Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Friday, May 5, 2017

Art Barn Tour & Why We Built The Addition.

 We still have some outdoor trim to finish . . .
but the inside is done :) 




Welcome :) 


 This is the east wall in the addition.
I have moved all of my painting, 
stamping and paper crafting
to the addition.

 This is the south wall.
Not the best photo, sorry :(

This is the west wall.



This is the north wall
and the pass through to the barn.
Notice the bottom edges of the pass through,
I have attached two yardsticks as trim.
My idea is to collect yardsticks from
businesses in town and use them as trim 
around the pass through,
the door and the windows. 


 This is the reason that we built
the addition . . .
I love making signs
and I've decided to start making signs
and barn quilts to see if I can
sell them.

When I paint around my quilting projects
I am always taking a chance
of getting paint on my fabric. 

The addition will keep things separated :)

After moving all the paint, 
stamps and paper out . . .
I now have more space in the barn.







 



I moved everything.
The cutting table is where the sitting area was,
and the sitting area in where the cutting table was.



I did leave my sewing machines by the windows.




I added a plywood top to 
this little chest of drawers
to create a bigger ironing surface
for quilting. 
 

I told you that I want to start making
more signs, to see if I can sell them . . .

This is the first sign painted in the addition :) 





Here it is finished.

 Well, now you know why we built the addition.

Wish me well . . .
I do hope that I can sell what I make.
Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

62 comments:

  1. I have been waiting for this post! LOL What a marvelous, lovely place to work. You are one lucky lady but you have worked hard for it. I wish you success on selling your signs! How clever to collect the yardsticks to use! It looks like you have a laundry tub with a skirt around it? How did you attach the skirt? I have a laundry tub in my laundry room that it would look nice if I could figure out how to do that! I will check back again when time allows to look at things more closely as there is so much to take in. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful tie in your new craft place! Nancy

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    1. Good morning Nancy and thanks so much for the sweet visit. The way I attached the skirt around my sink was with Velcro. I hot glued it to the sink and sewed it to the skirt. That makes it easy to take off and wash when it gets dirty. Happy Weekend!

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  2. Wow- What a marvelous place you have for crafting, painting, sewing, escape! I love it. I would have kept my sewing machine by the windows, too. You have sure worked hard getting this ready to use and it is finally DONE! Whooo Hooo!!! I am so thrilled for you, Connie.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, thank you, you are such a sweetheart and have been so encouraging me in my little walk through life. It's great knowing that others are rooting for you . . . my know personal cheerleader, thanks :)

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  3. What an amazing place, how I envy you your wonderful space, I love how you have it set out and different crafting zones. Good luck in your new endeavours, I'm sure your beautiful quilts no signs will sell well xx

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  4. What a wonderful space! I'm sure I'd be even more creative if I had such a space. Love the yardsticks, too. Good luck with your new adventure!!

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    1. Thank you . . . I hope that I can sell some, we'll just have to see . . . nothing ventured, nothing gained :)

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  5. I was so excited to come over and check out the new addition! I just love everything you have done...from the walls to the trim to the changes in the barn. It looks so awesome! I want to come over and play please! I'm sure you will be able to sell your signs and barn quilts. They are realy popular these days. You have the talent to do custom orders too so that will come in handy. I love the first sign...it is adorable! I love cows and milk/dairy themed items and lots of other folks do too so it should sell quick! I'm going back to look at all the pictures again and see what ideas I can steal! LOL! You have a wonderful weekend my friend!

    Hugs, Vicky

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    1. Hi Vicky, thanks for the sweet visit and your warmhearted encouragement. I do not have the organizing skills that you have, but with lots of shelves and drawers I found a place for everything . . . the trick is remembering where I put each thing. I guess after a few "hunt fors" I'll get it, LOL.

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  6. How fun ! What a happy place, with room for company while you work !

    Those paintings are going to be so great ! I was amazed watching the cow come to life with just the addition of the sparkle in his eyes ! And the 'roughing up' just MADE that painting. I LIKE IT !

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  7. Connie, I love your new area. I know you are going to make some wonderful signs. I love how the cow sign turned out. You were clever to make an ironing surface for your quilting pieces. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. It's always hard ironing big pieces of fabric with a standard ironing board . . . this will be so nice. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. We'll just have to see whether I can sell any or not :)

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  8. Fabulous! What a wonderful place to create. Enjoy! xo

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    1. Hi Nancy, Well, this is what I have been planning, but I don't want to sell on the internet . . . just because it still scares me a little bit. I have visited your new site and I was blown away with your thoroughness. I read everything . . . shipping, returns policies, you have put a lot of careful thought into planning your new venture and all that I can say is Bravo! I was thinking about waiting until I have a few made and then advertising and having a Saturday sale. We'll see . . . nothing ventured, nothing gained, LOL.

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  9. Love that Got Milk sign....you are quite the artist. I am amazed how you can put your art barn together in a few days...you and hubby work FAST!!! Best wishes on your new business, I hope you sell lots of signs!!! I do like your new addition with all the stamps and stuff!!

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    1. Hi Louise, thank you . . . I wish you could come over and play. I'm sure that you could give me some pointers on card making, yours are so lovely :)

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  10. What a wonderful creative spot. I just love it. Thank you for this tour. If it were mine I would never want to leave this place.
    Blessings, Betsy

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    1. Sometimes I think my husband feels that way, too . . . he calls me and says, are you ever coming back to the house, LOL. Time does fly when you're having fun.

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  11. I would Never come out Connie!!All you need is a bathroom and bed!!!

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    1. Well, I do have beds in the loft where my granddaughters love to stay when they visit . . . it would be nice to have a bathroom, but then my poor husband would never see me, LOL. What I love most is that I can shut the doors in the middle of a project and walk over to the house and leave things out until I return. Back in the days when I did everything in the kitchen, that was impossible. I do love my barn :)

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  12. How wonderful to have your own place to create! It's great!

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    1. Thank you . . . believe me I do not take it for granted . . . I count my blessing daily. I saved many years before I had the money to build my barn and I love it :)

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  13. Wow what a fantastic place you have for all your projects.

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    1. Thank you . . . I love my space. I saved many years to be able to build it, I certainly don't take it for granted. I feel blessed each time I open the door:)

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  14. WOW, Connie, what an amazing place! A real crafter's paradise! xx

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    1. I know that I'm blessed . . . I love my barn :)

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  15. Hi Connie, what a wonderful place to craft and let your imagination run wild! Love the cow and Tomato signs! Have fun Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. Hi Lisa, thanks for the visit . . . I feel very blessed with my barn and do hope that my venture into the sign business works out. Otherwise I'm going to have a lot of signs, LOL.

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  16. I love your addition and that's a great idea to do signs. You're good at it and yourfirst one is fantastic. Are you planning to sell online or locally?

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    1. I'm going to try and sell locally . . . there is just so much to go through to start an on-line business. I don't think I'm ready.

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  17. LOVE your art barn! It is perfect place to create. Your signs are awesome and I hope they sell quickly!
    deb

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    1. Thank you so much! It's great to hear that you like my signs, I enjoy making them,so as they say, do what you love. I figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. If they don't sell, I'll have a lot of signs for decorating, LOL.

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  18. Wow! What a great space you have, Connie. I'm sure it fosters your creativity. I've painted a couple of quilt blocks and placed them on outdoor storage buildings. Love them and I do wish you luck in your new endeavor.

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    1. Thank you so much . . . I'm a little bite nervous and excited at the same time. I do hope that some people like them enjoy to buy them :)

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  19. I want to add my WOW to this post too! You have a wonderful space to work on your painting now and it's smart to separate it from your sewing supplies. You will be even busier now. I love how organized you are! You inspire us all! Hugs, Diane

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    1. Diane, you are so sweet, thank you. You have made my heart feel all warm and cozy.

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  20. What a lovely addition. You're going to enjoying working out there every moment.

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    1. I think so too. I feel very blessed to have such a nice space to work in . . . I saved a long time, but it's a dream come true :)

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  21. Now you have an amazing space to create to your heart's content. I just know you're going to have even more fun than ever!!

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    1. Oh thank you so much . . . I'm truly blessed and believe I do not take my space for granted.

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  22. Oh WOW, what an amazing space in which to create. I don't think I would ever want to leave this heavenly space. Love the stairs going up to the "attic". Upon crossing the threshold the eyes would ricochet from one pretty to another. Just amazing!!

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    1. Thank you; you are so sweet . . . I do love my barn, it's a wonderful place to create and relax :)

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  23. Inspirational, it was a joy to visit. Your signs are amazing, you have such a great talent. Congratulations on your new business, wishing you every success.

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  24. That looks amazing - I am sooo jealous ha ha! And your cow sign is fantastic, I'm sure you will sell it!

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    1. Thanks for the visit and for your sweet words of encouragement :)

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  25. Oh, I could be so creative, every single day, with that much space. Now I understand why you are so prolific in your creations.

    Have fun working in your fun barn.

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    1. Hi Carol, thanks for stopping by. I do feel blessed with this much space; it's a joy to spread projects out and be able to work on them at whatever time schedule I have. Then shut the door and go home. For many years my kitchen table was by creative space and we all know how hard that can be. Thank you for your encouragement and blogging friendship.

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  26. So nice and fun to see your addition all done and filled to the brim with all of your wonderful stuff and supplies! I have to admit I'm somewhat jealous (well, more than "somewhat")!! I love signs too.. old wood signs and yours are just wonderful. I think you should have a once a month "sign sale" at your house out by the road for passersby to see it. Local people will soon realize that you'll be there once a month and will come and bring their friends! Are your "barn quilts" going to be fabric quilts or painted quilts? I think painted quilts or quilt blocks on wood, somewhat distressed, would be awesome.. or little mini quilts painted on old wood. You are so very talented and so happy that you have such a wonderful outlet for your creations. I can get lost in my craft room all day and come out at 5:00 or so and wonder where did the day go? Sounds like you are the same! Hubby probably enjoyed having you working along side of him building this addition! Hugs.. Marilyn

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    1. Building the addition together was fun . . . hard work but fun just the same. I like your idea about the once a month sale. It's certainly something to thing about. I was thinking more on the order of twice a year. Spring and Fall. You are such a sweet blogging sister and I appreciate your encouragement. I'm excited about trying this and at the same time very nervous.

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  27. Love your new space. You won't have any trouble selling your signs and quilts. I wish I lived near you. I would buy some. Maybe in time you will sell on Etsy or other site online?

    Best of luck, Connie!!!

    Janie

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    1. Thank you Janie, you are a peach. You have boosted my confidence :)

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  28. Your addition - AND the art barn - are absolutely amazing. I wish I could have a tour in person! I think a magazine should do a feature on you and your glorious art space. :-) How wonderful that you are going to sell your signs and quilts. With your talent, I don't think you'll have any problem doing so. Seems the painted signs are so popular now, too. Wishing you all the best!

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    1. Thank you Melanie, you are a sweetheart. It makes me a little nervous . . . what if I make up a bunch and nothing sells, but nothing ventured, nothing gained . . . time will tell. Thanks so much for your sweet blogging friendship, I do appreciate your encouragement and kindness :)

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  29. What an absolutely great post, Connie! Your art barn is looking so stunning these days, both inside and out! The extension is a dream, and how wise you are, separating the messy from the clean activities. Your signs are brilliant - I adore the cow! They have a wonderful vintage look. Thank you for your visit to my blog, and I'm sorry you had a breakdown too - mine sounded minor by comparison, and we didn't have to be rescued from the far side of the zoo with a pickup truck for my buggy with its flat battery! With my hubby giving me a push up the hills, we managed to limp our way back to the entrance! I'm glad you got a grandstand view from high up on your way back, though! What an adventure.

    Shoshi x

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    1. It wasn't a picnic, but it was an adventure :)

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  30. Hi Connie, You have done an excellent job on your new space. I wish I had half as much creativity as you do! :-) My favorite is the yard sticks for trim. Great idea! You should go into decorating business! I enjoyed this post and thank you for sharing. Also, thank you for your kind words on my blog. Hope you have a fine week ahead!

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    1. Hello John, it is always a pleasure to have you stop by . . . we have been busy building this addition, and it is so nice having the sign painting projects away from the quilting. Thanks for your encouraging words.

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  31. Such a good addition and just lovely to have your own place for all your crafting, painting and sewing.

    I always think your signs are good, so I wish you well in your future endeavours.

    All the best Jan

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