A word or 3 on laminate cabinet assembly.

 As some of you know, my father and all of my uncles were custom kitchen cabinet builders and furniture makers.  Starting at about age 4, dad would pull out the work bench drawer for me to stand on so I could see what he was building.  You could say I learned by osmosis.

The problem with laminate cabinets is that they are very heavy and made of wood fiber.  So extra precautions are necessary.  If you've ever tried to move something laminate/wood fiber, you know what I mean.

First I opened the directions and laid the pieces out accordingly.  Then the hardware components needed first were poured onto the cardboard.  (The cardboard is there to prevent glue from sticking to the newly cleaned carpet.)

Vertical screws were placed in their proper position and double checked according to the instruction sheet.  After dipping the end in Gorilla Glue I screwed in each one, triple checking as I progressed.

Then the large round locking screws were placed in, but not glued in yet.   Can you see the drilled hole on the edge that leads to the locking screw?  That will receive glue during final assembly.

The plastic dowels were glued on the ends and tapped half way into place with a touch of the hammer.  These were left to dry overnight so everything sets up well.

The next step is to fully assemble the cabinet.  Glue will be placed along the side of each piece being joined, glue will go in the holes that lead to the larger round locking screws.  It will all go together very quickly all at once.  Excess glue then gets wiped from each area.

My long clamps will hold sections together.  It will be set on the cardboard and allowed to dry at least 24 hours.

I'm adding one more piece of real wood on the bottom back of each cabinet for support and so I can use wood screws to firmly attach the 1/4" plywood backing onto the real wood.  I'll tack the perimeter in with short nails that came with the kit.

It does help to have 2 people working on a cabinet, but if you don't it is possible to do it yourself.

Today's beauty contest features Corinne, "The Jumpster".  Isn't she pretty?  In just a 25 days she'll be going to see her new mom and dad in Wilmington, NC.   What a lucky girl!

Until then, keep stitchin'  . . .

Struttin' their stuff

 Some visitors came along today

 evidently dancing to their own tunes.

I bet this is the same group whose momma walked them through my front yard earlier in the summer.  Acorns are starting to drop from the trees and they must be foraging before winter's cold sets in.

 Pumpkin leaves are starting to die off.  I'll harvest the pumpkins right before the first frost.  The rain coming in today will help them grow bigger.

Some of you expressed a desire to see progress in the sewing room.  Sadly, I'm still working on painting cabinet backs.  It's a slow process, as I have so much else going on right now.  Another 1, possibly 2 bunnies have found a home.  Their cage is being finished up and I'm hoping they will go to a new family some time this week.  Oh happy day!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

To be or not to be, that is the question.

There's no need to have read Shakespeare to voice your opinion on this subject . . .

Dolly is rather ambivalent on the matter so I need to ask you, the viewers.

About this old sewing stool with the (ahem) lovely Naugahyde cover.

 The Bunz think I need only 4 coats of Costa Rica Blue exterior grade Glidden paint.

But I believe it's going to take possibly 5 or maybe even 6 coats since it will be knocked around quite a bit.

This is the new accent color for the sewing room.  I wanted something fresh and lively to counteract all the white.

What do you think, 4, 5, or 6?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Happy bunnies

 Do you recall back in April when 5 beautiful babies went off to live at Janet's house in Asheville?

Well just look at this condominium her wonderful husband built.

Have you ever seen happier rabbits?

It makes my heart smile to know they are well cared for.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Updates . . .

 Fall is rolling in with gusto.  Temps of 60 degrees in the morning and evening are beginning to seem normal.

 Pumpkin leaves are dying back showing many more pumpkins than I thought I had.

The babies are growing by leaps and bounds.  This one is my absolute favorite.  (I say that a lot don't I!)

Hazel delivered yet another litter in the doghouse burrow last week and I guarantee this will be the LAST group of babies here at Bunny Hop Farm.

On Sunday I dug up the first batch of taters from the small side patch.  The big patch is covered in pumpkin vines and will require a bit more digging.

Backing boards and shelf are almost done being painted.  Progress is slow, but steady.

Don't forget, Fall Festival at the Folk School is October 4th and 5th.  Bring a jacket and remember to get there very early before the roads get backed up.  It's really best to come up the night before, stay at the Holiday Inn Express, and drive to the folk school by 9 am before they even open. If you need directions via the back roads, just E-mail me.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Happenings . . .

Do you recall this sweet little black bunny, who had a white spot on his nose?  His name is Tipper and he went off yesterday to live with Lyn and Tony on the coast of North Carolina.  They came in to town to visit friends, saw the ad (Thank you Paula) and called to see if they could stop by.

I've never seen a bunny bond with another person so fast.  It was wonderful.  I love knowing that my bunnies are going to such good homes.

Rebecca's babies are also finding new homes.  We just have to get them transported to another town for easier pick-up.

It is hard to see them go, but I'm so thankful they will now be loved by people who have quality time to spend with them and enjoy their sweet and quirky personalities.  Dolly is going to miss them, but I'll have more time to spend with Dolly and that's a win-win situation.

For those of you asking about the sewing room, well I'm still working on the cabinets.  They came with cardboard for the backing, which I'm replacing with 1/4" plywood.  Trying to get 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of durable paint on the plywood is taking a bit of time.

Do you know that Home Depot will cut plywood to size for you?  They have a great vertical saw that is more accurate than a regular tablesaw.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .  

Busy, busy, busy bunnies.

 Hi there, my name is Charlie.  My brother's name is B.J. We look like twins.

Here's my baby picture.  I was once tiny enough to fit in a teacup, but we got extra treats like cabbage so I grew FAST this summer!

Here's my cousin Suzie.  She's very shy.  

And then of course there are my 8-week old cousins who are very, very spoiled babies.

Starting tomorrow we're getting company.  It seems folks are eager to adopt us and take us to distant homes for lots of cuddle time.

We're looking forward to new adventures!

Halloooo, anybody out there?

Yes I know I've been MIA, but things are really "hoppening" around here!

I've totally emptied the sewing room.  Truly!

The carpets got cleaned and I'm doing major remov-ations.  BIG doin's.  

We'll be back with the first installment as soon as I have the new cabinets together. 

Stay tuned and keep on stitchin' . . .