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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Taking Steps to Making Steps...

 First of all, Tessie informed me that she did not intend to climb over a foot to get from the pit to the stairs and fireplace.  So...I made a step

I used the end of the piece that I cut out for the pit. Perfect fit.

Then I added a half inch scored strip and a brace for the back.
Next, she informed me,  "The bench seating is way too hard!  I need padding.  I'm delicate."

I tried hard not to let her see me laughing...That was difficult.  More so than making a pattern for the seating.

I took a couple of sheets of computer paper and joined them together with my snazzy new cellophane tape.  Thanks to Dollar Tree.  Two rolls for a dollar.  I put three strips on the front and one across the back where I knew that I would be cutting.

Then I laid the larger sheet across the area that needed to be padded.  I traced the ends and then ran my finger along the edge of the seating area to make a crease.  That is more accurate than trying to trace it with a pencil.
I cut it out and tried it on for size.  It worked.

Now for the stairs. I had to scale them down some from the original.  That is, the length of the staircase is shorter, but I did manage to get it in after the third try.

We won't talk about the first one where I started at the bottom and worked my way up....Wrong bottom.  That piece goes all the way to the floor of the box for stability.

You can't see it in the photo, but the wall is two thicknesses of foam core above the floor where the bookcases will go.  That is also for stability. It hangs over the lip of the floor.

After that, I went back and drew a line where the top of the pit meets the base and the top of the stairs meets the next floor.

I am undecided.  The photo of the real one shows a turn at the top and the last step is actually facing the rest of the room...  A chunk is cut out of the floor for the last step. I drew it both ways and will see which looks best when I get some of the pieces cut.  Either way, there will be a wall about where Spike is sitting.  It is six of one and half a dozen of the other.  I will just have to wait and see which I like best...

Have you noticed a change in attitude with Tessie?  Yup.  She wants it. 

I am thinking that it would better suit Zar.  He is the one with all the books and interest in computers and other gadgets.  Speaking of Zar....Has anybody seen him since yesterday? He seems to have disappeared again...I do hope that Tessie isn't up to her old tricks.

Just because he is missing, doesn't mean that he is not eligible for ownership.  "Did you hear that Tessie?  Tessie?  Where are you?"

Maybe she went to let Zar out of the closet.  I should go look.

See you tomorrow.

5 comments:

Giac said...

Hi Casey,
The structure is looking good. I cannot wait to see the staircase installed.
Big hug,
Giac

Lené said...

I love what you are doing with the cabinet. It is challenging to fit a sensible design into an abstract shape. And don't tell Tessie, but I'm hoping that Zar gets to move in! She doesn't seem to stay still long enough to enjoy the beautiful lines of the design hehehe.

Deni said...

mm I need some help on how to make staircases so this will be a learning curve for me!
looking good so far!!!

Caseymini said...

Deni, this is by no means a conventional method of making steps, but it works. I hope it helps.

Deni said...

I work unconventionaly any way,, Casey so Im all ears! lol