Is There A Moral To This Story?

After I have lived with the leaded glass windows, and been reassured by such thoughtful and encouraging comments (thank you all!), I decided that I really do like them after all. Well, almost. The stairwell windows, having done them in a completely filled diamond leaded pattern, totally blocked the view to the display shelf and clock hanging that I had worked so hard on. So there was really no choice but to try, try again. Below is the photo I took of the first attempt.

On the second try, I used only a portion of the pattern to create the leaded look at the top only. Here you see the new frames, plastic, lead and inner sandwich frames.

And here they are installed, lights on, display items and clock hanging visible as originally intended. Still imperfect, but much better!

I made a valiant effort to figure out how to cut the 22.5 and 45 degree angles on the crown molding for the top of the kitchen's bay window. A smart person knows her limitations, and so I enlisted the help of a very handsome man. He happens to be my husband, and also happens to be a skilled carpenter. I know! Lucky me! For the price of a rigatoni with sausage dinner, he made the cuts for me, explained that you have to cut crown molding upside down and backwards on your saw to make the angles meet correctly, and explained why my degrees were always off with my saw. Boy I wish he'd catch the mini bug! He'd make an awesome project partner!

I wanted the crown to look substantial, like you see on old buildings. Especially since the bay is going to have a flat roof. It needed some umph, you know? So, before we started making the cuts, I laminated a piece of the Houseworks 3/8" crown molding to a 3/8" x 3/8" piece of basswood.

We used my Miter Rite saw from Micro-Mark, which is perfect when you have to cut odd angles. The issue I was having, as Russ explained, is that the angle guide on the saw does not center at zero. So, you have to add or subtract the degrees from the markings on the sides. No wonder I was having such a hard time! Thanks again honey!

Just look at these gorgeous cuts!

Russ also shared a great tip if you find your saw blade binds up a bit when you're cutting. He took some Tri Flow silicone spray, sprayed a little on a paper towel, then wiped in onto the blade. What a difference it made! The blade did not bind up on the wood, so it was easier to hold in place, and actually made the cuts much smoother. Thanks again honey! BTW... The rigatoni turned out great, and he said he got the better end of the deal! :O)

With that challenge solved, I was able to move on to the bottom half of the bay window. I used the Cricut to cut chipboard frames for each of the three panels. I buy my chipboard through Joann's. I have recently discovered that using the Light Cardboard setting on the Cricut (under Custom materials), plus getting the cutting mat extra sticky with Aleene's Tack It Over And Over, helps to get perfect cuts. I still have to pass the Xacto blade through the cuts a few times, but using the Cricut helps me to do a way better job than I can do on my own.

I cut cardstock backer pieces for each of the panels, then assembled each panel with the leaf and pot embellishments (from Alpha Stamps) before affixing them to the bay window. I also used some wood scraps under the pots this time to add a little more depth. I used Fast Grab Tacky Glue for everything.

I added the lace detail around the sill, and keep filling and painting. Eventually, I'll get all of the gaps filled. I just love the look of the bay window, inside and out, and I can't wait to start filling it with plants and flowers!

So, I guess if there is a moral to this story, it is that things don't always go right the first time. But if you're lucky enough to have encouragement from caring friends, and you're willing to try again, it might just work out in the end. Oh! And it doesn't hurt to ask for help from handsome men! ;O)

Back soon with some roof progress!

xo xo,
Jodi