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Saturday, July 14, 2012

WHERE BLOGGERS CREATE 2012...

 Welcome to the studio here at Quill Cottage.  A few things are new since last years party post and I hope you will enjoy the tour.
 
My name is Sandy and I am a mixed media artist who loves to play with paint, paper, fabrics, and fibers.
 
  What do I make?  Mostly a mess, (although today everything is cleaned up and company ready) as well as handmade books, fiber embellishments to use in books or art quilts, fabric and paper sculpting, and pretty much anything else that strikes my fancy.  I also enjoy surface design, making my own unique backgrounds for collage pieces or book pages. 
 ("Elements of Nature" a handmade mixed media nature journal, book can be seen here, book text can be seen here.)

If anyone had ever told me that I would some day have a creative space all my own larger than a TV tray with more storage than you can fit under a bed I would have smiled and thought, "When pigs fly!"  Well, pigs still can't fly but time sure did, my high school sweetheart husband and I watched our son and daughter leave the nest and the cottage that once seemed so full and over flowing suddenly had a little breathing room and my studio was born.
 (One of my handmade fiber birds)

It measures a scant 11 feet wide and 16 feet long with an 8 foot wide by 2 1/2 deep foot closet.  Space planning and storage were my key concerns when designing the space.  I assessed my needs and my wants as well as how I wanted the space to function.  While I could not have my cake and eat it too I was able to meet most of my "wish list".  I wanted a space where I would have a large work area, a sewing area, room for a guest or three to come and play, supply storage, gift wrap area, a place to write, and a photo "booth" for product or blog photos.  Believe it or not, I can do all these things in my small studio.
 
By careful planning and a ton of culling and honing my supplies down to only things I really love to work with I made it work.  My supplies are my "decorations".  My philosophy is that I don't have to have a lot of any one thing but a little bit of everything I truly love.  I tried to artfully arrange things where I can see them or they are in labeled containers so I can quickly find them.  Since I generally work small my storage containers could also be small (and numerous ;c).  I like the pretty things in sight and the actual tools and various products hidden out of sight.
 
My goal in this studio was to create a neutral backdrop of creams and whites, letting my supplies or accessories bring in color.  The walls are a parchment color with white trim.  Sometimes when you work with color in a colorful room your color does not read true.  While I embrace color in other areas of my home, outside of this small room my life contains a lot of chaos and stress so I wanted a soothing peaceful environment.  My little get away haven is soft and feminine with a vintage feel creating a neutral backdrop that can work with any colors or changes I might make as my mood changes.  
 
All the furnishings were thrift or flea market finds, while putting together my studio I was working a tight budget.  I married many pieces together to meet my needs.  Since the space is small I planned out a lot of vertical storage/workspace. To make them all cohesive I used white paint and vintage book pages unifying the mixed elements.
 
A small child sized chest of drawers and two tier table made a perfect unit to place between the open studio door and closet.
 This unit houses a collection of pretty storage boxes and drawers full of vintage linens to craft with as well as my fabric surface design backgrounds.
  (Handmade book by Tina, I'll be sharing more about this in another post.)
 
 
 
 Don't discount what you can store behind a door!  With a scant six inches of space between the door and the wall I have created a narrow storage unit to house threads, jars of ribbon snippets, rolls of seam binding, hand dyed fabric ribbons, and colorful feathers.
 Old wooden crates were sawed down into uniform thickness, all were applied to a scrap wooden backing.  The backing was coated with book pages, (still needs to be painted white and when time permits that will get done).  A store bought thread holder was cut down and tacked to the backing.
 
 Cone threads rest underneath.  A tension rod sprayed brown holds seam binding rolls.  Jars fill the remaining areas to hold those ribbon roll ends and scraps that are still useable but loose.  Old door knobs were applied to one side to hang my hand dyed fabric ribbons from.
 
 
An old metal eight hook hanger is on the wall on the other side to hold more dyed ribbons and crinkled seam bindings.  I hope to score another one of these some day.
 
Another small chest and some old porch posts made another vertical unit to house most of my ribbons, laces, and trims plus fun inspiration pieces.
(One of my handmade paper shoes)
 
(Handmade fiber and fabric boot)
 
 
 In the closet I had stock lament shelving and brackets from a previous space and they were too short to fill the closet so I married a small book case and a hutch top to create a center unit and installed the stock shelving on either side to create one continuous storage space.  Jars from various food stuffs have brown spray painted lids to hold multiples of small supplies.
 Wire baskets house fabrics to keep them from tumbling off shelves.  Since my work is small in scale I don't need places for large item storage, inexpensive shoe boxes from the dollar store fit the bill for most things.  I had a set of cardboard boxes from a previous space the I spray painted glossy black and glued more old book pages to the lids, other containers with drawers were purchased over time as they were on sale or with store coupons.  All are labeled so I or guests can find things quickly to use when crafting.
 Cardboard boxes were cut down and covered in old book pages to create book holders for craft magazines and art books.
  I reserved the center shelf where the two pieces were joined as a place to put a rotating display of inspirational pieces.  Right now it is a girly gallery...
Featured below are a series of paper and fiber sculpted shoes and boxes I made:

 
 
 
 Fun trinkets I can incorporate into art pieces...

TIP:  When planning closet storage sort all your supplies into like minded piles to determine the size and kind of containers you are going to need to house each set of items.  Once that is done you can then measure your closet space to determine your shelving needs and plan the layout accordingly.  Using adjustable shelving strips with brackets is a great idea, since they are adjustable you can move them around as space and needs change.

I flanked the large window with two old wooden columns (free from a friend, gotta love that!) and placed old door knobs evenly spaced down the front to hold empty frames I have collected to use in my art work.  One side also houses a 3 tier hanging basket that I made canvas liners for to hold small hand sewing projects.
(A fabric collage I made featuring a favorite quote)
A side wall holds a wire basket that can be used as an inspiration board, another holder for muslin ribbons, and a trio of containers holding handmade items to use in my artwork.
 The desk was a big brown bear that wed an old twin sized iron bed frame that had been welded into a bench.  It created vertical storage that did not block the light. The base was painted out white and my husband laminated the desk top, pull out wings, and knee hole shelf for a smooth and easy clean up surface.
 
 
I used simple tin cans from the kitchen spray painting them and then decorating them with various things from around the studio that make me smile.  I drilled two holes in the back of each can and used zip tie to hold them in place on the back of the iron frame.
 I applied old cabinet knobs to the sides of the frame and painted out some old cafe rods to hold a roll of waxed paper and artist tissue as well as various rolls of tape.  In the area where the weld for the old seating was I placed two small shelves painted out to match the desk top.
 The previous seat  was moved up to the arm rails and became a shelf with under mounted lighting, it houses an inspiring collection that can be rotated or changed with need or mood.
I filled the shallow center desk drawer with flea market find shadow boxes.  They hold small finds to use in my artwork.
 A simple garden trellis, found wire, cup hooks, chain, and anchors top off the desk making a study hanging storage space.  Strips of torn muslin wrap the chain to make it appear to be tied up with fabric.  Vintage wire shopping baskets decorated with a couple of beeswax collage pieces hold handmade substrates and rolls of interesting papers and textiles.  Vintage hat boxes house favorite paper scraps for using in collage.
 The large unit that divides my sewing station and creates my main work cubical was put together with a mish-mash of finds.
 The base was built from stock laminate shelving pieces that I found on clearance.  The sides are two old bi-fold doors that I removed the louvers from the top half and replaced with chicken wire and some scrap trim.
 The shelving consists of two rough boards that I sanded then glued old book pages to cover their imperfections.  This area holds and jewelry box I turned into an ink pad cabinet, jars of supplies, a pair of paper sculpted birds I made, as well as a fun collection of writing items.
The back is an old window (another freebie from an old family cabin that had fallen into ruin), a couple of old spindles, and some more scrap trim.  The brackets for the shelving are flea market finds.  Finishing pieces are some aged picket flower bed fencing with rusty tacks to hang things from and on the back a couple more brackets and a window stool that came with the salvaged window.
 
 Hidden underneath a vintage lace draped tension rod are modern containers of supplies.  My printer is here handy as well as a place beside it for my laptop for those artful printing project needs.
My main work station is the back wall with an 11 foot wall-to-wall counter.  These white cabinets and  gray counter top were deep discounts of discontinued stock from a kitchen store display.
 I used wallpaper paste, vintage book pages, antique images, white paint, and a rubber stamp to create the cabinet fronts.  More stock laminate shelving were hung above with lighting installed underneath.  More flea market shelving finds top them off for more vertical storage.  I arranged the cabinets to have two knee hole work spaces for sitting or standing options.
 Leftover laminate shelving ends were tacked under neath for extra storage space.  Since the cabinets are kitchen sized they are deep and house most of my tools and products that I use to create with.  I was able to find two large matching picnic baskets that I tucked under each shelf.  One holds drawing pads and substrates, the other holds rolls of vintage wall paper.
 
 The stools were found at a flea market, they were bar height cut down to fit the counter top and to seat comfortably.  The chair pads were ready mades that I found on sale and stapled to the seat rim and trimmed with a wide lace.
 
I work standing up so the counter height is perfect for that.  That is not a cute rug that you see below but an ugly cushy gel mat.  I totally recommend one if you work standing up, it is great for the back and legs.
 Centrally located is my ribbon roll "lamp" and containers of colorful art supplies.
 My work cubical houses most basic supplies in open handy reach.  I have utilized flea market finds of spice racks, paper towel holders, bottles and jars, even a stray glove and shoe last have been pressed into service.

 More decorated tin cans hold my paint brushes on top of my inspiration/photo booth/project design rail.   This piece is an old ceiling tile tin layered with a baby bed rail, both flea market finds.  It is capped off with upper and lower picket flower bed fencing and a shelf on top.
(A work in progress)

 I can clip or hang things from the rails and with a quick blink of an eye I can convert it into a small photo booth for taking blog or product photos.  To use this area for a photo booth I remove whatever is on it...
 Set up my lighting, an adjustable clamp lamp on top and an adjustable goose neck lamp on eight side...
 I place brackets that my husband helped me to modify in the bracket holders and clamp sheeting to the brackets to diffuse the light...
 I have three options for showcasing products, hanging from a wreath hanger...
 Clipping directly to the rail with clamps or clothes pins...
 Or by sitting something on a shelf, this shelf is featured on the center of my desk, it is removable, the hooks on back were set to work in both areas...
On the other side of this room diving piece is my sewing station. 
 
 What appears to be an antique sewing machine it not what it seems.  The old sewing machine base with a board top was bought at a flea market.  I found the machine drawers at an antique store and the wooden machine cover at vintage textile store.  Once again I married them up to create a sewing table.  
 
The table top and piano stool were covered over with sewing patterns.  The drawer frames were attached to the underside of the top.  The wooden cover was too shallow to go over my modern machine hiding underneath so I had the Handy Hubby frame it out with some scrap trim that I painted black.  The ends of the cover were damaged so I covered that over with pattern pieces too.
 
Since I have to face the wall to sew I filled the wall with a collage of fashion themed items that give me something to look at.  A small antique vanity mirror helps to reflect light.  Baskets on the hat rack, all flea market finds, hold sewing and needlework notions. 
 Just within reach are a collection of candle holders that hold frequently used cones of thread.  Each cone has an insert to convert it to fit on my standard machine and underneath each cone are three bobbins of coordinating thread.
TIP:  To make these holders for your studio you will need candle holders of your choice, corks to fit in the holder, bamboo skewers, black craft paint.  Hot glue cork into candle holder.  Poke bamboo skewer into cork, place either cone or spool threads on skewer to determine where to clip off end of skewer.  Leave a little bit of tip for a "wick".  Remove thread, paint skewer with black craft paint and allow to dry.  Replace your thread and you have chic sewing thread candles!
 
 A button cubby rests on the floor underneath the salvaged shelf.  Buttons are sorted by color into small jars topped with hand sewn tags. 
 Other pretties round out the space.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The newest studio addition is a gift my husband gave me for Christmas, an antique dress form...
 
 
This poor dear has been standing around stark naked ever since she arrived.  In panic mode I thought she needed a party dress and a head, she did not have either.  I plopped on a vintage doll skirt on to create a collar.  Tattered old books were stacked to create a neck.  
 
 An old glass jello mold jar topped off with a door knob completes her head and shoulders.  
 
Her necklace is a broken piece of jewelry and a Christmas Dangle Ornament (ornament tutorial found here)
 Her "skirt" is made from coffee filter flowers, a handmade Christmas garland (Garland tutorial found here), and pearl and chandelier crystal drops tied on with muslin ribbon.
 I am so close to sticking a fork in it and calling it done I can scarcely believe it! I have left myself room to grow some of the drawers, boxes, bins, and jars are empty just waiting to be filled with creative delights. This studio did not happen over night it has been over a two year process to get it this far.  It is also not perfect, I would have loved to ripped out the carpet and installed cork flooring but Handy Hubby was agreeable to everything but that.  Hopefully when we get around to installing new flooring in the main living space I can convince him to run the hardwood into this room also.  Until then, I will throw down a tarp and create anyway!
(Over view of entire studio space) 
 
 

 I feel incredibly blessed and so grateful to have a place that encourages my creative dreams.  A huge thank you goes out to our party hostess, Karen of My Desert Cottage, for supplying the creative connection through Where Bloggers Create 2012!
   I hope that you enjoy a visit to my studio and I hope that you too will DREAM until your dream comes true!
Blessings,
Sandy

78 comments:

bobbie said...

Sandy ~
I just KNEW your space would be beautiful! You've made such great use of every square inch ~ and yet it is cozy & inviting, also.
I hope you'll stop by and visit me when you can ~
bobbie

Dorthe said...

Dear Sandy,
this was a magical tour in a very special "land" of yours. I loved reviewing your stunning shoe -art and to see every beautiful corner in your room. What beauty you surrounds yourself with, sweet friend.
It must be a very special feeling being able to create in such beauty,that you yourself have been building up.
Thankyou for a wonderful visit.
Hugs and love,Dorthe

Tina said...

Your new studio have turned out wonderful Sandy - I knew it would. The closet is so perfect for storage. I love your little displayes - so much wonderful stuff to create with.
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings
Tina

Vee said...

Oh I'm coming back to take the tour again when I can really savor every photo and look at it carefully. Perhaps when I have time for my second cup of coffee. Your studio has been an inspiration since you first put it together (and not so long ago). I adore the window treatments and still have the directions should I ever imagine that I could do it. Lovely to find you here!

Sandy said...

My goodness, you have a lot of lovely
things to look at. Took me a while!
So nice to have such a happy and
cheery space to do your creating.
Nice to meet you and I'll be back
to see more...
Sandy

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness I will be stalking this page for quite some time! So much beautify and creativity to soak in- just one visit will not suffice!! You truly have created a most inspiring space! Still love that bed from over your desk such an awesome idea! I bet your family has a hard time getting you to come out of your play room!

bee blessed
mary

Lovey said...

Alright Sandy I'm coming over to play! What a beautiful craft space full of the most precious things...just beautiful my friend. Amazing!!! Going back for a second look!!! Smiles!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

WOW, you have a huge studio and it looks like a vintage shop!
Lots of treasures. I enjoyed the tour.
deb

Unknown said...

oh my..where start...your creative haven is gorgeous! truly....i will have to come back and visit again and again in order to see it all. it looks like it could be a vintage supply store...all those tresors and so beautifully displayed!! merci for opening your doors to us. lovely! ;)

deb said...

Stunning!!
*hugs*deb

Tammy said...

What a beautiful space filled with so much vintage loveliness! I love that you say you mostly make a mess--I'm pretty sure that's what my DH would say! But there's nothing wrong with that if it's in your very own space!

Susan said...

Ohhhhhhhhh my, what a lovely blog. Thanks for sharing and being so inspirational. Susan

melanie said...

lovely, just lovely...thank you so much for sharing your beautiful studio...

Eva Agnes said...

Gorgeous, wonderful, adorable. What a happy place to work in. Wioth a window infront of every worksurface.
A fantastic way to store your pencils and siccors.
Love it!
Hugs
Eva Agnes

Unknown said...

Wow... just wow... I fell in love with your studio!!! it is so fantastically beautiful! :D

Hugs,

Amber Lyon Ferguson said...

Breathtaking, inspiring. Following along now!
Amber

Unknown said...

Many, many beautiful things to inspire you!

Sandra Kaye said...

Awesome picture tour...thanks for sharing!!

BECKY said...

Oh my goodness Sandy! What an incredible space! And what a lovely stash! Looks like you have some collections in there, too. What a wonderful place to create in! Truly inspirational to view!

Thanks so much for giving us a tour!
Blessings,
Becky

The Feathered Nest said...

My goodness sweet girl, I just KNEW your studio would be AMAZING!!!! And truly, it is just beautiful ~ there is so much to see!!! I just love it all Sandy...you have outdone yourself!!!! Thank you so much for sharing so many photos, I've got to go back and look at everything again :) hugs and love, Dawn

Cathy said...

Wow! Absolutely fabulous! Such wonderful eye candy! Thank you for the tour!

Cathy ♥

Blessed Serendipity said...

Sandy your studio is BEAUTIFUL!! I love it and love all your special little treasures tucked here and there. What a fabulous place to create in.

blessings,
Danielle

Anonymous said...

To enter your creative space is like to enter in a shop : so much treasuries I do not know where to put my eyes.
You must feel happy in this beautiful studio.

Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your kind comments.

Have a creative summer. Blessings and Bonjour de France !

Hélène

Boxwood Cottage said...

Sandy your studio is simply awesome and there is always so much to discover! Now your dressform with the skirt that is iluminated from the inside is just the icing of the cake! I'm a big fan of your beautiful art btw!
Sending you very happy WBC party wishes and a thank you for stopping by my space!
Carola xoxo~

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh my goodness Sandy I'm finding it so hard to leave here there are so many beautiful tresors displayed in every corner.
You have created such an inspirational space to create all your natural beauty and for us to appreciate it.
You have filled my head with so many new possibilities for my own studio too. I would be right at home in there.
Thank you for providing us with so many precious pictures.
Suzy

Ruth Kelly said...

I am in total awe of your incredible studio.

Ellen said...

Wowwwww Sandy, your studio is so beautiful. I love it all!!

Hugs,
Ellen

Maureen said...

Wow Sandy, incredible place to create! What a beautiful collection of supplies and antique goodies to inspire... all so perfectly displayed. I adore it!

Thespoena McLaughlin said...

I have truly enjoyed every moment of this tour. Your studio is lovely. I really enjoyed seeing how you have decorated your dress form. She's gorgeous! Thanks so much for posting lots of pics. Have fun creating and being inspired in such a wonderful space. Hugs! Thespa

Anonymous said...

How spectacular! I can tell it has been a work in progress for a couple of years...it is way to filled with amazing items and their careful placement....to just have happened as a weekend project! this is such a stunning space...and how grand it is to have so much space to play with!

you have done an incredible job on a fixed budget....and thrift store finds are what i do all the time. I just found my vintage sewing machine and table for 12.00 dollars...it now sits proudly in my workspace ... and I'm a happy little girl because it works and I actually use it!



hope you'll come by to visit with me. I have enjoyed going through your photos so much....that I think I shall have to scroll through them one more time to take it all in!


ciao bella
creative carmelina

Anonymous said...

Your space is so inviting and lovely! You have used every inch so well! I love your organization! Your office is a dream!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Sandy,
WOW by far this is fantastic. I love your studio, your organizating and display ideas are over the moon fabulous. I could move right in. What a special place to create and spend hours of time in doing what you love.
What a talent you are!! I will be coming back again to drool over each and every pic. Thank you for sharing.

Happy Creating~
Hugs, Celestina Marie

RedBettySummer said...

It is so nice that we have this party each year to keep encouraging us to keep up with our spaces because it is a process to get them in order. Yours is wonderful and I enjoyed my visit. Happy creating, and happy blogging.

Rita Barakat said...

This room is fantastic! SO many wonderful things to look at I don't even know where to start!!!The dress form! The cans on the wire!!!Oh so much goodness - I have to go look again!

Victoria said...

Sandy, I've spent over an hour looking at your amazing studio. Your creativity is awe inspiring! The desk with the twin bed frame/bench on it, your repurposing of objects, your attention to detail and design are just brilliant! I've gotten so many ideas, thank you so much for the tour, and thank you for your kind words over on my WBC party post.

Blessings,

Victoria from Brushstrokes

Denise said...

Lovely post of your fun and beautiful studio room.I love the few art journal books I saw.Gorgeous work done on them.Blessings Denise

Beth said...

Hi Sandy, You have an amazing talent. I am so impressed. Love the elements of nature book - it is a definite wow! Your studio is great too.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Sandy,
First off, thanks so much for your visit and kind comment@
Second, OMG!! Your space is amazing! i have saved it to my favorites so i can return when i have more time to pour over all these pics filled with so much eye candy!!

Unbeleivably beautiful!!
Thanks so very much for sharing this wonderful space with us!! Such inspiration!

Hugs,
Debbie

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a beautiful studio, Sandy! It is obvious that you have put a lot of thought into how you wanted this room to look and function. You did a fantastic job making it your own {even if pigs don't fly!}. I love how you've set everything up and you've got such pretty things everywhere you look! Thank you for sharing your studio!

Createology said...

Sandy Dear I am so entranced with seeing your uber creative space. It is glorious and lends so much inspiration. Very special that you surround yourself with treasures you adore. Somehow I just knew your space would be pure bliss. Thank you for sharing.

Leanne said...

Oh, sandy . . . .I'm drooling p er your space! Absolutely drooling, I think I'd have WEEKS of fun in there (better make that MONTHS). I love the cans by the window - how you decorated them and then how you use the for supplies, Such a great idea! thanks so much for visiting my space and leaving such a lovely comment. Happy Creating!

Kathy said...

This is a simply amazing room - I adored seeing all your collections and treasures!!

EllenaElizabeth said...

Of course your studio is lovely. I knew it would be. I love your white unit that houses pretty boxes and I love your doileys. I have a huge collection and love to save them intact. I only cut them up for re-purposing if they are badly damaged. Thankyou for visiting me I appreciate it.

Unknown said...

Sandy Your space is just amazing, I visited last year and this year it is even better. I love what you did with your dress form and the lacey vintage baby dress ( the long one) hanging up reminds me of my Mom's baby dress I have pictured. You have such incredible ideas for storage and pull it together, just wonderful. Mom's dress is so fragile and is paper thin so i packed it away for now, I wish I could find a way to safely display it like her baby shoes. I just picked one of those up and a piece of the shoes lace fell off, eeekk. Any ideas, let me know. Hugs Sandy and so glad you could stop by, you are one of my "favorites" in every way:) Marilou

Michellee said...

O My!! Such a gorgeous space... I can just sit and daydream at your photo's all day.. Thanks for sharing your Wonderful creative space..

fairyrocks said...

Wow you have a gift for arranging the millinery and pretties. You had me with the leading 'journal' stunning work. I think I could spend hours just pouring over your awesome space and things.
Keep smiling and creating. Thanks so much for popping by with kind comments.

Terry said...

Oh my goodness! Your room and your art are gorgeous! You have blessed me with so many ideas. I have a craft closet that I am going to clean out next week. I will use your tip about sorting like minded materials. Thank you!

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Have a wonderful day!
Love,
Terry

Lynette Killam said...

So beautiful, Sandy, and so clever how you incorporated various odds and bits into a striking and effective whole. Your space is simply charming...I spent a lot of time going over each picture to pinpoint all the treasures hidden within!

I'm most impressed with the shoe and boot you made...so unique, although that journal at the start is one of the loveliest things I've seen.

Glad you came by my page so I could visit you in return. I'd had a delightful time...:)

Kay Ellen said...

Overflowing with beauty and treasures to create!
Wonderful :)

Thank you so much for sharing your artful space and stopping by to take a peek at mine:))

Have a blessed week Sandy!

xo
Kay Ellen

just me... jan said...

Sandy...I have to say I was completely gobsmacked by your creative space! While I'm not a fan of creating amid clutter, I would feel very comfortable in your room...everything just "feels right". And, silly as it sounds, prettily staged items are placed in well thought out organizational positions for easy use. And that desk! You're a freakin' genius!!! I would run over small children and lame animals for that contraption!!! It's PRIMO darlin'! Lashing the tin cans to the spindles? Amazing! I know I spent over 1/2 an hour perusing your photos and I'm goin' back for more...you have several ideas I want to "lift" for my own space!
just me...in awe at 5 a.m. in Texas...jan

Kadee Willow said...

Gesh Louise! Your space almost has me speechless! I say almost because I know you want my reaction!! So let me comment on a few things that caught my eye before speechlessness set in.. LOL! The doll hands holding scraps of paper ~ doorknob for your hand dyed ribbons ~ the newel posts (free, no less!) ~ and your shoes! To die for! Thanks for sharing and I will be back again soon!

June said...

SO this is where the 'magic' happens Sandy!!! I am overwhelmed by all the beauty I have just seen here. Thank you, thank you for sharing it!

Holly Loves Art said...

Your creative space is amazing! So much for the eye to see! Thanks for sharing all the lovely details and thanks for visiting me too.

farmhouse-story said...

oh, my, what a charming, special space to enjoy, sandy:) love the lit dressform! and your creations are so lovely! tfs the wonderful pictures!

CATHY said...

What a fabulous HUGE studio you have! Packed with wonderful vintage treasures to create with. Love the shoes you created and how you divided up the drawer with shadow boxes to organize your findings. Can I come play?

Diana said...

Hello Sandy,
Thank you for your sweet visit and kind words. I have always loved your studio and blog. Wow, your studio is more beautiful than ever. How can you improve on perfection? You have!!!! Your blog is a feast for the eyes and your words bring comfort to the soul. Thank you for all of your inspiration.

Shopgirl said...

All I can think to say is OH MY Gosh! What a wonderful place to create...Hugs, Mary

Riki Schumacher said...

Wow Sandy, what an awesome place to play! I'm coming over!! Love the iron bed, soooo much! Take care, and thanks for swinging by! Riki

Unknown said...

What a fantastic tour, so beautiful.
I love, love everything.
I am specially inspired by the thin cabinet on the back of the door, a really clever idea for use of space.
I also love all of the shoes.
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful space with all of us.
Michele

Anonymous said...

Beautiful room full of treasures! The wrought iron frame on the desk is stunning!

shabbyfufu said...

OMG....you sure have STUFF and know how to organize it! Thanks for sharing...Janet

The Greeley Girls said...

Sandy, Thanks for visiting ~The Greeley Girls~ We loved your space...so many photos to devour! So sad to hear about your Mom our prayers are with you at this difficult time. We will check back often. You are a beautiful writer... maybe putting your feelings in words will help you...I know that they helped me. Thanks for sharing...God bless!~

Something Special said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and let me tell you we would get along just great. I love your fabulous space and I let you know when I stop drooling. I think we are lots alike. I am a new follower here.

awal.ny said...

What a wonderful creative space you have. So organized, wow, I would love to have mine look that good. You have such great storage pieces too.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful studio, I love the colours - everything fits so well!

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

I absolutely love your style and your studio is just dreamy. Thank you for visiting me!

Laura Kirste Campbell said...

Ooo, what a marvelous creative space! Thank you for sharing your inspiration and organization and so many little pretties!!

Ah, I adore your birds!!! What a delight to meet you, Sandy!

Jenny said...

Hi Sandy, thanks for visiting. Talk about a studio - love , love it. I especially like your idea of using tin cans for storage - go my wheels turning girl. Take care. I've been a follower for a while.

Jenny

Fiona Larsen said...

Wow! Really impressive. You are a very talented collector and decorator. What a beautiful space! Your site is very beautiful too. Thanks so much for stopping by mine and your lovely comments! Happy creating.

Anonymous said...

Your space is so lovely and organized. I really like how you've used so many repurposed pieces and made them all go together so well. Thank you for visiting my studio and for your nice comments.

Unknown said...

A truly amazing space you have. I love your storage ideas and how you made them pretty and functional. Thank you so much for sharing your space with us.

bee'nme said...

Hello Sandy!! I can hardly take my eyes off your beautiful, magical space! I absolutely LOVE the way you "married" and repurposed various furniture and storage elements to make stunning vertical storage - so many clever ideas, so many beautiful details! Oh, your dress form - WOW, love it SO much!! She is beautifully dressed!

Like a fabulous collage, the elements of your space have been pieced together with love into an amazing work of art! Thank you so much for sharing all the details and helpful tips too! And thank you for taking the time to visit my space and leave a sweet comment - I truly appreciate it!

Hugs & Blessings,
Becky

Kelly said...

Gorgeous place to be, I find it relaxing and joyful.

Maureen Hayes said...

Holy Moly, this is a gorgeous space! That is a HUGE room and you have managed to organize it so well and fit so much into it. I am happy for you that all your dreaming has turned into your studio. I agree that hardwood flooring would be more practical for keeping clean.

I found so much inspiration here, especially for how to use the vertical space to store my things. I will definitely be using your decorated tin can trick, really like those!

Thanks so much for sharing your lovely space. Enjoy it, and I hope you will post again next year so we can see what else you do!

Helena White said...

What a fantastic space! So glad I stopped by. Thanks so much for the tour. ஆ ♥

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

FUn,fUn, FuN...love every loving step you've created in this great plan. ENjoY it to the MAX..
Thanks for sharing it too.

Laurel Stephens said...

Oh my! I think you are an incredibly talented artist, and your creative space is an absolute dream!! I'll be returning over and over again for inspiration. Thank you for taking us on your tour!

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

oh wow, I would love to walk through your space, you have some amazing treasures all around it and that big desk with the iron bed frame is a brilliant idea. Really like it how you have everything in your reach and it still lets through.
The shoe form on the wall is such a funny idea for a hook. So much to see, have to have a second and third look again... Really enjoying this tour!

Thank for stopping by my studio and for your kind comments.
Have a wonderful summer!!

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