Thank you so much for your positive feedback about both my new studio space, and my new blog-look! You really know how to make a girl’s day!
I have made a few changes to my blog which I hope you will find useful. If you would prefer to receive my posts via email or RSS feed you can now do so. The buttons for both are situated on the top right of my side bar. My blog address is also different – I am now a “Dot Com” instead of a “Blogger Dot Com”… but don’t worry if you still visit me via blogger – you will be redirected automatically. It’s all good stuff!!
We’re on the countdown to school holidays here in Victoria, with only two more days to go before the kids are home for a couple of weeks! For me, that means making the very most of my serenity *giggle* which has been easy to do these past few days since losing my voice!! But every cloud has a silver lining… at least I don’t have to listen to the sound of my own dulcet tones! My singing voice always sounds SO MUCH better when I’ve got headphones on… but better for everyone all round when I can’t sing at all!! I find it hilarious that I can evacuate a room after uttering just a few notes!!
Would you like the second instalment of my studio tour!?
On the left-hand side of my desk is a pine buffet containing UFO’s, paints and paper crafts, and other tools that don’t necessarily get used on a regular basis. One drawer contains finished magazine projects (to keep them dust-free) and the other is devoted to the creation of fairy dolls! There are batiks, yarns and different kinds of ‘skin’ fabrics together with an array of other ‘sparklies’ for making iridescent wings!
I also use the space in front of the buffet to put up my ironing board when I’m working on projects that require a lot of pressing. It’s great to just swivel my chair, lower the ironing board to my level, and then swivel back to my desk to continue sewing, without having to leave my seat. Although I’m not getting the exercise from walking to the kitchen to use the facilities, it sure is a good time-saver!
I unified the colour of my magazine holders so with the exception of one, they are all white. They house my collection of Australian Homespun magazines, plus pattern books, painting books and business information.
I have always loved how quilting shops display their fat quarters and wanted to recreate something interesting at home as best I could. What you see above is a small wooden shelf/cabinet that I’ve placed on its back so there are two columns to store fabric. You can see this shelf/cabinet in the final photo of my last post – sitting on the shelf above my desk.
I keep my sewing threads in these wee plastic tubs purchased for a couple of dollars from a two-dollar shop!
The pretty wooden painted shabby box on top left of my shelf can be seen in more detail in this post. I store my paints within. The two sewing totes contain trims and needlework projects. You can read more about them here and here. The picture on the wall was gifted to me by a dear friend and I love how the birdcage in the picture ties in with the wren perched on top of the iron stand! The door on the left leads out to our garage so I try and keep the walkway clear – not always easy!!!
I needed somewhere to showcase all the gorgeous hanging gifties that I’ve received from creative friends over the past few years and found an iron “bird stand” very cheaply in a two-dollar shop (pictured centrally in the above photo). I am yet to get a decent close-up shot of it!
There is a plastic storage system in between my desk and the buffet. I covered it in a large remnant of white tablecloth fabric so that the scheme would remain neutral and look tidy. My fabric tubs are all labelled… and I have added a plant for some greenery. I have to admit – the plant is plastic! I’ve always considered plastic plants rather vulgar, preferring the healing qualities of the real deal… but this one looks SO real…and I didn’t want to be getting my fabrics wet while watering! So I cheated!!
The great thing about purchasing an office desk was that the drawers were already set up with dividers. the narrow top drawer houses my rulers, rotary cutters and stationary:
The second has dividers in it, probably for CD storage. They are just the right size for housing fat quarters, but I needed to store my sewing essentials. I discovered that plastic storage tubs (the kind that are used to contain fast food) were the perfect size. You can buy them so cheaply at just $2 for a pack of four! I’m also a bit of a label-queen. I label anything I can get my hands on – so don’t stand still for too long!!! I might just get ya!!
Quilting gloves, measuring tape, plug for the light box and of course, the infamous labeller are kept in the left divider. Here’s some of the rest:
I haven’t photographed my bottom drawer, it has hanging files and contains my own designs, patterns and business information.
Lastly, in front of my monitor sits my treasured pincushion which you can read more about here. I keep paperclips in the wee white metal bucket that I picked up from Spotlight last Easter. My IPod station is plugged in here too, so I can listen to my favourite tunes while I sew.
It has taken me about three months to get this space organised. I tell you this because I can quite often be a “jump in with both feet” kind of a person! Honestly, If I’d had a crystal ball at the end of last year I would not think this transformation possible. But it is! By looking for bargains in sales and opportunity shops (that’s how this all came about in the first place) and realising the potential in everyday items, and repurposing what you have… it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to transform a space. Thrifting and planning have certainly been my two best friends during this process!
All of the nick-nacks I have shown you (lamp, storage tubs, CD boxes, magazine holders, cake stands, shelves, iron bird stand etc…) and the desk and paint for it – have together cost me less than $250. It sure has been a lot cheaper to get the studio of my dreams than I thought it would be!
So there you have it - Dreams DO come true - I hope that yours do, too!!
Till next time! Hugs! Vikki xx