Living in Paradise

Yes, we have moved to paradise at least it feels like it!  Lots have happened since my last post in November; I taught in several venues including The Maryland Sheep and Wool in May, a trip to Dorie's in the Netherlands in early June, as well as several times at the wondrous Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Virginia.  When I came home, I retired from my job of 17 years in two weeks later and moved to a really special place, Habersham, in Beaufort, SC.  You can't really explain it, you must experience it! Check out the snow egrets who come to roost here every evening - a special sight to behold!

Moving south has been a dream for us since our youngest daughter relocated to the Hilton Head area after college; every visit made it more appealing.  Never did I think that we would find such a very special community to live in; our cottage met the criteria of downsizing but the location around the corner from the dock that overlooks a creek and the wetlands, two blocks from the pool (hardly anyone there!) which lies alongside the Broad River and another dock complete with pavilion has enriched our lives so much (the golf cart makes it even more fun too!).  There is a gorgeous town center with a few nice restaurant, our own Post Office (there are no mailboxes), the Park House next to the tennis courts to house the various community groups and numerous playgrounds; it doesn't hurt that the speed limit is 18 miles an hour - no racing cars and wonderful lush landscaping that makes this the best place to be able to walk, bike ride (and explore with that golf cart!). When we are more settled, we hope to get a kayak too as there are endless waterways to explore.  We have already made some special friends that we enjoy very much and Habersham is a great place to develop a social life - everyone who lives here, is here because they want to be here and it makes a big difference; and they came from all over the US.  Most found the community by visiting or reading about it and once you come, you understand why you don't want to leave. It also helps to have our littlest grandson  just 1/2 hour away - one straight shot! . .  and a new one on the way in November.  So life is good.

Now on to felting:  part of my criteria was to have a studio, and I do have quite a nice one - I call this, a room with a view as I am able to look out a see East pond at the side of our house (forgot to mention all the lovely ponds around too).  I love looking at my ribbons and I had purchased this gorgeous cotton netting while I was with Dorie at the Textile Market in Amsterdam.  I bought it for felting but I love it so much on my window, I may never use it.

Before we moved in, we added some built-ins to maximize my studio space; this is the view from outside my room from the stairwell - hahaha, had to mark my territory!

I had a wonderful quilting table that is just the right height and it got modified with another leaf to make it large enough for large felt pieces - perfect (I can still lower the leave I need be)

Some more built ins make for a very efficient and functional work room.  Room for my book collection was a MUST!

Originally, I had planned to use the cubbies for my wool; however, I decided to continue to store my wool in plastic drawers as it easy easy to see and keeps it safe and convenient.  I've since rearranged these to the other side of the room and stacked them higher so they take up less space but you get the idea

Four of my seven machines sit on the built in counter with the others stored under it; and the shelf above serves to keep the counter clutter free.

This cottage has four bedrooms - with a jack and jill bathroom between them - perfect access to water for felting and my newest addition makes it even more practical - in love with it for getting out the extra water.

Forgot to mention the pegs and shelf added to the bathroom - always looking for that extra storage!