A Whole New Place

Earlier this year, we decided to trade in the country life and move back to 'town'. For us, that meant Austin, TX. We rented a house, moved our stuff, and Wayne has been working hard to recover the damage done to the property and road by the massive rains and flooding so we can get the place on the market.

The move meant giving up our respective out-buildings and moving into the house proper. Since I am a huge hog of space, I got the master suite, conveniently located on the first floor which is all tile. This includes a large bathroom and walk-in closet, so my main work space should be far less cluttered (we will see how true this turns out to be. I am able to use a few pieces from the old studio, but for the most part I bought all new items from Ikea. My main work tables were built-in, so new stand-alone ones were needed for the machines, and I down-sized my cutting table a bit (about an inch and a half in width to 46" and down to about 6.5' in length from 8'.)

I made the table in two halves so they can be easily separated and moved when needed. (I foresee sewing/crafting get-togethers where these will need to be moved to the living room)
Each base is a 2 x 4 cube Kallax unit set horizontally with 3 pairs of casters.
Each top is a 78 3/4x23 5/8 " Linnmon table top. I attached them to the base using L-brackets at the front and back of the cabinets. The two tables are connected with 2 chest latches from Home Depot. (these will probably not hold up for long, but they are serving the purpose for now.)
I attached Spontan magnet boards to one end of the two bases for my button and bead storage (you can see these on the left end of cutting table in the photo)

This room is also my office space, so I got a smaller Linnmon table top and basic Adils legs for my desk.

The work tables for my machines are heavier duty, and at counter height. I either stand or sit on a drafting stool when I sew, so table height won't work for me. I opted for two 61 x 29 1/2" Gerton table tops and two adjustable Gerton legs each. The other end of each table top is set on a  2x3 cube Closetmaid Cubeicals unit. Two 3 x 3 sets are stacked to the left for more storage.




Finally, a free-standing Algot system for the various tools I use for cutting, marking, sewing, etc.
This unit is behind my sewing tables, so I didn't want anything below the tables. My set has 2 sections 21" apart and one 31" apart. The top shelves are 15" deep to hold my serger thread on racks, on the 2 smaller sections I have 2 sets of 7" deep shelves for presser feet cases and tins with hand-sewing supplies.
The wider section holds a peg board for smaller tools, rotary cutters, scissors, rulers and curves.

The island I bought at BigLots a few years ago still works great for my steam press. The cabinet holds pressing tools and stabilizer for embroidery.

As you can see, I've already got a few things in the works. After a couple of months of no studio, I am so happy to have my work space back, my office in the same room, and the whole thing in the house where the dogs can come and go as they like.

Happy Sewing!
Juliette

One Last Day

I am ready to go home. I've had a great time and saw quite a few friends, but I miss Wayne and the girls.
My first stop this morning was to France Post to ship back my clothes and a few things that I don't need as soon as I get back.
After getting that done, I headed to the office and wandered around the Canal St. Martin. For a Muslim no-go zone (according to Fox News), it was pretty dang tranquil. The only noise I heard was from the boats going up and down the canal, and some city workers use leaf blowers to clean the playgrounds. No riots, no sharia law, no yelling (not even the kids in the playground).

I met Cedric and Momo at the office, and we headed to lunch, talked office politics and life. Back at the office I printed my boarding passes and made my way to the left bank. I visited St. Severin, St. Germain des Pre and Musee Eugene Delacroix.
I made a stop at Lauduree and the bakery for my dinner and tomorrow's breakfast, then back to the apartment. Once last walk up to Place du Tertre to buy a painting I saw on Saturday, then back again. The taxi will be here at 5:30 (yes, AM), so I am in for the night.

Très Magnifique!

I made it to the Jeanne Lanvin exhibit yesterday after taking Mom to the airport and tidying up the apartment. (And helping 2 young Chinese women to get to Paris from the airport.)
It wasn't easy to get to Palais Galliera for the exhibit: 4 trains and a bit of a hike, but absolutely worth it. No photos were allowed, and the visitors were very respectful of each other. I felt as though I was in a place of worship (and in some ways, I was). Many garments were displayed in glass cases that were accessible from all sides. Others had mirrors to allow viewing of the front/back. A handful were in horizontal cases with angled mirrors above. Accompanying the beautiful dresses, coats, capes, hats and purses were photographs from the span of Jeanne Lanvin's career, sample books of croquis, embroidery and beading, fabrics, various promotional material and a pair of dolls from the original logo of a woman and small girl.
The range of materials, embellishments and silhouettes was broad, and there were examples from every phase of her career. The exhibition book is even more comprehensive, though only available in French. (The main descriptions for each section were in French and English.)

Sweet little garden on Ile St. Louis

After the exhibit, I headed to Ile St. Louis, the other, smaller island in the center of the Seine, winding through the streets.


















Heading back to Montmartre, I picked up caramels for my co-workers and needle and thread to fix some velcro on the sofa bed in the apartment, and to attached the strap I knitted for the terrace umbrella. (owner approved, of course). I wandered around trying to decide on something to eat, and ended up at the same Italian restaurant Mom & I ate at on Thursday night. This time I had a tomato mozzarella salad and fried calamari. The waiter remembered me and brought me a Kir, then comped me a glass of white wine as well.

After the other customers left, we chatted and jokes, mostly about the tourists would ask if he spoke English and then said "Sacre Coeur?". Ronny said if I was staying back Tuesday, we should go to a movie, but agreed to a drink with me and Wayne on our next visit.

Rainy, but still magnificent

I headed back out to pick up a couple of things at BHV--A huge sale meant the store was buzzing, and everyone was out since it was Saturday night. I wish I had brought my camera--so many dogs out on the town with their people: in the stores, on the metro, hanging out at outdoor cafes, and all seemed completely at ease.


This morning I took my time getting up, waiting to confirm plans with my friend, Thomas, who we have known since 2001 when he worked with me at Borland. He lives with his mother in the 12th now.

I met him near his apartment and he drove us to Chantilly where we have an excellent lunch before visiting the Chateau de Chantilly.
Thomas thought the castle was disappointing, but when you live in Europe, the bar is probably pretty high. I thought it was very interesting. We also visited the 'stables' which were about 10 times the size of our house and much nicer.






After Thomas dropped me off on my side of Paris, I stopped at the bakery to pick up something for dinner, then settled in for the night. One more day in Paris, then I head home!

There was really a moat!

The ceiling of the room modeled after one in the Uffizi

The library

Door to the chapel

Stair rail

The ceiling in the stables

The stalls in the stable.

Closer to home

The neighborhood cat

Today was Mom's last full day in Paris, and May Day, so most museums, monuments and shops were closed. Fortunately for us, Musee Montmartre was open.

The vineyards of Montmartre

We also visited the small cemetery of Saint Vincent.
Tomorrow, Mom heads back to California and I'm on my own for a few days again.