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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Works in Progress

With this awful hot weather and lack of rain I haven't had a lot of gardening to do lately, so I've been working on some things indoors.

My big, horrible project is painting the last room in the basement.  When I say "room," don't get the idea that we have some kind of lovely finished basement.  Not at all.  We have a basement that serves strictly as a laundry room, storage, and my old darkroom (that I haven't used in years).  A basement with 100-plus-year-old stone and brick walls.  The walls need to be coated occasionally to help prevent the mortar from crumbling.  I have finally, after eighteen years in this house, gotten up the motivation to finish the final section.

The first step was decluttering.  I took apart an entire home gym, hauled it to my car, and had both the Salvation Army and the junk shop reject it.  Luckily, the metal scavengers took it from the curb.  I also emptied the husband's computer accessory closet -- 20-year-old software boxes (many empty), manuals for printers that are long gone, textbooks for software that is several generations outdated.  Then on to the fun part.  


And by fun part, I mean drudgery.  This job involves a LOT of shop vac use, wire brushing, more shop vac, filling small cracks and holes, more shop vac, painting with thick, gunky, stinky waterproofing paint - which seems to be the best thing for solidifying the mortar - and, for good measure, another round with the shop vac.  It is a slow project, partly because I work on it for a day or two and then take a couple of days off, but also because it all has to be brushed on by hand in order to cover the rough, pitted stones.  I don't have the words to describe just how yucky this job is, but I think the brand name of the paint -- UGL -- kind of sums up how I feel about it.


This is what I'm dealing with.
Coming along -- s l o w l y.
To take my mind off the horrors of DryLok, I have also been crocheting more squares from 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans by Jan Eaton.  The three newest squares are  Victorian Lace (#92, two hook difficulty), Kingcup (#95, three hook), and Spinner (#89, two hook).  I'm really liking the brighter colors in the last two squares.




I also began working on the shawlette I am making with the Alpandina yarn I received from the yarn swap I wrote about in June.  I still have a little ways to go before I get into the lace portion, but I like it so far.  The yarn feels fabulously soft. I am going a bit slow on this because every once in a while my center line gets off by a stitch and it has to be unworked.  I don't notice the problem for a while, so this usually involves taking out one to two complete rows. Confession:  I lack the confidence to undo my knitting mistakes if it's more than a couple of stitches, so I have to wait for my daughter to come home for a visit.  I'm sure she thinks I am incompetent, but she kindly fixes things so that I can continue.

Looks a little like a stingray.

23 comments:

  1. Oh my, you really seem to have your hands full with your basement project, but take solace in knowing that when you have painted the last drop on the walls, the finished product will be so worth it!

    Your crocheted squares are looking quite lovely! And I'm excited to see your knitted shawl with the Alpandina yarn. Is the pattern available online? My goal is to one day knit a small shawl for myself - that is my reason for learning to knit in the first place. I haven't gotten there yet, but perhaps soon. :-)

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  2. Well, YOU have been a busy gal. We redid a basement like that once and it was a LOT Of work...but so worth it in the end.

    Love your crocheted pieces. I have never learned to do that art! zo Diana

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  3. What a project. And to think you had to clear the room before you could start. Does every house have home gym equipment (never used) and old computers (there's got to be something on these so I won't throw them out). And to think you had to haul that stuff around in your car trying to off-load it only to find you could have just left it on the curb. What a horrid project to do in all that heat. Mind you, I wouldn't mind a few hot, dry days. We're freezing here and it's so we and miserable xx

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  4. Your squares are beautiful! I especially love the colors in the last one. About your shawl, I'm sorry if you already know this because I don't mean to offend, you can put a stitch marker on each side of the middle stitch and then you don't have to worry about it moving. It makes it a lot easier. Just increase before and after the stitch markers.

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    1. The sad thing is that I used a stitch marker and still goofed it up! My daughter took out the marker when she undid my row.

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  5. Lovely crocheting squares. Can't wait to see the finish product.

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  6. I had a basement like that once...dark and dreary...ugh is right. but it looks so much better now...all bright and white. and my mistakes are why I usually prefer crochet to knitting, so much easier to rip out. the shawl is looking great!
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrowcreations

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  7. Someone's got to do the job, right? You are just like mom, she's the fixer and handyman of her home. My dad is as removed as they come. But then, she gets to do it her way, and he's happy with the outcome.

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  8. That looks like a fun job....not!! I'm sure it will be worth it. The middle square is my favourite

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  9. Well done for persevering though it, one of those jobs that are worth it when they're done :) Love the middle square too, I have that book too, must try some new things. x

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  10. Wow, your basement looks like a huge job! It feels good to finish tough jobs, huh....

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  11. I hate to even paint a room with a roller. I can't imagine having to brush that much. Ick!!! But on the bright side, it looks good and you won't have to redo for awhile.

    Love the last square!!! The colors are awesome!

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  12. that sounds terrible! can't wait to see the finished product.

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  13. Good luck with your basement! The hot weather is a good excuse to get progress done on some indoor projects like that. Your quilt squares are beautiful. I love your colorful, fun designs.

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  14. I must say that I love your little squares project much better than the painting project. I really hate painting! I always promise my husband that I'll help him, then I end up ditching him within hours.

    I'll craft all day if you let me!

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  15. Oh gosh good for you for getting on with your basement project! It's looks mucky and hard work but it will be worth it :) Your crochet squares are all lovely especially the kingcup one - I'll have to look that up in my book. Beautiful yarn for your shawlette - it's going to be lovely :) Maggie xx

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  16. Your crochet project looks like a lot more fun than the basement painting, but aren't you glad to have it done and to be rid of all the junk.

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  17. Oh man! That is a big paint job, but you did pretty good. I painted a cinder block fence once. Your job is a lot tougher than what I did and I know I'll never do that again!

    I love your crochet projects! Lovely work! I can't wait to see the finished projects.

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  18. It looks great - even if it was a yucky job - the results are wonderful!

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  19. Oh my, what a project! For once, I'm happy not to have a basement. Although my garage could use some cosmetic love.

    Cute crochet squares! Are you attempting all 200 designs?

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  20. Wow! U are a champ, darling! GO for it! :) (the remark about the painting brand was hillarious!) xoxo

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  21. Oh my gosh I am so impressed...what a great job on that basement wall. You are a better woman than I because I would not have even attempted it!

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  22. We have issues with crumbling walls and water in our basement, too, but have not yet begun to address the problem. So this post is of great help to me as I know what product to consider purchasing. Thank you.

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