We Will Always Have Paris

Coming Clean

I've received the nicest e-mails lately from people all over the world, commenting on my studio.  I know that I tend to post pictures of pretty little things that decorate my studio & make me happy:

I feel the need to 'fess up & show you what my studio normally looks like.  This week I've been prepping loads of on-line orders (thank you!) and prepping for my By The Sea Journal class on Saturday:

In truth, this is what my studio workspace looks like:

That enormous mess includes the remnants from my Last Train to Paris class (yes, from January), unfinished projects from ScrapBowl, my upcoming "Madge Goes On Safari" class sample, magazine submissions, Wishblade mats, felting tools, my supplies for my Library of Memories class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking... and I think the coffee in that cup is from two days ago (gross). 

There.  For all of you who sent me e-mails lamenting that your creative space isn't quite as nice, just remember.... it's all in the camera angle!! 

Where Women Create

Have you read Jo Packham's Where Women Create? 

I bought the book a couple of years ago & I pull it out every time I feel overwhelmed in my studio.  It always reminds me to surround myself with things that inspire me.

Here are a handful of things that are making me happy this week in my studio:

Suni picked this adorable vintage bank up at a Flea Market in Pennsylvania last year.  It's good to have friends who know you so well.  I absolutely cherish this little knick knack.  She sits front & center on my little pink desk.

Sometime in the haze of the LOAD Challenge of last month, I took an afternoon to paint my husband's old beginner easel (I can't get enough aquamarine right now!), then covered an old bulletin board with some cute red hearts.  The little paper doll in the corner was made by my daughter.  She's already figured out how to operate a die cutter & a glue stick.  There's no stopping her now....

These are my work gloves when I'm dealing with icky stuff.  Another gift from Suni.  A dollar store find, no less!!  I love the fabric cuffs!

For some reason, my mom always had a little set of bluebirds (just like these) in the kitchen when I was growing up.  When I first visited my friend Jenny's house, I noticed that she had the same bluebirds in her kitchen window.  It was at that moment that I knew we'd be good friends for a long time.

One wall of my studio is made up of organizer cubes.  To break up the flat fronts of the doors, I've added painted frames filled with fabric covered corkboards.

I have a huge shelf dedicated to all of my old class samples.  I'm thinking about clearing them out & putting them up on Etsy for sale...  I need the space!

I love, love, love this red velvet cake canvas from Aaron & Jenny.   My parents bought it for me this past Christmas and I immediately hung it up.  Cake.  Red cake.  I love it!

I'm planning some major renovations of the studio this Spring (walls, real walls!!), so I'll have more pics for you soon.