August 17, 2013

My Colorful Studio

I always love seeing where people create. It's inspiring to see how creative people are with their space plus a great way to gather ideas for improving my own space.

There are a couple of studio tours going on right now. The Studio Spotlight hosted by Ellison Lane and The Sewing Loft which I'm linking up with here. And another called "Where I Sew" hosted by Pink Chalk Fabrics. So grab a cup tea or maybe a glass a wine, sit back and tour some wonderful, inspiring spaces. Enjoy!

I sewed for years in the living room of our tiny house when my kids were small. Then 7 years ago we put an addition on above the garage and I was able to carve out a space all to myself. It's a small room but it's all mine. Heaven. Absolute heaven. Welcome to my studio tour.

This is the window covering made from Kaffe Fabrics. Suspended in front is a clear sign made from vinyl of my blog/business name.  On the shelf above the window a little added inspiration.



This is what you see when you come down the hall and first enter my studio. The window blind is normally open and lets in lots of nice natural light. With a desk on one side and my sewing table on the other all I need to do is swivel around from one to the other. Works great.



My sewing table was a big splurge when we remodeled. Love the machine being lowered into the table. Don't think I could ever sew without it now. At the time I didn't envision the back of the table always being up but it works so well for the small ironing board that it's always fully extended now. I also have one of those huge cutting mats from JoAnn's which covers the entire surface. Very handy for trimming, basting small tops and lots of other things. Being able to easily lower the machine makes it quick to use. The big mat hangs in the hallway just outside my room. To the right of this picture is my design wall. Right in front of me while I sew. Once a block is ironed it goes back on the wall.



On the backside of the sewing table, underneath the iron, is where I store my newly sorted scraps as well as ongoing project boxes. It's easy to roll out a cart or simply pull out a drawer when looking for certain colored scraps. This is a huge improvement over my previous scrap storage which was no system at all. Just piles and more piles. Now I actually make a point of maintaining my scrap storage and it's been quite easy to find what I need.



These cabinets are actually kitchen cabinets repurposed for my studio. They hold a ton of stuff. More fabric than I should own, batting, UFOs, you name it and it's probably in there somewhere. The counter is just the right height for cutting. To the right is a lower area I use as my computer desk to work on pattern design and blogging plus a little too much online surfing at fabric shops and Pinterest.  : )



Above the counter are a series of shoe cubbies to store my primary stash. The fabrics are sorted according to general color/types and so far work really well but are a little on the full side. Definitely need to work from my stash. I just love being able to look up from my desk and see all that color. Keeps my in a constant state of inspiration. This is the brights cubbie . . .


This is the black/white/gray cubbie with a few mini collections mixed in.


This is the solids cubbie with a few groupings for future projects mixed in.


This is the Kaffe cubbie . . . my favorite fabric designer. I can never have enough of these beauties.


And the last cubbie is my collection of leafy prints along with fruit and veggie prints. More traditional but still wonderful.



Next to the last cubbie is a small inspiration board. Must admit I'm not very good at making use of it the way I envisioned. The little notes pads rarely get used, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. My paperwork/filing habits could definitely use some improvement.



The wall cabinets above the cubbies hold even more fabric, mostly more traditional in style. Above in the shelf area is a collection of glass colored vases picked up here and there from thrift stores. Another level of color that keeps things bright and cheery.



And last but not least is this glider from the days of rocking babies. It's seen better times and I'd like to paint and recover it but for the time being it works fine. It's a nice size for my small space and very relaxing for those late nights when I can't sleep and don't dare sew or I'd be up all night. Then it becomes my reading chair. Usually there is a kitty or two taking a nap here.



Next to the chair is an old night stand turned side table that I painted and decoupaged with copies of Kaffe prints. A tiny table but a real favorite. And a new spot for kitties to explore. Meet Leo.



I posted once before about my studio when I first started my blog so maybe you've already seen a lot of this. Looking back on that post, I realized how the photos needed improving. Hope you've enjoyed my new little tour. Hop over to the linky party and tour another sewing space.

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29 comments:

  1. Oh my heart! The colour! I love your studio Anne. I don't think I would ever come out if mine looked like that. How inspiring to look at : )

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  2. I absolutely love the glass vases. What a great idea! You're studio is enviable!

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  3. Your space is so bright and cheerful....I love it. Those colored vases just make me happy!

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  4. You have a great space to create in, so cheerful and everything handy.

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  5. I. Want. Your. Color! And your cats, but I know that won't happen. :-) Truly a wonderfully inspiring place to create. You did a fabulous job! Now, go make us another quilt, Girl!

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  6. Oh, wowwie, Anne! What an amazing sewing room you have made for yourself! I keep thinking that if you were a kid, you'd always be in trouble so that your mom would tell you, "Go to your room!"! =)

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  7. Stunning room! I love the colored vases.

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  8. Your studio is so bright and colourful. I could so work there. Love the vases!
    Barb@Witsend

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  9. Very bright and beautiful indeed! Love those vases sort in rainbow!!
    Amira @ http;//littlemushroomcap.blogspot.com

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  10. Wow, I love your space! Everything is so organized and neat. Thank you for sharing your space with us on The Studio Spotlight Tour.
    ~Heather

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  11. Anne, your studio is fabulous! I think I pinned 4 pics! I really enjoyed your colorful tour. Thanks for linking up! - Jennifer

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  12. Oh those vases!! So inspirational just on their own! Thanks for sharing :)

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  13. I love how the paint and furniture is white because it helps the focus be on your lovely colorful fabrics and artwork. Your space is functional and inspirational. Thank you for sharing!

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  14. Lovely studio Anne! Thanks for sharing where you create!

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  15. Oh my goodness! This is one of the loveliest studios I've ever seen. Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration!

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  16. I love your space. LOVE! I might have to "steal" your decoupage table idea! I hadn't thought of copies of a favorite print!!!!

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  17. This is beautiful! I love the color that you've put in there!!

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  18. This is simply gorgeous. I think it is my favorite so far. I love every single part of it.

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  19. What a great room. I love all the bright colors.

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  20. Thanks for sharing..it is so beautiful!!! What brand of sewing cabinet do you have? I am redoing my sewing room and feel your cabinet is what I am looking for.

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  21. I've never seen pictures of your studio, so these were wonderful to view. You've done a great job of making what looks like a small space, workable. Love your colored bottles/jars, but immediately thought of how I wouldn't like dusting them. Your Kaffe stash, and side table, are great. Would you believe that I don't own any Kaffe fabrics? The colors are lovely, but I've never been much of a floral person. However, there's always the possibility of change. Your fabric storage is definitely eye candy. I opted to put my stash behind doors, but it's always fun to open them all at once and enjoy. My cabinet is packed to the gills, and in fact a couple of the plastic shelf-holders have broken and are being replaced with metal ones. Your pictures now make me want to sew (piece) instead of quilt!

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  22. Such a beautiful inspiring space! Thanks for sharing.

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  23. Such a happy place to be. But then, Kaffe fabrics the happiest of all!

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  24. Be still my beating heart! Your studio is gorgeous. You have a lovely place to create. A explosion of color. The glass vases look fantastic. One day I hope to have a studio like yours:)

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  25. I love this space!!!! I love the colors, prints, the glass bottles. This would totally be my happy place complete with cute kitties.

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  26. What type of table does your sewing machine sit on? Thank you

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  27. You need more fabric if you are going to "win"!!!!!! Love the room and all the colors. Truly an inspiration!

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  28. Love your space. I have that same Koala table. May I ask where you got the clear insert for the opening for the sewing machine.

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WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.