Season's Greetings

Saturday the 7th's Quatrain

Another day is begun, full of promise and zest
as the Sun rises still in the East.
And with the moon all but set on horizon West
the last of the Fall lettuce goes to Harvest.
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Blessings

A 5K Day

NANOSTATS: 5029 words

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Yay! Though the breakdown of 50,000 words into 30 days means I should have, at very least, a little over 8300 words by today, I am quite happy that I made it to 5000.

But. This is Day Five and I should really want to be ahead of those daily goals so when Life decides to get in the way I won't feel so far behind. Yeah, well-- Life tripped me up before I even started. But. I've plenty of time to gain ground.

I finished up the Prologue and keyed out Chapter Eight ~ Allied Forces, which needs a definite boost. The gist of the storyline is there, but the required depth is not. For now though, I'm moving ahead and currently working on Chapter Nine ~ The Sound Check.
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This one's going to keep me busy for the next day or so. And I need to look for some old research notes, which I believe are in a box in the bedroom. Time to retreive some wayward files.
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That's it for me today. I need to get my back out of this chair and my legs up as well.
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Blessings

It's That Time of Year Again! NaNoWriMo.

Switching gears....

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NANOSTATS: 1992 words
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Never say die! I first discovered NaNoWriMo in 2006. The only year to which I can attach any sort of bragging rights. I won in 2006. Yay! Unfortunately not long after, a virus attacked my PC and I lost everything on my harddrive. Yeppers! All that work-- completely undone. In January of 2007, I fought off a serious SPAM and Malware attack.

It took weeks to get back to normal. And juuust as I was rolling along, ramping up for NaNo2007, my PC monitor died a most untimely death. I never had a chance. But it helped to reinforce my belief in the underhanded [yet purposeful], reasoning of why they 'just don't make things like the used to.' It's not that they can't! Or even that parts and/or labor are cheaper offshore. If they truly did make certain things like they used to, we'd have no reason [new and improved aside] to buy new ones! But that's a whole other Oprah show.
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Last year, due to health issues, I simply ran out of physical steam. I need to look up my final word count, but I don't believe I even reached 10K words. This year I'm relying heavily on that old adage about the third time being the charm.
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Sunday last [November 1st] was the ever-precious Day One. Where was I? Sleeping. Friday and Saturday I started coughing, and by Sunday I was a tad bit concerned that it might be the beginnings of the flu. I really don't want to have to deal with the flu right now. Therefore I reasoned it more likely to be a chest cold; as I'm prone [this time of year] to forgetting about a window or two being left open at night. I hate when it's time to start closing up the windows.
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Anyway! I digress. I made a trip to the drug store and have since stepped up my intake of vitamins. I pretty much spent Sunday and Monday curled up on the couch, dressed in warm sweaters; underneath a cozy blanket of down. And though I woke up hoarse, yesterday, I actually felt much better. But before I could settle in, and key with wild abandon, I had to address the c:drive.
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It started screaming at me again so I backed up and cleared out a few more pdf and Word.doc files. Late in the evening, I finally keyed in some roughed-out handwritten notes and updated 35o [and some odd] words into my NaNo profile. I was ON THE GRID!
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... And so it begins!
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Today, feeling much, much better, I started NaNo by finding where I left off last year and finished keying in the last half of Chapter Seven: A Run Through the Forest, which happens to be the end of Part One.
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I've got a mishmosh of scenarios for the Prologue to Part Two, and I've decided to just key them all in. I'll decide later where and/or how best to use them. For now, I'll close this post with the opening verse of Part Two, The Searching:

Where are you
.who sees this world
..through eyes of emerald green
Who lies in wait
.and shares the pain
..we suffer when we dream

..........~Perrie Stevens, Part Two of Caged Heart
..........~Dellasseea N'Syis, The FirstBorn Daughter of the Primal Elements, The First Ones.

That's pretty much it for me today. I do not intend fretting over being a few days behind at this point. Especially when, in 2006, I didn't even discover the world of NaNoWriMo [that's 50,000 words in 30 days], until almost an entire week into the month. That's the year a won! Remember? And seeing as how it's time for another break, I'll consider the makeup strategy tomorrow.
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Blessings

Goblins and Ghosts and Ghouls, Oh My!

Friday the 30th's Quatrain

the great Day Star radiates across a clear blue sky
as the warm winds of Autumn whirl
and while embroidered sheers billow upon the current
newly fallen leaves scatter and clatter and twirl
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Blessings

A Ghostly Moon

It's wasn't quite 5p.m., yesterday afternoon, when I got up from my desk to take a much-needed break. Before I head down the stairs, though, I always take a look out of the window to check on the birds and the sky. And this time of year the trees, especially.
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More than half of the trees, in this old growth tree neighborhood, have yet to let loose of their leaves. And I love the stark contrast between the autumnal colorings and the dark bared branches.
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The dappled greying sky held both puffy white and ominous dark storm clouds. But what caught me by surprise, was seeing the moon already well above the eastern horizon. It appeared more as an ethereal ghost--awakened mid-sleep--not quite knowing exactly what time it was.
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I shared the following post on Facebook.

A three quarter moon is risen and looks as a ghost amid the clouds in a
threatening Autumn sky.

Blessings

HeartSong Studios Website

This blog was silent a few months back. It's not like I have a major following, but-- in trying to keep up with my own interests in writing and blogging, along with other creative and artistic endeavors, I became quite overwhelmed by the need to keep up with the necessary techno-based social media practices of Tweets and Twitter and Facebook. And with all of that then comes the desired following of the blogs and websites of either the newly discovered, or of those I have come to know and respect over the years.
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Due to my health issues, what time I focus on any given subject is limited and oft times severely challenged. Brain fog and loss of concentration are frustrating at best. The circle can begin to seem quite vicious. And once anxiety rears its ugly little head I am left with the choice of taking a few measured steps back and away.
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But sitting things out is not what I like to do best. And to my disfavor I do not multi-task as well as I used to do. But I also knew I needed to set limitations and focus my limiting time only on what best suits my needs.
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I’ll speak to Facebook and Twitter and their ilk in an upcoming post. After visiting Vintage Legacy Studios yesterday, I have somewhat of a good head start on the matter. For now, though, I want to introduce a new website; built out of need to serve a friend’s suggestion [and her helpful subtle attempt to refocus my attention] and subsequent needs. I may not have been aTweeting, but I was not totally Tweetless.
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Enter:

When asked basic questions like, how long will it take to build one and to best serve their needs, I pulled these pages together in order to remember all that is required to build a website. Little things are easy to forget until you are forced to institute them into reality. Juuust a slight bit important when asked to build one for someone else.

I'd built a website many years back and designed several websets and mock up pages. But it’s a long story as to why it and the graphics no longer exist. It died around the time I designed a series of black lace graphics, of which only a fragment survived.

Though HeartSong Studio was built using backgrounds tiles found at Graphics by Ivy, [and which I still consider a work in progress], I have since created a whole range of new background tiles. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll recognize one of my Vintage Collection tiles. Click on the banner above and it will take you to the first of two pages of coordinated tiles. I’m still trying to decide which to use when I completely redesign this site.

I’ve used many tiles and websets, over the years, from many other designers. I offer mine, now, free for use on any personal, non-commercial website or blog, and it is my way of giving back. I merely ask for the standard reciprocal link back to HeartSong Studio. http://heartsonggraphics.tripod.com/ [Studio logos are pending.]

This site will also showcase EarthSong Photography, along with my current sewing and other creative projects. Another good reason to focus on setting up my Etsy shop?

Yesterday I pulled out the hand knit sections I want to use to create a shawl. And I have a scarf, hat, and fingerless gloves set to complete. Also coming soon? Look for my Knitting Jewels. I just figured out how I want to photograph them, so they're on their beautiful way.

That's it for now.

Blessings

A Very Cool Door Prize!

I wanted to take some time to thank Cate Prato, from Quilting Arts' IN THE STUDIO WITH CATE, for the perfect door prize.

The first 25 people to join the tour (i.e. leave a link to their tour announcement in my blog comments, below) will win a door prize from the Studios storage closet (books, fabric, craft bags, art supplies, and more).

I was lucky enough to have seen the Twitter post from @InterweaveNews and be among those first 25 people to join the incredible opportunity, via Cloth Paper Scissors' Studios Magazine, earlier this month.
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The funny thing is I'd only just discovered this product [from Canvas Home Basics] while doing a little online window shopping at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts. I even bookmarked the page for later reference, when lo-and-behold! What arrives in my mailbox a few days later?
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It's an item that I added to my Wants & Needs list. Well, -- it went on the Wants side. I'm living on a limited income, these days, so it's simply not a Need.
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Thank you very much, Cate. It could not have been more appropriate.
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Blessings

Studio Tour ~ Part Two

The Closet
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That’s right. Though it wasn’t even that messy, I let this little niche of my creative world go undiscovered. I didn’t open the doors to this part of my studio for the virtual studios tour, earlier this month. I had stacks of projects and fabrics on top of the tubs instead of back inside; from whence they came. Due to pending work on an art quilt [more likely a journal quilt], this particular issue has since been resolved.
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Some will remember I spoke about my ironing board [though considerably useful in more ways than one] , as the sore point in the studio. When I leave it out it restricts my movement. And I’m constantly dragging it back and forth; in and out of the way. I’ll address the suggestions made during the tour soon. For now, -- if anyone can figure a way to put wheels on this, I’m game to give it a try!
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Also, when it’s up [and not really in use], it becomes the favored place for either Lucy or Pearl to preen and nap. When I collapse it down and lean it against the closet doors it becomes a tempting scratching post. They are usually dissuaded from either activity when I opt to use it as a clutter catcher instead. Okaaay! So it doesn’t always work!
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ANYway, here’s a look [below] inside my studio closet. Yardage is generally relegated to the shelf. I picked up three lap throw-sized fleece blankets on sale for $1.99 each. I used one as the batting in the log cabin quilt that I finished earlier this year.
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I have several tubs that I use for my fabric stash. All sorted out by use, i.e., quilting fabrics; fashion fabrics; scraps; holiday fabrics; wool blends etc. The suitcase is currently the home of projects that remain either unfinished, still in the mulling-it-over stage, or are no longer relevant, but I can repurpose the fabrics for something else.
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Due to my health limitations, I need to seriously readdress the use of all of these tubs. I can’t move them about like I used to; they’re simply too heavy. Hence, whenever I return something to that area, it all gets layed out on top of the tubs and not back inside. I need easier access to the fabrics, and was truly inspired by many of the fabric artists and quilters [of the above-mentioned tour] who store their stashs out in the open; whether in baskets or shelves or bookcases.
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Note: As I'm still making my way through the tour list, I'll come back and update this post with a few examples and links at a *later date.

*ADDED 10-28: Candied Fabrics, Cloth to Creation,
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I took a day last week, when I felt like getting out and about, and stopped in a local thrift store to see what I might find. Nothing to use for shelving, but I did leave with a vintage handkerchief and a small beaded bracelet that I may work into a handbag or an art quilt.
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To the left is where I hang certain yardage such as velvets and recently-washed unbleached muslin. These are waiting for various dye baths. There are also a few tops and skirts waiting to be repurposed as well. I bought two tops a few years back and tried on only one of them. Though the inserts and fabrics were nothing but a variation on the same theme [and pattern], when I got home I found that one sleeve was a good 2-3 inches longer than the other. Needless to say, it still has the ticket on it and waits patiently for my undivided attention.
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There's one tub that's filled with nothing but recycled/repurposed paper; different colors and textures for future hand made papers. In the full on shot above you can see a tall stack of cup carriers that I’ve saved from numerous trips to Tim Horton’s, for cappuccino. In the previous shot you'll notice a few paper egg cartons; all destined for papermaking.
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To the right are storage units for printer and graphic paper, along with photo mats and small picture frames.
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At the top are a few bolts of various cording and trims. About 3-4 years back, one of the local JoAnn Fabric and Crafts stores closed down [to move into a much larger facility], and I bought seven yards of that 3” burgundy bullion fringe [which generally runs anywhere from $11-12 a yard], for 90 percent off. Oh yeah! For me, that was the buy of the sale.
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Let's go back to my display hutch for a moment. During that same sale [which lasted a few weeks], I bought a good twenty yards of various fabrics, lots of cards of buttons, and dozens of spools of organdy, satin, and silk ribbons for 70 to 90 percent off.
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A couple of years later, Hancock Fabrics went out of business, but by then I no longer had the funds for that kind of shopping, as medical bills took priority.
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Well, that’s it for the extended portion of my tour and this little diatribe. My next post will be a thank you to Quilting Arts' [IN THE STUDIO WITH CATE], Cate Prato, for the very cool door prize.
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On a closing note: Anyone need a little flat bottom one of a kind status bag?
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This is my Garden Lantern Handbag [named for the oriental lanternesque beads that I used.] and it is ju-u-ust about ready for sale. It needs a finishing touch here and there, and then it is done. The surprise is the beadwork and silk ribbon embroidery on the inside of the bag.
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Time to focus some attention on building up my Etsy account. I registered for HeartSong Studios earlier this year, but I don't like some of the things I've heard, recently, about PayPal, i.e. putting holds on sellers's accounts [a huge complaint on ebaY], and most recent, putting holds on revolving balances. Okaaay, that's another topic for discussion for another time. But-- if anyone has any input on Etsy and PayPal, feel free to leave a comment. I value enduser experience.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Blessings
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Hummmmm.... Who's that napping underneath the overhang?

Quality Control

If you visited my blog during the Virtual Open Studios Tour you caught a glimpse of the lap throw I finished recently. I used the basic Stockinette Stitch and knit it off size 13 aluminum needles. I used three skeins of RED HEART Light & Lofty yarn [in Antique Rose] for the body, and two skeins for the crocheted lace edge.
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I can tell you right now, though, I will not pick up those needles again any time soon. While they are quite light and knit beautifully, once they are weighed down by 73 stitches of super bulky yarn, they become too heavy to deal with for extended periods of time. And I say this based on health limitations. I could only handle knitting two, maybe 3 rows at a time [and sometimes only one], before my shoulders ached and my hands started to go numb. And this was a recovery mode project; knitted while giving my back and legs a break from other strenuous activity.
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In retrospect, this project ended up serving as a reminder to consider working with circular needles the next time around [though that would require a financial investment], and-- it reinforced my desire to continue practicing, and learn to knit Continental style.
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I'm not sure, though, that if switching styles would aleviate the weight-related strain from my hands, arms, and shoulders. Especially when my right arm and shoulder were not as bothered by the right hand throwing, as much as my left in dealing with the weight coming off the giving needle. But. This is likely a discussion [and reasoning] for another time.
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As soon as I got things set up and shot off a couple of photos, Pearl jumped from the desk [directly behind me] and landed in the middle of the folded throw; which then slid across the table top. I pulled at the throw, bringing it and her back into position. Where, without missing a beat, she proceeded with the Quality Control portion of the process.
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Here she is testing the Knead Factor.
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Yes! I drew in a quick intake of breath, and surpressed the initial desire to say, "N0-o-o-o-o!"
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Regardless whether it was straight off the needles, it's a lap throw. And in this house it is going to get kneaded on!
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So. I resumed breathing and left her to do her job.
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Pearl went straight to the Whole Heart Test, where she opted for the Full-Throttle Purr Long Draw Method. In other words, she really pulled at the threads. And, suffice it to say, it doesn't mean I wasn't standing there and musing over some form of, 'I haven't even used it yet.'
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But. It passed. And with flying colors. Which is why I like this novelty yarn. It's pet tested. Literally. (~: When she jumped down to chase after her sister, there wasn't even the first snag to work back into place.
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As I've gotten side-tracked a time or three, there are still a few loose ends to weave in before it's put into full use, but-- that's simply another Recovery Mode Project.
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More soon! Blessings

Friday the 15th's Quatrain

The air pressure plunges and frigid days bring out familiar sweaters, layers of socks, and blankets of cozy down.
And while torrential rains pour and autumnal winds rage,
remnants of a season past float like colorful jewels upon the currents,
rocking—back and forth—to fall gently upon a road, in back yards, or a distant forest floor.

OK. It may need a little work. But it's fine for now.

Portrait of a Little Equine

Photo taken by LL Abbott, © 2009 EarthSong Photography, HeartSong Studios .

Many Thanks

............... I am just now getting back to my blog. But I wanted first to say thank you to everyone that virtually stopped by my studio, during the Cloth, Paper, Scissors Studios Magazine Virtual Studios Tour, and left a comment and/or offered suggestions to my ironing board dilemma. I'm trying to figure out a way to put wheels on the darn thing! (~:
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I need to respond to all the kind thoughts and will do so shortly. Since that weekend I've been in Recovery Mode, and [this past week] I've been struggling to fend off a bout of melancholy. It's hitting me very hard this year, not being able to go out and hike like I used to. I miss losing all track of Time and getting lost in Nature.
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But-- That's another topic for another time! For now, I'm still making my way through the Tour. Still adding new blogs to my Blogs I Follow list. And, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone who took time out of their day and stopped by my humble little corner of the creative world. May all of your days be filled with Creative Joy!

Such Wonderfully Creative Spaces!

I'm exhausted from getting things ready for the launch of yesterday's Tour. Today, I'm basking in everyone else's creative spaces. The styles are so uniquely different and inspiring. And I've added several blogs to my Blogs I'm Following list, like a newly found kindred spirit Vintage Legacy Studio. Her studio is a wonderful blending of the Old and New.
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I'm also in Recovery Mode, today. [More on that later.] For now, I'm firing up my heating pad, because there are comments and suggestions to respond to, and several more studios to discover and explore.
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Blessings

HeartSong Studio ~ The Virtual Tour

Welcome to my HeartSong Studio! And thank you so much, Quilting Arts and Interweave's Cate Prato [Cloth Paper Scissors ~ Studios] for providing the opportunity to share my humble little space with everyone.

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You're getting the still shots version today. I'm just not skilled enough yet at shooting video. And though I can rightfully claim very bad lighting, I also admit to having difficulty setting up shots indoors. Turn me loose out of doors [with my big Nikon], and I can present some very nice end results as regards Nature. So, could this be a psychological nudge that I’d rather be outside? Hummmm. I’ll ponder that more later.
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Granted, it is somewhat eclectic. And though some of the furniture was supposed to be only temporary, i.e. my sewing tables, I am quite comfortable here. .I will take you around the room from right to left; entering the room and upon leaving it.

This is the view as you enter the room.

Along the back wall are two of my storage chests and the painted table and chairs, the other one is over to the left juuust peaking over top of my sewing machines, I found at a local second hand store. They were already painted and intended for an outdoors garden setting. But. As my back porch area is not a proper place to serve tea and/or a light lunch [too much traffic] I moved it inside where I can better enjoy its use. And just below the window is my grandmother's thread chest. Well, it's also the step up to the window sill [for the cats] when the shears are pulled back.

My desk, hutch, and beading work table all came to my front door [via Office Depot] in boxes. And yes. I put them all together myself. The hutch serves not only as a display area, but also stores files [in the bottom drawer], and knitted wear in the upper drawer; shawls, scarves, both finished and unfinished projects. Oh! And that's my antique spinning wheel and basket of alpaca roving in the background. I've had to extend out into the hallway.

In the foreground is my beading work table. When I moved into this townehome, I couldn't fit that spice rack anywhere in the kitchen. So, I brought it up here to help organize my beads and findings. This part of the room is also being set up for my forthcoming work in clay. The lap drawer is filled with my beading and clay work tools. And that's a vintage [close to being considered an antique] heirloom pillow top; made by my grandmother.

And all those boxes and tins hold buttons, ribbons, embroidery floss and more. I'm still working on a way to better display my Scissor Fobs and Knitting Jewels [stitch and row counters] than in traveling display cases.


The chest atop the garden table is an antique typesetters desk, which I found at a local antique store about 10 years ago. I use it to store paints, brushes, stamp pads, bricks of clay, etc. But the top part, where the desk top lifts up, is my [pseudo] sewing chest. The other is a replica of the old library index card files. That's where I store my beads and wire, and other various craft related items and tools.

The closet, which shall remain closed for now, houses several tubs of fabrics, photography mats and frames, vases, baskets, and more. Yes, I've no shortage on "more."

The basket of log the cabin lap throw and assorted pillows are up from the kitchen [where they usually reside and are used], as it is time to sew the new Fall pillow casings.

I enjoy decorating for the Autumnal season about as much as I do for Christmas. Last year I did the pot holders. This year it is new pillows.

Here it is! My sewing corner. These tables were supposed to be temporary. Right before two of my lower lumbar discs ruptured [and took me off on disability], I was shopping for the large square work table that matched the desk and hutch. I now feel stuck with them. But at very least, I have them. For which I am most grateful. I use the old suitcases [and numerous hatboxes] to store everything from laces, bindings, and trims to patterns, tear away and freezer paper, and assorted fusible webbings.

Here's that other piece of vintage lace I talked about in one of my last posts. I'm auditioning it for an art quilt. Inspired by a recent Quilting Arts episode on Journaling, it reminded me of a very old piece of lace that waited for me, everso patiently, to decide how and when to use it. I don't remember the guest's name [I'll try to find out and post it here later], but she created a small quilt every week, until she had a year of quilts.

The general items I use most are settled within easy reach. And I keep a foot stool handy to change the position of my legs throughout my short periods of sewing.

My favorite piece of furniture in the whole room. My father was in the antique furniture business for many years; before it basically fizzled out in these parts. This is one of his finds. I fell in love with it. And is one of the first large piece I ever bought. And there's my Lucy. She joined me, again, for this morning's "re"shoot. Actually she is my studio girl. Pearls is taking a nap there, now, as I write. And yes. This chair sits there solely for them.

Actually, I’m ready to sacrifice the desk to the living room; downstairs. So that I can open up space and keep the ironing board set up permanently. Which brings me to the problem with my sewing space. Aside from having to raise and lower it, the ironing board is simply too much of a strain on my back; having to shift [and by that I mean drag] it around.

This is how it looks on any given day. Because of my degenerating discs [and other health issues: OA, FM, & Carpal Tunnel] I tend to leave it out and up. And I work best with it by the window. I like having the natural morning light coming in over my shoulders.

Because I can raise or lower it, I use it for much more than just pressing seams. It's become another work space, in and of itself. But, I am constantly dragging it back and forth and out of the way when I need to access my sewing table. And that takes a toll on me as well.

If anyone visiting can see or offer a solution, I will entertain any and all suggestions.

Here we are, at the close of the tour. This is my home office. The first thing you might notice is that I raised my monitor. Another thing I did [similar to utilizing the iron boarding] to keep myself from hovering and it helps to keep my head in a more natural position. I offer this tip to everyone who feels stress and strain in their necks. If you work regularly at a pc, you need to raise the monitor off of the desk! I did it with glass blocks and shelving board. I'll leave everyone to determine their own option.

There’s also a high back office chair that I’ve got my eye on, at Office Depot, and is another way I can keep myself seated back and in a more relaxed way. Which will take more strain off of my spinal column. And, once I get the new chair for my office, I can move this chair to my sewing corner. I will greatly appreciate the wheels over there.

At the front side of my desk, is my small studio kitchen. No. Not for preparing lunch or afternoon snacks. The coffee pot is for hand dying. The blender is for papermaking. And the oven is for my work with clay.

Behind the manequin is where I hang dry the coffee-dyed laces. It's the back rail from an old day bed. It's perfect to display scarves and such, like my knitting sampler at the top.

Here are two of the handbags I designed last year.

I do hope you enjoyed a look at my studio. I don't know if this is what anyone expected from me. It has taken many years to pull this all together. And, as I have been inspired by so many others, so I too hope someone finds inspiration from my efforts.

Click on the Fall Issue of Studios [to the right] for the links to the rest of the Quilting Arts/Cloth Paper Scissors ~ Studios Magazine's Virtual Open Studio Tour.

Blessings