Saturday, June 28, 2014

The Times They Are A-Changing

I've been talking about my future quilting studio for some time now.  I spent a long time thinking about it and planning for it.  I had certain criteria.  It didn't have to be fancy, but had to have enough space to work comfortably, have ample closets, perhaps room for a design wall.  I needed enough space to have a friend or two over to sew, and a bathroom, fridge, and a place to plug in a coffee pot.  Priorities, you know!

Two years ago I decided where I wanted to retire and found a lovely place there.  It has a separate structure that will be a studio for me - or the Cottage as I call it.  It perfectly met my criteria, although there will have to be some minor modifications, very minor.

Do you want to see it?

Gasp, you already have!!!


I purchased the old homestead back in August of 2012.  The next month I posted this picture asking if this wouldn't make a nice studio.  I was bursting to talk about it but decided that I should wait until the right time.

That time is now.  I will more than likely be in the new place by the end of the year. I will be traveling back there one more time before the move to work out the logistics, do some more measuring, and make the decision on how much of the stash I should pay to move.

The main house was built in 1927 and has ton of charm.  I've actually posted a few pictures here and there.  The Cottage was originally built as a pool house.  It burned down in the '80s, I think, and was rebuilt as a mother-in-law's house.  Two bedroom, three baths, full kitchen, screened in porch on the side with washer/drier hookups ..... the perfect studio.

Here are a few more pictures of the inside.  It's not much to look at now but I think I can turn it into a nice place to spend my quilting time. 

 
 
The sellers and I agreed that they would leave any furniture they didn't want to move with them.  You will see odd pieces here and there in the Cottage.  Probably most of them will go, but at least I had a place to sit in there while visiting!
 


The stash closet.  It's really long.  Not much perspective in this picture.  I'll need to get more shelves in there - lots of them!



Part of the open sewing space.  The fireplace is working but the sellers put this temporary board across it.  I may leave it closed up, but will rig up something nicer looking than that.  Decisions!




 
 

The stairs to the bedrooms upstairs.

What I like most about this space -- the possibilities.  Kind of like laying out a yard of fabric and deciding what to do with it!  I have tons of pictures but there's not much more to see until I get there and get my quilting stuff moved in.

So there you have it.  Yep, the times are a-changing!

A friend recently said that I would have to change the name of my blog.  Then she thought a minute and said, "No, you won't!"  That's right.  LA Quilter will still be LA Quilter.  Los Angeles to Louisiana .... and, yes, the name was chosen intentionally!



One last picture ... I'll be sewing away on Bayou Teche!  And eating oranges, satsumas, grapefruit, and maybe drowning some worms off my pier.

Laissez les bon temps rouller!

36 comments:

Darlene said...

This is very exciting news! I know this is happening sooner than you anticipated but it's a very good thing for YOU.

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress as you prepare to move.

ytsmom said...

How exciting!! A great new chapter in your life, I can't wait to read and see all about it.

antique quilter said...

I am so happy for you , its time for you to move and enjoy your brother being close and family, The big thing you need to enjoy is the time to sew all those quilts you have been wanting to for the past few years. I am so excited for you. You will be on my side of the country now :) Yeah!
your going to have so much fun decorating this place and just sewing away !
Kathie

Anonymous said...

Vicky, it's just beautiful! I know it's sooner than originally planned, but I think you're going to be SO happy!!! And I'm SO happy FOR you!! Love you! Eve in GA

Mary said...

it looks beautiful and full of possibilities but very useable as is. Congratulations! A wonderful life event for you. Good luck with the move. I am very happy for you.

Mary

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

How wonderful!! What a perfect studio and great atmosphere! Best wishes for your move! :-)

Gwen said...

Love that you have this amazing space and the beautiful house to look forward to and plan for. Things will work out and you will be where you can be happy and comfortable! Looking forward to a neighbor! At least in the next state!

julieQ said...

What a fun news post!! I know you will be so happy in your new space...it is lovely!

Laurie said...

How wonderful for you!! I'm so envious. What i don't have is room. We too have been having this retirement/studio conversation. This is so inspiring!

Laurie

Cathy said...

Wow, this will be fabulous for you. I think you could host a quilting retreat in your new space!

mascanlon said...

Yes! I can see a huge design wall space too. I think I would have to have the fireplace...how cosy sewing away with cracking logs. And so much room to see most of stash in one place very good planning. Such excitement ahead!

dortha said...

So glad you are going to get to see your dream come true. Good luck with the purging and packing.

little acorns said...

I'm sooo excited for you! The studio is a.m.a.z.i.n.g.!!! (& you deserve to have such a wonderful place!) Penny is going to be exploring for months!

Sharon said...

Wow, what an amazing space and place! I'm so happy for you, retirement, a new studio/home and you are going home. Life is good! I want to come sew with you there!

AnnieO said...

Big changes you have planned carefully--you're two steps ahead! The Cottage looks like a lovely place to spend many happy creative hours!

Karen said...

How exciting. Not only that you plan on retiring but also getting to move into a wonderful home with a sewing cottage. It has so much potential. I am happy to have a sewing room. I would be ecstatic with what you have to work with in creating a dream space.

Dee said...

That looks like a wonderful space to create in, so many possibilities. Your views are fantastic as well. How exciting to finally be making the move! Good luck planning everything.

Winona said...

Wow! Congratulations! You will have a perfect quilting studio. Enjoy it.

Sherri said...

It will be perfect! Congrats!

Sue said...

Wow, what a perfect space to enjoy your retirement and delve into your stash.
Good luck with your new adventure.

Melanie said...

I'm jealous. Always a believer in happy endings, You have such a bright future ahead. Congrats!

Yvette said...

I am so happy or you!!!! I sure hope you can make it to the retreat this September.

Carol said...

That is the most exciting news! I am so, so happy for you❤️

Kyle said...

What exciting times lay ahead in a beautiful place full of new opportunities. The "cottage" looks absolutely perfect!

Wacky Woman said...

You are still in LA (Louisiana). I'm so happy with you. I usually spend 3 months a year in Destin, Florida. Nov., Dec., & Jan.

Anonymous said...

Vicky, I am happy for you.
Loretta in LA

suz said...

Vicky, as we say here in Boston - wicked cool!!! congratulations on being able to do this and to have such a lovely place to move to. It's been very obvious you've really missed home and being near your brother. Penny is going to have a ball! As for your stash - pay to move it all...it will cost more to replace and you know you'll want the stuff that doesn't go down there! So happy for you!

Laura said...

Big news! I'm glad you're able to go back home, and will have a wonderful space in which to create.

Nini said...

How exciting for you! In fact, I might be a tad jealous! I wonder if you'll end up with a small bed in the quilting room, in case you need to nap or stay up late some night. More decisions!

Dottie@Warm Memories Quilt Shoppe said...

I'm so very happy for you, Vicky! It is absolutely beautiful!!! You deserve it. Congrats!!

Deb said...

How wonderful! The place is beautiful and I'm sure once you're moved you'll find all this time for quilting!

Dee W said...

Awesome. Congratulations, sometimes it' better to just say, It's time and make the move to a more fun life. Enjoy it for sure. Looks like a great place to stitch. Penny will for sure love it.

Sarah said...

Oh how exciting! Congratulations on purchasing your dream. I know I only read your blog, but I sense you yearn to return home to the South. I'm very happy you can do so in retirement. I wish you all the best for this. I adore the property. I'm a country girl in Australia and I just adore space, big lawns, water frontage too.

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Oh my gosh, I have no idea how I missed this post...must of been busy cleaning for my book club that I had this week. This is just fabulous, I am SO happy for you. I look forward to following along on your journey! (And if you don't keep the furniture that it's in there, be sure to sell it...that mid century modern (MCM) stuff is pretty hot these days...at least in the midwest so you might do well on it.)

QuiltinLibraryLady said...

What do you mean, "Not much to look at"? I want to move in!!! What a wonderful future sewing/quilting studio!

Sinta Renee said...

The cottage is beautiful. What a smart idea but I do not envy a cross country move! I am excited for your new life... retired life... to start though!