I learned something this season that I knew was coming down the pike but didn't know when, now I know when. For the first time in my gardening history I'll have to stop expanding the garden and start to shrink it next year. I've reached my upper limit on what I can successfully maintain and due to slowing down myself so goes the garden. Missing from next year's planting list will be Onions, Cantaloupes, and perhaps Butter beans. I'll still grow watermelons but on a smaller plot with smaller melon varieties, I just can't pick up those Big ones trying to tippy toe through vines without twisting my ankle or getting a hernia, ha. Will hold onto planting the main staples of the veggie world....as long as possible :)

All of these responses are great, and I think what you need to take away from this is that there's no *one* process, everyone works differently. As someone who does this kind of professionally, I can tell you that not even trained designers work exactly the same way. Two things to remember....1) there are no hard and fast rules (or, there's an exception to every rule); 2) a good house is never done -- seriously. Also, as many of the others posters said, it's usually easier to start small rather than try to do it all at once. That being said, this is how I work....when I meet a new client, I ask TONS of questions. Like: -What do you like -- not only in terms if the room, but in life in general? I always look at the whole house, even if I'm just doing the bathroom, because you can't judge on the basis of one room. - How do you use the room now? How do you want to use the room? - What needs to stay in the room, and what would you like to disappear? - what colors do you like or hate. - What do other members of the family think about the room (esp DH)? _ Are there any special concerns (allergies, physical issues, etc) or special needs (like the bedroom also has to have the home office, for example)? -What time of day do you normally use the room? How many people are usually in it? (and there are a lot more, but you get the idea) Then I measure *everything*, make note of outlets & fixtures, and take pictures of *everything*. Then I start my floorplan and gather ideas for the large furniture pieces. Every job is different for me because every client is different. Some say right from the get-go "I like a cottage look", and others have no idea except that they don't want blue. For some I can start with an existing piece (carpet or artwork) and for others I start with traffic pattern and room use. Last thing I'll say is talk to everyone -- especially here! There are a wealth of talented, creative people on this forum, and I have yet to be disappointed when I've needed input from these folks. Hth, and good luck! Leigh

I have been thinking about this for quite a bit and have decided that I am probably with Jennifer in that I really haven't made my most difficult quilt yet. Every one has some little challenge or learning curve but overall the patterns I choose are doable. The hardest one that comes to mind was a Jewel Box that I did for DD. The making wasn't hard but after a few years, one particular fabric started fraying. So I took it home and took the whole thing apart, replaced the frayed squares and triangles, sewed the blocks back together. That was five years ago. There it sits. I just can't get up the steam to finish it. And it stares at me every time I go in the laundry room, mocking me! Bad quilt! Theresa

Maybe I can give you some information from a different perspective... In my business I repair many kinds of woven seats like cane, Danish cord, splint, Caning and of course Rush seats. Of all the ones that I re-do, Rush by far outlasts the others hands down. In the past, newspapers used to be stuffed between the layers of rush. When ever those come in it is a great window into the past. The Newspapers tell where a chair was most likely last rushed and most often you can find a date on the newspaper giving a pretty good idea when it was done. Plus the old papers are a fun vision to times past. I have pulled our papers from the late 1800's, and many many from the early 1900's. So yes I would definitely say Rush lasts. However cats with claws often help bring me new business! To check out more look at my page on Rush http://www.acaneandwickerfixer.com/rush_seats.htm See My Rush Chair Page Randy Here is a link that might be useful: Rush