Friday, November 29, 2013

Getting There!

Finishing up Skookum!

We're almost done! We recently finished sealing the roof. I purchased Thompson's WaterSeal Tinted Oak for the cedar shingles. The exterior walls are the Behr Shortgrass Prairie. I used Behr Chianti for the chimney and name plate.

Rob has spent most of the morning applying the first coat of Behr Powdered Snow to the trim. We still have one more coat and then we'll focus our effort on dressing up the interior. I think I'm going to go with the Powdered Snow for the walls. We should be completed with the paint phase by this weekend and then we need to dig the hole for the post and set it!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

He's Free!


He's free! Over the past 4 months, I've been working on this website for our Little Free Library. I wanted this Library to have an identity and a narrative. He's not LFL #9442...he's Skookum Reads!

I'll let you in on a funny story. Without any knowledge of the site or this character, I received a phone call one night from the builder's wife explaining that the guys were referring to the Library as "Skookum!" 

My eyes welled up; this project exuded Skookum. When Skookum was dropped off to the house, I showed the builder our website and he chuckled. We knew this little guy was meant to be. 

So, I introduce to you Mr. Skookum Reads! You can learn all about this readin’ blue bird here.

Warmly,

Jacqueline

Monday, November 25, 2013

Paint!


Here's the colour scheme I've selected for Skookum's Little Library! We started painting this Friday and will hopefully have it finished by next week. Keeping fingers crossed!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Friends of the Abbotsford Libraries

The Friends of the Abbotsford Libraries

I want to thank The Friends of the Abbotsford Libraries who contributed over 30 books to our Little Library. I visited the Clearbrook Library's Book Sale this afternoon to grab children's books on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The sale continues tomorrow and they've got a great selection!
Bookmarks donated by The Teachers' Learning Store in Abbotsford!

A big thank you to Heidi from The Teachers' Learning Store in Abbotsford. She donated these wonderful bookmarks for the Little Library Launch Party in December!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

To Caulk Or Not To Caulk

This morning, I went to caulk around the chimney. This activity was supposed to be as easy as watching Norm from The New Yankee Workshop build a Chaise Lounge. Instead, it became the I Love Lucy episode where she and Ethel can’t stop the conveyor belt of chocolates.

I admit I was channeling Mike Holmes when I confronted the structure with my loaded caulk gun. I confidently applied pressure to the trigger and ran the tip down the gap. “Beautiful,” I thought, “Nothing to it.” Somewhere in my Rolodex of Holmes on Holmes, I remember watching someone take his finger and run it down the seam of caulk to smooth it out. I did the same. Everything seemed to be going fine until I felt caulk dripping like a stream of taffy onto my hand.

I looked down and there were caulk bird droppings all over the floor. I attempted to stick the cap back on the tip but the relentless flow of the caulk just popped it right off. I tried to plug the tip with my fingers but the goo just kept coming. Within a few seconds, my hands were coated and my fingers began to stick to one another and to the gun.

It was a brand new tube and I didn’t want it waste the product; I thought more caulk applied to the wood would be better, right? Kind of like duck tape. Except by this time, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t keep my hand steady. I realized that all my dreams of working in construction or as a cake decorator were gone. After applying caulk to every gap I saw, I made a mad dash into the house.

Naturally, I yelled for my husband.

“Rob, you gotta look at the caulk gun!”
“Why do I need to look at it? You know what you’re doing,” he said.
“Well, I did, but I don’t know how to stop the caulk from coming out the gun.”
“Is it still flowing?” he asked.
“Ahhh, yah," I said under my breath.

Good news though! He stopped the caulk and informed me that nothing, including water, will get between the chimney and the structure. Whew!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

The Structure is Complete!

Skookum! Our Little Library!

This evening, I received a call from Jeremy that Skookum was complete and ready for delivery. Here he is! Amazing work and such attention to detail!

Side view of Skookum

I love the chimney! We didn't initially consider a chimney but Jeremy thought it would look cute. To me, the chimney is symbolic of home. It's a wonderful addition. But, what really shocked me was when I opened up the door and noticed that he had finished the floor with a beautiful, chocolate-stained laminate. How fantastic is that?

Skookum's laminate flooring

Thank you Jeremy and Donna for your support and interest in this project. I appreciate the time, love, and care that you invested in Skookum. Honestly, it's the most beautiful, well-constructed Little Library I've seen to date. I'm so excited to paint this baby! Big hugs!

xo,

Jacqueline

Friday, November 15, 2013

Tracycakes Bakery!

Oh sweet dreams! Our local Tracycakes Bakery in Abbotsford is donating 2 dozen delicious cookies to our Little Launch Party in December! It's great to have this kind of edible support! Big hugs to Tracy and the Tracycakes Team! 

Phase 2 & 3 Complete!


Phase 2: Blueskin application. Serves as waterproof barrier.

I'm so excited about this project! I wanted to share with you a few photos of the construction. During the design phase, Jeremy (the builder) and I spent quite a bit of time discussing the features of other Little Libraries and although many of them are "cute" they're not structurally sustainable. The energy that was invested in our dialogue has really paid off and I'm so impressed with his craftsmanship.

Phase 3: Roof and exterior paneling complete!

Thank you to everyone who has backed this project. You've kickstarted far more than this Little Library! Big hugs!

xo,

Jacqueline

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Making Progress!

Little Free Library Under Construction!
As you can see, the structure is coming along nicely! My friend and builder, Mr. Jeremy Dace, should be completed with the library this week and will be handing it over to me to paint. We're right on schedule for the December launch party!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Bookcase


The books are now free from their boxes and bags and stationed on shelves! A guess as to how many there are? Answer: 521!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

More Books!


Speaking of donations! I just got back from The Book Man! This is what my back seat looked like with 3 boxes of books (the trunk and front seat were also taken with boxes!). Big hugs to The Book Man owner Amber Short for her generous contribution to this project! It's truly amazing to receive this kind of support from the community!

Book Donations


Thank you to Donna Alary and Dr. Peter and Margaret Jones for their book donations to our Little Free Library. Big hugs!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Video: Google+ Crowdfunding Hangout

If you missed the University of Alberta's Google+ Crowdfunding Hangout, you can view it here. Individuals interested in launching a crowdfunding campaign will benefit from listening to the advice of panel members; I definitely learned a great deal from the discussion. Also, you may want to check out Jason Cooper's Kickstarted documentary and his YouTube "Funded in 60 Seconds" clips. My favourites? This one and this one! Take out that notepad and start writing! Very valuable insights!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Google+ Crowdfunding Hangout

On Tuesday, the University of Alberta Career Centre is hosting a Google+ Crowdfunding hangout featuring successful crowdfunders and industry experts. They invited me to participate in the discussion! Panelists include:
I look forward to sharing my experience and encouraging others to experiment with the Kickstarter platform. I'm equally excited to hear from other project creators and the stories behind their crowdfunding ventures. 

Learn more or register for the event here.