Craft Studio Love!

I LOVE my new craft room. Time spent there is inspiring, relaxing, and fun! Happily messy. I have a center island workstation for painting, drawing, and other messy enjoyment. My sewing table looks out to my front yard and a long counter has space to spread out for jewelry making. What was missing was a comfortable place to sit and read my many books and magazines, crochet, talk on the phone, or give my dogs a place to keep me company. I hunted both online and in stores, new and vintage, thrifting for something to recover. My search ended this weekend with the perfect mid century modern sofa.

I found it online through Etsy seller Vintage Supply Co., never imagining how much it would cost to ship a sofa. No need, it was local!! I visited Moderna Muerte, a brand new store in Delray Beach that carries an amazing array of quality vintage furniture, accessories, clothing (the real deal vintage, not simply out of fashion used clothes). Fabulous merchandising (vintage shoes and purse artfully displayed on a domed pastry stand) makes this a great place to visit and get inspired.
I love the white vinyl, so perfect for my needs. Reminds me of the Design Star episode where some designers painted graffitti and patterns on white sofas. I'll leave mine simple - the pups are very happy the way it is, too.

A Room With a View (and I'm never leaving)

My craft room is virtually finished with final permits which is allowing me to unpack and play!! It is amazing. I was able to work with the cabinet guy to customize the space for my hobbies. I have shelves for fabric and fibers, a sewing table, a work island with a glass top for easy cleanup, and place for making jewelry. Lots of drawers and cabinets. A slice of heaven! I have yet to put any window coverings on the windows, and even though everyone can see in and I can watch the world go buy and be a nosy neighbor, I also see cardinals, blue jays, and butterflies enjoying the trees and flowering plants outside.


Tank helped me unpack boxes. He was looking for a stuffed creature or some yarn to chew on!


I have lots of shelves to store my supplies where I can see them.


My sewing table. And I finished the 14 bags for last week!

Long Lost and in my new Room!

I am so remiss about blogging (not that I really think anyone is reading it much since I don't promote it or even mention it to people...yet) Art and Soul in Hampton was AMAZING. A blast. The best time! I took some great classes and met some great people and traded my guitar pick charms for some cool trades and got the most fabulous fat book from my participation in this project. I didn't take pictures but I have seen one of my journal photos on one of the instructors' blogs.

I have so much to share but I have a project for school hanging over my head - 14 tote bags made from old school event tshirts to be used as centerpieces. They are needed for Thursday. I am virtually done. and I need to unpack my new craft room. It's awesome! I have been sewing in it but haven't organized yet. On my list of things to do!!

I will share everything soon. and I want to change the name of my blog to something a little more vague that takes me away for the mommy thing a bit (not that I am not damn proud of being one!) Plus there is a popular crafty mama blog. So another thing to add to my list.

I'll be back!

My Dream Craft Room - Starting to be built!

I am the luckiest crafty person I know (which is really not saying much)! I am building a craft room onto a house I will be moving to - and the room is from scratch! Other than not having a choice as to the dimensions and window placement, everything else is to be whatever and however I desire it! I have been pouring over books and magazines and flickr photos about studios and creative spaces, trying to see what I like and what I don't. Not to mention I have learned from my past mistakes, like shelves are better than cabinets. The walls are up and finished and I just chose paint. Vibrant tangerine will adorn two of the walls - the two walls that will have built-in shelves and desks.

This long wall will have lots of shelves and cabinets and a desk space for jewelry or whatever. A big cork board, magnetic board, or something of the sort will be above it. There will be lots of outlets that I got to pinpoint locations for.

The other wall will be similar but have a sewing table. My machine will be by a window for natural light. The far wall has this nice window. I will put a sofa or bench in front so I can relax and read, crochet, or whatever! An island in the middle will finish the list. Painting should be done in the next day or two. Cool vinyl flooring in funky colors is next. I'll post photos to document my progress.

Running on Time while Shopping for Bags

I managed to get everywhere I needed to be today, and on time I might add. Didn't make it to the bank or the pediatricians office (just to pick up papers) - both of those errands can wait a day or so. Along the way, however, I just can't stay away from bags. I didn't buy any but they seem to be beckoning.

I met a friend at the mall (don't like the mall) to purchase a group birthday present for a gal pal. Had to walk through the Saks Fifth Avenue bag department amidst the shiny, colorful patent leather totes on display. I kept walking.
While waiting for my child to get ready for drum lessons I casually browsed my bookmarked Etsy sellers. Look at this bag! It is from Bonspiel Creations.

Again with the colors. How cheerful is this bag?! Kept browsing.

On my list of things to do in the next few days is hit Joann's to get supplies to make a zippered pouch for a craft swap I am participating in. I love making zip pouches and it is always nice to craft for others (and fun to receive!) I am making a pouch to hold double pointed needles. I have a fabulous pattern that my Aunt sent me (along with the bags) called a Humble bag. Very cool shape. I need to get the right size zippers to try this one too.

I am feverishly looking at books, magazines and websites to come up with ideas and directions for my craft room that I will build this fall. I have a meeting with the builder and architect on Monday. The almighty Martha has a great craft room with so much space and drawers and counters. I need inspiration!

Brain Overload!

Yikes! Too much on my plate! I like to think that I function best when I have a lot to do and am very busy and very scheduled. Lately I have been starting to slip. I am being teased that I am getting old (please shut up. I just forget to look at my planner for the 100th time in a day. Last week I forgot to take my son and meet with the Rabbi!!! I had to call and tell the truth - of course I was forgiven. Embarrassed, but forgiven. Two days later I forgot to take my dog with me in the morning to be dropped at the groomers. That resulted in another round trip car ride across town. With gas at over $4 a gallon, that isn't a picnic in my SUV!

I interviewed photographers last week for the bar mitzvah. Different styles, different personalities, same general expensive pricing. I chose some great, artistic people, however, and will look forward to working with them.

My house was photographed for the real estate listing to be sold. I now have to keep it more or less ready to be shown. I have 2 boys and 3 dogs. Good luck to me!

And the builder and architect want to meet with me about the craft room they want to build in the new house. Right now the drawings show doors on two walls and windows on the other. Walls, people! Crafters need wall space!

Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine (by the publishers of Quilting Arts) just came out with this Studios issue.


Perfect timing!

It came in my mail...

Have you subscribed to the Sampler? If you read the craft magazines and blogs then surely you have seen it. Crafters promote their businesses by sending samples of their goods to the Sampler, who then packages them in boxes and send them to subscribers. I have recieved a few and they are filled with such great items. Magazines, cards, tags, earrings, bookmarks, magnets, buttons, and more. My favorite item this month was a fabric headband in great fall colors. Last month had soap and bath bombe samples that smelled so amazing I am thinking of ordering more.


The vinyl wall art that I ordered is partially up on the wall in my craft room. A vinyl quail and some flowers decorate the space above one of my magnetic inspiration boards.