I love the start of a new year, it's like a fresh start full of possibilities for all the procrastination that has gone on in your head. This year I'm going to get organized in my sewing areas.
Bill has been so helpful in suggestions & making me these holders for my rulers, I'll show you the process and hello and thank you for popping in!
This was my design wall that was taken over with unfinished projects and ideas that I had for the future. This board was from our trade shows that we did in North America in the 1990s.
The goal was to get all my rulers organized & the ones that were used washed & dried. I used 2 cups of water with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and my Face Off cloth(soft makeup removal cloth) to wash them and dried them with a linen tea towel. I was pleased with the effect that this simple solution had cleaning the rulers!
It was a long process but one that was over due & I was able to organized them by size as I dried & placed them. Like things together has been my motto for the past few years.
Bill asked what would work best & we measured the size that would fit on the design wall. He made me boxes & ruler ledges.
I was amazed at how many quilt things that I've accumulated over the past 22 years of quilting. I had my sewing & decor decorating before I dove into quilting and I lived & breathed it for a good decade.
This area is also my ironing area, file storage, zipper storage & my stool for reaching areas that my 5'2" frame will not reach. Last year Bill installed a light above & it gives such beautiful light, it's like being outside on a sunny day, I love it!
At the shore side window I unearthed a toy bench that my father had made for my older sister & brother in 1949. Then it was in my childhood bedroom & was given to me in the 70s. I moved out east it came with me and all the memories of all the places that box has been over the years. My children used it for a toy box too. The seat is a heavy metal with the original strap to lift it open & the wood is a solid 1" x 2" pieces. Dad told me he made built in bunk beds to go with this box. By the time I was born in 1957, he was a certified welder and I grew up with everything welded, my sandbox, swing set, kitchen chairs, & anything else that was metal & needed repair. Dad passed this welding passion on & taught Mitch to weld at the age of 7. He would spend weekends with Grandpa Skip & come home with holes in his t-shirts, that was the telltale sign of his welding lessons.
The antique fireplace from St. John is once more visible in my sewing room. It was such a beautiful piece with it's original mirror & cast iron insert.
I grew up in London Ontario and the oldest house called Eldon House from the 1834 & this is so like the fireplace in the library area. I live in a modern house but love antiques and have them scattered around our home. The wood adds warmth to the areas and somethings are just timeless.
The Eel River Townhouses
I'm so pleased at how the kitchens are coming together, these are all custom cabinets above the counter top area and below are all drawers. The appliances are now in place adding to the beauty of these units.
All the double kitchen sinks are below a pencil grid window that looks overlooks the woods.
The two units without the garage have the stack able washer/drier in the kitchen, that's popular in Europe. Around the corner is the linen closet and the door beside it houses the hot water tank & Hvac.
I found the Boston terrier's I made years back, Bill installed them on their crate doors.
Bridget Loree in her crate.
Baxter Loree in his crate.
Such a clever idea placing them under the stairs, before their crates stood out in the hallway. These dogs are known for their smelly farting so Bill installed an elevator fan/vent that goes into the garage, it's on a timer so they too can have good air once the curtain is down for the night.
I was delighted to receive this framed canvas photo taken by Nicholas of the Beaver Moon last November 2025. He had taken it & when I saw it said it would be a great photo as I named the property Beaver Moon. It was the Beaver Moon of 2012 that we purchased this beautiful property, so I thought it was quite fitting that it had it's name. I love handmade items from the heart.
I wanted to make a winter wreath to hang on our door & when I saw this wreath that we purchased from an auction, I knew it was right. Look at how real the faux pines look!
So I took pine cones & wrap 18 gauge florist wire around them & secured them around the wreath!
I was pleased with the outcome & it can now hang outside to greet those that come, on the front porch.
I added the dried thyme flower shoots that were in a vase in the kitchen to add aroma therapy, I loved the soft texture that this natural herb added!
At the bottom I put in two stems of lambs ear adding a velvety texture. All in all it was everything I already had, it was just a case of bringing it all together & voila a large natural winter wreath!
This is how the pets spend their evenings when the firebox is burning, it keeps us all warm & cozy through the winter storm's that blow our way off Miramichi Bay. Today it's coming up the south coast keeping the temperatures -2C, really easy for shovelling with no wind.
Thank you for visiting this snowy day on the north east coastline of New Brunswick, we're bracing for 25cm of snow over the next 24 hours.
I'm hoping you are enjoying the beginning of this year.
Wishing you health & happiness!
Hugs,
Cynthia
