Feathering the Nest

[BeHea1thy]

If we think about our homes as our "nest", a protected, safe place to live, regroup, retreat, power up, it makes sense to me that efforts to make it better are always welcome. I thought it might be relevant to see if there's any interest in claiming the ways we do this. So, I'll start.

The Goal: a permanent good looking window treatment for better sleep in a very dark room.
The Solution: a blackout "shade" covered by a moveable curtain/drape.
Procrastination time: 2 years

Tools: Electric drill and bits, screwdriver, retractable tape measure, rigid rulers, thin pine "furring strips", fabric, scissors, iron, pen/pencil, screws, staple gun, staples, pliers, transverse curtain rod. micrometer, step stool, push pins,

June appears to me the month in which I'm taking new risks and learning new things. Despite having some robust inherited engineering capabilities, I still hyperventilate when faced with new tasks. But ONWARD!

I picked up an expensive traverse curtain rod for $1 and it all snowballed from there. In order to change it from a center "draw" to a left hand "draw" which means the entire curtain retracts and stacks up on the left, I spent two days figuring that out. A phone call to rod manufacturer helped with a printed instruction sheet. From there, I adapted, used spatial reasoning, with a tiny bit of common sense.

The next issue, how to sew polyester blackout fabric without making permanent wrinkles. Can't be done. Having an ironing board helps after the fact.

Third issue, hidden lurking metal corner brackets under drywall plaster. Yep, found them. Next task matching depth of drywall plastic to appropriate screws. I have quite a collection saved over 25 years of home repairs, packet inserts, whatever. Whew, about 8 found, all matched.

Fourth issue, measuring correctly. 3 out of 4 good enough.

Fifth issue, sewing. Note to self, do not use a Microtex needle on blackout fabric since it caused the bobbin to skip and the machine to make "funny noises". A regular Schmetz #14 will do.

At this point, I've finished all four sides of the blackout "shade", hung to check for size, left up over night. Took down this morning, recut and rehung. That's when I discovered the length was off. No matter for now. I'll try again tomorrow.   

Question to group members: How are you feathering your nest this month?
Is it a long time coming, or spur of the moment?

[SharpAndBlunt]

Hi BeHea1thy!

I think this is a great topic! It sounds like you've done a great job on this blackout, giving it plenty of consideration and planning! Since moving in to my flat about 18 months ago I've done quite a lot. For my own blackout I just bought a cheap pair of curtains that more or less fit! They're doing the job pretty well.

Currently on my mind is insulating the loft (I am on the top floor). I will have to tidy it first, measure up then buy and transport the insulating material. I'll need a mask and gloves when I come to fit it, though I don't think this stuff is as bad as it used to be. It will make a diference in winter in particular so I want to get it done before then. It'll help with heating costs and just overall comfort, I hope, due to not as much heat escaping through the ceiling. The insulation that's up there just now is pretty inadequate.

Procrastination time, probably since before last winter, so say nine months to a year, but to be fair I did do other things like new carpets, painting.

I'm lucky that I find doing things around the house usually makes me feel better, so I get double benefit when I do.

Congratulations on your blackout shade and all the hurdles overcome (the brackets under the plaster sounds like a pain.. ). You're nearly there by the sounds of it.

SaB

[Kizzie]

Awesome thread BeHeal1hy, especially the procrastination time leading up to feathering one's nest    Congrats on sticking to your feathering, I've personally learned over the years there is no small task when it comes to something requiring measuring and a drill. 

I finally did touch up painting to the little nicks and scratches on the walls and doors around the house. To be fair it's b/c we've listed our house but it felt great to finally get to it (procrastination time was well about 2 yrs also). Time involved in this feathering was 1-1/2 hrs from getting out the paint to painting and cleaning up.  No drill, no measuring so easy peasy (which begs the question why did I wait so long?!  )

Hope the insulating goes well S&B!   

[Not Alone]

BeHea1thy & SaB:

Those are big projects.  Every day functioning is hard, so little areas of the house have been piling up with stuff. Your post encouraged me to take care of one little corner that has been on my mind to clean. I got rid of the pile of clothes (donated) and recycled the empty boxes. Small task, but helping my "nest" to feel more comforting.

[Not Alone]

If we think about our homes as our "nest", a protected, safe place to live, regroup, retreat, power up, it makes sense to me that efforts to make it better are always welcome. I thought it might be relevant to see if there's any interest in claiming the ways we do this.

Question to group members: How are you feathering your nest this month?
Is it a long time coming, or spur of the moment?

This post has been on my mind. The idea of working on my safe place, my nest, is motivating. In general I feel overwhelmed, so cleaning has gone way down on my "to-do" list. Today I was able to work on one area that has been bothering me. I cleaned shelves next to my bed. Felt overwhelmed when I looked at the next area to be cleaned, so I'll leave it for another day.

Thanks, BeHea1thy, for the original post. It has helped me.

[Kizzie]

      

[Blueberry]

In general I feel overwhelmed, so cleaning has gone way down on my "to-do" list. Today I was able to work on one area that has been bothering me. I cleaned shelves next to my bed. Felt overwhelmed when I looked at the next area to be cleaned, so I'll leave it for another day.

I so get that notalone. It's very similar for me with feeling overwhelmed. So I just want to say    to you for managing the shelves next to your bed! And then leaving the rest for another day. Way to go! 

[Not Alone]

Thanks, Blueberry.

[Blueberry]

I'm doing some nest-cleaning atm In my case it's certainly necessary before any nest-feathering can take place. I tend to do summer cleaning rather than spring cleaning. 

[Three Roses]

Today I'm going to try to tackle some house cleaning I've been ignoring - windows, mopping, etc. 

[SharpAndBlunt]

I replaced a picture I put up when I moved in. It was starting to bother me, it represented something to me then that I don't necessarily feel now.

I print them out at work and use cheap frames so fortunately it's easy for me to do.

I replaced this one (that was dark) with something a bit brighter.

[sunflower38]

Today I finally cleaned off my balcony and said goodbye to some of my dead plants that weren't able to make it through the summer heat. I even felt so motivated that I cleaned my whole apartment, my cat and I are now enjoying a nice and clean space