGS
Lorraine

Carol Roll said...

Susan i cant wait to see your finished home! Its going to be so beautiful!

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