Thursday, July 11, 2013

Welcome, my friends!

Welcome! It's so nice to have you visit here in the Santa Cruz Redwood Mountains! Thank you to Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage for hostessing this fabulous blog hop! (Read all the way down to find out about my special gift for you!)

So, let's get started. Welcome to my bedroom! No, not my studio,  But this where I begin each morning, with my sweet Molly at my feet as I write in my journal.
 So, in an ideal world, this is what my studio could/should/would look like (if I kept it up!)....
 This would be my nice and neat sewing station with my beloved Janome.
 And these would be just some of my laces and trims, hanging neatly and sorted.

 This little cabinet, neat and tidy, is chock full of vintage rick racks, seam bindings, etc.

 And this little storage center is actually a 100 year old Victorian Writing desk organizer. Rolls of lace roll right in, so tidy and neat.

And here is my fiber workstation. I always keep it picked up, tidy, and neat. (lol)
 Okay... ready for some reality? 
Here's what it REALLY LOOKS LIKE!

And here is the other desk wall, where I create with paper and such things. (Kinda messy, right?) I haven't picked up since I made the two prayer book mini albums. (You can see them farther down in earlier posts.)
 Funny story about this hanging-hook-thingy. My ex-husband slept with a box of Silver-plate flatware for over six months, waaay back in 1968, in his Navy bunk on the USS Cogswell. Now, many years later, I haven't served a formal dinner in years and years. Yet I still have that box of flatware. I can't give it away. I can't sell it. Tada! Now I can appreciate it and enjoy it's beauty as fabulous hooks in my studio!
 Here, you can see the square bottom that perfectly keeps my quilting rulers off my work station.
 Now, here's what that beautiful Victorian writing organizer REALLY looks like, with stuff and trims dripping, no cascading! down the front.
 I have loved these wire drawers for years. Keeping colors organized and a big drawer for white laces, fabrics, tablecloths, etc.
 This corner is still pretty neat. (Although I haven't made any purses in a month or so. It will look quite different as I pull out this and that to audition for my next Gypsy handbag.)
 This is a precious 1950's cabinet I haven't really staged yet. I have visions of beautiful embroidered fabrics, little dolls, cute little things that will inspire me. Maybe I'll get to it soon. The upholstery fabrics underneath look good though, right?
 My eye-less green teddy embraces a back FULL of floss. Need some?
 Another dose of reality....
 Oh, how I love my Ikea cabinets!
 Look at all the stuff I can store out of sight!
 This set of Ikea drawers hide away tools to stick stuff together... or to punch holes in things.
 On the other side, this stack of drawers house all my lovely scrapbook (and paste) papers. So handy. And the drawers close on their own. God bless Ikea! (and my hubby who assembled all this!!!)
 Another messy corner. Can you pick out all the different art modalities stacked here?
 I'm loving my Copic pens. I even dye my silk ribbon and touch up my Mulberry paper flowers with their beautiful colors.
 Also in the stack... my lovely, sweet, cherished, collection of Mulberry Paper Flowers... I'm using these for both paper projects and fiber arts.
 And, under the stack, is my wonderful Encaustic pallet, with the R&F Beeswax sticks. I've been using beeswax encausitic for years, made from real beeswax comb and my own colors. Would you believe I found all of this at a garage sale last year! Actually, it feels great to use really good tools rather than the hotplate mess.
 Some time I find myself gazing out the window, flying through the redwoods, breathing the crystal air.
 Here's the window sill where I keep my 'precious jewels'.
 Here's my treasure chest of 'every-day' jewels....

This little tea tin hold my MOST precious pieces.
 Wooden spools keep vintage laces in order. (You know how they love to let loose and tangle with each other.)
 This looks pretty orderly. I just can't remember what's in what. Think I'll make some labels!
 And, this is my latest find. 81 vintage bobbin spools! Perfect to roll vintage ribbons, laces, and trims on!

Well, thank you so much for visiting! Think I'll read a spell... but, before you go! Leave me a comment, become a follower of my site, and I'll choose one of your names (randomly, of course) and will send you one of those bobbins loaded with lovelies!

God Bless and Sweet Blessings....
Now, back to my book....
 


27 comments:

  1. Hi, Chris. I enjoyed peeking into your creative space in the redwoods (lucky)! I'm following your blog now and can't wait to see all the things you make with that "stuff." Have a great weekend and drop on by my blog when you get time. My post will go up in a couple of hours. :-)

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    1. Hi Carmen! Loved visiting your blog too! Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to a long and creative blogging sisters friendship!
      Hugs, Chris

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  2. Hi Chris,
    Thank you for the wonderful tour of your newly renovated creative space. Besides your most wonderful stash I just love those silver spoon hooks (an excellent idea!) and those wonderful vintage bobbins - OMG where on earth did you find 81 of them?
    Better count me into win! I'd love that!
    Now you can enter yourself in my Giveaway too!
    Hugs to you,
    Suzy

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    1. Dear Suzy... you ALWAYS DELIGHT ME! It's been a few years since I started following your blog and the creative-love-fest goes on!
      Thanks so much, Sweetest blessings my friend!
      Chris

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  3. Hi there, and OH i love your space all the pretties and where you create is very nice! it is inspiring! not messy! lol like mine ok? :) anyway got to the end, love your stash of stuff to work with! blessings, kat =^.^=

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    1. Hi Kat! Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Isn't this fun! And, yes, my studio is very messy! I love how some bloggers are so artistic and their studios look like they are right out of a magazine!
      Sweet blessings, Chris

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  4. You had me at "Molly" She is so beautiful.
    Your space is amazing. All that counter space and cubbies ....so much to look at.

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    1. Oh Marianne! We two are puppy lovers, are we not? I loved my visit to your blog and I'm looking forward to a long and creative blogging sisters friendship!
      Sweet blessings my (new) friend!
      Chris

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  5. I know the "back to reality" part too well! But don't we have fun!

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    1. 'Reality'... what is that really? Messy or neat... we do have fun! Thanks for your visit! And wow, do I love your folk art!
      Sweet blessings, Chris

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  6. I feel so at home in your studio. It is more like mine than any that I have seen. Great minds think alike they say. Your sweet Molly looks like such a darling. I'll bet she and you have a very strong bond.
    I hope that you don't mind me tagging along and following your creative adventures.
    Your newest follower, Connie :)

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    1. Sweet Connie! Thank you for your words... we are truly kindred spirits. Although, I'm partial to 'great minds' as well! I too, look forward to our new (maybe 'rekindled'?) friendship!
      Sweet blessings dear friend,
      Chris

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  7. Wow! I love your space - especially the view... I could not imagine a more calm and peaceful space to create..... I am seeing a lot of IKEA storage solutions... Maybe I will need to make a trip to our local store. Thank you for sharing and take care!

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    1. Hi Lynn... thank you for your comment here. And yes, the view is very relaxing and inspiring. I loved visiting your space as well. Kindred spirits are we, with our love of quilting! I love your blog banner, the juxtaposition of the modern laptop and the lovely vintage quilt. (Is it vintage? It looks lovely!)
      I'm looking forward to following your blog.
      Sweet creative blessings to you my (new) friend!
      Chris

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  8. It was great fun to see your studio, but I have to say that I was definitely drolling over your Molly - she would be more than welcome to share my bed too!

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  9. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! And, no need to drool over Moll, she drools enough for an army! lol!!!
    Sweet blessings,
    Chris

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  10. You are a brave girl for showing your studio as is. thank you! now I know I am not alone - although I was only brave enough to show one small photos. I think us messy studio girls are more creative. shhhhhh don't tell the neat ones I said this : ) enjoyed peeking into your studio - cheers from Singapore : )

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    1. Oh Cathy! Did I ever enjoy visiting YOUR BLOG! Amazing, fabulous, wonderful! I'm going to love following along on your adventures! What a blessing you are, to share your art, collections, travels, inspirations! I love your messy studio.... doncha wish we could keep our spaces picked up and tidy all the time? It is an inspiration though.

      so nice to have 'met' you.... we'll be long-time blogger friends I'm sure.
      Sweet Blessings, Chris

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  11. Great space, Chris! I love that you have such a nice big window in here and can look out while ironing. Love your sewing table set-up, too. I like the baskets and being able to see what you have. I utilize my under table space but have skirted it. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Kathy. Thanks for visiting. I loved looking at all you offer on your blog too! I love the little girls tea party!!

      I wanted to skirt my table, but then I'm not as inspired as when I can see through the wire mesh. But the skirted table can be soooo pretty!

      Thanks for stopping in. Looking forward to a long blogger friendship!
      Sweet blessings, Chris

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  12. Wow, lots and lots. I love the long table you work from. I use to have some in my last house. Keep on creating.

    hugs
    cindy@stitches

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  13. Hi Chris!! I loved the fantasy AND the reality!!! Mine goes through phases... when I'm working on a project.. it definitely looks like your reality!! But I have to clean up between projects or I go crazy and can't find anything!! LOL!! Thank you so much for participating in this years WBC. I so enjoyed my visit and I hope you play along next year too!!

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    1. Hi Karen! Thanks for your comment! I agree with you about cleaning up between projects... but sometimes, the creative muse pushes her way into my brain, and my projects pile up on each other! I'll look forward to next year too. In the mean time, it's fun to browse and fill up on creative ideas. Thanks for doing what you do!!
      xoxo Chris

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  14. lots of goodies to create with, love your space, I need to take a reality picture of what it really looks like when I'm in there lol!
    Helen

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  15. Ha! You had me laughing with the "reality" shots - awesome! Love that you have such a beautiful view - so pretty! I adore my Copics for colouring everything too... and I love those bobbins! Will be sure to Follow you and cross my fingers for the drawing! Thank you for the great tour of your great studio!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your creative space. I do not have a blog but have loved spending hours hopping from blog to blog again this year! :-)

    Brenda
    Bright199@Hotmail.com

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  17. HI there. I am like the mad hatter and am very late for the party! Family and health issues kept me from my computer for most of the summer but am now making my way through the studio tour. I love all the different spaces people create in. I enjoyed your reality and ideal pictures.......I go in spurts, but like you, when I am creating everyting is all over and it is much easier for me to find it that way. I do have to clean up and breathe in the organized clean space every so often......thank you so much for sharing. Your denim jean purse is so adorable. I have ten girls that come once a week to create art and make stuff. Do you mind if i copy this idea for a fall project for them to work on?

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Thanks for your comments!
Sweet Blessings and Big Love to you