Ready, Set, Sew

It took most of the day yesterday, but my sewing stuff has been moved to the guest room.  Everything is organized and ready for me start sewing.  I have a whole list of projects...starting with my heart for the Heart from the Heart Swap, and ending (at least for now) with new curtains for my sewing room/guest room.  Actually, we've always just called it the "blue room,"  you'll see why. 

The Blue Room is pretty small, about 10' x 11'.

These photos pretty much cover it - corner to corner.

It doesn't really show well, but the paint is really pretty.

I started with a nice cream base,

then ragged on a pretty blue that I thinned down with water.

Next, I added glaze to a sage green and lightly ragged that on.

Finally, I added some iridescent glaze to a light lavender,

and pounced it on with a scrunched up plastic dry cleaning bag.

Here is my sewing cabinet, all ready to go.

I love everything about this cabinet - except the color. 

I'll paint it one of these days.

I made a nice big inspiration board and can't wait to start filling it up.

It's actually two fabrics - a pretty green stripe

covered with a piece of antique gold lace.

The chair is very shabby chic, but not high enough to sit comfortably

at the sewing machine, so I'll have to drag my chair in

from the studio until I can replace it with something else.

Here's a close-up, lots of cubbies.

Here are some of my vintage pin cushions and a baby doll that I saved at

an auction.  I'm not really a doll gal, but I thought this would be really cute

with the top of her head made into a pin cushion.

The shelf is the arm frame from an antique settee. 

My sweet hubby, aka Bad Rooster,

added some support pieces so that it can be free standing.

Buttons on another cubby.

And last but not least, some close-up pics

of the ribbon storage shelf that I made over.

There you have it dear friends. I hope you enjoyed the tour,

and found a little inspiration.

Tomorrow, I'll be posting about my creative journey,

and I hope you'll join me.

Hugs,

Susan

Have You Heard...

Amy at Mittens is having a give away to celebrate 300 followers. 

Hooray!

If you'd like a chance to win, hop on over and say hello. 

She's giving away one of these cute crowns.

I love them, don't you?

Good Luck!  But I hope I win.

Hugs,

Susan

Time to Get Organized

I'm in the process of moving my sewing stuff to our guest room so I'll be in "organizing mode" today.  Here's a peak at a project I'm working on to help organize some of my ribbon & lace.

I found this shelf at the flea market.  It has about a billion little shelves.

I took some of them out and took the original back off -- it was nasty.

I took some of the pages out of these old magazines and decoupaged

a new piece of plywood and attached it to the back.

Here's a close-up.  I really like the way it turned out.

I'll have to figure out how many shelves to put back in because

I'd like some of the graphics to show.

Before I go, I want to mention that I've added some things to my side bar...

First, Thought for the Day...

today's topic is organization.

Second, a link to a swap I signed up for.

I think it's still open if you want to join, just click on the picture. (on my side bar.)

I think it'll be great fun!

(Sorry for the blurry pics.  I sized them small for my sidebar so they're showing blurry here.)

Hugs,

Susan

I-N-S-P-I-R-E... Find Out What It Means to Me

What Inspires Me?

That is the question I've been pondering all day.  I thought about it while I was in the shower this morning, while I waited for the technician at the auto shop (the car's been on the fritz) and while I made bean soup for dinner.  All day I kept coming up with the same answer...everything and anything has the potential to inspire me.   Which is true, you never really know where inspiration will come from until it shows up.  Right?

But, I think I'm meant to come up with something more specific.  So I decided to look at the inspiration for the artwork that has been tugging at me.  Why do I want to make those particular pieces of artwork?  What do they look like in my head? 



Mixed Media Paintings

Layers of Color -- Blue and Green; Sienna, Ochre and Cream;

Red Oxide and Taupe

Texture -- Layers of Paint; Torn Paper and Crinkled Tissue; Found Objects

Images -- Vintage Photos and Illustrations of People, Animals and Insects; Houses and Barns

Stories of People and Places, Dreams and Realities.

What inspires you?



Thank you for joining me on my journey dear friends.

Hugs,

Susan



Time to Explore

It's no secret that 2010 was a particularly difficult year for me...a Lupus diagnosis, my husband's stroke and the usual garden variety challenges that go with aging parents and a down economy.  With every challenge that had to be met, it seemed as if my art slipped further and further away.  It wasn't just the time issues, as in no time to play, or the energy issues, although that was a big part of it.  It was also about inspiration and desire.

I'm working on the time and energy part with a better diet and exercise regimen, and organizing my day to minimize the "running around like a chicken with its head cut off" episodes.  These things I can do with a little discipline and the word "No" coming back into my vocabulary.  LOL!  You know, the "everyone is more important than me" syndrome. It seems we all suffer from it from time to time, and in 2010 it had me by the tail.

But the loss of desire and inspiration to create is harder, and more than a little scary, for me.  I tried telling myself to jump back in, but it hasn't worked.  My heart is just not in it.  So, I decided to try and figure out where my heart truly lies these days.  Yes, I'm going exploring...and I'm taking along a few books to help me on my way.

I bought this book because I admire Kelly Rae Roberts and love her techniques.

Also, I'm especially drawn to mixed-media paintings,
but for some reason I'm afraid to try it.

I've been painting since I was very young,
so this fear is baffling to say the least.  

I'm also reading this book because I tend to procrastinate.

And the author is perfectly willing to give you a real kick in the pants

about making excuses and not doing what you need to do.

She's kind of like your mother and your mentor rolled into one.

The last of my guidebooks is about mixing art and business.

I love reading business books.  I know - I'm weird!

When I started my blog I thought I would write about art and antiquing/junking, but it really didn't work out that way.  In fact, I barely wrote at all.  So this year I'm going to rededicate myself and my blog to exploring my heart and the art that I know is still in there somewhere.  Want to come along?

I'll see you on the road less traveled, dear friends.

Hugs,

Susan