My publisher, Interweave Press, has a great magazine called 'Studios' that gives readers a nice little peek at the workspaces and studios of many crafters and artists.
They decided to host an online Open Studios Tour event this weekend and opened it to the general public and also invited Interweave authors to partcipate, I couldn't resist joining the fun!
I don't really have a studio, it's more of workstation. My husband's office had several of these tables that they were just going to throw away! *tsk tsk* I know! Nuts, right?! Well, since I have the best hubby in the world(I know some of you may challenge that, but we can have an 'Awesome-Hubby' showdown another day. ^_^), he brought one of the tables home for me to use as my workspace! It was just what I needed since I was using a rather small table and really couldn't do a lot of work on it.
My little space has evolved over the years. This is how it looked when I first got the new table back in 2007. My fabric collection was quite small and it easily fit with the rest of my tools and sewing sundries.
Well, more fabric mysteriously found it's way into my home and I could no longer keep my pretty cotton-y and linen-y babies on the table. It was starting to look like a fabric store. I swear there was this little fabric fairy logging onto my computer and sending tons of fabric to my house without my knowledge. I had no choice but to keep it all! ^_^ My bebes found a new home on our Expedit bookshelf for the time being. My fabric eventually took over our linen closet.
We also wanted a little change in our apartment and I wanted to upgrade my space to be a little bit more organized. So we painted the walls, I went to Ikea and bought some goodies, bought a new fancy pants sewing machine and this is the result.
The Asker wall organizers from Ikea was a perfect solution for me. I got the idea from the fabulous Craftapalooza! My scissors and rotary cutters were right where I could see them and up out of the reach of my wee ones. The little glass jars fit my covered buttons and other little items I managed to collect. This is where I made all of the projects for my book. Everything! I still can't believe I wrote a book at this table. So crazy! By the way I just started a Facebook fan page for 'I Love Patchwork'. Please do join for news and updates on the book!
We moved from the above apartment to a shiny new apartment in New Jersey earlier this year and my little workstation has evolved yet again.
My sewing machine has accrued many miles and I've managed to build up quite a collection of things that I've made. I've even managed to collect a lot more sewing sundries, (cover buttons, vintage buttons, japanese linen tape, bonne maman jars, embroidery thread, purse frames, zippers, wooden stamps, you name it and I probably have some stashed away somewhere!)
(Check out my Flickr and see the notes I've added to my photos for a breakdown of how my space is set up.)
So as you can see, I don't have a huge studio space, it's just my little section of our home that's my little escape and it works for me. I'd love to have a room all to myself or have a huge studio, but I'm quite happy with what I have and have managed to adjust it to fit my needs as my crafting grows. I wish I could say that it looks nice and neat like this all the time as well. Most days it looks like I let my two and three year old loose on it. Only thing is I'm the two and three year old! I just love my little spot! ^_^ *does the running man*
*** Also huge thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for you're kind words and love on my last post! I'm feeling much better now.(I'll give you all the details on another post.) I'm so excited, we're having another boy! Come on February! Woot! ***
Thanks for sharing your space. It is perfect. Those little fabric fairies must really make the rounds, because they visit my house all the time too!
Congratulations on your newest addition, I never got to comment on your last post. I hope you are feeling better.
Posted by: Tonya | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 11:32 AM
I really love your space, I'm trying to work on one of my own at the moment. Thanks for sharing it with us, that table is great.
Posted by: Jennifer | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 11:36 AM
i am in desperate need of organization
this is inspiring
Posted by: Nancy | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 12:23 PM
i enjoyed the tour of your creative space...it's not the size that matters...please come see mine when you have a chance...i am having a giveaway....hugs, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva/Rebecca E. Parsons | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 12:33 PM
oh my gosh, it's so neat! I'm in awe.
Posted by: Kathi Bertsch | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 12:56 PM
beautiful workspace! isn't it amazing what companies will get rid of that's in perfectly good condition!!
Posted by: natalie | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 01:17 PM
I am finding it funny how many of us eat the same jams and use the jars for storage. Thanks for the tour and congrats on the little one.
Posted by: Jeannie | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 03:55 PM
Your little work space is so pretty! I wish I had more space. Right now I do all my crafting at the kitchen table!
Posted by: Evie | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 08:29 PM
What a wonderful, compact space! It is great to having everything at your fingertips rather than disappearing into the back of a closet!
Posted by: Anne | Saturday, 03 October 2009 at 09:18 PM
Lovely corner, and so organised! I have my little corner in our livingspace and this is where I am writing a book too. I am dreaming of renting a workspace close to my daughter's school. It would be nice with a thread-free home...
Posted by: Kajsa | Sunday, 04 October 2009 at 03:20 AM
hey right back at you. look at your fabulous neatness :) and organisation, looks awesome.
Posted by: nicole | Sunday, 04 October 2009 at 06:04 AM
Your space is so neat & tidy! I love all the colors. So inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cassie | Sunday, 04 October 2009 at 12:36 PM
What a great workspace. Love the new machine and I know you will be making fabulous new things with it!!
Posted by: pamela | Sunday, 04 October 2009 at 08:06 PM
Loved seeing the evolution of your space. Looks lovely at every stage. :)
Posted by: Liesl | Tuesday, 06 October 2009 at 11:41 AM
Nice space - I love the sensible solution called IKEA. My sewing space is a corner of the dining room and although I wish for me - it works. Plus it's nice to be in the midst of the bustle of the house some times.
Posted by: Amy L | Tuesday, 06 October 2009 at 04:28 PM
You're back! Yeah for us. Great use of space, I need to take some serious notes.
Posted by: Margie | Wednesday, 07 October 2009 at 08:49 PM
beautiful workspace.
thanks for sharing with us
hugs
Posted by: cristalidesigns.blogspot.com | Thursday, 08 October 2009 at 08:26 PM
Really nice to have you back! So happy you are feeling better and excited for you...
Posted by: Carly | Thursday, 08 October 2009 at 08:26 PM
it's always fun to see your space...congrats on the baby on the way too! how exciting. i'm so sorry about the trouble you've been having. hope the rest of the way is smooth sailing!
Posted by: jacquie | Saturday, 10 October 2009 at 07:00 PM
what a change over the time ! it is a nice and TIDY room !!! congratulations !
Posted by: mary | Wednesday, 14 October 2009 at 12:01 PM
What a lovely space!
Posted by: Chara Michele | Wednesday, 14 October 2009 at 02:15 PM
This is so fantastic! I was just having headaches on how to settle my workspace problem. My husband and I live in a small apartment, and your post really inspired me that I can get it organised even in small spaces =]
Thanks for sharing!
(gotta go tidy up the'tornado aftermath' mess in the living room haha)
Posted by: sungting | Thursday, 15 October 2009 at 09:29 PM
your desk looks fabulous.. love it
Posted by: hena tayeb | Monday, 26 October 2009 at 12:48 PM
great organized space. LOVE it!!
Posted by: sunny | Friday, 30 October 2009 at 12:33 PM