Thursday, July 30, 2015

Our Favorite Things Blog Hop Tour

Island Batik Button completed 
Welcome! Today is my day to share with you some of my favorite things!  If you have been following along with the Island Batik Ambassadors, you will know that these talented ladies have some awesome places where they create. 

So where do I go to get my creative juices flowing? For many years I never had a designated sewing space. I sewed in the laundry room, in the family room and on the dining room table. You gals know what that means? You start on a project and when you really get going you have to pack it all up! But last year, when my youngest son moved to his own place, I took over his room.

This is what you see when you come in the door. I've moved and re-arranged the furniture several times, trying to find the best working arrangement. So far I like this the best.

 My sewing machine is set up beside the window. I get great light and a little bit of an outside view.
A view from my second story window.
 You saw my sweet hubby putting up my quilt rack the other day. It's the perfect size for this wall space.

Several years ago I acquired this antique shopping cart. I never really knew what to do with it but finally decided it would be a great place to hold bolts of fabric. 
I store my beautiful Island Batik fabric in the bin right next to the cart. The baskets hold my homespuns.
To the left of my machine is a comfy rocker, where I can do hand stitching or watch my favorite DVD's.

One thing I never had before was a place for storage.
But now............
 Notice my Cottage sign over the door?
Quilting books, Accuquilt machine and dies, works in progress and color coded bins above.
I love these wire basket shelves. I bought them at IKEA several years ago when Alex Anderson shared how she stored her fabric.
A few of my favorite things. Pictures of family and friends, antique childrens sewing machines, button and notions collection. Don't you want to surround yourself with the things you love?

Cutting table and another wire basket set.
The wall was so big and blank, I just had to hang some small quilts.
So what are my favorite things? Besides my sewing machine, fabric, and being surrounded by the things I love? 
This...
My desk top computer died back in the spring, so I've been using the laptop. I've been able to download patterns, follow youtubes, write blog posts, and check my email.  All right here, just a swivel away from my sewing/quilting projects. There is another reason. One that sometimes takes me away from sewing and quilting. I'm a writer. Last year I hammered out two novels that are still being revised and edited. It's my dream to one day be published.

So there you have it! Thanks so much for reading all of My Favorite Things!
Happy Quilting!!

20 comments:

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your quilt room is beautiful and how neat to have a comfy chair in there so you can do hand work. I have several sets of those same wire baskets and they are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your neat room!

Jeanna said...

You have a great creative space, I see why you love it. Everything is so organized and it looks quite comfy, too. I love the wire baskets...I need to get some.

LJ said...

There are +s to having our children leave home and you shared one of those. :) Nothing better than a dedicated sewing space.

Connie said...

Isn't it wonderful to have a space of your own. I've moved my machine in front of the window, too. I like having a view it keeps me connected to the outside world and because my barn is across the driveway from the house, it let's me see if we have company pull in. Before I moved the machine to the window, I've had people say, I came over and rang the door bell, but you weren't home :)

Little Quiltsong said...

I so loved seeing your 'Happy Place'. It is all so nicely thought out and homey! Now to just enjoy :)!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

What a wonderful sewing space! I love the wire baskets too. :)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

It would be cool to read one of your books! What a great space! Hope you get published!

mumbird3 said...

Love your space!

Pam Geisel - For Quilts Sake said...

Great space! And cool antique shopping cart!

Connie Kauffman said...

What a great room (and lovely backyard). Love those metal drawers to the left side of your closet. What a great way to use that tucked in space

Cecilia said...

Great space! I have a comfortable chair in my room, too. I love your basket shelves. Thanks for sharing your room.

Pamela said...

What a cozy and organized space! I love it! Good luck on getting your novels published, what an accomplishment - that takes a lot of work!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

What a nice, cozy space you have there. Easy to see why the creativity flows ... and now we know that there's more than just quilty creativity going on in there. Congrats on the novels ... good luck with getting them published!

Bonnie said...

What a lovely sewing room!! It surely can help those creative juices to flow!!!

Susan Lindquist said...

Oh, to have such a large and tidy (underline that word!) space! Love all the details and little touches you've given your studio!

Lori said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful and happy space. Good luck on being published.
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

Rina Spina said...

You have such wonderful "Huge" sewing room! My sewing room, that I call my "Sanctuary " is pretty small, but is my place, where I let my creativity flows!
I would like to read your novels, I'm an avid reader.
Thank you for let us be part of your life!
Hugs,
Rina, an Italian quilter!

Sharon said...

What a wonderful room to create in & all that lovely light when you are cutting fabric! I can't cut anymore without my Ott-light. I also mainly use my dining room, but stuff is spread out in many rooms. I love that quilt rack!

Ivory Spring said...

Jocelyn,

I want to sew in your sewing room!!!!! Thanks for sharing your sewing space. :) Have a blessed weekend.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Your creative space is perfect! Love the sweet collections that go along with the functional areas. And what a lovely way to store fabric! I like the baskets from IKEA. You can see your selections and safely store them. I'm going to have to look for some like that.