Back to the beginning

I have hired an architect and have learnt that as much as I love my 3D model and my idea for small space living, I am not an architect. So back to the drawing board with the Ginger Shack plan.

The deck is out and a 10 X 10 concrete slab is in

The fireplace is out and a vented propane fireplace is in

The idea of not going over 14 feet is out and I am likely building a 18 foot tower and will be able to stretch out in any space I find myself in

My magical kitchen/stair area is out and I am awaiting to see the new option

The closet on the main floor is out

Here is to being flexible and to lucking out and finding a brilliant co-designer!!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Realizing that I am small

and that my land is big and that Mother Nature even bigger.

The area in front of the tent is a complete mud pit with no hopes of drying up so 3 drains are going in, the ground has to be graded and 10 more large trees need to come down so more and more sunshine can pour in and the mosquitos breeding grounds can dry up.

The deck did not settle evenly and there is a 2 inch slope down to the one corner. If you ever drop anything at least you know where to start the searching. That will have to be fixed – thinking a car jack and a couple of patio slabs should do the trick but maybe not.

I won’t be building my little artist studio this year but I will be finishing one kick ass campground and starting the prep work for the Ginger Shack to be built the following summer.

After all these years I know that it is not about sticking to a time line but not losing sight of the end line.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Persistence and Patience ….

Paid off!! I have landed my architect and could not have imagined one better!

He not only hit on my basic requirements; knowledgeable, interested in small space living, located in Canada, one I could afford, he is also politically and socially aware, a believer that moving towards renewable energy is the solution and loves cats (really loves them).

This bio on LinkedIn … Sole practitioner doing architectural design of various scales, as well as architectural renderings. No project too small or too weird.

This is one of his designs. I think we are going to have a good time building the Ginger Shack together.

My friend put me on to elance.com and I am so grateful he did!

I am over the moon. Thank you, thank you, thank you Universe and John!!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Hipster Bric a Brac and Trendy Trinkets

I emptied out my storage locker and realized that I have a lot of random things. Childhood memories, 1/2 started or daydream projects I never got around to doing, pieces of ‘art’ I still love but have no where to hang and so on ….

Hoping to sell most of it tomorrow!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Time to get 3D!

First there was the tape on the floor. I had to physically be in the space to have any idea of how to design the space. Once I felt like I had a grasp on the design I transferred everything over to grid paper and worked out the dimensions.

Final step – a 3D model!

As strange as this may sound this was the first time I realized how incredibly small my space is going to be. Once all the walls became real and had to attach to each other there was a ridiculously large closet on the main floor and an insanely big wood burning stove. I have taken a foot off the closest and have moved from the Grand Cook Stove to a much smaller wood burning stove.

View from the top … and space for Tigger!

Next step – will it stand the test of an architect/carpenter’s input…..

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Nailed it!

I found these rain barrels on Pinterest and have to say …. I think they turned out A-Ok!

Took all of 10 minutes to make.

Up on my land and hopefully they will be upright and full of water when I return.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

May 2-4

I grew up in Manitoba and a couple hours North of my hometown is Riding Mountain National Park. A few friends have cabins up there and May Long weekend is the time open them up and mark the beginning of summer!

I spent May Long weekend opening up my tent and my land to sunshine and stars!

The tent stood the test of winter!

I cut down trees

Jeremy cut down bigger trees.

Mia worked the axe.

A decent wood pile is forming.

A bridge out to the car park is almost done.

Fence posts for the HillyBilly Hot Tub area have all been cut.

Looking really good after only 2 days up there!

Thanks, yet again, to some amazing help from some awesome friends!!

Summer is coming and Camp Just Broken In is getting ready for the season…

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Burning down the house!

Heat. This is the biggest question right now.

Wood burning stoves are romantic and gorgeous but they also throw a lot of heat! The stove that I posted a while ago would basically melt my space once it was up and running at full capacity.

I looked propane heaters but the standard ones sold in Canada are for garages and well ventilated spaces. My homes it going to be well insulated and sealed to combat heat loss so this type of heat make me a little leery. There are also Catalytic Heaters found in RVs, but they are not CSA approved and infrared heaters are not allowed in living/sleeping spaces due to safety issues.

Thankfully I stumbled on the website LivingLightly and their post on Small Wood Stoves.

Looks like the Hobbit Small Cast Iron Stove is what I have been waiting for!

For more information on Small Wood Stoves click here.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Happy Mother’s Day

I have a great mom. She is amazing. She had a great mom. My grandmother was amazing too. The really great thing about good parenting is that you create really great offspring.

Today I would like to thank my Mom for giving me my childhood and one super cool sister to grow up with.

Check this out ….. Congratulations to Nicki Bruce for winning the #AssiniboineCUcares Winnipeg Folk Fest Earth Day Photo Contest!

For more cool up cycled ideas check her and her partner out on Instagram @Eddie_And_Inas_Vintage

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Reaching out

The layout is done and the tape has come off the floor. Next step, creating the blueprint to build off of.

From the beginning of this process I have never wanted to be the Building Foreman but I had to be the Architect! I love organizing space and making it work for me so this part of the journey had to be mine and mine alone. Originally I had a friend on board who was going to take over the construction side of things once I had the floor plan in place but life happened and that has changed. Thankfully there are hundreds of Tiny Home people out there so now I am on the search for my BluePrint person!

I have emailed these two guys …. so here’s hoping

Tiny Home Customs

Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

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