Something momentous happened yesterday.
And you'd likely never know it if you hadn't been here before to see what was made better.
For those who DO remember - the two years we worked on the house to get Quiltville Inn ready for retreats, and finding that very first winter that windows and doors were so drafty the paper towels blew in the breeze?
Yes. It was THAT BAD!
That led to 4 1/2 years of having to put shrink wrap over this kitchen window front and back from October to May each year.
That all ended yesterday!
New storm window in place -
In the nick of time!
There is some caulking still to do on the top of the outside sill - it's in no way level or straight. But there will be no need for shrink wrap. This storm window was worth the wait!
(Who ever thought I could be so excited about storm windows and doors?)
And yes, we'll get around to repainting trim at some point. It's continual.
This side porch door used to be the front door of the 1884 house until the house was added onto in the early 1900s.
Can you see how the door frame had to be adjusted for how the house has settled over the decades?
No, this door will always be wonky, but now the wind won't blow through this door either. Storm door in place to keep those chilly breezes OUT.
Trim painting to come. Maybe in the spring?
But the piece de resistance -
The old drafty and warped French doors that opened inward to the kitchen are now replaced with a wider beautiful new door that opens OUTWARD to the porch for better traffic flow!
Hello, Beautiful!
I just adore the filtered light from these lovely windows!
And while not the same pattern as the above-the-sink window, it still ties together with it I think. (Scroll back up to top photo to compare.)
The doors and window were finished just in the nick of time - it wasn't long after the installers left that our first guests from the Shippenstitchers arrived to begin their retreat.
No rain from Hurricane Ian here yet, of course, but we are right in the path of the storm for this weekend. Rain in the forecast from Friday through Monday. Hang on all SC & Western NC quilters - this is headed our way!
I guess the quilters will be inside doing what quilters do best - QUILTING!
I have received several messages asking about my Aunt Gail and Uncle Tony and their house near Tampa.
It's not good, folks - but could be worse.
These photos came last evening. I had to lighten them up a bit with photo editing to see what was really going on.
Uhoh. Big tree fell on the screen porch.
Oh yikes.
This is going to take a bit of time to clean up as Gail and Tony are both in their 70s. But it will get done.
And they said they are so lucky it was just the screen porch (So far - it was dark and they couldn't go inspect the whole roof yet.) They are both fine and will get us more info by the light of day.
For those still weathering out this incredible storm in Florida, and those in the path of the aftermath - stay safe please!
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Firing up the heat!
This morning temps are in the 30s - I fired up the gas fireplace in the basement office/studio at home for the first time this morning.
It's hoodie weather. Capris have been put on the "time out" shelf until next spring.
Now it's all about warm socks, denim shirts over tee shirts - and I am loving the steering wheel warmer in Ruby the Subee!
I'm heading over to spend the morning with the Shippenstitchers and ready to pull out a project of my own.
What plans do you have for today?
And of course you saw that last week was the pattern release for Ditch Lilies!
WOW! Just WOW! I am so thrilled that you are liking this quilt!
If you love bear paw units, blocks that chain, and log cabin blocks - this is the quilt for you!
On the gift-away post you'll find a google docs form. Just put in your name and email address. The only thing it doesn't do is tally the total number of entries we've had so that you can see - but I can on a spreadsheet.
Please only enter once. Drawing happens TOMORROW 9/30/22.
Our 2 winners will each receive BOTH PDF patterns for Ditch Lilies and Appalachian Autumn from me as well as a Facets of Orange Color Roll from Cotton to Quilts !
Such a great way to enhance your own stash of yummy oranges!
Summer Sunshine!
Ditch Lilies has been added to the digital pattern section of the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Store.
The introductory price has been marked 25% off - no coupon needed. Sale price good through 9/30/22.
Scrappy Summer Blossoms in sunshine colors from your scrap stash! Easy to follow instructions, full color photos and graphics to guide you from beginning to binding!
Quilt Size: 90’’ X 90’’
Optional but helpful: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini.
Traditional rotary cutting methods are given for those who don't have access to these rulers.
And don't forget that Appalachian Autumn is ALSO on sale at 25% off through 9/30/22! Hurry and save on both! TOMORROW is the LAST DAY!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Never give up on the person you are becoming!
And cut yourself some slack, allow yourself some grace on days that aren't going the way you planned.
Progress is rarely a straight line.
Have a Terrific Thursday, everyone!
Glad to see your new door and windows. Sorry to see that your Aunt Gail and Uncle Toni have damage to their home and hope it is not much more in the light of day. Today is the start of the River Run Quilt Shop Hop here in Northern California. I will be trying to hit 13 stores in 2 days.
ReplyDeletewith heating prices that look to be significantly higher this year, the timing on the new additions to the weatherproofing couldn't be better! It's been in the upper 30's-low 40's at night here in Northern Illinois and my poor mums are looking a little frazzled.
ReplyDeleteHope the rain, etc. from Ian isn't horrible and that your aunt and uncle's place has no further damage.
Anna in IL
Those doors and window are just perfect for the Inn! I wouldn't expect all the stained glass to be the same so I think it all looks wonderful. I haven't heard from my family in Tampa yet but I will check later.
ReplyDeleteOh Bonnie do stay safe out there. Keep those precious dogs in and tie down anything that would blow away..at least you get rain ....
ReplyDeleteThe wind is the thing to watch out for. Your poor Aunt and Uncle.. that's just terrible.
In quilty business I'll be loading my quilt on the frame to be quilted...hopefully.
Don't worry too much.
I have been thinking of those in Ian's Path. Time to hunker down. The storm door and window are nice and installed just In time. Have fun Stitching with the Retreaters. Hope they get some over the porch time for pictures this weekend. October is another of the 'ber' months
ReplyDeleteThe new door and window are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo glad your aunt & uncle are safe! My sister lives in the Tampa area, & she & her family (husband & multiple dogs) are safe also. Hope you stay safe thru all the rain you will be getting from the hurricane.
ReplyDeleteBonnie- be sure to warn your Aunt and Uncle to watch out for the crooks that go around "trying" to do repairs after a hurricane. I have been through 2 majors ones since we move here. The crooks are bad in these trying times! Stay safe!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your Aunt and Uncle. We live in Tampa, and had a similar situation during the last hurricane. Thankfully it skirted us this time. But the damage south and east of use is extensive. Hoping you won't get the brunt of Ian.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your aunt and uncle are okay. We're about an hour and a half north of them and and luckily had very little effects from Ian. Hoping it has lost all its power b4 it gets up to your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteSandy from Clearwater FL: The Tampa Bay area survived, by the grace of God even though it was supposed hit us! Our thoughts and prayers go out to those south of us. Any help anyone can give those folks is greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI just love how you make necessary repairs and improvements to the Inn while maintaining the beautiful bones! I may never see it in person but I love seeing the pics on your blog <3
ReplyDelete