So we just did a crazy thing. We decided to buy a new house!! After 13 years of living in the same home, we started thinking about how we could expand my studio space – because thanks to all of you – I’ve outgrown my current situation. So my husband Jason and I sat down and started planning out whether to renovate our current home, rent out a separate office/studio space, or just buy a bigger home.
(Scroll to the end for links to all of the posts I wrote about our moving journey)
This will be our new home very soon, if all goes according to plan.
Being the former CPA that he is, Jason was able to crunch the numbers and realize it made more sense to find a bigger used home in great condition. The perfect place for us would ideally be not too far from our current home, since we love the area and we have established roots here.
So we thought it would take a while to find exactly what we needed, and I was worried about the timing. Next year starts getting really busy for me in the spring and summer, which are usually the most popular times of the year to move. But low and behold, a few days after we started looking, we found the exact floor plan we were looking for at a price we could afford, and it’s ready for immediate move-in.
The sleek modern cabinets, wide open spaces, and gorgeous kitchen really sold us on this house.
Now to start making some cozy quilts to match…..
The best part is that this house is just a few minutes away from our current home, and (super important for our kids) in the same church community where we’ve spent years developing friendships. And to make it even more perfect, it’s on the same street as one of my daughter’s really good friends. So this really seems to be another case of the universe leading me where I need to go. (I love it when that happens!)
So here’s where the timing gets super interesting. Although this particular home had been on the market for several months with no offers, once we quickly decided it was “the one,” it seemed as if everyone else wanted to buy it, too! The day we decided to put an offer on the house, we were notified that there were already two other offers and they weren’t accepting any more after the end of THAT day. Oh no… but this is OUR home we thought!!
I love open floor plans with lots natural light.
Decorating this space is going to be so much fun!
As luck would have it, we were able to get a quick pre-approval from the bank, and thanks to the excellent (and quick) work of our realtor friend, we were able to make a strategic offer that was below the asking price, but still the highest offer on the table. If we had waited one extra day to decide… we would have lost out on it!
Image from Ikea – not my home, though I wish!!
I imagine this cheerful Ikea couch would look so fun in my new home.
Or maybe one in teal, or navy, or seafoam…. it will be fun to decide!
So now, we need to get ready to move! Of course there’s paperwork to finalize and there’s always the chance that something could fall through. But I’m an optimist and prefer to think about what could go right and the steps I need to take to make it happen.
Here’s my friend’s dining room, who recently purchased the exact same home. I love the accent walls and want to achieve the same look, but with more of a modern vibe.
Now the plan is to measure all of the rooms, budget out some improvements, and begin the moving process while still living in our current home.
In order to avoid the horrors of having to temporarily move to a smaller rental, or even worse, trying to move an entire household AND business in one weekend, we are going to move a little bit at a time over a few weeks so as to avoid any major disruptions with our business. After all, if we don’t work, we don’t eat – one of the “joys” of being self-employed! 🙂
This will be my new sewing studio. The camera angle makes it look long and skinny, but it’s more of a square. I imagine built-in cabinets along the left wall, my sewing table under the window, and a humongous design wall along the right wall (which needs to be repainted first).
And here’s another fortunate miracle of timing: after being busy with deadlines, projects and travel non-stop for the last 4 years, I actually have a bit of a breather over the next few months.
My next book deadline isn’t until later next year, I don’t have any sewing deadlines until fabric samples arrive in the spring, and my next teaching event isn’t until QuiltCon in February. So rather than sewing in December and January, I’ll be “piecing” together my new creative space!
This is the view from the opposite end of the sewing room. The corner nook would be perfect for more built in shelving, with a cozy chair for hand-work or reading. The guest room is nearby with a large walk-in closet for extra storage and my husband gets a larger office, too.
I’m excited to document this process in real time, and hope you’ll indulge me as I focus a little bit more on home-making and a little bit less on quilt-making.
But don’t worry, I’m still planning to host our next quilt along in January, but with a slightly later start date. Fortunately the quilt along steps have already been sewn and photographed, so you all can sew-along, while I’m setting up my new workspace. I’ll approach this new venture like any other large project: one step at a time!
The backyard isn’t very big since the house footprint takes up most of the land. But I love the low- maintenance landscaping, and there’s still plenty of room to spray baste my quilts.
Stay tuned for the next part of my new-home adventure. I can’t wait for the journey!
Updated 2019 – Click each of the links below to read about hour new home.
Christa Quilts 
I’m happy for you. Though I know the actual move will be a lot of work it sounds like you’ll be much happier in the long run.
Congratulations, Christa! That’s exciting and wonderful news for you and your family! Best wishes on a smooth transition and can’t wait to see more as you get settled in!
Congratulation Christa, what a beautiful home!
Congrats! How wonderful to find what you were looking for. Blessings on your new adventure.
There is an old fashioned word that I love–Serendipity! (I graduated high school in ’69 so am a child of the 60s, the Viet Nam war (my husband served there), and “if it feels good, do it” (not good advice by the way!) Anyway, we just moved from CO to FL a year and a half ago. Believe me when I say, it is a lot easier to move when you are young! We are blessed to have two sons who helped us immensely (youngest moved both of our cars and oldest drove up with his trailer to haul valuables and rented a storage unit for us…also managed the construction of our home one house away from theirs!). When my husband retired from the Air Force in ’99, I swore I’d never move again after moving 23 times. However, the lure of the grandchildren was strong. Our eldest son is still in the Air Force but will retire here next year. As soon as that decision was made, we jumped on it. We definitely had serendipity (I believe it was God’s will actually) and everything just fell into place. At our age, after having been in two serious car accidents and both of us having spinal fusions (how romantic!), it wasn’t easy. I hope this home will be all that you hope for and that you’ll live there happily ever after! Your quilt studio is wonderful!
A new home with a studio! How lovely. I do miss my studio, so will look forward to seeing your come together. Thanks for sharing & take care.
Congratulations on your new adventure. I try to spray baste outside also. Even though it was only in the low forty’s this week in Iowa. That was warm. I have a overhang porch in our backyard and I take a long 1 x 2 and clamp the batting to it. Then I take clamps and attach it to the supports on the porch. Then I can spray both sides at once. Wind was clam on that day thank heavens.
So glad you are sharing your good news with all. Wishing you and your family the Best of
everything. Merry Christmas.
What a great Christmas present! We downsized a little over a year ago and moved into the apartment in stages. Sometimes it felt sisyphean, that there was almost always one more thing to do, but it did work. Good luck with it all and glad you have some breathing time to make it work!
Good luck with your new home and move enjoy the excitement of change. It looks wonderful !
Congratulations on the new home and studio. I am anxious to see your progress.
Congrats to you and Jason and the kids. And it all falling into place makes the whole move sound fabulous!! The house looks TERRIFIC, best of luck with the planning, the packing, the moving, the excitement….and a Merry Christmas 🎄
Congratulation and Merry Christmas!
Congratulations on your new home! I’m envious of all the light and space and openness!! I look forward to seeing this ‘work in progress’ as you make it your own!!
I’m very happy for you. I, too, hope it works out for you. I think it was meant to be.
How exciting! A new, larger home in the same area – you certainly got lucky! Congratulations!
Very exciting news. I’m so happy for you and your family. Sounds like all the stars aligned with perfect timing. This is meant to be. Congratulations.
To be able to start with a blank slate -priceless! I bet your head is spinning at the possibilities! Mine would be! Looks great and pray that it all works out.
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Congratulations! This is all so exciting. Happy Christmas.
Wonderful news! I love when everything aligns like has happened for you. I know you will love making this house your home and will enjoy seeing it documented here.
So, SO excited for you! Keep the pictures coming….
Fate shines on those who prepare! May the move infuse you with a new wave of creativity!
Congratulations! Oh, I so envy you!!! I’m trying to talk the hubster into moving just for a better layout/floorplan, too. Will be following along to watch your progress in making the new spaces your own!
I’m so happy for you. I love the look of your home and I believe that God had this house planned for your family. It will look great with your modern quilts.
Congratulation! I think your quilting studio is bigger than my apt. Just be sure to keep organized and know what is put in each box. It is so great to be near the same community of church and schools. Best wishes for a smooth move.
Congratulations on the new house & studio! Looks like it is going to be awesome!! Keep us posted.
Congrats on your new home and more studio space! We lived in one home for 19 years, then moved 4 miles to stay with the same schools, friends, and community. 24 years later, we are still happy with our move! Have fun setting up the new home and office!!
I just picked up and moved from Oregon to Nebraska (!) really happy with my decision~change can be good! Moving is a great time to get rid of stuff (lies we tell ourselves?) Good luck! Looks like it was meant to be!
I am thinking it will be so much fun to follow along your moving journey and we will all learn so much about the decorating process and watching you create your new studio will be great!! New adventures are wonderful for all of us…
Congratulations Christa!!!
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Congratulations on your new home! I love coincidences – did you notice you posted this on December 13th and you have been in your old home for 13 years!
Love the house and excited for you and your new creative space!
Can’t wait to watch you settle in and mKe your personal mark on your new home. Congratulations on getting the home you wanted.
Congratulations! I look forward to watching your progress!
What an exciting time! Yikes it is a large job, but little by little it seems to all work out! We look forward to the finished project. Best wishes and Merry Christmas.
Congratulations! I love when it all falls in place and you find the perfect house with everything you wanted. Plus the timing of your schedule. Sweet. So glad you are doing so well. Love your work.
Good luck with your new venture. I love your quilt designs and your tutorials are the best. God bless and have a blessed Christmas!
Fantastic news, Christa! I can’t wait to see your new sewing space once you’ve settled in!
Wow, how exciting! I’m very happy for you, and I hope it all works out!
Congratulations on having everything work out and I envision you settling into your new home comfortably!