Me And My Studio

It all began...about a year ago when I flew up to Portland to take a three day workshop with the amazing Sally Jean Alexander. If you haven't taken one of her workshops, I would highly recommend it. Her studio is in an old warehouse in the "Pearl" district. It even has one of those cool elevators where you pull the door down, like you see in the movies. Her studio itself is such a magical place. I was so impressed at how she had every supply under the sun and somehow managed to keep it all organized.  When I came home I said "Babe, what would you think about moving your office up to the front room?" He replied with "I knew this was coming." Thankfully, my husband is very easy going. The next day we started moving furniture and my studio was born. I have never had a place designated solely for creating, and boy does it make a difference. I love being surrounded by all of the things that inspire and motivate me. As all of you creative spirits know, one thing leads to another...I soon found myself perusing all of your beautiful blogs (sometimes for hours on end). I was instantly hooked! My husband hung a chandelier and put it on a dimmer for me. I love to go into my  studio in the evening, after my Son is in bed, turn on my lovely chandelier and write my blog and peek in at yours. I have met some of the kindest, most giving, and creative women through blogging, and I am so grateful for my new found friends and kindred spirits. Thank you all for letting me visit your homes, your shops, and your families. Please enjoy my studio where I create and blog. I can't wait to see all of your beautiful blog"spots."

 Love my pretty "chandi"

I made this sign from a bulletin board. I flipped the cork board over, painted it with chalkboard paint, and used my Cricut machine to cut a stencil. I really like this quote.

 I removed the closet doors and added the two shelves for the Cricut and sewing

 machines.  No more dragging it out to the  kitchen table  and back, it's always ready

 to go. I have to admit, getting me to sew is like pulling teeth. My Mom was an avid seamstress and I grew up sewing. I'm glad she taught me the skill, but I will try

 to glue, tape, staple, or anything else I can think of before I resort to sewing.

This is my little helper Jinx. Most fondly referred to as "big fatso kitty."  She actually

weighs more than our dog, but I don't think she is concerned. Wish I could be a cat!

These are some of the things that give me inspiration....

... to create these things.



Thank you all for stopping by and visiting my studio,

where I love to blog, create, and visit all of you.

I am excited to be joining in on the 2011 Where Bloggers Create party

hosted by Karen Valentine. Be sure to hop over and take a look at

everyone's creative spaces.

Church Before and After

Where has the time gone?... I can't believe it has been three months since my last post.  As most of you know, we bought a historic church here in Monument, Colorado with a plan to give her a facelift and move our  shop from it's boring  current location, to the 1911 church. Not only would it house our shop but also have space for 15 other shops. We closed on May 5th and have been working non stop ever since. We still have a few shops for lease but it is coming along really well.  I wanted to share some before, during, and after photos with you....

                                                           

                                                            This is the church "before"

The church was home to a toy store for the last several years. Murals of jungle scenes were everywhere. Even the restroom had a jungle border and snimal stickers on the walls.

The yard was very overgrown with huge shrubs and much of the original siding was rotten.

We had the low ceiling ripped out and the horrible  blue indoor outdoor carpet taken up. We started painting the interior and siding went up on the outside.

Ahhhh! She's looking better already!

 I couldn't wait to get the chandelier up!

No more animals in the restroom

Here she gets a coat of primer. Originally, we had planned on painting her white but I changed my mind at the last minute after seeing a beautiful color scheme on a restored home  in Colorado Springs.

The new color is very soothing

We moved the steps from the corner to the center of the porch. Lots of folks have commented that they didn't even know it had a porch. The shrubs hid most of this cute little yard. Now it is my favorite place.

I made the sign out of a headboard that I found on Craigslist and stenciled the lettering. My husband made the planter box and he even picked out the flowers!

I will post some indoor photos next week so you can see how things look now.

I am so looking forward to catching up with all of you and seeing all of the creative things you've been up to. I have really missed getting to peek at all of your amazing blogs.

I will be sharing this with Kathleen's White Wednesday at Faded Charm Cottage and
 Gina's Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Thanks for stopping by,