Waiting for Sandy

The roofers arrived at 7:30am yesterday; it was just barely light. They put their harnesses on and had tether ropes so they could swing back and forth across the 1 in 12 pitched roof. It was amazing to watch them work, and a little bit breathtaking. The main house has a slate roof, but putting slate on the addition would have priced it out of an acceptable range. There are slate look-alike products that from a distance are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. They even install slate catchers to further the illusion. That's those little copper colored things along the lower edge. With real slate, having one of them slide off the roof and clock somebody - well, it would probably take their head right off.

Below is the full view. That ladder leaning up against the side will have to be taken down and stored until Hurricane Sandy passes through. The predictions are pretty dire, with high winds and lots of rain lasting two days. I have my fingers and toes crossed that no trees come down. The authorities are saying to prepare for power outages of several days. We have gas for the generator and it's been serviced since its last non-performance in July. At the grocery store this morning all the store brand water was gone but I could buy a more expensive brand. Not exactly sure why I need water, since we're not on a well, but I guess it's possible for the pumping station to be out of commission. The dumpster is full of potential flying objects with no way to secure any of them. And I expect the spot-a-pot to get blown over.

These bricks for are the front of the garage and in the walkway area. I don't know if these are real used bricks or bricks that have been made to look used. Either way, they probably cost more than "new" bricks.

And the powder room area has been roughed in. I'm getting better at climbing the ladder, but that moment when I have to get back on to climb down always makes me pause. I wonder if it's something you get used to. The construction guys go up and down the ladders without a thought, sometimes carrying a heavy load. Of course, their knees are most likely in a lot better shape than mine are.

I doubt that there will be much work done on Monday and Tuesday. But we'll have an excellent opportunity to see how the drainage system works

First Views

Climbed the ladder for my first good look at the studio. Good thing I'm not very tall because those doors into the storage areas are pretty short. The slanted roof makes it difficult to make them any higher. But look at all that nice storage space.

Looking towards the stairwell. The contractor convinced me to install a powder room. We had already planned the rough in for plumbing in case future owners wanted to install a bathroom, but I guess it's a good idea to do it now. I won't be giving up too much space and I won't have to leave to use the potty.

Looking down the stairwell.

Below is a sketch of where the powder room will be located. Along the wall to the right will be my work sink and cabinets.

And just now a very long truck pulled up with the shingles for the roof. The plan is to install all the shingles before we feel any effects from Hurricane Sandy. Which I hope heads far out to sea long before it gets this far north.

What a difference a week makes.

Actually, not even a week. It rained most of the day yesterday so they couldn't do any work. We have the shape of a garage/studio. The first photo shows the dormer in the front. On either side under the dormers I will have storage space. I'm thinking that little alcove will be a very nice place to put a comfy chair for contemplation. Earlier in the week I climbed a ladder and walked around the future studio. Discovered I do not like high ladders, and so won't be visiting the studio space again until the stairs are built.

The is the full view from the front. Between the garage and the house will be a covered walkway.

The view from inside the garage. This is a huge space and is going to have lots of storage space for a lawnmover, leaf blower, table saw, and a snow blower (which we have never had, but will be getting soon).

Sunday is the opening of Part II of Contemporary Threads, the show at the Marietta Art House in Pennsylvania where I have work. The show runs through December 22. And there will be a Fiber Art Bazaar on November 16 with lots of buying opportunities, just in time for the holidays.

Some Vertical Progress

The concrete slab was poured the beginning of last week. On Wednesday and Thursday lumber deliveries began to show up. Friday, nothing happened.

This morning a crew arrived before 8am and began unloading their tools. They worked until after lunch, when they were stopped by a heavy downpour. Things are beginning to take on a recognizable shape: two garage doors for cars, a door into the garage, and a door to go into the stairwell up to the studio.

Looking towards the driveway, you can see the struts for the roof. My sunflowers have bloomed and are now growing their seeds. We had a slight frost over the weekend, but it was enough to take out the basil and pretty much finish the tomatoes. I grew the tomatoes in pots and not only have they grown hugely out of the pot but they are spreading all over the euonymus and into the pachysandra. Next Spring there will be many, many tomato seedlings. 

Last Monday I received an email from Quilt National. It's different from the old days where, when you got your notification from a show, if the envelope was thick, they were returning your slides, and you knew it was a rejection. And you could shred the letter. Nowadays, notifications are by email. If there is an attachment, that is a good indication that it's an acceptance. My email from QN had an attachment, but I was still a bit hesitant to open it. But, yeah! it was an acceptance. Hooray! An eleven page attachment with all sorts of forms to fill out and electronic signatures. They want all that information, plus the quilt, by this coming Friday. I shipped my quilt out today and it should arrive there by Wednesday. I would love to post a picture here, but they have very strict rules about publishing the quilts before the show. I could display it, but I can't prevent somebody from taking the image and publishing it somewhere else, and that is a big no-no. It will be under wraps until next May when the show opens at the Dairy Barn in Athens, Ohio. 

Finally

If you've been wondering about the progress of the garage/studio and waiting to see lots of pictures, I'm afraid there isn't going to be much here of that. We have been looking at a cinder block fortress for a month now. During that time, the plumbing and electrical rough-ins have been installed and passed inspection. Several tons of stone have been delivered. The dirt has been pushed around, filling up most of the trenches around the foundation. And today the base for the concrete slab has been laid out.

All nice and neat, very nicely gridded, just like a quilt. Weather permitting, the cement will be poured on Monday and the trusses will be delivered on Tuesday. And then we should really see some progress.

Meanwhile, I've received acceptances for two shows. Quilts=Art=Quilts, in Auburn NY and Art Quilts VXII in Chandler AZ. Here is the info from the postcard, just in case you're in the area. 

And right now I'm plowing through the information about Medicare enrollment. This is one more indication that growing old is not for the faint of heart. It's all very confusing.