10/27/08

Studio Update


Check out the Red Velvet Art blog for the details on this picture as well as a few tips on keeping your work space a happy place.

Also, if you haven't already heard the exciting news, Elsie is teaching a six week online class to help you with all those Christmas presents you plan on making this year. The class starts November 10th and slots are limited so grab one while you can!
We're getting ready for kit shipping and family visits this week. The November kit from Red Velvet Kit Club is one of my favorites this year because it is heavy on embellishments. A few vintage items mixed in with the handmade and outdoor-themed paper from Cosmo Cricket make this month's kit uniquely fall-ish.


The weather has turned frigid today and we're expecting to have the first freeze tonight so we've put our flannel sheets on the beds and plan on sleeping in our socks. I like to wonder what life was like before central heating for those of us without fire places. My dad will be proud to know his energy saving habits have infiltrated our minds. We keep the heat at 68 degrees unless we're miserable and otherwise walk around the house with thick socks, house shoes, long sleeves, sweaters and sometimes a scarf. Of course, our drafty old house drops back to 54* as soon as the heat shuts off.

I tell myself its worth a low bill. I tell myself that at least five times a day. Hot coffee helps and when appendages start to turn blue we bump it up to 69*.

15 comments:

Mandi Johnson said...

that lamp is so super cute. Awesome idea! Annnnnd I better go bring my plants inside! I always forget about them, then they almost die, then I spend a lot of time and trouble trying to revive them. They were my grandma's, and then she passed away, and I feel like it's my responsibility to keep them alive.
:)
so thanks for the reminder!

Bianca said...

i love your light!!! you're sooo creative. yes, i heard about the online calss!! so very exciting!:D

Sara said...

I totally understand. We keep our house at 60-62 (unless we're freezing). Our house is 108 years old which is ancient for Oklahoma, so I understand the draft issue.

I have a huge issue keeping my 4 kids in socks and shoes when it's cold. I don't know how they do it.

My right hand turns frigid when I use my mouse and a cup of coffee is my only saving grace.

Stay warm.

Paz said...

Oh I already know that I want the new kit:) That sneak peek look wonderful:)

Love that lamp!!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE your lamp revamp Rachel :) And judging by your photos on Flickr, your quilt looks YUM too!

Wish I had the $ for a RVA kit cos it looks especially gorgeous this month, but I have signed up for Elsie's class and paid for your third art journaling class and with our currency plummeting against yours this week (Australian dollar is sitting at around 60c US *gasp*), I am up for a small fortune lol! But it's all worth it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your classes, but I seriously need to catch up, and Elsie's will be ultra-fab too. You girls are the best inspiration ever :)

I hear you on the heat/draft issues! The house we used to own was nasty for insulation and heating ie. it had NONE at all. Thankfully we are out of it now, but I remember winters with our babies dressed in three fleecy jumpsuits, plus a baby sleeping bag. I used to wear winter jarmies with two fleecy tracksuits on top, 2pr socks, a beanie on my head, and wrap up in my sleeping bag at night on the lounge chair in the middle of winter. Whatever the temp was outside, it was the same inside. SO not fun. That's why I love summer so much now :)

Sorry for the long comment - memories :)

Karen xx

smauge said...

it's so funny to hear you talk of socks and fires - here Spring is starting to ramp up as another hot summer aproaches. Can't wait for some beach weather!!

Unknown said...

I do love the fall, even if it means a little extra bundling. It also means extra snuggling. :-)

Sarah said...

Rach, my house is also 90 years old and instantly freezez when the heat kicks off. I have 3 things that save my appendages. I have a warmer on my bed...I set it on high about a half hour before I get into bed and then turn it to like 3 when I sleep...NEXT, I have a heating blanket, set on High all the time. and lastly...my little space heater. All cheaper that cranking my heat! (oh, and I have those heat packs that we made at RV weekend.)

Anonymous said...

Oh, I feel like a wuss. It was 72 when I checked the thermostat in the office this morning and I had to bump it up to 76 for good measure. Oh, us wussy southern Californian.

OpaqueSkies said...

my husband studies energy efficiency as a hobby. he is drafting plans for our energy efficient dreamhouse. the first update we made to our current home was new energy efficient doors. there is actually a community organization that has formed to make the city more informed if you are interested. the first step is talks, and then a survey will go out next.

anywho. last night I was home for like 3 hours before I realized he had the temp at 63. :) we added like two degrees. eventually my body adjusts. at night I love our down comforter.

Christy said...

I about fell out of my chair laughing when I read about your thermostat control...have you been reading my mind?! That is exactly how it is here. After a while at computer you just have to have a cup of coffee to defrost. My kids actually get too hot at their grandparents balmy 72* house!

Carrie Nicole said...

Giggles! I have a lone baseboard heater for my house, just haven't gotten around to doing up the heating since I bought the house 3 years ago. I know, crazy! I live in Washington state so it can get several kinds of cold during the long, wet winter. This year, I screwed my head back on tight and have a fireplace insert coming!

Stay warm!!

nancy said...

I feel your pain on the freezing. I try to keep the thermostat at 65 or less this time of year, and every day my nose is red because it gets so chilly in here! I can't really cover that part of my body, unfortunately...

Alexandra said...

Love your blog Rachel :-) Hope You are keeping warm! We have no heating at the moment so im carrying a hotwater bottle round with me!

Alex

Sarah said...

Up in New England we keep our heat around 64... and 60 at night (In a 120 year old house)...my husband still hates flannel sheet because he gets too warm! We must be a different breed up here!