Here it is. The day after my birthday. I had several options available to choose from as far as things to do on my birthday. I chose to hang a friend's kayak in her garage.

I know! It does not meet most people's criteria for either fun or relaxation. I however, am not most people. I can tell you exactly why it suited me. She is a good friend who is always willing to help others. So it pleases me to help her when I can. I also got to use tools and figure out how to do it.(It is 17 feet long and certainly not lightweight. You can see that it is made for two people) These are all the right criteria for me having a good day. I also bought a good stud finder to make the job easier. Now how is that not a fun thing? New tool and get to use it!!! :-)

Today I am finding a slip in Southport, NC. Tomorrow I drive down to get Mary Lee. It will be at least two days of motoring up the intra-coastal waterway, if not three.

I will be installing a diesel heater as well as beginning the upholstery projects. I have finally figured out what I want to do with the space starboard side where I pulled out the settee. If you know me, or have followed the blog, you know I pick an idea. Then not only visualize it, but consider if that is really what I want. I change my mind if it is not. I am generally pleased with end results because I do it this way.

So the decisions to follow are subject to change as the circumstances and opportunities around me change. I will be posting more regularly as this blog is about living aboard Mary Lee, and that is where I will be.

I have been busy. With driving mostly. I had bought the first piece of foam for Mary Lee. It seemed appropriate to use it in a truck to see how comfortable it would be. So...I cut a twin bed size piece. It had plenty of support, but, being a pretty dense foam, it was a little less comfortable than I was looking for. So, I decided to try something a little different with it.

I bought some batting and upholstery material. I decided it at least needed a cover.

In the middle of cutting out the pieces that make up the cover, I had the brain wave.

How about adding memory foam to the top? I added 3 inches.

Back to cutting out the material. I used a hot knife. It was really slick.

Once all cut out and foam wrapped with batting.

It was time to break out the new sewing machine.

I bought a sailrite. Touted to be the best portable upholstery machine on the market. I have to say... I really like this machine. I also really like sailrite. I do a lot of learning new things. Sailrite is top notch in customer support.

So I start with the zipper placket. I have never done one, but sailrite has these great videos on YouTube. Shows machine setup and use as well as walking you through projects.

Zipper placket went well.

So I was off to the races.

Did I mention the need to lay your pieces out and double check before sewing? I did. I ended up cutting one new side piece and trimming two more. The top and bottom pieces were okay.

This was a learning project. I learned so much about covering cushions that it surprised me. Too much to mention here. But, as I considered this a practice run for doing the boat cushions, it was a success

Even though it turned out how I envisioned it, I was still a little bit surprised at how well it really did turn out for the first one. I am very much looking forward to doing the boat cushions and canvas.