Where This Blogger Creates...the Closet of Dreams

Hello dear ones,

I have been wanting to share my studio with you FOREVER.  Problem is, it is still in progress (don't ask how long it has been in progress, it's just embarrassing).  However, this year, I did at least get the closet finished.  I call it my Closet of Dreams because it makes me so happy whenever I go in it.  I'm joining in with Karen's Where Bloggers Create party, so without further ado, please come in and have a look around.

The door was an old Victorian front door that we dug out of the dumpster salvaged from a neighbor's renovation project.  I stenciled the "lace curtain" on the window.

Everything a girl could need to create wonderful things is in here, in addition to things that inspire me and bits of art from other people who inspire me.

The modular storage unit is from Michael's.  It felt so good to finally have a place to put all of my supplies-I labelled the drawers and actually can put my hand on whatever I need with a minimum of effort.  LOVE that!

I had great fun making storage containers to hold my bits and bobs.  It's amazing what you can do with peanut butter jars, spice tins, and tin cans when you have a can of white spray paint and lots of pretty papers...

Below are my beautiful lace cards made with oodles of graphics from Karen at the Graphics Fairy.

Storage should be functional, no doubt, but it simply must be pretty if you ask me.

Doesn't everyone have a basketful of doll heads?  And googly doll eyes, don't forget those...I see you!

I love having a place to both use and display pretty things like this awesome antique ribbon embroidered pincushion.

Organized 1920's ribbons-no more digging through boxes and risking damaging the merch.  Swoon...

Make it pretty was my mantra throughout this project...

A shell bowl filled with vintage chandelier crystals shares space with a little ANRI carving that my parents bought when they went to Switzerland.  I brought him home with me after my parents passed away.

Little dollies waiting to be dressed...

Lots of inspiration in this pint sized book.  I loved the cover as well, so it stays out on the shelves.

Vintage tins in pretty colors hold various bits and bobs and yes, the candy lights are up all the time.  Pastel yumminess abounds here.

Little dolls I made a few years back...

Baskets from the thrift store make great storage for my rubber stamps.

A very pretty vintage shoe holder that hasn't quite been filled up yet, but I'm sure it won't take long.

My mermaid reminds me to be who I am...

That's about it for this time.  I hope next time this party rolls around, I can show you the rest of the studio instead of just the closet.

Until next time,

Also partying at:
Pink Saturday
What's It Wednesday
Home Sweet Home
Fridays Unfolded
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Simple and Sweet Friday
Shabbilicious Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Make it Pretty Monday

Blessed

 

Hello Sweet Friends, 

Thank you so much for all of your kind comments regarding the Waldo Canyon Fire here in Colorado.   I am happy to report that as of this evening, 17 days after it began, the fire is 100% contained.  Almost 350 homes were lost, but almost 2700 were saved in one neighborhood alone.  The firefighters from not only our local area, but from all over the western states, battled in unimaginable conditions but they fought hard and did such a fabulous job to keep this fire from spreading.  It is truly a miracle and watching the community come together in support of the families who were affected and the firefighters that worked so hard was so heartwarming.  It still hurts to see photos like this where entire streets were almost completely destroyed, but our town is strong and we will recover.

One week after the firestorm came over the mountains and into Colorado Springs, the rains began.  We had the most beautiful double full rainbow.  How could you not feel hopeful after seeing something like this.

I've been wanting to do some all white crosses for a while now.  My own personal take on the Jeanne d'Arc style, if you will.  After the fire seemed to be getting under control, I just felt like the time had come.  I did a couple all whites (with a little gold) and a very soft shabby chic cross.  I think they turned out lovely and I hope you think so too.  They are headed to the gallery where I have my mosaic work displayed for sale later this week.

On another happy note, I am pleased as punch to let you know that one of my photos was selected for the Miscellany section of the summer edition of Somerset Life.  This is one of the prettiest issues yet and it has features from some of our favorite bloggers, Michelle of Petite Michelle Louise and Susan of Evelyn and Rose.  What a dream come true for me.

Well dear bloggie friends, I see by the old clock on the wall that it is time for this little blogger to go to bed.  I'll be sharing this over at Kathleen's Faded Charm for White Wednesday.  Come by and check out all the dreamy posts for yourself.

Until next time,

Also sharing at:
Shabbylicious Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday

Colorado Springs Fire

These were the scenes in my town yesterday evening.  We have over 30,000 people who have been evacuated and many homes were lost.  Personally, I know 4 families who live in the heart of this mess, 3 of whom still don't know the fate of their homes.  Landmarks have been lost, homes have burned to the ground.  The uncharacteristically  high temperatures and extreme dry conditions have only worsened the situation.  

After 3 1/2 days of the wildfire burning forest but not structures, a 65 mph wind gust pushed the fire up and over Queen's Canyon and a rapidly moving wall of fire came racing down the hill above this large subdivision.  Many of the residents in the area had been evacuated since Saturday, but those living in the area shown immediately above went from pre-evacuation status to mandatory evacuation Tuesday late afternoon and had very little time to get in and get their things.  As of now, there are no reported lives lost which is, in and of itself, a miracle.  Homes can be replaced, people cannot, so while we rejoice in that, we hurt for those who will have to start all over. 

My home is on the "right" side of the interstate.  We are safe and not too worried about the fire coming this way.  Regardless of this, I have friends who are displaced and uncertain as to the fate of their homes.  Our city has been deeply hurt by this horrible wildfire.  I hope you can understand that the posting of my pretty little pictures of my tschotskies seems trivial in comparison, so I will forgo that for a bit.  Please pray for the people of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas and, of course, for our brave firefighters who are enduring almost unbearable heat and fatigue to try and keep this monster at bay.  I will post again when it seems more appropriate.

Until next time,

No Dear, the Irony is NOT Lost on Me...

 So Peeps,

Tell me...you can be honest.  Have you ever bought a little something, say, a cute stool, and it was old and chippy, and dirty and good bones but kinda distressed.  And then, you spend say a couple of hours over a couple of days a couple of times "refreshing" the piece, only to realize you now had a little something, say, a cute stool, that was old and chippy, and dirty and good bones but kinda distressed?  Only somehow your new and improved version was still better because it was clean and cuter on some level?

Not that that scenario has EVER happened to me...

I was just wondering about you guys...

And apparently, I couldn't stop taking pictures.

Now that she's been redone, I may have to find a place for her in my home...

But, since space is at a premium...

there's a good chance you will see her...

in an Etsy shop near you.  Specifically, Elegant Farmhouse.

Very soon...

In all of her chippy and distressed glory.  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and clear and dark waxes rock!

 

 I'm glad you all "get me".  Mr. FL and I did have a nice laugh over this one though.  I missed taking "before" pictures, but trust me, it was worth the do-over.  Really.

Until next time,

Linking up with:
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Shabbilicious Friday