Sneak peek into the new studio... and a bit of frustration and a wedding!

Hello dear friends. You may be wondering where I am. No, I didn't stay in Tahoe! (Although who wouldn't love to!) My hubby and I have been organizing the new studio. Thought you'd like to sneak a few peeks!

Hey, my friend Sharon Tomlinson posted pics of her workspace this week too! See here.

You're only getting to see the newly organized  'lacy sewing side' for now.

This was my second choice for the sewing machine. Unfortunately, the counter I wanted to put it on was just too high. I couldn't reach the knee pedal that lifts the needle...very important when playing with laces. FYI: it helps to work in the studio for a day, to reposition supplies and tools. You don't know what/where you'll need those tools!

 This is where the machine started out. I wanted the great light from the window. Counter was just too high, even with the lift on my chair. I actually like it better this way, gives my so much more workspace!

 A closeup of my laces, hanging from a vintage towel rack.

 A leftover cabinet from my granddaughter's days in the room. Took the little drawers out so the spaces are perfect for rolls of lace or cards of seam binding or rickrack.

 This lovely piece is an antique Victorian desk organizer. Painted white, it provides more cubbies for storage. Still have goodies to put away in here.

 

Now, here is a piece of frustration! Finally got back to some paper art, making mini-albums. Last year I bought some cheap tape for my ATG. Haven't used it in a few months. The tape turned to an ugly mess, sticking to BOTH sides of the 'no-stick' tape. I fooled around with this for an hour, a sticky mess. I reordered the 'real' stuff from Amazon. Lesson learned.

So that's it for now. Hope you all have a wonderful week!
Oh... one more thing. Speaking of Tahoe, My son Tim married his sweetheart Toni last week. Just a week after his brother and I were there! We all LOVE Toni. So happy for Tim!

Loving Lake Tahoe

What can be said

About a place like this

Nature at her best!

 Snow capped mountains

Windy spring lake

Amazing, crystal clear beauty.

 Lovely World Mark Condos

The view from my balcony

Breathing, slow, deep, breaths.

I'll be home soon.

Just wanted to share a piece of paradise!

xoxo Chris

A sneak peek into the new studio....

Good morning dear friends. 

Welcome to a sneak peek into my new combo studio.

Combo, because I combined my tiny paper crafting studio 

with my tiny sewing studio.

Even though this space is not as large as the other two if they were connected,

Everything I'll need is in an arm's reach!

As you see these preliminary pictures

Remember, it's only about 2/3 complete.

(Meaning I've got loads of stuff to still incorporate.)

This first view is from the door.

 I'll be covering the windows with lace since the view isn't so hot.

 Along the back wall, my "lace station" and the antique music cabinet where I've just stashed a few items before finding their proper home.

 We're blocking out a North facing window here. I love the turquoise book shelf. The white cabinet is a 1950's kitchen cabinet I purchased at my shop (from on of the other dealers). I'm so excited to fill it with my treasures!

 This will be the main workstation. Great storage in the corner with the Ikea cabinet. Great light!

 And to the right, will be my sewing station.

 And here are a couple close-ups of my lace station. I think this is where I've spent most of my time so far. Pressing those beautiful antique laces and hanging them on an antique towel dryer.

The swivel arms of the towel dryer is PERFECT for hanging laces. 

The cake plate stand is perfect for my round doilies too.

 And, if I get bored....

Here are my Redwood Muses! A vision right outside my window!

 Well, thanks for stopping by today!

Much love, Chris

A little break.... driving along the coastal mountains...

Hello dear friends.... You're invited to join me visually, on my journey yesterday.
I drove up to the SF Bay Area to visit my niece Lisa, driving East along our beautiful Highway 9, then North on Highway 35, better known as 'Skyline'.  The rolling hillsides are still greenish. I stopped a number of times to just breathe.... breathe the fragrant grasses, the freshness of the lifting fog.... it was just beautiful!

This spot is near a place called 'Windy Hill' looking West just South of Palo Alto and Woodside.

 You can't see the ocean on the horizon today.... but I know it's there. The fog had just lifted, so everything was so fresh.

 I've always loved the architecture of the rolling hills. I think the elevation is around 1800' or so. This is a place where I often stop to pray or meditate.... or just quietly sit.

 This picture is from high up on Hwy 9, just before the summit. You're looking over the San Lorenzo Valley. I've been coming to this spot for more than 45 years... since I first learned to drive.

 Back in the early 80's I hiked this trail the day before I was scheduled for surgery. Wrote a long letter to God, asking for healing and health. It's just such an amazing Vortex of spiritual and earth energies... a place where I care deeply feel my connection to God and the Oneness of all.

Today, I'm back home and will take pictures of the new combined studio space.
Sweet blessings for a super Spring day.
xoxo Chris

Moving again....

Okay... so my 'paper crafting' studio is on one side of our property, and my sewing studio is on the other. So, we're combining the two in my granddaughter's old room. Painted everything white, and sweet hubby put down a white floor. I just love the empty canvas!

This will be the 'back wall' all storage and shelving.

 And this will be the entry wall, also storage. I just picked up this sweet 1950's pine cabinet. So perfect for storage and to actually see some of my more precious pieces of this and that.

 This will be my main crafting wall, looking out to the garden and fabulous redwood trees.

 And this side wall will be the sewing center.

We're moving in the basic cabinets today. I'll take more 'before' pictures.
Happy Mother's DAy!

Springtime Score!

Good morning dear friends. 

You'll get a chuckle and you will certainly enjoy 

the eye candy you're about to see.

First though, here is my friend Lorri Scott. 

She is posed next to a rack of her

Amazing Wearable Art!

Lorri is our featured May Artist in my shop, 

Boulder Creek Antiques & Art.

Here she is in her magnificent splendicity! 

I made up that word, SPLENDICITY, it fits Lorri!

Visit her blog, and you'll see how fabulous she is!

 On the home front....

Here is the bag of EYE CANDY

I mentioned above....

This old plastic bag is chock FULL of 

AMAZING CROCHET LACES!

I found this exquisite crochet yoke

So sweet and delicate

Even though it's been living in an airless bag

for who knows how long.

I'm thinking Lorri could do something amazing with this.

 Here is a closer view of the intricate work!

 Also, tucked into this bountiful bag

This unusual netting, with little cotton dots.

It's really all white, 

the dots appear pinkish in the picture.

Anyone seen something like this before?

What is it called?

 And, here is a closer view of some of the lovely lacy pieces.

 You may be wondering...

Where did she find such a bountiful bag of lace goodies?

Please don't laugh...

Ok, laugh, I'm still laughing myself!

The found treasure trove

was uncovered in my own

STORAGE SHED!

Yep.

Four years ago, we downsized.

Moved from our huge house in the redwoods near the river.

To our little cottage in the redwoods near the lake

(Yes, we like the whimsical!)

I had to downsize my huge sewing room as well.

Yesterday, I ventured into the storage shed,

and ta-da...

I rediscovered and, brought back to life

My Bountiful Bag of Lovely Laces!

So, dear friends, that's my story.

Sending you Sweet Blessings for a

Lovely Spring Day!

xoxo Chris

A BIG EVENT....

I've been so busy this week preparing for our big event! Many of you know I own a fabulous, fun antique collective, BOULDER CREEK ANTIQUES & ART, kind of a mini-mall, in our mountain town of Boulder Creek. This Friday we are hosting our first ever FIRST FRIDAY EVENT!  If you're in the area, please come by and say hi. AND... you can enjoy the fabulous art of Lorri Scott !!

First Friday Boulder Creek!
Friday, May 3rd, 6 to 8 pm

In MAC's 100 Year Old Building
Home of Boulder Creek Antiques & Art
13164 Highway 9, Boulder Creek

Featuring the Amazing work of Local Artist
Lorri Scott
Of Wayward Threads Wearable Art

And the Wonderful Works of our resident artists...
Chris Flynn - Mixed Media & Fiber, Books, Bags, & Purses

Bill Flynn - Figural Silhouettes

Carol Milich - Handcrafted Porcelain
Mike Milich - Photography
Darlene & Glenn Cobb - Cement Garden Art

And....here is even MORE incentive...

HUGE STORE-WIDE 

DEEPLY DISCOUNTED!

1st FRIDAY SPECIALS!!
(Only for these two hours)

Also Just for your pleasure
Featuring the Live Acoustic Guitar of
Michael Scott

Enjoy Delicious Hors d'oeuvres and Wine Tasting in our
Secret Gardens

Just one more day? Please?

Oh my gosh, how can the time have passed so quickly. I just checked into my lovely condo here at Angels Camp last Sunday afternoon. And, already it's my last night. It started out raining, but yesterday and today were absolutely lovely, temps in the 70's and 80's. I spent a little too much time in the pool yesterday, so I'm presently a little pink. It's been a lovely time away, of deep thinking, art journaling, writing, and reading.

Here's my patio art table.... I'm art journaling my 'bucket list'....

 

 

 Here are the 19 soaps I felted....

 Whilst taking the pictures of the soaps, I noticed 'my' oak tree glistening in the setting sun. Ah, sending me her verdant green hugs...

A lovely Spring Day in the California foothills

Lucky me. I'm on one of my periodic personal retreats here in the lovely Sierra Foothills in the town of Angels Camp. The sun illuminates the sprawling oaks as the early birds gently wake me with their melodic songs. ahhhh.  I'm off today, to see the famous Daffodil Hill in nearby Sutter Creek. Before I go, here's my morning view off my deck.... lovely, isn't it!

Oh, and this was still in my camera... my latest fabric and lace book dedicated to Mothers. It measures about 4x6 with lace extending almost everywhere. A really sweet book. I think I'll list it on Ebay this week. (click here) Otherwise, it will be part of my booth at the Mother's Day Art Fair.

I don't know why the lettered tags show up as blue, they are really white.  The doilies in this peace were gifted to me by my friend Winnie, from the Scotts Valley Artisans. Whinny's grandmother crocheted the amazing little 3" intricate doilies as she did the amazing 4" trim you see along the bottom. I cut this trim off of a larger table runner. It's so delicate and charming, I love it.

 My camera's colors are way, way off. This is not a brilliant orange, rather a soft, subdued salmon color. Oh well. You can also see more antique crochet laces, plus the long lace on the left came off of a vintage wedding dress.

 More lace from another vintage wedding dress.

Angel Love

This one came together so sweetly, using tons of vintage wedding dress laces and Victorian era photos.