Where Bloggers Create 2013

Welcome!

 

 

Oh, what fun I had last year - joining in with the lovely  Karen Valentine over at "My Desert Cottage" during the "Where Bloggers Create 2012" Annual Blog Party! I loved snooping into so many creative spaces, and sharing my very own with them, that I had to do it again this year! I am so excited to be sharing my creative place with you - the space has changed quite a bit since last year.

This time last year, my studio (aka; our basement) looked like this . . .

And while it was somewhat functional . . . changes needed to be made. I needed better organization (or better use of the organization systems I had), I needed to add a little more style and pizazz into it, and I needed to somehow give my family (especially the girls) some space to play in.  I also knew that I needed to fill the walls with inspiration and art that would motivate me to continue living my creative life to its fullest. So . . . I had a goal.

I did a little unveiling of the space to my frequent blog friends back in January, when I officially changed the space around, so many of these photos will be duplicates to them. But for any new "Where Bloggers Create" friends,  I give you . . . My "studio/TV /computer/hubby hang out/kids play in" Room. Officially. ;)

 

We completely moved the table to the other side of the room, and picked up this cute little love seat (and adorable pillows) from Ikea. I love that RED is such a prominent color in this room. It provides energy and passion to me in all that I do in this space.

 

The center of the room is now completely open for the kids to dance in, do gymnastics in, build puzzles and play games in, and do whatever else their little hearts desire. It feels much more open in this space, and I am loving it!

 

My work desk has moved to the right of the couch. (Boy-oh-boy - that electrical box sure stuck out like a sore thumb, huh? The reality is, this space is a basement. Lighting is limited, and there are still "basement things" that belong here. So, we have to work with what we have.) I decided to use the electric box to hold magnets of my art work that I make and sell in my Etsy shop. Today, the electric box looks more like this . . .

Now, back to the rest of the room . . . I took one leaf out of my work table, so that I could fit the table in the corner of the room. I know I got rid of some of the work space that I had, but it needed to be done to open up the space in the center of the room. It was worth it.



 

On the wall to the left of my table hangs my inspiration. A couple of Kelly Rae Roberts prints that make me happy, a tile given to me by artist and dear friend Elizabeth Gonzalez, and a few of my own art pieces. I just LOVE how this wall looks. When I sit at my table and glance up, I feel so happy. That's what this space needed to be, my friends. HAPPY. 

 

Lots of little storage boxes and containers can be found. This box to on the right is a hand-painted cigar box that my husband's Aunt Vicki made. She is an amazing artist and paints the most intricate and vibrant designs. I have a few of her boxes and they look PERFECT in this space, and are so functional, too!

One of my very favorite storage containers is this really cool revolving tray I purchased online from Harbor Freight (see it online here.) It was only $19.99, and it holds all the things I want right at my finger tips when creating. I still have to finishing organizing and adding a few more items to it . . . but I love it!



This BELIEVE board contains some of my favorite photos and cards received on this creative part of my life, and is a constant inspiration to me. It has a prominent place in my studio.

 

Vintage wallpaper samples, photos, and sheet music is just an arms length away - right at my finger tips - and ready to be used in a piece of art. I love having everything handy, right where I need it!

 

I desperately needed some additional light in this space, so I picked up these funky white "bulbs" from Ikea (they were only $14.99). They give off lots of light which helps so much when windows are at a minimum. 

My Phil Guy Bobble Head . . . Oh, how it makes me smile. I think this was a give-away with a McDonald's happy meal, or something, a few years ago. The girls weren't using it, so I found a perfect picture of my dear Phil and put it in the toy. It has remained near my work space since that day, and always will. It makes me feel like he is near me always, even when he is traveling for work and may be thousands of miles away. I love it!

 

And one of my most prized projects - my Brave Girl Soulbook made at a class with Melody Ross at The Creative Connection Event in 2011. This book reminds me how I felt at the beginning of my creative venture, when I felt on top of the world! I love having it near me, and often pick it up and read what is within it's pages. This book will ALWAYS be so special to me (and looks so lovely next to another one of Aunt Vicki's boxes.)

Of course, my inspiration door is still there . . . it makes me happy each and every time I look at it.

So, there you have it.

Is it cluttered? Heck, yeah. Remember . . . I'm trying to fit 10 pounds of turkey in a 5 pound bag. But I have a GREAT handle on where EVERYTHING for my creative life is, and the girls have a place to do whatever they want.

Thanks for joining me and sitting through my studio tour. I'm so happy to be able to share it with you. Please consider stopping by all the other amazing blogger spaces. Click over to Karen's site "My Desert Cottage" here, and scroll down to see the alphabetical list of blogs participating in the party!

If you are interested in what it is, exactly, that I create in this space, head over to my shop by clicking on the link here . . . or choose the "my shop" tab above.

Wishing you all a wonderful day of creating!

Peace, my friends.