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August 30, 2007
Chris and Simon's Day Job
All of you DIY Blog Cabin fans out there know Chris and Simon as Amy's side-kick contractors, helping her build this amazing Smokey Mountain cabin retreat. I know them however as my contractors, working on one of the most bizarre renovation projects you can imagine! You can visit my blog to read more about the day to day challenges.
As part of the renovation to "Belleaire," we're building a giant 18 x 32 foot screened-in porch! And in the spirit of timber-framers Chris/Simon, we're building it out of solid 10x10 and 8x8 Cedar posts. The porch (which is almost finished) is turning out beautiful.
Click here to see a video on the construction of the porch, hosted by Chris!
Posted by sbrun at 8:57 AM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
August 29, 2007
Behind-the-scenes excursion
As you know our Blog Cabin is situated in Kinzel Springs, just outside of Townsend, TN in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. It’s an area the locals refer to as “the peaceful side of the Smokeys.” Now, if people feel the need to designate an area as being “the peaceful side” the first thing I think of is that somewhere there must be a side that rocks.
All work and no play sucks. So in the name of adventure, expanded perspective, and new t-shirts Chris, Simon and I took off one evening on a pilgrimage to Gatlinburg. I didn’t know much about Gatlinburg before I went, still don’t, but here’s what I discovered:
- The local cuisine is chiefly pancakes and fudge.
- It is a popular honeymoon destination.
- It is a popular vacation destination for the people of Ohio.
- You can see traditional clog dancing on the sidewalk.
- The main drag is good for people watching.
- It hasn’t changed much over the last 20 years.
- It is adjacent to Pigeon Forge (which is a different story.)
- It is the fashion capitol of the world, as you will see from our new t-shirts.
I don’t want to misrepresent the virtues of Gatlinburg, I’m sure there is a lot of mad-Gatlinburg-flavor that I didn’t have time to explore. It should be noted that my experience there was very targeted; we were just there for an evening and we were on a mission for airbrushed t-shirts.
Here’s the story:
It was a warm evening and the sun was going down as we pulled into town on the main drag. We had the car windows rolled down and Simon and Chris were regaling me with an amusing anecdote from their last visit to Gatlinburg that involved a sweet honeymooning couple from Ohio. A car pulled up next to us at a light and, having heard part of the story, asked if we too were from Ohio. They were and they were on vacation. Chris revealed that he was indeed from Ohio, Dayton specifically, and we exchanged pleasantries before the light changed. That’s the kind of friendliness you can expect in Gatlinburg.
After parking the car we set about determining which of the many souvenir t-shirt shops was the one for us. I don’t remember the name, but one seemed to beckon us with its neon signs and glamorous window display. Once inside, we all split off to find blank t-shirts in our size. I was making my way back to the artist’s station when I overheard Chris asking the airbrush lady if she could paint the grim reaper riding a unicorn on his t-shirt. What? Brilliant! Of course I knew instantly that that’s what I wanted too. We all did. In a flash, collectively we understood that no matter what else we tried to think of, nothing could possibly be more glorious and satisfying than a t-shirt emblazoned with the grim reaper riding a unicorn. Hot damn!
But Chris, ever concerned with quality and craftsmanship, wanted to make sure we were entrusting this important composition to a competent artist. Unaware that he was challenging her to a duel he casually asked, “Is your grim reaper pretty scary?”
She stiffened. Without shifting her cold, steely glare from Chris’ eyes she wordlessly drew her weapon, an 8 x 10 portrait of the grim reaper, from beneath the counter and raised it to eye level for Chris’ evaluation.
Chris unflinchingly shot a quick glance at her grim reaper and, satisfied with its fierceness, returned her glare while saying with force and purpose, “That suits me fine.”
Whew. Even though we all gave her complements on the scariness of her reaper, she must’ve still felt a little threatened because she went on to explain that she’s been doing this for 24 years. In fact, she was one of the first 4 airbrush artists in Gatlinburg. She’s not that into skeletons and such but horses are really her thing because she used to board and breed horses a long time ago, back in Florida. But then she was implicated in a horse theft and so she moved to Gatlinburg. Clearly she was more than qualified for the job at hand.
And there you have it. Combine her airbrush prowess with Chris’ inspired vision and Simon’s valiant generosity (he sprung for all the shirts) and you end up with the most awesome outfit on the planet.
It just doesn’t get any classier than this. I feel like a princess.
Posted by adevers at 7:23 PM | Comments (46) | TrackBack
August 23, 2007
Blog Splinterectomy
Posted by adevers at 7:25 PM | Comments (35) | TrackBack
August 16, 2007
Enter the sweeps
Everyone,
Don't forget your chance to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win the Blog Cabin. Also, don't forget to watch starting Aug. 16 at 9 & 9:30 eastern. It will be on every Thursday through Sept. 27.
You can enter daily by clicking here.
Thanks,
Ron Lubke
DIYnetwork.com
Posted by rlubke at 10:01 AM | Comments (56) | TrackBack
Today is the big day!
Hi Everybody,
Now that the cabin is finished, I took off to Italy for a much needed vacation.
Here I am in Rome. The architecture here is a little different than the log homes in TN.
But I’m checking in to remind you that Blog Cabin premieres tonight! Yea! Two new episodes will air back to back each Thursday at 9 and 9:30 pm EDT. Plus, even more importantly, the sweepstakes starts today, double yea!! Be sure to enter yourself to win and don’t forget that you can enter again each day, so make it part of your regular routine. You know, like flossing.
Also, please write in with feedback. I’d love to know what you think of the cabin, the show, me, the contractors, the camera angles, the materials, techniques, the area, the everything. Constructive or complimentary, sing to me please!
In return, I will sing to you. As promised, here are the answers to the questions you’ve blogged about.
Q. 1.Did you guys put tiered stairs off of the balcony to have access to the backyard?(for safety issues and so you wouldn't have to walk all the way around the house)
A. No, it wasn’t the highest priority on the list because the winners will most likely spend most of their time enjoying the back yard from the screened-in porch. All of the outdoor living area is in the front yard. Also, we did landscape in some earthen steps leading down the slope to the storage area under the house, so I feel we covered those bases.
Q. 2. Someone asked me if the cabin comes furnished.
(I'd just be happy being cuddled up asleep on that window seat.)
A. Yes it does, partially. We’ve included the basics like beds, dressers, couches and appliances so you can use it right away. But we were careful not to fill it up with too much stuff because we knew the winner would want to move in plenty of their things in order to make the space their own.
Q. Here is the question that has been haunting me for months..........
Who EXACTLY is "Goldilocks and The Three Lip-Lickin' Bears"?
A. I don’t know exactly but I suspect she’s a nice lady by the name of Hilary Ireland, who is also interested in the Blog Cabin and who is gifted at drawing parallels between her life and the popular children’s tale. I don’t know who the 3 bears are but I’m betting that it’s her family, in any combination of offspring, pets and husbands.
Q. Please induldge us with the cabin name posted out in the front yard (ex. BLOG CABIN or whatever was decided on).
A. I didn’t pick a name yet. In fact, I decided it was so important that, in true Blog Cabin spirit, it should be put to a vote. The poll is up on the DIY Blog Cabin main page. Make sure to vote for your favorite!
Q. Hey Amy! I'm back! With a fourth question! During the month of June we bloggers were brainstorming for a name for this beautiful hand hewn "Blog Cabin Retreat". And we noticed the very artistic wewela (meaning hummingbird in the Cherokee language). Who painted this beautiful hummingbird? Was it the lady who resides there in Kinzel Springs?
A. Actually, we had a local woodcarver by the name of Gene Webb carve and paint the main support post in the house. It looks great! This doesn’t mean the house is named “Welela Lodge” but it is an option on the poll, so it could be if enough people vote for it.
Gene Webb with his rattlesnake masterpiece.
Keep your questions coming. I’ll ponder them while I’m in Florence.
Ciao for now,
Amy
Posted by adevers at 6:39 AM | Comments (63) | TrackBack
August 7, 2007
The Dirt On...'s Ahmed Hassan makes it to the Blog Cabin.
Watch a great clip of an enthusiastic Ahmed Hassan at the Blog Cabin site, where the energy level among cast and crew are sky high.
Posted by whawkins at 12:19 PM | Comments (29)
August 2, 2007
Blog Cabin 2008
Now that the 2007 Blog Cabin is almost finished, and we can watch how it was built on TV at DIY Network and DIYnetwork.com, let's start talking about 2008.
What are some things you would like to see in Blog Cabin 2008?
A lake view?
A boat/fishing dock?
Hot tub (yes, I really like hot tubs)?
A total green environmentally-friendly house?
Now is the time to get your requests in ....
Ron Lubke
DIYnetwork.com site director
Posted by rlubke at 11:11 AM | Comments (903) | TrackBack