Sew Simple is Shaping Up!

The shop is really starting to feel like it's mine and shaping up how I'd like it. We did a bunch of painting, cleaning, and reorganizing over labor day weekend.  The front awning is looking so much better. I'm looking forward to hanging up some fabric bunting as soon as my hubby gets home next week to help me with hanging it.


Poor fella, I worked him like a rented mule and then sent him off to my family reunion a couple of states away with the three kids! He did all of the awning painting. Since I have no one at home, I was able to spend more time at the shop and continue tweaking things.


I really wanted to get rid of this 80's era country blue, and wouldn't you know it, but the grey paint with a slight blue cast to it for the awning turned out to be country blue. Since it's outside, I'm letting it slide. Besides, I think my chances of getting my hubby to repaint that awning is pretty close to negative never.


But the blue was painted white inside. Or at least some of it was. I'll probably be painting a little bit every weekend for a while. It looks so much brighter now. I also got roses on our opening day from the former owner's family and a potted flower from a friend to celebrate our first day. The little sewing machine there is a music box from my mother. Isn't it adorable?! I love getting flowers! A fact my husband doesn't remember. But Craftsy sent me flowers this week! I think this might have to be a weekly habit for me.


I added some bright color today with a full display of Glide thread! It's like opening a box of candy! Yum! I may add the thread to my online shop too.


I've got to focus on getting my sewing space set up in the shop. My family would like our living room back and my husband especially would like for me to leave 'work' at the shop. I'm not entirely sure how to integrate the two work spaces into one, but I'll figure out something.


That wallpaper though.... We're not sure what we're going to do with it. The building owner (the former shop owner) would rather us not strip it as he thinks the dray wall will be ruined. He's likely right and it would be a lot of work. I'm not sure about painting right over it, though the owner is ok with that. I've also thought of covering it up with white batting and having large expanses of design wall. It'd be handy for classes and for displaying small quilt samples. I think the chair rail and below are going to be painted a light turquoise.


I did manage a tiny bit of sewing. A bunting for the sign by the road and this disappearing 4 patch block for a pin cushion. The Tula Pink fabric over the chair above is my daughter's project. She's making her own quilt with layer cake squares.

Now I better go take advantage of my family-free time and get more work done.


10 comments:

  1. I think that wall paper and border is cute, especially for a sewing store. But if you want to paint over it, you can. There is a special primer and sealer to paint over the paper first, then you can put a coat of color paint over that. I have done this, and it does work, provided the wallpaper is truly stuck to the wall. Peel off anything coming up first, and fill in any holes with spackle if needed. Good luck with your opening!

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  2. Congratulations Amy, I wish you the best. You are a great inspiration to me. Love your classes. Hope to buy your new class today. Good luck in the future.
    Love,

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  3. Oh, I would paint everything. Carole above had a good idea with the primer. Congrats and enjoy your new shop, it is wonderful.

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  4. I'd like to know where you got the little mini sewing machine that abuts the flowers!!!!! Not sure but it looks like it is intended as a replica treadle...would love to knowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

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    1. nevermind Amy, I found a similar one on Amazon - so Cute! I had to have it.............

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  5. Glad you found one. It was a gift from my mother to celebrate the purchase of the shop. It's adorable! It's a music box and the treadle pedal moves as it plays.

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    1. I like your mother's style! Thanks for posting the photo, I never would have known otherwise something like that existed. Not sure where I will keep mine yet, but I also have a real treadle from 1908 that still works that I saved from being trashed. I love the old machines and use them still from time to time.

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  6. I'm so excited for you! I haven't been keeping up and didn't realize you were opening a shop. Congrats!! :-)

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  7. What an exciting adventure!!! Congrats - the shop looks fantastic!!

    Laura
    www.blackcoffeebeautiful.com

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