Thursday, June 10, 2010

Fairy Tale Ending...


And they all lived happily ever after in the land of Bee in my Bonnet .... things are back to normal...my Bernina is in tip top shape.

If you are wondering about the first part of this fairy tale...



...and the princess is happy once again.



It feels so good to have it back to working order! Mr.Honey fixed it, cleaned it and put it all back together hoping the computer part didn't need to be used for the timing....
not so lucky there as he doesn't have those special tools. 
So I zipped it over to the dealer and had it timed. 
I only had to wait a few days.

I could have used Kassidy's machine (above)...
which is always set up but it would have been awkward to share with her because she has her own projects going.


So I set up my trusty featherweight on my countertop in the place where my Bernina usually sets down into...
of course it was a little small.

I love my featherweight and use it often and only take it whenever I go away from my studio to sew but it simply can't replace my beloved Bernina.



So now I'm back to business as usual in my studio.
 I don't think I've really showed much of it to you so I took some pictures and thought I would give you a tour of my little space of creative comfort.

I like to listen to music on my ipod or a book on tape when I am designing....
and I keep my cute little fridge stocked with drinks and a snack or two.



I also like to watch old movies while I'm in my studio...
Doris Day is my favorite.
 I am a huge fan of Gilmore Girls and have the whole collection and have each episode practically memorized. 
I put it in the player often.


This is the view out of my window...can you see that my roses are beginning to bloom?


I like to keep some of my vintage collectables around me.
 The crazy daisy picture in the windowsill is one of my patterns.

The pictures on my magnet board are of my grandmother in her apron and my grandparents on thier first farm.
 I'll have to show you a close up sometime.




I use up every available space in my studio. These are project boxes stacked under Kassidys machine.
 I label them in pencil so that I can change them out as I finish them.

This chair is where I sit to applique sometimes when Kass is not in it.

On the chair is my applique kit and I put my feet on the red ottomon.


In this corner is my pink cupboard with all of my vintage irons.
 I use them and love them.... 
I don't own a Rowenta or any other kind. 

My favorite is a 1930's Westinghouse that I have used for about 15 years.
 Mr. Honey keeps it going for me by switching out parts when they go out.
 We find the old original parts on our antique shopping trips.





My rulers...cutters...a pincushion...
things that I need are all close at hand.



My cutting and ironing center is kitchen counter height for ease on my back...
no bending over a table to cut for me!
 It measures about 4 feet by 6 feet...
and is in the center of the room. 
Underneath it is all drawers and cabinets.


I covered the whole countertop with warm and natural batting...
then silver ironing board fabric...
then any fabric of my choice on top. 
( I use a staple gun and staple it)
I switch out the top fabric every once in a while.


I keep my cutting mat on the end of the counter for cutting but I can remove it and the whole countertop becomes an ironing board....very convenient.




A project that I am working on for my family room.....



If I don't have time to complete it because of a deadline...
I put it in one of my project boxes and label it until I can get back to it.



This is how I store my fabric. 
I bought the baskets years ago and Mr. Honey and I built the shelves to fit them.
 I loved the way that they looked like little laundry baskets.


I store my fabric according to color.


I usually buy only fat quarters because that's all I need because all of my quilts are scrap quilts.


Here you can sort of see the red barstool that I sit on when I am drawing.
 I sit up to the counter facing the window with my fabric behind me.




This is the door of the closet where I keep all of my larger cuts of fabric.
 I bought an over the door rack with hooks on it to hang my aprons that I wear when I sew...flower pins...jewelry and special gifts from friends. 
The pillow on top of the stack of clear containers (those are my ready to take anywhere projects) is a gift from my Kassidy made when she was small.
 She made it for me as a suprise for Mothers Day.


Having a large window was a must for me when we built my studio, even though I knew that it would take up precious storage space.


I love the outdoors and it's important for me to see outside in all seasons.
 It overlooks my backyard and garden.
My studio is on the main floor of our little cottage.


You can see some of my button collection on the upper shelf. 
I also store my buttons according to color.



It's also next to the family room and I chose to have cafe doors so that I wouldn't be closed off to my family as I work.

I also put gingerbread wood trim in the top of the doorway along with the top opening in my fabric shelves. 
I have always had a love affair with gingerbread and have it throughout my cottage and garden.

All of the stacked drawers and cabinets that you see here hold my ribbons, punches, paper and paper craft supplies.

I don't get to use it as often as I would like but I do get together with friends one day out of the month and craft away...
I also go on a retreat once a year dedicated to paper crafting.




My irons again and my design wall.
I made it by framing Warm and Natural in a large vintage frame that I found while thrifting. It was gold and I painted it. 
I repaint it every so often too. 
So far it has been red, white, teal and now green.

It's the perfect size for me as I really only hang up a few blocks at a time as I am working on them.
When I layout my whole quilt....I put it on my front room floor and look down on it from the kitchen.


Above is Flower Sugar with some ginghams thrown in.
I have several projects in mind for this fabric and I have cut it up into a layer cake, 2 charm packs, half a layer cake (5 x 10)...
a jelly roll and a honey bun.

I also saved the leftover strips for a string quilt.





Here you can see my turnaround that I keep all of my drawing supplies and misc. items in...





This clock was my Grandpa's. 
It hung above his desk in his office at his laundry center business.
 Now it hangs in my workspace...
I love it.
I think of him every time I look at it.





This is my view from where I am cutting, ironing or drawing...
I can watch the kids and thier friends playing in the backyard and I like that...
or if they are on the couch watching tv or playing video games I can see them...
or if they are sitting up to the table in the family room doing homework..
 I am close enough to help them.




I love my studio in Bee in my Bonnet Land..
 and it's a good thing because I spend alot of time in there!
I like to change it up and reorganize things every winter so it always looks different and new to me...but always welcoming and a favorite place to be:)
I didn't realize how long this tour would take...I apologize to all of you (or to those of you who are still reading it)!

I didn't even show it all to you. 
I guess it's a good thing I didn't. I'll have to show you the rest of it another time.


Oh... one more picture...this is where I store my collection of patterns.... the shelves are underneath my counter and cutting mat.
I have my quilting books on another shelf.
 I love books and patterns but will probably only get through 1/8 of them....maybe....as if...it could happen.

Oh well...a princess can dream.
xx
Lori

59 comments:

DianeM said...

Call 911! I'm going to passout - your studio is soooooo awesome! I love every square inch of it...thanks for taking the time to post all the pics, I really enjoy seeing beautiful craft/sewing rooms...especially since I don't have one. Now, if I kicked my daughter out I could take over her room, it's already painted pink...hmm, I'll have to think about that one some more lol
Enjoy your day.
Smiles, DianeM :)

Quilts and Cats said...

That was a great tour! Your space is wonderful. I love your vintage irons. They have more weight and are better for pressing, I think. Your color scheme is bright and cheerful and it's no wonder that you spend alot of time there doing what you love.

luverlie said...

Great workspace! tfs

Michele said...

What a lovely studio you have! Thank you for the fun tour. I could spend many happy hours in there!

Sewing Junkie said...

Lovely space. I wish I was that organized. I am a messy creator. I get distracted during the day to many times. Plus you work with much smaller pieces. My goal is to get more organized in the furure. Enjoyed your tour. Chris

Jocelyn said...

Sigh.... I was so glad to hear your Bernina is humming again! What a huge relief. And what a fantastic sewing studio. Love how you have everything organized, and so close to the hub of the family. Thanks for the tour.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Lori -- it's GORGEOUS! What a lucky girl you are -- no wonder you're always so full of inspiration!!! I love all the goodies you've shown us -- especially that wall of scrap baskets and your vintage irons -- too cool. Oh, and I'm on a metal water bottle kick and I LOVE your peace sign water bottle!

amy smart said...

Lori, this is just dreamy. You've inspired me to get my room looking half as pretty.

Rosa-Munda said...

Lori, What an amazing studio you have! Its beautiful and I'm quite jealous!! Thank you for sharing it with us. Ros

Nicole Kelly said...

Oh my goodness! Its official I want to move in! I LOVE your studio absolutely ADORABLE! I love each and every post of yours but this is the one I have eagerly waited for! And it was so worth the wait! Anxiously awaiting for the rest of the tour! PS never too long of a post from you!:) Love it all! Such an inspiration you are!

Darlene said...

Wowzer, Lori it's wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. It's definitely a room fit for a Princess and her little Princess.

Shelley said...

Now THAT'S a sewing room!

Auntie Em said...

Thanks for sharing your sewing room with us. It's so inviting and warm and looks like a wonderful place to create.
(I'm a huge Gilmore Girls fan too. Miss that show...)

Jan Dee said...

What an adorable sewing room. You are so lucky to have it.

Holly said...

I love your studio!!!! I Covet your studio!!!!

We would get along famously, as I too, love the Gilmore Girls!!!! I had been buying the seasons all along and was so disappointed when it came out in that wonderful case!!!! Couldn't justify buying them all over again. Wish they just sold the case!!!
I love to watch them ,and old movies in my sewing room too....ma and pa kettle, lucy and desi, doris, small town girl...etc., etc.!!

Could you share where you got your file cabinets? And, do you have a project in every one of those boxes??

Thanks for sharing!

PamKittyMorning said...

So glad the Bernina is ok, I always feel nervous when I see someone's get sick, as mine is about the same age!

Your studio is wonderful. So cheery and interesting! Lots of pretty things to look at! xo

Polly said...

Your creative space is sooo cute and should be in a magazine to show others how to organize and decorate their spaces! Thank you for sharing with us! Polly

Buttonchief7 said...

What a happy, colorful place to create your pretty ideas. Mine spot is about one tenth with lots of tubs of recycled wool, threads, sock monkeys and toys for my daycare kiddies. Doo whop music keeps me going to create folk art wool pillows, prim dolls and lots of things with buttons. Great tour, thank you.

Micki said...

What a lovely sewing studio...It was lovely seeing it all. I have a featherweight too, but I love my Pfaff.
Micki

sewprimitive karen said...

Your studio is gorgeous!! What happy colors.

Susan said...

I just spent the last 5 minutes in pure envy :)) Love the vintage, love the little laundry baskets, love it all. So happy the Bernina is back home.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Thank you so much for the tour Lori! It is a dream space for sure!

Cardygirl said...

A studio fit for a princess! What a stunning place you have to create in...thank you so much for sharing it with us...it was so inspiring!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your studio is wonderful! There is just so much that I like there. Your dresden plates make me drool too!

Kathy said...

I really enjoyed your tour. Your wonderful photos made it seem like I was really there! You have a fabulous way of making everything look so nice. I admire your wonderful ironing island.

Sherri said...

Wow, Lori...I loved this post! I was hoping you'd do a post like this one day. I just got so many wonderful ideas...and every picture is just so wonderful...think you should put this all in a book!

Nielson said...

You really need to do more cottage tours on here! I love your studio--it's such an inspiring place!

Jodi Nelson said...

I love the 911 comment! LOL. What a great place to be creative! LOVE it! So glad you shared! I love the big window!

Amanda Jean said...

You have a gorgous studio!!! I'm so glad your machine is ok. Phew!

Simone de Klerk said...

I am so glad the fairy tale ended happily ever after!
Wow, Lori, thank you for sharing your Studio with us. I am sure you NEVER get bored there and get very inspired.
I had to laugh when I saw all those irons. Lucky you have a technical DH like that to keep it all going (O:

Unknown said...

Gosh! I can't imagine how organized you are! What a fabulous, georgous, and awe inspiring studio. No wonder the mind is always producing! Your Mr Honey sounds like my sweetie, they can make anything work. I too work with a really old iron that I got from my mother! Works really great too.
Thanks for taking the time to post this. It must have taken ages.

Sherry said...

Hi Lori. So glad the tale had a happy ending..yeah!! Thanks so much for the tour of your sewing studio. It is just awesome. Wonderful storage ideas, beautiful colors, lots of good memories/keepsakes. It's perfect! Have a great weekend.

happy zombie said...

Some people need a spa day, or a day at the beach... or a stroll through the mall. Me... I want a BINM day! I just did a quick catch-up scroll... gonna treat myself to AT THE VERY LEAST an hour to spend catching up later. SO MUCH GOODNESS my friend. No surpise!

I'm loving your sewing room. I could spend weeks looking at all your pretties, sewing in there with you, watching my favorite tv show with you, seeing all your creations... and then for lunch we'll go hits Jake's - and sit at that cute white table with the red trim.

I love seeing your Flower Sugar II and the color basics... makes me wish even more that I could be with you and Nanette shopping at Nadines!

All right, I'll stop rambling before I break your blog! xoxom

Kim Walus said...

Your sewing room is sooo you. It's Darling, adorable, functional, and full of beautiful things. Wow! I think I need to reorganize mine. I just wish I had more natural lighting and more windows but, I'm in the basement and I'm grateful for the space that I have. It works for me. I'd love to see your space in person someday too. **Hint Hint** I think we need a quilting party at your house.

Dawn said...

I'm glad your Bernina had a happy ending! I L.O.V.E. your studio! I too, need to reorganize my little sewing space. You have a lot of great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Sandra Henderson said...

That was the best story ever! (sniff, sniff!) You have the same color on your studio walls as I do! :)
Oh my. Are you available next Wed. to help orgnaize mine?!
Lovely, just lovely. Well planned.
Thank you so much for sharing it with us... XO

•stephanie• said...

Lori . . .

Congratulations on the revival of your beloved Bernina. Mine's a lot older than yours, but I'm dreading the day she finally kicks the bucket. (We've been together 31 and a half years now.)

Anyway ~ your studio is amazing, and I'm not surprised. You are such a creative guru! So, of course, the place where you do your imagining is also spectacular.

Gilmore Girls is always on my sewing room DVR. I love it, too and have watched every episode multiple times. (I only cringe when they bash Republicans and Mormons!)

p.s. I'm honored to have you comment on my little old blog. Thanks!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Lori, now wonder you can create beautiful things. Your studio is full of inspiration. Love it. Can't wait to see what you are making with the green.

pwl said...

Your studio is amazing, and I quite like your Bernina 1090. So much, in fact, that I have one myself. :-)

I'm in total awe of your space!

Nedra said...

Lori,
Sorry it's taken me a few days to comment on your AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL quilt room. (blogger wouldn't let me connect for some strange reason)
First- I want to come play at your house! I loved seeing every spot that you have so creatively decorated. It's so YOU!
Second-Wow, are you organized. I think I need to have you come back to my house and have you help me with a makeover.

I have learned from you that every space can be dedicated to beauty and "thought out" for best use.
Someday, I hope to be more like you!

Anonymous said...

So now we know why your space is so neat and tidy! Because your machine was out of order! LOL!

My space is never this clean!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh Lori, your sewing studio is to die for! I love every inch of it! So warm and cozy! I see my garland! :) I love fun touches throughout! The frig is so cute and I love the vintage irons all lined up! You have it all together! What talent the QUEEN has! LOVE the darling pictures of you!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Carrie P. said...

wow, your hubby is good. I love your quilt studio. I think that is so neat that your irons still work and you can use them.

Nanette Merrill said...

well the princess castle is beautiful and perfect as you are. your room is amazing and everything around you is adorable. what is in the window next to the flower applique? it is vintage somethinb. i could go on about every little piece. perfection! glad the machine is back to normal. ahh

Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} said...

Oh my word... I think I just drooled all over my keyboard!!! You have the most fabulous sewing room and I want it *grin*.

I lost my sewing room to my 3rd baby a couple of years back and boy would I love my own personal space to create in again. I've considered converting the attic, talking hubby into building onto the house and yet I'm still at the kitchen table LOL.

So happy for you that your sewing machine is all back together and as good as new to :) Now please excuse me as I must go back and stare enviously at your sewing room for just a wee bit longer *grin*. Have a fabulous weekend!

Rosina {Rosy ~ Posy} said...

Hello again :) Just out of curiosity, when you purchase fabrics like the Flower Sugar fabric which is so pretty, how much yardage of each print do you purchase? I almost always never buy enough of the ones I love and then kick myself later because I can't get it again *grin*.

Gigi's Thimble said...

Oh my GOSH. That was AWESOME! Thanks for sharing all of those pictures! I am truly inspired. I love your irons and am amazed that you actually use them. My Grandma told me I can have her collection some day of old irons. I'm so excited. I love your dresdens too. I am doing some mod dresdens as well, but I love your colors (a little softer than mine). I'm glad your sewing machine is up and running again!

Deb Robertson Writes said...

Your space is wonderful! honestly it's so pretty and full of treasures :)

Rae Ann said...

Okay... That did it!!! Move over... I am moving in! I LOVE your studio! It makes me sing that "I wanna be like Lori" song again.
It only proves to me that you are not only a designer of patterns but that you have quite the knack for decorating and bringing to life that special time period that you so love.
What's to say... but... You have a quilter's dream come true!
Hugs!

Victoria said...

I am officially in awe! You have created a charming and workable space. My poor studio is seriously in need of a cleanout and reorganization and this post was just the incentive I needed to get going. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

You know when you see something so beautiful that words can barely describe and you almost want to cry? That's how I felt just reading this post about your incredibl, amazing studio. It's so beautiful I could almost cry. (sigh)

This is the first time I have visited your blog and I'm so sorry I haven't found it sooner. Oh my! You have truly made my day. Such incredible talent and beauty you posess. <3 <3 <3

Live a Colorful Life said...

What an amazing studio tour! thanks so much for all the inspiring pictures.

onlymehere said...

Love it! I really like the design "frame" too. I'm like you, I only lay out a few blocks at a time adn for the whole thing it's on the front room floor. Right now I'm using my son's room while he's gone for 2 years for a sewing room and I use his double bed to lay my quilts out on! I guess I have a design bed for now! My last child leaves for college next year and my son won't be home then so I'll have plenty of room for my own permanent sewing room! Love your room and the gorgeous colors.

Karen said...

This is my first time to pop in on you - what a tour!!! Your studio is amazing. Lucky, lucky, girl. I'll be back.

Life's a Joy said...

Did you cut the insert area for your sewing machine? If so what did you use to hold the machine?

Thanks for your help. Your studio is awesome!!!! very inspiring

XUE said...

I just visited your blog & your studio...wow! Thank you for everything. I enjoyed examining every item you talked about & peering at those that you didn't wrote about. Thank you for all the little details. It is great to see all of your pretty things you have in this cosy space! Warm wishes to you, from Tokyo, Japan!

Cheryl said...

Droooooling over here! Your workspace is so amazing and pretty!! I have a 1090 also and love it..glad your is back home!

Unknown said...

My sewing room was flooded. I'm now searching for new flooring, then moving everything back in. You've given me a lot of ideas about storage and how to make it a really fun place. Thanks! We share a love of vintage items. My old vintage irons need to come out and be displayed and used!

mad4fabric said...

Very inspiring tour. No wonder you are so creative.

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