Studio Update- a New Direction

 I sort of figured out why the studio didn't feel right. It was functional, certainly, but it just didn't feel right. In the past, when I sewed in this room it was essentially a sitting room with sewing stuff in it. Lots of sewing stuff. And no matter how I arranged the current stuff it was off.  I spend a lot of time here and I need comfort. Another issue is thunderstorms. Yes, Large Mean Yellow Dog is terrified. So at all hours of the day and night we hide in this room during storms. It is really hard to sleep sitting in a straight chair. Enter the current living room cast off, an old recliner. The little table is a sewing chest inherited from a distant relative. Add a lamp and a candle melt and telephone and I now have an area to rest, to hand sew, to read. This is what the room was missing! Now the concession is folding up the large cutting table unless it is in use. Works for me. I like having it open all the time, but the chair won out. 

 I used to have my white task board on this wall. Every time I came in the door, up or down the stairs, on my way to the washroom, you know, all those lists of unfinished "tasks" are mocking me. Enough already. I unearthed some charming old country crafts that used to grace our cottage at the lake. The shelf was made by my older son in a high school wood shop. Believe it or not the match box on the left and the three candle wooden box on the right front were painted, by me, in my tole painting phase. Yes, they are rather primitive. True, I have no talent, but I tried. Now THAT is a story for another day.

Another piece from the cottage is the rustic pine table I picked up at a craft fair there a long time ago. It has been around. I plan to paint it black before the cold weather sets in, I will add that to my task list. Now don't laugh, I did already buy the paint. The wooden bowl is a recent antique shop find. It is filled with kits I purchased from 
The Woolen Willow at the Three Rivers Quilt Show. One is a Penny Rug, the other a Sewing Kit. 

 The desk where I sew has also been sort of transformed. The shelf above was made by my dear FIL when he was still able to do such things. I cherish it. Little do-dads change upon whim. Right now there are some bobbin spindles, a bee skep and a bear or two, one on a bicycle.

The desk now has a little lamp, it is the one that was on the IKEA fabric chests. I have magazine keepers sorting quilting and sewing magazines and books I am using for inspiration or just studying. There is a small rotating cutting mat to the left of my machine. The Babylock Embellisher is tucked back in the corner here, covered. The folded cutting table is barely visible on the right.

Today, during a storm Big Mean Yellow Dog was with me while taking these photo's of the studio. The Wonky Orphan Block Quilt was on the floor. He really wanted to lay on it.

Now don't look to closely, it is wonky. The points are off, the design is rather bizarre but I hope it will work out in the end.

 This is the back counter. Essentially unchanged. The quilt is the same one. The Rocketeer is on the left, currently not in use, then the Bernina Serger, in the middle is a utility box with needles, screwdrivers etc. On top of that is one of IKEA'S small wooden divided boxes that work great keeping tools handy.  On the right front is the Janome Serger and behind that is the Featherweight, in its case. I picked up some nice medium weight cotton fabric to make a new skirt for the counter and covers for the machines.  

My sewing desk with the Viking #1+ sits parallel to the counter. I need only spin in my chair to access any of the machines. 

 Remember the task board? It is now tucked into the small wall space above the counter, on the left side, above the Rockateer. The picture of the Cow jumping over the moon is a favorite from the same bin I found the other country crafts from the cottage. 

the East wall with the book shelves and the two IKEA 4 drawer chests are in the same place, unchanged. Nothing new there. 

Well, that's all for now. I think this is it, I hope so. I need to get my juices going again. Have a lovely week-end. May your artistic juices flow and your fabric dreams come true.


Gratuity Moment: things are starting to click and now I have a place to nap during a storm!