DREAMS DO COME TRUE

Currently my studio is a spare bedroom which has been stripped of all bedroom identity to become a place where I spend my time creating. Of course, I have way too much stuff so it is overcrowded and cramped. Here are a couple of pictures:















For many years I have dreamed of having a studio with plenty of room and good storage. Well, that dream is close to becoming a reality thanks to my fantastic hubby. He has been working to add a space to our unused basement for me to use for a studio. When I retired the gift from him was that he would build me my dream studio. Keep in mind that this was a totally unused area in our basement that was crammed with just plain "junk" and old keepsakes.

While it was basically a clean slate for building a studio it required a lot of prep work before he could even begin. It had to be cleared, wired, framed and drywalled. He began by giving me measurements for the area and I did a rough drawing of how I wanted it to be. Then, he began. The new space is a little more than twice the size of the space I curently have.





















We cleared most of the collected junk from the area. Some large items had to remain and he has worked around them. This, I am sure, created many a challenge for him.




I wanted to share some pictures of the process with you, my friends. This is my hubby working away creating my dream room a little at a time:






Here is a view peering into the walk-in closet! Yes, I will have a closet, approximately 6x8 feet with shelves where I can store my fabric so I can actually SEE what I have! No more digging through storage totes to see if I have something!! Yeah!!















A couple of views of the sheetrock completed. Today he has completed hanging the sheetrock.
















While there is still a lot to do, I am THRILLED to see the studio taking shape.

Many tasks to be completed: finishing the sheetrock, painting walls, wood trim installed and painted, recepticles to be installed, lighting, building cabinets and putting in the work island....and all the finishing touches. Can hardly wait for sharing the completed project.

I am still undecided on wall color and the rug for the reading and office area. And I need to decide on the desk, chairs, filing cabinets for the office area. We will be hanging a television, DVD player on the wall to prevent using valuable table top areas.

There will be a couple of small chandeliers in the studio. Here is a picture of them:



Hopefully, I will be set up in the new studio before the holiday season! I have a lot of ephemera, fabric and just plain "stuff" to sift through before moving into the new studio. Besides getting totally organized is at the top of the list and I am sure it will be quite the task.

I will keep you posted.

Just enjoying a summer day........

catching bugs and hopping in the grass.



Looking around to ensure that all is safe.





Oh, I think I see a small grasshopper.
I will quietly step closer...














THERE it is!!!

















UH! OH! I think I hear Mom. I'd better head back to the woods.




I was just enjoying a summer day chasing bugs and playing in the grass.......Here I am, Mom. Coming........

This was the scene from my kitchen window. Usually we see Mom and Dad with babies but today the Young One was playing alone.

Making An Apron

Sewing away making aprons. Thought I would share some pics.

Having Fun Today......

playing in the studio. Making INchies for the swap with the INchie Divas. Deborah in Port Townsend is hosting this time around and doing a FABULOUS job. This is the greatest group of artistic talent and I love sharing our creations.

Will be getting these in the mail tomorrow.



Decided to create a small piece of fabric to put the INchies on. INchies will be attached to the back then off it goes to Deborah.















Here is a little fun kitty to hang on the door or some other fun place.





Feeling very PINK today, can you tell?

Have a great weekend!

Long time no posts.........

I know I have been silent for a while but have been busy revamping myself. Trying to decide my artful direction, sorting through much much art stuff and trying to get things out of the way of hubby who is building me a new studio. It is totally from an unfinished area in the basement and is requiring framing, wiring, building cabinets etc......

Basement is a mess with years of "stuff" but he is hanging in there. We have been busy picking out light fixtures, deciding what will go where, what is needed, etc.

Due to the astute observance of our youngest son I will have a walk-in closet in the studio. We were originally going to have the door in one area but he pointed out that there would be pipes in the way of the door. So after "suggesting" we relocate the door he observed that there would be a much wasted space in the unfinished area of the basement.......just the space for a walk-in closet! Yeah!!!

Etsy shop has been begging for items for a couple of years as working in my audit manager job and teaching at retreats just gave no time for creating. Hope to unveil some new creations soon.

Here is a sneak peak at the "mess" I've made sorting in my current studio:






Space is too small and I have way too much stuff.








Stay tuned for more news on the future of my artful direction, etsy redo and the new studio which I am hoping to be using by the fall.

Please stay with me, dear friends, I will soon be announcing a new direction, plans for etsy....WOW! retirement does get one to thinking.........

Quilt Chicago 2010

Today, Earth Day, is the perfect day to share my experience at Quilt Chicago. Classes and demos all focused on eco friendly projects and recyling to create items that make great gifts for friends.

Ending a whirlwind week in the Windy City was bittersweet. Classes and students were terrific. Talent was overflowing. Friendships, old and new, filled the week with joy, fun, sharing and laughter.

Fabrics in the Dyeing in the Kitchen were dyed using edible dyes from the kitchen cabinet and veggies for stamps to create unique designs. Skittles, M&M's, carrots, celery, cauliflower.....what fun!























Cloth Paper Scissor's Open Studio was the perfect place to demo these gift tags made from snippets and bits. Previous creations yielded these tiny pieces of scraps that became lovely gift tags.




In the Saturday Sampler I demonstrated making notebooks using more snippets, bits, leftover ribbons, silk flowers and small notebooks. These are a fun, easy way to make a special gift for friends. Recycle, recycle, recycle.....











Sunday Shuffle gave me the opportunity to demo paperbag wallets......another great recycle project.

Quilt Chicago

QUILT BLOCK JOURNALING CLASS

This is a fun class in which Tracie Lyn and I will show you how to take a favorite memory or event to create a unique one-of-a-kind quilt block. This is a way to capture your thoughts and incorporate them into a quilt or wall hanging.




Thoughts for the quilt block may come from your journal or perhaps a wedding album, baby book or a child's summer camp adventure. You will learn a technique that can be used in many ways to immortalize thoughts and events that are special. There is nothing better than to have a quilt covered in memories wrapped around you to warm your heart.

Classes fill quickly at Quilt so we urge you to register for this class as soon as possible. We are excited to know that something we will teach you provides a way to enjoy special memories.

Paper Bag Wallets

Getting together the kits for International Quilt Chicago. These are fun and easy paper bag wallets. Great way to use up paper bags and scraps of fabrics and ribbon.





This wallet uses bright fun fabric scraps. Adds a splash of color for those plain jeans and a t-shirt.
















These will hold a cell phone and a small wallet.





















And when made in a more traditional fabric becomes a cute addition to an outfit for church or special occasion.


















Great way to recycle those paper lunch bags!

Fun! Fun! FUN!!!

FUN AT CHA and THE FRENCH GENERAL

Going to CHA was such a fun experience. Lots of activity and seeing many friends filled the days in a most rewarding way. Made new friends.....what an experience attending CHA for the first time!

Then to make it an even more rewarding experience Tracie and I taught at The French Gneral! I cannot say enough good things about Kaari. She is a hostess above all! We felt at home from the moment she walked outside to meet us in the parking lot. Her hospitality, open heart and giving ways made us want to stay there and visit for hours.

Class was great....attendees included new students and a repeat who brought her lovely daughter. Talent abounded in the room as they all took brushes in hand then began painting and creating.


Here are some pics of their work.









































Then as the trip came to a close.......NOTHING could top the party at The French General! It was a blast and, again, hosted by the two lovely women, Kaari and Jo Packham (creator of Where Women Create).


















Kaari'e dad was our bartender! He was great and a lot of fun!





Somewhat sadly we headed home the next morning...the ending to a Memorable weekend!

CHA, teaching at The French General then a party with friends at The French Generaland going with my lovely daughter-in-law, Tracie. How Blessed I AM!

Discover Italy in the Fall.......

by joining Tracie and me on a FABULOUS Adventure.

Every day spent in Italy is one filled with new discoveries and this coming fall will be no exception. We will enjoy an architectural tour of historic building styles evident in nearly every street in Orvieto. This will offer a rare look at the vast layers hiding beneath many common sites in town. Layers of history will be revealed before your eyes. You will see Estrucan sites from 600 BC that were eventually taken over by the Romans. Elaborate mosaic floors in excellent condition will enable you to imagine what a Roman temple may have been like. Christians followed and took parts and pieces of this historic past then reconstructed a church, adding even more layers. Feeling and seeing this historical site will make a vivid impression on you for years to come.



Orvieto is a welcoming town with an architectural style than can only be absorbed through the experience of being there, touching and smelling the air.


Gardens and ancient walkways will capture your heart and senses. The plants growing freely on the landscape will present a visual delight.


Shopping at the market provides a discover of lucious foods and wines to enjoy. This will be experienced as we cook and eat the Italian way.


Tracie and I invite you to enjoy and discover with us on our Adventure In Italy this September. Visit Kirstin and Bill Steiner's website for all the details. Space is limited to enable the experience to be one of personal one-on-one learning and quaintness. I encourage you to not wait to get signed up for this experience.

See you in Italy!