So we had to take down the old rafters because they were getting rotten along the top and on the ends due to the white tarp disintegrating. We put up new 2 x 6 rafters and 2 x 4 stringers to support the galvanized metal roofing we are putting on now. Since I’m not using it as an art studio anymore, and it is being used for storage, we are not trying to make the roof translucent anymore.
As I was beginning to plan where to put all my shelves in the art studio, I realized I didn’t have enough wall space. I decided to build a wall between the two halves of the studio to give me room for all my hanging shelves. I didn’t like how closed off it felt, however, so I cut a large opening in the wall at eye level to open up the space.
Since that leaves me only half a wall when I needed a whole wall, I’m also putting half a wall between the breeze through and the far section of studio. That will allow me to mount all my shelves and still have a view of the entire studio as well as the horse corral and yard.
I thought I would be done with my studio before Thanksgiving but, as I should have known, projects always take 2 to 4 times longer than expected.
The neighbor behind us used to have sheep in this pasture. Unfortunately the sheep were killed by coyotes and the pasture has been farrow for a few years. I finally got a hold of our neighbor and he said I could use the pasture for our horses.
I built a little gate and let them out into the long grass. They wandered around a while looking bewildered but now they are grazing up close to our back fence. I guess they don’t want to get too far away from home.
I can’t say I blame them. I love being here myself.
I’m so excited I can now move on to the pop out windows which will be in the open triangle spaces below the upper roof. After that I will put in the large triangle windows for the loft area on all four sides of the building.
Working on construction in my life reminds me of sewing a dress one seam each day. The process takes a long time but eventually I end up with a finished product.
This sort of reminds me of the baby steps I take in my life. Moving slowly through life’s lessons I sometimes wonder if I’m making any progress… But looking back on everything I accomplished I realize how much I’ve learned. Realizing that life is a series of baby steps helps me feel happier and more content with the process.
I love working on the details of this fancy little roof. This is never boring.
My sister Cheryl designed this tiny studio in the corner of my backyard.
Yesterday evening we worked in the cool of the late part of the day. We had Ryan helping to place the hurricane ties for the rafters.
The last two nights I’ve had dreams where the 6 tons of hay we bought were being rained on! Makes me feel a great sense of urgency to get the haybarn part finished and the hay in it.
We have the floors and corner posts in the for the haybarn structures and the roof will be going on soon.
I borrowed a friends tractor and had a great time grading our back half acre.
We smoothed out the pasture area and created a nice slope in the new barn area where we will be building this summer. Also, spent some time smoothing out the old garden to extend our grassy back lawn.
The new barn area will have a solid run of packed gravel base and pea gravel on top to keep the horses feet out of the mud this winter. We will also have a hay barn included so that we won’t have to drag the hay on dollys through the rain to the barn!
We are building 12 small structures to make our new barn. Each structure is under 200 ft.² and can stand alone.
I drew so many plans before I finally settled on one. The planning is so fun.
I kind of love projects.
The day was warmer, and Melanie was over, so John and Melanie and I finally put the front door in on the art studio cottage.
Watch video below to see how amazingly it works!
This is an approximation of how Cheryl’s studio will look in the setting of my yard. Cheryl and friends have already gotten the base of the floor done and some of the wall bones up. With the weather being only intermittently dry, she takes the moments as they come and dons her warm fluffy jacket and boots and works till she’s too cold. Then she comes in and warms up before going out again.
To see some preliminary drawings and fun photos, building up to all this, click on the link below:
