Studio Spotlight

If you are here from Ellison Lane, welcome!

First off, I want to say.  To the quilters that have to take their sewing machine and sewing baskets out of some small linen closet and work on the dining room table?  I've been there.  To the ones that share their space with a guest bed and home "office".  Been there.  To the ones that have to go down to a dark, spooky basement.  Yup. Been there.  To the ones that have had to go to the room that was once an attic and is far away from the family?  Been there!!

In the last 17 years of marriage, I have had to sew where ever I could.  I even remember sitting on a floor with my leg awkwardly pushing the pedal when we were in a temporary apartment waiting.

I am so blessed to have this space now.

When we were about to move again, my only request to my husband that we found a layout where I could have my own space, close to the action.  

The view off our kitchen, which happens to be an open floor concept to the family room.

 First door bathroom.  Second door, studio.  Laundry room straight ahead.

Garage on the left side out to where my longarm "studio" is!

I have a load of pictures for this area...but for another day.

But back to my main area!!

I always get asked about the cabinets.  They are not custom.  We did not have someone build them. We went to Home Depot and Lowes and bought either pre-built or put them together ourselves from boxes.  They were added over time...not all at once.  It actually just started with a few of the lower ones in our last house.

On the right side when I walk in is what I call the work area. 

 Computer, files, printer, phone. Paper.

This side of the room are kitchen counter top height so I can sit on stools or just stand.

My cutting tools and current project file boxes are easy access for when I need to work.

And the TV. 

I can't live without background noise while I am working.  Especially when the boys go back to school.  The silence is deafening and makes me miss them greatly.

I use the upper area to display some of my mini quilts and my American Girl Dolls.

When my husband's grandmother passed away, we were offered some items and both he and I agreed that I would keep her yellow sewing basket.  It still has some great vintage scissors and notions inside.

My favorite area.

How could you not love fabric?!?!?

Yum.  I have mini-bolts on the top shelves and then baskets filled with layer cakes, fat quarter bundles, and charms.

And more yum. Some jelly rolls anyone?

My new Lindstrom 1930s toy sewing machine under the sweet mini quilt from a Name Game Swap.

Portable design wall behind the door.
There are actually two stacked. I pull them out and stand them together for bigger quilts

It currently has no projects right now because I have more tops completed and the other projects are in "cut" stages. 

But Button makes use of it every chance he gets.

The next area is my island.

This is, again, kitchen counter height.

Cutting. Ironing.  Pretty Jars with ribbons and notions.

The island consists of cabinets that made an "L" in my old attic studio in the last house. 

We reconfigured it to make the square.  

I also wanted an overhang area so the boys can sit on stools and work at it for big art and school projects.

 

I hope that someday I can address the counters!

 They, again, were just premade laminate counters we found at Home Depot.

They clean up well, but they are getting a bit "bleh".  I also never got around to painting the island like I wanted to.  Someday.  Quilting gets in the way!

I call this side my sewing area.  

We ordered file cabinets so that it would be lower than the rest of the counters.

My sewing machine stays permenantly on the countertop.

Fat quarters and more ribbon are up above in the cabinet!

I put my embroidery machine away in my closet when it is not in use. 

 I like to keep the counters as uncluttered as possible.

In the center, I have my buttons, patterns, and a plaque with my daughter's name on it. 

The main reason I have been quilting so much the past four years.

More jars.  Can you tell I like jars?  They are in the center to collect binding leftovers for my "someday" full scrappy quilt.  I also store all the leftover triangles I have to use as leaders and enders.

The tall cabinet store some of my scrapbooking supplies.  The other supplies are in my island.

But, generally, scrapbooking only happens on my retreats.

Above is my birdhouse collection. Actually.  It was my grandmothers.  She gave them to me when she had to move into their retirement home.  They didn't have room for them, so I told her I would keep them for her.  I made the birdhouse quilt at the time, but lately, the traditional colors are just not working for me.  I am pretty sure you will see something in the future take it's place.

We are just not going to talk about this very packed 10 foot high closet, are we?
I do love my bin organization for projects though.

And to keep Button busy?

He has a basket of toys to play with!

But mostly, he gets into my stuff.

My sitting area.  

The cover on the chair-and-a-half is for my pugs that keep me company.   They love to set their heads on my shoulder while I do handwork.

And yes, more jars.  My hexie templates, needles, and more buttons.  

I like buttons.

 And last but not least. 

Lighting.  

My dearest husband installed these because without them?

THE REALITY.

I wouldn't be able to sew at night without them.  This is a shot of my honest craft room.  Most of my sewing happens in the wee hours of the night when everyone else is sleeping.

Go to Ellison lane and join in the Studio Spotlight fun.

I am going to hunt for ideas.  I have been feeling  like I need to make my room less "old fashioned" as someone recently said when they saw my room.

***UPDATE:  The studio finally got a facelift.  I couldn't be more thrilled!***
STUDIO MAKEOVER

Busy Boys

 

Four Busy Boys at home for two weeks yields:

One box of 246 basted Hexies.

I really had not planned to make progress on my hexies.  They were supposed to be my "on the road' project when school and sports started back up.  Reorganizing and cleaning up have claimed priority this past week.  I also have been feeling a bit under the weather and by the time I sit down in the evening, I really don't want to get up and go to my studio.

I actually look forward to quiet time when they go back to school, but can't really say that I am excited for them to go back.  It has been so nice hanging with them and not stressing about book reports, homework and tests.

Not much else going on around here other than the clear box I have for the hexies.

I did decide to buy some clear containers this week to organize my WIPs and UFOs.

I figure if I actually SEE the things I need to do, I will be more inclined to get them done?

I even have bins that are just bundle, kits, and fabric cuts.

 If I place them together with the patterns I plan to use them with?
  I won't change my mind mind later?
And they will be a nice place to keep fabric cuts and scraps while I am working on projects.

Please tell me that you are making a ton of progress on projects to get me motivated
or tell me you can commiserate with my plight and are actually not getting much done either!

Guilty

of fabric murder....

I vowed last year to use up my stash and have been strict about buying more than I need per project!   My stash is DRASTICALLY smaller today because I committed the dirtiest deed.

I threw away all of my nasty old yucky ugly un-needed, un-wanted fabric yesterday.

How much did you ask?

2 FULL heavy duty garbage bags.

Momma was in a organizing mood since Mr. Boss put up her cabinets outside in the garage (pictures coming soon!)

My scrap drawers open with ease.

My jelly rolls have a new home.

My fat quarters have taken up their own shelf.

My large amounts of yardage fabric are on their own mini-bolts in their bins.

Not as fancy as some sewing rooms I have seen, but I was going for functional, not beautiful!

I even sorted ALL of my scrapbook paper, stickers, and die cuts into new organizers (that I have had stashed away waiting for this day!!)

I will share another day.  

You might not be able to handle the organization!


Anyone else cleaning out their studios for the New Year?