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Jul

28

The Teardrop Chronicles #3: Poly, paw prints, paint and plywood

camping / do it yourself / small space / summer / teardrop trailer / travel / Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments
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Correction to the correction: Frank Aspinall constructed the trailer chassis (“Give credit where credit is due, Laura”). Concern was also expressed regarding the placement of the correction at the bottom of my last post. Thus, I am placing the correction to the correction at the top this week. More corrections to come, I feel certain.

Another exciting week of progress! Here’s my weekly report out:

Monday

Deviated slightly from the directions today and started work on the interior cabinetry. The kit directions suggest installing the spars that run across the ceiling next, but we decided it would be best to get the cabinets up first (less chance of head bonking- still managed a few though). A few wee measuring issues that were quickly rectified and we had the frame installed. Then measuring for the hinges, partitions and top and bottom of the cabinet.

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A visit to Mead Clark for materials for constructing the roll out shelf that will be under the cabinet and we called it quits. Until the sun went down and then I began my polyurethane marathon. That night was only the cabinet frame and top and bottom, but there would be plenty more as week continued.

Tuesday

Frank worked tirelessly on putting the finishing touches on the cabinetry at home in his workshop. I have no pictures to prove this assertion this, but he assures me this was the case…..I did pick up from his house later in the day the cabinet doors and top and bottom so  I could continue me poly-fest.

Wednesday

Frank installed the cabinet doors, finalizing the hinges. I trimmed down the veneer that my dad had ironed on to the edges of the cabinet doors and partitions. We then measured to cut notches in the corner of the partitions so they will fit in the cabinet frame- my dad took these home to cut.

And more  polyurethane. Additional coats on the cabinet doors, cabinet top and bottom, and then the birch ply for the ceiling. And  painting the roll out shelf. Poly as far as the eye could see- I truly ran out of floor space. And just as I thought I was done I watched a small brown and white dog casually stroll right across the middle of the freshly poly-ed plywood. Thank you kind sir.

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Thursday

Today we measured and cut the baltic birch plywood we picked up last week to fit the ceiling. This involved the use of many clamps, one of my dad’s faaaaaaavorite things.

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Next was probably the most annoying part of our project we have yet to encounter. The roll out shelf. Sounds like not a big deal. That’s what we thought; but getting that thing situated so that it was square to the interior walls turned out to be ridiculously finicky and frustrating. Swear words were uttered. Wall paper was dinged. Shims were employed. And after the fourth or fifth go round it was done.

The partitions for the cabinets, the doors, and the top and bottom were installed and finally the interior cabinetry was complete.

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Friday

Besides being stinking hot, Friday was a vast improvement on Thursday. We started by building the frame for the fan and then cutting all the spars to length.

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Then it was time to install the ceiling, something I had much trepidation about. If you look back to Teardrop Chronicles #1 you can see in the pictures that the sidewalls each have a groove about two inches down from the edge. This is where the ceiling gets slotted in. Sounds a little easier than it actually is, particularly as one is wielding a 5′ x 5′ sheet of ply. We had partially installed the spars and tightened them down as we got the ceiling it, this turned out to be a good strategy. And apart from cutting the second piece about 5 inches too short, we did a pretty good job. Fortunately this can be fixed by adding another small piece and won’t be visible once the mattress is in place.

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Mind the gap…

 

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You’ll note the center opening is larger than the cupboards. This is intentional and will accommodate two chihuahuas and their dog bed.

 

 

Jul

12

The Teardrop Chronicles #1: Read the directions once, cut twice (maybe three times)

camping / do it yourself / teardrop trailer / Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments
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I know. Make Room….What is that again? Its been a long long time since I’ve visited this place. I guess you could say I took a little inspiration hiatus, lost my creative way for a minute.  If I’m truly honest, it’s been a hard year. Struggles with anxiety and depression took much of my energy and things I normally love became heavy, weighted chores. Things as simple as deciding on what to eat for dinner, feeding the dogs and chickens, and getting the mail, became major accomplishments. Work. Sleep. Eat. That was about it for quite awhile there. So blogging was certainly not on the table. I’d like to say I’m back, 100%, totally myself, but that is not the truth. I’m working on it though, and I feel very optimistic (this alone is a major turn of events). I learned a few things along my journey too, or perhaps was reminded is more accurate; I have amazing family and friends. People that love me no matter what, would do just about anything for me, people that value you me, that are willing to do the heavy lifting when I can’t. A few months ago I would have said I’m lucky to have these people, now I’d say I’m worth it.

Alright, enough of that. Let’s get on to more interesting things. No, The Teardrop Chronicles is not the diary of my return to mental health. It is actually a far more exciting project: the building of my very own (okay, and Bryan’s) Teardrop Trailer! Avid Make Room fans may remember last summer we rented one and I threatened to coerce Frank Aspinall into building me one. Well, we compromised. I purchased a kit and we are building it together. After months of discussion, internet research and shopping, yesterday was day one of construction. All in all it went very well with only two issues (one minor, one major):

1. We overlooked in the directions the finish dimension of the trailer floor, so that after we had it all assembled it has to be cut down a 1/4 of an inch on each side. Then, this morning, I received a call that went a little like, “Laura, I had a nightmare last night”. In a nutshell after a night of numbers running through Frank’s head he had determined that we yet again had the finish dimensions wrong. Another half inch on each side needs to come off. It could be worse though, at least we didn’t cut it too small. Lesson learned: READ THE DIRECTIONS. Over and over and over and over……

2. Far more devastating was the lack of milk for coffee at our 11:00  break. Anyone who has worked with my dad knows that at 11:00 sharp it is break time and coffee (instant) must be served with milk and half a teaspoon of sugar. We soldiered on, but it was touch and go for a minute there…. Bryan is at the store right now purchasing milk in preparation for the coming work week. Once this might be forgiven, but twice, well, that could be the end of me and my teardrop.

Today’s goal was to complete the construction of the floor and then coat the bottom with roofing sealer. Check and check. Monday we will commence with the sidewalls (one day off for the sealer to cure and one day off because Sunday is the World Cup Final-duh). And in the meantime I’ll be reviewing the directions at nauseum.

For those also interested in constructing the Teardrop Trailer of their dreams, here are a few sites I would recommend:

And now, pictures of today’s progress!

 

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Aug

19

Final Days of Summer

do it yourself / garden / home decor / Terrarium / Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments
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Well, this is it, final summer 2013 blog entry. Me and all my teacher friends are headed back to school for the year.  And I am going to try real hard to save a little time to keep doing the things that keep me happy and whole. So with that in mind, here’s a little recap of this week’s happiness.

Monday

I started off the morning helping my friend Bonnie install some trellises in her Mary Garden. Hanging baskets and votives to come, but a pretty good start I’d say.

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Then it was time to finish preparing for my terrarium class at Castaway Yarn Shop! First one ever I’ve taught and it went very well. I do believe there will be more to follow. And a big thank you to Stephanie for being my teaching assistant-it was really fun working with you again! Here’s some photos of my students’ work and the class.

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Thursday

I met up with my friend Teresa who has been teaching herself how to cut wine bottles. Today’s project was wine bottle chandelier’s. We got a good start, some electrical work to go, but nothing that my dad can’t figure out for me, I’m sure.

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Saturday

After picking TWO colanders full of cherry tomatoes, Stephanie and I put together two terrariums for her and then, with much prodding from Stephanie (I was more inclined to take a nap), we attached my staghorn fern to  a board. It hadn’t been doing very well in its mossy basket, so fingers crossed its a little happier now.

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Then it was time to make deviled eggs for tailgating at Sunday’s A’s vs. The Indians game. Baseball isn’t really my thing, but it happens to be the thing of several of my favorite people, so I made my new favorite deviled egg recipe in honor of the occasion.

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Jul

31

Days of Summer # 11

camping / small space / summer / teardrop trailer / Uncategorized  Posted by / 1 comments
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Bryan and I took a few days off to toodle around Sonoma County towing a wee, adorable Tear Drop trailer we rented from Vacations in a Can. It was lovely. We are seasoned tent campers, so this was quite luxurious. I’ve been haranguing Bryan (and my dad- he keeps telling me no, but it doesn’t really sound like a hard and fast no…come on Frank) for some time about building or rehab-ing an old Teardrop, and I think this trip might have sold him. Its light enough to be towed by a car or pull around a campsite by hand, camp set up takes only minutes, no tent or air mattress to deal with, and a sweet little outdoor galley kitchen. Oh, and everyone stops you to tell you how cool your camper is. My favorite comment was a little girl walking by with her dad who said, ‘Dad, why did they bring their washing machine with them?”

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And lots of foggy mornings…..

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…And sunny afternoons.

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Jul

25

Days of Summer #10

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Took a little break to do some mundane chores, some socializing, and maybe a day or two when the most I did was read. Its summer, these things happen. But I”m back people! THIS week I have been on FIRE. Its not surprising, I’ve hit the tipping point-less vacation ahead of me than what’s behind me. This always spawns a frenzy of productivity.

Last week I bought a dresser at a thrift store with wobbly legs and some pretty nasty yellow-brown  varnish. After a lot of sanding, some white wash, three coats of poly, and a little minor leg surgery, I had something not too shabby.

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Today I made ravioli. From scratch. Yup. I know, sounds daunting, but using my sweet ravioli plaque, it was fairly easy. This was a gift from my lovely friend and co-worker, Angela, and I love it. I foresee much ravioli in my future.

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