Monday, December 28, 2009

Where have YOU been?

Oh, goodness! Friends of blogland... Are you out there?

I sure hope you all are well and warmed with the love and light of the holidays... Golly, GOSH! I have missed you! My life has been less rich from not having been able to get around to enjoy all of your talents and wonderful CRAFTILICIOUS output...

Forgive me! I'm hoping to get back up into the big old blog "saddle"... as it were. I've been a bit distracted... Aside from the MANY blessings I enjoy with family, health and fantastic friendships, I've been reeling, creatively...

After some hardship, emotional, financial and spiritual, my husband and I have decided to move his 95 year old grandmother, Nona, back in with us... BACK into the place, I affectionately call, Scrapland.



This is the place where the magic happens. I borrowed this photo from my friend, Centsational Girl... {If you've never perused her luscious, idea provoking, FANTASTIC blog, TREAT yourself!} She took this picture of part of my lil' Scrapland, late last winter, posted it on her blog and catapulted me into participation in BLOGLAND... Seeing my creative space through CENTSATIONAL eyes, really made me proud. It's been a fantastic couple of years, modifying "Nona's lair" into my art studio.... Unfortunately, I have to bid this wonderful creative space adieu...

Since mid October, I've ALSO been pretty busy with these guys...



These sweet little puppy-muffins were born to my wonderful friend and German Shepherd dog, Scout. She pretty much took care of EVERYTHING until the babies hit about 6 weeks of age, when she handed the work load over to ME and my people. We've been chasing after their needs since. The biggest job, of course, was placing them. A full time position, SOMEHOW!?!, for me! Here's a shot of them, only a few weeks old, in the black "yard" of what will soon be "New Scrapland!"



My "hubs" and daughter with the plywood-covered "door" of what we were calling "puppyland". Next is a shot from the inside....



Pups are all matched with loving homes, I'm happy to say... Little did I know that recommending this unused corner of our garage for "Puppyland", would lead to "New Scrapland," just a week after the last pup was placed... Here's the outside as it is unfolding NOW!



Husband sweetened the blow of this gargantuan change and move from "Scrapland" as it exists now, complete with a kitchen and full bathroom, to this smaller space, with the french doors {but no BATHROOM - *gasp!*} I've always dreamed of...




{Shhhhhh! There's husband's bum, hard at work!} Nice light source, to be sure! {Not his bum, the doors, SILLY!} In this next shot, proof of quality insulation, a luxury we do NOT have in our 100 year old house! AND my very WIDE {can-wheel-your-MOTHER TOTES-right-through! ... don't even have to go sideways! Wheeew!} door from the garage side, compliments of my darling brother-in-law! Can ya see, can ya see? It's begging for some faux finishing, but its SOLID, gorgeous and sure to keep out the draft!



THERE'S darling B-I-L workin' away! It was as if the planets aligned perfectly, since he and his lovely wife and our niece and nephew came through for the holidays.... "Hey, Dave - wanna build my wife a new craft room!" was husband's refrain.... MERRY {*bleeeeeep!*} CHRISTMAS!



And so THAT'S how it rolls around here, at Rancho Durenberger! There's a lot of work ahead, but now that I can finally SEE the new space, and plan my layout... COLORS, etc. I'm starting to get my happy on! I can't bare facing blogland with out it! I hope you understand!

It WAS a Merry Christmas! It REALLY was!


My kids are PROOF positive !~ The SHOW MUST GO ON! I've missed you guys like crazy and I'm looking so forward to catching up with the wonderful stars of blogland! I adore you folks! Yee HAW!

19 comments:

Karen said...

ELISE!!!!! YAY!!!!!! You have been ON my mind...DAILY! Your new Scrapland is looking mighty nice...and WARM!! I know what a pain it is to relocate....and ALL. But, I'm so happy you will have a creative home to play in!!! We'll talk soon! :>:> (((HUGS!!)))

Linda aka Oz said...

I have been reeling since I received your email. No Scrapland?? How can she survive, what can I do? I can't let a sister go down in flames... Now I can breathe again. New Scrapland is going to be fabulous. I know there will be bumps in the ole highway to heaven but bumps are what we all live for... right? RIGHT!! You always have us darlin.... spew, vent and cuss away on my shoulder anytime you need. Oz from shrinky-dink land!

Vanessa said...

I missed you, Elise!!! No Scrapland. No Scrapland. You are in my thoughts dear friend! I am glad you had a wonderful Christmas! Can`t wait for you to be "back in the saddle" again!

Hugs,
Vanessa

Carol L said...

This is going to be fantastic when it's completed! TFS the update........we've all missed you!!

Dotty Jo said...

Babe!!!!!!! Welcome back, you have been so, so missed. Big changes at your place. Bless your husband for understanding a girls need to craft! If I ever have to give up my little crafting corner I have my eye on our conservatory... my motto is always have a plan B! Keep us all updated with the progress of the new scrapland. Hugs to you, Jo x

~amy~ said...

woooooooooooo hooooooooooo....when's your open house for scrapland?!!! LOL....

It is going to be fantabulous! Thanks for sharing the pics...can't wait to see your new space unfold....

LeAnne said...

Well, I was wondering where you were...but now I see I should have been JEALOUSLY wondering where you were. LUCKY you to have a (future) nice, clean, brand-spanking-new craft area in which to create!!! Can I come live with you? I'll help with Nona!!!!!

Courtney Baker said...

Hey girl I've totally missed you too! So glad you are back and to hear the big news so exciting! I'm sure the new blog land will be amazing!

Beth said...

Elise! What a wonderful husband you have for getting *right on it* in terms of making your new space! Karma can be a beautiful thing....you'll be stocked with it after taking on the Grandmom. My Mimi used to tell me that her grandmother would tell her she could say anything she wanted...even cuss...as long as she did it under her breath. She passed that privilage onto us....it might come in handy to you, too :-)

Ann said...

Woot! Woot! Your new craft space is a rockin'! I can't wait to see the finished product!!! Happy New Year, my friend!

Rosemary said...

Heeellllooo Sweet Friend!!! Missed you soo much, but knew, just knew things were keeping you super busy!! Wow, Scrapland is/was fantastic, but can't wait to see the finished new Scrapland (soo envious since I don't have a Scrapland, boohooo!!!) Happy, happy New Year!!

Lisa Foster said...

Hello!!!! Good to see you!!!! So happy you are getting a new Scrapland!!! When I first read you were saying goodbye to Scrapland, my heart just broke..but now I'm jumping for joy with you!!! Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see it all finished!
Hugs,
Lisa

Dana Gustafson said...

Look out creative world! She's baaaaaaaack! Thank goodness! WE've missed you!

Rose said...

well you are truely blessed!!! how wonderful to take care of your grandmother when she is in need :) and now you'll have a fantastic scrap hide a way too!! looking forward to seeing it when it is all finished :)

Andi (RrlScrapGal) said...

Oh girly... I 'bout fell off my saddle when I saw that your old scrapland was being given up.. Big ol' fat tears started wellen' up... Oh my... My heart.. a girl needs her space.. her place.. her therapy...

THANK GOD your man has a good head on his shoulders! There MUST be a scrapland... and love those doors...and the light.. The blessing is it is a very private place! AKA.. Escape! Love it!

Hope to see you soon...

diane said...

oh, there you are! you've been missed by all...WOW, the Nonarator is baaaack. well... god bless you (you know you're gonna need his help) lol happy that you'll have a new, pretty place to play, can't wait to see it. hope your holidays were wonderful! much love, diane o

Anonymous said...

Oh how I've missed my ultra-enthusiastic scrappy friend! Glad to hear things are working out for you at home. :-) Glad you're back!

Ummm... your old scrap space looks like heaven. What a trooper you are for willingly giving it up...and how BLESSED you are to have a brand spankin new space BUILT for you! Dude... can your hubby and my hubby go have a beer later on? LOL! Can't wait to see the finished product! :-)

*HUGS!!!*

Kelley Eubanks said...

Hey girl!! Sounds like you have been one busy lady! So sorry that you are losing your scrapland but seems like you are getting a new scrapland so... that is great! I share mine with the litter box for my cats... smells great.. let me tell ya! :) I have missed you! I have been MIA... for me anyway... too! I am ready to get back at it full swing! So glad that you guys had a great Christmas! Love ya!

dtarca said...

I think your new digs are going to work well Elise. Look at those huge doors that you'll be able to catch all the natural light thru! Its a change but doesn't have to be bad. With your creative touch you'll have scrapland II up and running in no time! Happy New Year to you!!