I finally got my office pretty organized and cleaned up, and without my daughter’s prodding. This event is my motivation. While a clean creating space is not a criteria for participation, I wanted to share my space, not my mess.
My space is purely escape-oriented. I do not create anything to make money. Whatever I do in this office is completely at the whim of the mood of the day. While this is my room, I love it when my kids come to do a project or just to hang out with me. I even share my computer, on occasion.
I do crafts of all sorts; whatever strikes me at the time. I have bead stuff for making jewelry, card-making stuff, and of course, I sew.
One reason this room is so essential to my daily life is because it houses my collections and things I have a hard time moving on. I do have a rule now that if I can’t display it, I probably need to get rid of it. My daughter has to stay on top of my collecting so I don’t keep everything. Isn’t there a blog party about collections? Maybe I should post to that some time.
I tried putting everything away and making my shelves sort of bare and stream lined. That is not a very appealing look, to me. I like the idea of it, and it is so much easier to clean, but it was just too boring and took away my creativity. I am very happy to just sit in my office and look around.
Many of the items I have kept are things that have been given to me by all the grandparents. The light colored box in the photo on the left is full of old gas station receipts from my parents. Why did they keep these? It is kind of fun to look at today though- $.35 a gallon in 1969!
The hat in the photo on the right is from my father-in-law. It was his Balmoral Bonnet. That’s a type of Scottish hat the Highlanders wore. He gave it to my son just before he died. I especially like that my FIL was able to give it to my son in person.
I bought this vinyl butterfly from Uppercase Living last year. I just now put it on the wall, for these photos. I don’t know why it took me so long. I am very happy with the look- a nice contrast to all the dimensional objects on the wall, and I love that it matches my hanging file.
Something else I like to hang up in my office are my children’s projects and any other artwork from the kids in my life. The gold framed calligraphy was done by my daughter. In the upper right, inside the vine-trimmed frame are two pictures drawn by my very artistic niece. I love the artwork she gives me so I display it wherever I can.
Oh, I don’t know if you noticed the recent issue of Where Women Create, sitting on the desk. I would love to pass this along. I will do a drawing from the names of those that leave a comment on this post. Spread the word by mentioning my post on your blog and you get another entry. I will do the drawing on Monday, July 25th. Any comments on this post through Sunday the 24th will count. Happy Blogging.
Beth
54 comments:
I'm sooo glad you visited me tonight Miss Beth. A joy for me to have you stop in. Yep girly...I DO LOVE LACE and love to think about what was going on inside of the lady who created it. Most of what I have is handmade.
I would love to create someday just because. Not for profit but just out simple joy. I did that when my babes were little... One day again I will do the same!
Love the organization of your space...and the gas receipts at .35 per gallon made me smile.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Rebecca
Having a room for crafting or just hanging out in is truly a pleasure. I'm not much of a collector, but I so enjoy being surrounded by things that make me smile. Your space is charming.
Like you I love to just sit in my space and look around...what a treat to have so many memories to look at.
Your window is situated similarly to mine. I love having the ledge to put things on!
Have fun escaping to your special place!!
I love to have my happy things around me, too. I tend to spread it all around the house, though! You have lots of great storage ideas.
Very nice! Looks like you have a lot of space to work in and very organized. Looks like a fun place to crate and a happy place to be. Thanks for sharing!!
Hugs
hello. love your sentiments about your space being for pleasurenot profit, mine is just the same. thanks for sharing your space.
I think you may be onto something, what we collect blog party. I think alot would attend.
I love your space, looks so organized.
Michele
I'd love to have that magazine! Wow....I love your down to earth space (kind of like mine) and the fact that you shared it so generously.
Mary
www.primtiveseasons.blogspot.com
What a cute little space! I noticed your shades were partly drawn. Hot day, or do you, like me, have an issue with sun fading everything?
what an amazing creative place!!!
http://apinkdreamer.blogspot.com/2011/07/where-bloggers-create-party-2011-where.html
Your space is full of energy! Your VW collection is cute!
Beth, you have a wonderful space full of what inspires you. Your post reminded me of me! I create whatever mood I'm in at the moment. And, I, too, collect so many things and love to display them in my room and the rest of the house. I just can't part with anything! These items were mostly purchased at yard sales and Goodwill and mean alot to me. Thanks so much for sharing your space with me.
How wonderful to have all those supplies at hand. Your space is perfect. Keep dreaming!
And thank you for the lovely giveaway.
The bonnet is great. Grandparents are the best. Love your space and wish there was someone to help with my collecting. My husband is just as bad unfortunately he collects old farm and logging equipment. I told him the other day if it doesn't fit in your pocket you can't collect. it. He didn't listen and came home with a 1948 Case Tractor.
What a great space! I love the propeller with hooks on it holding buckets. You have some great storage ideas! Thanks for visiting my site too. Oh, and no need to enter me in the drawing. I still have that issue of Where Women Create. In fact, I hoard them!
How wonderful to surround yourself with collectibles and things that mean something to you. That's a recipe for inspiration for sure!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!!
xo,
Karen
I loved your post and totally agree with my studio also being my escape from the world. When I am creating, I get lost in another world and feel so at peace. Thanks for sharing your space and hope you will stop by mine and take a look!
www.queenbartistry.blogspot.com
Hi Beth,
LOVE your space and all the great organization. Your giveaway is very generous and anyone would be thrilled to have a copy of WWC.
Thank you for sharing and so nice to visit your lovely blog and creative space.
XO Celestina Marie
Great space, Beth! I'm hoping to get an actual room when we downsize for my space. I'd love to have my sewing machine and fabrics all together with my other crafty stuff. I like to see that people keep personal items that mean something to them in these spaces. You've got some wonderful pieces here ~ that hat from your FIL is a lovely memento.
Escape is good! I do my craft as a full-time job, so my escape is my bedroom, which I've featured on my blog previously -- a totally calm, different look than the crazy colors of my design spaces.
I hope you'll have time to visit my creative spaces!
I am so enjoying my little visits with all the wonderful people like yourself who are allowing me glimpses into their creative spaces...Just inspiring!
Hello Beth, thanks for your kind words about my space. Isn't this blog party fun? It's my first time to participate, and you're right, it's very motivating, and the ladies you meet are just incredibly nice creative! I love your space, it's so organized. And hey, not a bad idea on you hosting a party on collections! I'd love to participate! See you then. =)
Beth,
So fun to visit your space today. You have it looking so nice and I enjoyed reading about the special items you have displayed so that you can see them and think about those who gave them to you. This is a great motivating event. I have just begun to take a look at some of the wonderful spaces on the participant list, you are so organized! Thanks for sharing a little more about you.
Escape orientated - I love that! I call mine my little piece of peace - LOL!
Hi Beth! Thanks for stopping by, this party helps us bloggers meet doesn't it? And makes us get our messes cleaned up : ) It's wonderful to have our own creative spaces... mine grew as our children left the nest! Now those dogs get to share the space...
I don't know how you got this all together with working nights! I saw your post about your daughter painting the laundry room, what a sweety! And I love that color.
Do I detect you like VW Beetles?
Me too. Mine's purple!
So nice to 'meet' you!
~ Violet
Aloha Beth,
Isn't it wonderful to have a space of our own to enjoy?
You know, sometimes after I've cleaned up my space from doing a large project, I too can just sit there and just enjoy being.
Thank you for sharing your space with us, I enjoyed my visit.
I love your space and I often make things just because and not to make money from. Hugs Sara
I know what you mean about having the things you collect all around you. I'm exactly the same way! I don't think I could function without them. I love your space and thank you for sharing it with us.
I too find that my craft room is the perfect plac e to escape!
Thanks for inviting us into your space!
Lindsey
I also create just for the sake of creating. Most things are given away. I wish I had an actual space to craft in. For now, it is the loveseat in our tv room where I do it all. I'm not a fan of streamlined ... I much prefer an eclectic, hodge podge look. :) Have a great day. Tammy
Beautiful space! Thank you for sharing it. Your box of your parents gas receipts reminds me of the large black trash bag filled with ties we found when my dad passed away. My siblings and I thought why would he keep all these old discarded ties. I wish I had kept them.
What a creative space you have....I like having stuff that makes me happy around me too! Maybe next year I will join in on this fun blog party!
I really like your space and the fact that you surround yourself with meaningful items. Thanks much for sharing.
A perfect space to get away to and create!
Isn't it great to have a room to create. I am glad I could visit!
Love your blog. Would love to win the magazine.
Beth, your comment on my blog about the dress forms made me laugh! I'm glad you came by and visited, and I really like your happy space!
Hi Beth, I visited before but didn't have time to leave a comment, and when I saw you left one for me, I thought I'd better get back over here and say 'Hello', especially since we're neighbors (almost) Marysville here! :) I also appreciate that you're hosting a giveaway, I'd looove to win it! Anyhoo, your CrEaTiVe space is wonderful! It's so nice and organized, mine for the second year, oh wait...third year, is far too disorganized (huge mess) to show...I'm hoping next year will be the big reveal for me (I can dream can't I)? Thanks again for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment, it's been a sad week for my family. Debbie @ Cottage Hann~Me~Downs
Yep, we who are collectors have trouble getting rid of anything, don't we? My husband chides me about it regularly.... my daughter doesn't say a word... she's worse than I am. :-)
Glad you have a space that brings you joy.... that's really all that matters, right???
Warm blessings,
Spencer
I'd love to do this twice a year- it's the only reason I cleaned up!
It's wonderful that you surround yourself with so many family memories, I'm really intrigued by the gas receipts.
Also, I'm making the jello fruits. They are ADORABLE.
I too have things around me in my space that I love and that bring a smile to my face ~ for me, if my sewing room is all neat and tidy, then I know I haven't accomplished anything ~ when it's at it's messiest, I always feel so inspired to create...weird, hey :) Thank you for sharing your space with us.
Warmest hugs, Brenda
Hello Beth!I Love your Studio!! Isn't Fun to See where everyone Created their Art! You can see Where their Inspiration Comes from and each Studio is so very Unique!Thank You for Sharing and Your Visit!!You are so Sweet! Come and see me again soon!
Have a Wonderful Week!
Hugs
Jill
I loved the fact that you said it is your space but love it when your kids come to do a project too. I share my room sometimes with my adult daughters who love to come home and create in the studio too. I have kept my old carpeting in there, so my grandchildren can play at my feet, and lay on the floor and watch a movie too. The family sharing in it is important too.
I'm also torn between putting everything behind closed doors or having it out so I can enjoy it... Some days an uncluttered space motivates me and some days I'm totally deflated by it!! lol
Thanks for visiting my blog, I enjoyed your space.
The party was my motivation for tidying too! Thanks for the tour.
I like your space. I like your storage ideas.
(I have that magazine-I have all of them:) )
I've heard that everyone needs a space to call their very own, a special place just to sit and gather your thoughts. You have just that spot and guess all of our studio's serve that same purpose. You have a lovely space and nice that you also share it with your family.
Smiles...Lu
Thank you for sharing your happy place!
Thanks for sharing your space, Beth! I love that you create just because you want to. I know you're not the only one who cleaned up just for this event. Messy creative spaces seems to be the norm!
Its good when you have that very special place where you can go and just create things, be your self and enjoy it to the fullest, thats what its all about : ) Great space!!
Thanks for sharing your little hideaway and all your collections!!! Even though I cleaned my space for this event it really stays messy!!
I am re-visiting the list, I think because I was in such a hurry to see as much as possible last time round I may have missed adding a few comments. You are so lucky to have a space that is your own, loved looking at your space.
I am with you - I like to see my stuff! Besides if I dont see it I wont use it! It looks great to me!
I found this blog with too much fun..:)
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