Big improvement in the garden

Yesterday afternoon was slow in the shop so MM pulled up the UGLY platform that was in the garden.

 

I thought it was an eyesore and was very uninviting.

We started putting down some pea size gravel in the platforms place. I thought about leaving it just dirt but I think we'd have a muddy mess when it rains.

 

It's hard to see in this picture, but you can see the difference with the platform gone. We need to add a few more bags to finish the area off.

 

I'm planning to visit our local nursery tomorrow to get ideas of what to plant. Can you tell I'm having fun?

 

Til next time, Ronda

 

What I've been up to.

MM and I have started a new adventure. We have opened a little shop in the Coarsegold Historic Village, Coarsegold CA. We took possession last Wednesday, March 12th and opened today Saturday, March 15th. My Mountain Man doesn't mess around.

Here's a glimpse of the first few days:

The front of the building. These little buildings were once part of a movie set. They are very rustic. The old sign has come down. Ours will be delivered late this coming week.

 

There is a great garden on the side of the building, the entrance is on the right side of the building. We will be putting in an arbor to make the entrance more visible.

 

Part of the garden.

 

MM taking pictures from the front door.

 

 

French doors out to the garden.

 

View out our front window. Water wheel works so we have a built in water feature.

 

We opened for business this morning. The front window opens out and I was able to talk to customers as they walked up. Front is a little plain right now, we'll be adding shelving under the window so we can display product outside and a pergola off the roof line to give us more shade.



 

Interior.

Under the front window.



 

MM's best friend was our very first sale. 



 

We accomplished a lot in less than a week. It will be fun to tweak things and add more display space. I'll keep you updated as we move along in this journey.

 

Til next time, Ronda

 

 

 

From my Studio

Life has taken precedence over blogging the past few weeks. Things have settled down a little bit so I thought I'd better post while I have a chance.

I received my earrings that I won from Beti's Stringingfool Grow Your Blog giveaway this week and they are beautiful. I love getting fun things in the mail.

I've been having fun in my studio. I finished two purses today.

The first one I started yesterday after I found a pattern at my LQS. I finished it today.

I used one side of a vest I bought for $1.50 at a thrift store for the front of the purse.

 

The back and the handles are from a pair of old jeans I had in my stash.

 

In the picture below you can almost see some of the beading that was on the vest.

 



 I kept trying to get a good picture but it just wasn't happening. Everything I used in making this purse was either upcycled--vest, jeans, button or I had used in another project--lining.

This next little purse has been waiting for a strap.

I had pieced and embellished it a few weeks ago but didn't have a strap until I found a chain at a yard sale for 75 cents.

 

 

Finally I made the next purse a few weeks ago using a pair of black corduroy pants I bought at a thrift store. I liked that the back pocket of the pants were embellished so I could put it together quickly.

 

I added some fringe I had on hand and a bright pink with black dot lining. The lining is a lot brighter than the picture shows.

 

I'm going to take Kathy's free beginning Crazy Quilting class. Kathy's blog is Shawkl. (click on her blogs name to visit it and learn more about the class). Last day to sign up for this free class is tomorrow Thursday, March 6th. I've done a little bit of crazy quilting but still consider myself a beginner. Being self taught I'm sure I'll learn a lot.

 

Til next time, Ronda