Friday, July 15, 2011

Where Bloggers Create 2011 ~ Welcome to my Studio ~ and a little Giveaway

Welcome to the 3rd Annual 
"Where Bloggers Create" party.

Do come in for a little peek around my sewing studio
and my creative grand central station...

I just love my dress form.
(She does get around a bit...as she poses for many of the photos that you see in my Etsy shop).
Today, she greets you, wearing my wedding day pearls, my mom's pearls, along with her vintage wool skirt and crochet collar.
If you were here last year for the Where Bloggers Create II Party, you will see that some things stay the same...comfortable and familiar. But, I do have some new items and exciting changes.
My studio doubles as our guest bedroom.
(Since we seldom have guests, it is a pretty safe arrangement.
Just give me a day's notice, if you would like to stay!)
What's new here? In June I took everything out of this room, took inventory of my supplies, and with hubby's help (that brass bed is heavy), rearranged the furniture.
I have a spot for my ironing board under the mirror...
and yes, I still love my grandmother's hat collection.
My desk remains much the same...
I do like to surround myself with my favorite items that give creative inspiration,
such as this sweet gift from my daughters.

The biggest and most exciting news is about where I actually sew.
I still use my grandmothers sewing machine as the base of the table,
but have added a much longer topper, providing a spacious work area for my serger and sewing machines.
I love, love, love it!

Thank you for stopping by to visit my studio.
Please leave a comment.
I will enter your name into my WBC giveaway.
I will draw a winner on August 15th, and send a little gift...
something that was created right here!

A special thank you to Karen at My Desert Cottage
for organizing and hosting this party.
Visit her blog for the list of participants.
You will be inspired by many of their creative work spaces.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Take care,
~Natalie

46 comments:

Theresa N. said...

Love the way you have your sewing machines set up, lots of room to work. Love your work space.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kathy said...

Looks great.. all that room for your sewing machines..so nice.. love your grandma's hat collection.. beautiful creative space...
xx

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Your creative space is so inviting Natalie! Your sewing area is wonderful. Nice you can create surrounded by memories! ~*~Lisa

~*~Leanne~*~ said...

Morning Natalie,
Your studio looks so warm and inviting. I just love how it's decorated! Your row of sewing machines is a dream!
Enjoy your day,
Leanne

Unknown said...

Your space looks terrific! I just came over to congratulations on winning the giveaway at The Rusty Thimble!
take care
Kim

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Natlie, you have such an inspiring and pretty place to create. Thanks for the tour. Have a wonderful weekend! Twyla

Debbie Burkey said...

Love your room! Great use of the antique sewing machine as a larger table. I love your colors so warm and inviting.

Jo said...

Thank you for the tour! It's lovely that you have so many of your family's treasures in there.

Anonymous said...

Hello Theresa it's Silvi, fancy meeting you here...lol. I love your studio and I would gladly be a house guest and you wouldn't have to move anything:)

Busy Bee Suz said...

I am so envious of how organized you are! Your guest/craft room is so pretty...
So, if I come to visit and stay IN the guest room...you will teach me to sew???
Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Look at those sewing machines side by side and ready to go at a whim! I know one is a serger but geez what a great set up. Your space is so clean and organized. I bet you get a lot done there! *smiles* Norma

Unknown said...

What a lovely design area! I love the sweet decor - including the wreath and your grandma's hats. Such lovely family memories. And oh, that adorable teddy bear. My grandkids and I all love teddies. Thanks for a sweet visit.

Catskill Quilter said...

Lovely sewing space! What could be more important?

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Beautiful creating room Natalie!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Congratulations on your awesome win at the Rusty Thimble!!!
You lucky girl!!! Enjoy!!!!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Firecracker Kid said...

Hi Natalie:) Nice and organized you are. I saw a lot of nice vintage pieces you've collected and I'm sure are close to your heart. Thanks for sharing with usp.s. congratulations on winning Brenda's awesome witch:)
xoxo~Carol

Sandra Kaye said...

You have a lovely home!! Nice and cozy!! Hugs Sandie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

What a great idea to have your machines set up near each other and ready to go! Enjoyed seeing your room!

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Love your space it looks so comfy. You could even take a nap or lay down to read a good quilting book if you wanted to. Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl said...

I love that you have your Grandmothers sewing machine and hats. Your space is great and so cozy looking thanks for sharing!

Breana said...

Hi natalie!
Nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by my space. I love your dress form! What a great arrangement you have and if your need a nap you don't even have to leave the room lol. Thanks for sharing.
Breana

Wicked Faerie Queen said...

I am so glad you stopped by for a visit. I wish I lived closer to some of my blogging friends too. I like your space and I love your new machine. I just got a new camera so I think a new sewing companion will have to wait. Enjoy your blog very much.

Have a great weekend.
Sue

Susanne said...

Great idea to do a giveaway! My room needs to be cleaned out when guests are coming as well.

Good luck with your new sewing machine. The one I have now is fine, but I used to have one that could bring me to tears of frustration.

I feel for you with the weather, same here, just toooo hot! But I'm headed to the mid-west for most of August. We living near Rochester, MN before moving to TX. And most of our family are still in the mid-west.

Stay cool!
Susanne.

Dawn @ alteredartists said...

Looks great, loved my trip to visit you and you will have to come back and visit mine. I love the ice cream dessert I have been making it for 5 years. Funny how recipes make their way around the planet. Have a great day.

Angela Weimer said...

Your space looks great. so peaceful and serene. A perfect place to create. Love your new Ms Saphire. She is just lovely and so useful to have around. Thanks for sharing your space and have a lovely day. Angela

Unknown said...

i love that you use your grandmother' s table as your own. so sweet and sentimental. the hat collection as well. my space, as you know, doubles as a guest bedroom too...although it is slowly becoming my studio and a "bed" for my guest only. they surely drown in all of my supplies! your space is lovely. merci for stopping in to see mine! I appreciate your sweet compliments! :)

Deb said...

GoodMorning Natalie
What a beautiful studio space you've created! Your hat collection if fabulous ♥
Thank you for stopping by & your kind comment.

Leanne said...

my husband and I were joshing when he suggested I move from the small guest bedroom into the larger one ... but you've made it work! I'll stick with my space though, our dog sitter has to sleep somewhere!

Dreams and Decor said...

Hi, Natalie! What a beautiful, cozy room! I love, love, love the iron bed and the vintage hats! I also saw your new Miss Sapphire on your next post. She's a beauty! I have an ancient Viking (if you get a chance to stop by, you'll see her on my tour)& I really need to take sewing classes to really utilize all her capabilities (I can sew a straight line, but that's about all! LOL!) I am also going to check out your oreo & fudge ice cream sandwich cake recipe! It looks awesome! Sorry for long comment but I have to also mention those pillows on your header are awesome! Can't wait to read the rest of your blog! Patti in TX

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Hello!
I loved seeing your beautiful creative space!!
Adored your grandmother's sewing machine that you used as a base for your sewing table. And fell in love with all of your sewing machines!!

Thanks so much for the visit!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Claudia said...

My husband's studio is in our guest room, which, like yours, doesn't see too many guests. Love your space and all your sewing machines!

Valery Klassen said...

Love your sewing machines and your fabulous work space. Thanks for sharing.

Linda said...

I'm not commenting because of your contest. ;) I just wanted to compliment you on your beautiful studio (and I love that you call it a studio!) It is apparent that you have surrounded yourself with things you love. I particularly love your grandmother's hat collection, as it is so similar to my grandmother's hat collection in my studio! :) Is that a starched crocheted basket on your desk?

I loved the tour!

Jane said...

Hi Natalie,
I loved the tour of your creative space. What an undertaking to take everything out and inventory what you have. I'm sure it was a lot of work but so worth it!
I'm jealous of all that wonderful countertop space for sewing! And I love the hats!!!
Congrats on your new sewing machine. I'm sure you will have fun creating with it.
Jane

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my blog.

That new sewing machine of yours looks fabulous, but I don't know if I could learn to use it, very fancy!!!!

QueenMarcy

Unknown said...

Natalie,
What a wonderful space to work in! I think any guest would be happy to stay in that room with all of those beautiful treasures and memorabilia!
Vicky

Kit said...

What a great place to create! I just love the bed, so very pretty. Kit

Donna said...

I love the bed in your creative space!!! And the hat collection great room!!!!

Deborah said...

A lovely lovely room. when I had a room dedicated to my "stuff" I ended up taking the bed out but it certainly was not as nice as your bed :) Love the hats and the fact that you still have your grandmothers's machine too.

Lynette Killam said...

Oh,lovely, Natalie! Such a charming space you have, practical as well as beautiful. I lost track of time and missed my chance to join in this year, but will try to visit a few of the pages nonetheless.

And though I'm slow in responding, I want to thank you for your very kind words on the loss of our much-loved boy, Oreo.We're slowly getting used to the house without his furry presence, but it's never easy losing a member of the family.

It's been an odd summer here, and I'm way behind on visits, but will stop by again soon...:)

Something Special said...

I think your studio/guest room is so lovely and vintage, right down to the headboard. I love it!
It looks so comfortable!

Creative Grammie said...

Aloha Natalie,
Your guest room is lovely and so inviting. You are a brave soul to double it as your creative space too. I'd be afraid that I would be in the middle of a project, then have to stop and clean up for guest tomorrow. Yikes!
Thanks you for sharing your beautiful space.

Tammy said...

It's a lucky guest that gets to stay in your guest room! Thanks for the tour!

Kathryn D. Duke said...

Your sewing room is very special in deed...L O V E the photo beside your machine...guess that it is your parents!!

Ramblin Mama said...

I love the way you use the old treadle machine for the base of the sewing table. I actually learned machine sewing on my grandmother's as they felt I had better control over the speed with the treadle machine. My sister now has that one (but I do have one in my garage that I found at a church bazaar. I'm just waiting to find space to use it as a base for a table.) Ah!! Great memories.

Ruffles and Relics said...

what a lovely room.. so warm and inviting... Thanks for the tour..

Linda said...

What a warm and lovely room! I love your grandmother's sewing machine - it reminds me of my Mom's old one (that I would give my eye teeth for now!) I have my Granny's hat collection on my wall too. :)

Is the Where Bloggers Create Party one that involves others and a tour of their studios as well? If so, is it open to new members?

Visiting Family ~Weekday Routine ~Some Recreational Shopping ~Another Burger Battle Entry

Like all busy young families, the weekdays are filled with work, school, and activities. This Papa and Gigi enjoyed being able to attend bot...