I spent a delightful morning rearranging my office/studio space. I am blessed to have a lovely outside space set away from the house overlooking the pond garden.
The sound of running water and birdsong fill my studio. Birds regularly come for a drink and a bath and I have a regular visiting baby squirrel coming to my door to gather the nuts that I lay out on the deck. it is simply sublime and my little creative, peaceful oasis.
When we first moved into this home, I had set the space up with the shelving running along the wall where the shawls are now hanging. However, this took up a lot of space leaving the space behind my desk redundant. I really wanted to have my sewing machine out permanently because it is much easier to be spontaneously creative and crafty when all your tools are at hand.
The space has a dual purpose. A space for my desk and computer for my writing and running my creative events business, and the need to be a place of creativity and inspiration.
One morning about two weeks ago, I was catching up on some admin when the idea for a new layout suddenly took hold. My husband was about to start cutting the lawn but I needed his help with moving the shelves and bringing in another table for the sewing machine.
He is used to my 'sudden ideas' so very kindly helped me sort out the studio before cutting the lawn - such a kind and patient husband!
He even took the time to hang up some of my shawls. I want this space to be a place that inspires creativity and nurtures a slow, creative life.
I brought a comfortable chair into the studio. The studio is such a lovely garden room and is insulated and has heating which keeps it warm in the winter. A place to sit and work on my knitting or stitching, perhaps while watching a favourite vlog, is just what is needed.
The little quilt on the back of the chair is waiting to be hung on the wall. I made the embroidered tote bag and cushion when we still lived in South Africa so bringing them out of the linen cupboard to use and enjoy on a daily basis brought in a little nostalgic memories of when my girls were small.
I cleaned all the cubby shelves and enjoyed sorting out my fabrics ...
and books...
I dug out some of the pretty letter writing supplies that I have and popped them on display. I want to send more snail mail this year.
While sorting through my stash, I found a couple of gorgeous kits I bought a few years ago but which I have not got round to doing.
I want to work on these projects and have them done before the year is out. I don't want to keep putting my making on the backburner.
So, I have picked out 3 projects and set them up in various places around my home. Having them close by and ready means that I am finally spending time working on each project.
I have a copy of the "A Needlework Enthusiast's Book of Days" planner by Needlework Press arriving any day now and I plan on using this to plan out and document the projects I want to work through in 2026.
I have to say that I am loving feeling so productive and I find that getting back into my hobbies with purpose has been inspiring my creativity.
I have been very purposeful in setting aside social media and stepping back in a big way from 'hustle culture'. Instead, I am embracing a more 'analogue' traditional lifestyle which is far more familiar to me.
I am finding the gentle rhythms of keeping my home, creating and trusting God in each moment, is helping me recover from the burnout that realised I was suffering from after too many years of pursuing something that was not meant for me.
One of my little projects that I want to do is to take these little jumpers and make them into a garland for my studio. I think that it would look so sweet.
When I was dyeing yarn, I knitted up a whole lot of mini jumpers to showcase my colourways. These were always such a hit on my stand with people wanting to buy them. They are so quick and easy to knit up.
I think I shall put together a little pattern for any knitters amongst my readers...another project to make a note of in my 'Book of Days' calendar!
But for now, I am just really enjoying quietly reconnecting with my creativity in my little studio overlooking the garden.
I love to spruce up a space, your's is delightful and inspirational!! I did my art cart over the Christmas holidays. I need to do it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen! I've just done my art cart too - they do need a regular overhaul though :)
DeleteShirley Ann,
ReplyDeleteA space for creative endeavors and quiet reflection is a gift to delight in and to enjoy. I love that your space happens to be in a cozy room overlooking your garden. I have had a variety of sewing rooms and spaces over the years depending on the different homes I lived in. The years I lived on a farm raising sheep was in a separate outside building, the door opening to a huge fig tree and the back window overlooking the large upper pond and part of the barn and pasture areas. I called it "The Spinning House" because It held more of my wool and spinning supplies than anything else. I always spent my early morning times there in the warmer months. When my first daughter got married I completely turned her room in that house into a sewing/craft room. We moved here to our present home in 2022 and a corner of the third floor"attic" is designated as my sewing nook. There is heat and AC there, but no window, yet it does have excellent lighting. Things are organized there very well, and I have a good table for sewing if I desire. I loved this post! And, I would love a mini jumper pattern😊.
Cathy the Spinning House sounds lovely. I too have lived in a number of houses over the years and I remember each creative space as being special. While they may be different they are still delightful spaces to have.
DeleteOh, I forgot to mention how much I love seeing your shawls stretched out on your wall! Genius!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I prefer seeing and enjoying them than them being tucked away in a closet.
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