Friday, December 20, 2013

The REAL Studio Tour- mid project

  Welcome to The Coop and Saucer Playroom and the mid project reveal for the Real Studio Tour

It seems like I am always mid-project and I am always mixing wet and dry projects!  I do try to keep my fabric stash, my sewing and my beading on the right hand side of this room.  My large craft table divides my space nicely.  The window faces west which isn't the best for light so I keep sheer curtains to diffuse the strong rays.  The wall on the left is designated for my mixed media projects.  It probably gets the most cluttered.  The cubby with the green baskets used to store fabric scraps sorted by colours but now holds paper, also sorted by colour.

Much as I try not to get stuff on my fabric, my impatience leads to just one little quick technique on the table.  I suspect that even when I get a workshop for all the messy stuff I will still try for that quick little thing in the corner of my designated sewing space! lol

My fabric is stored in two Ikea bookcases which fit nicely in the chimney corner.  I made covers to hide everything with white feather ticking which is very cheap at the large discount store.  It also my design wall.

I have two sewing machines.  Nina is an 820 Bernina and has the throat space for my machine quilting and the design stitches for my fibre art.  Nina is sandwiched between bookcases and I am deciding if this will work.  She once was permanently alongside the cutting table.  But she was in danger from paint spray and spilled stuff!  :(   I am not planning to make very many more big quilts but if the need arises I would drag Nina alongside my cutting table so I can spread the quilt out more

Mini is an old  Bernina and she is up for quick mending and  quick stitching on paper.  I had coveted a Feather weight but Mini is pretty light and a lot of the feet I had before I got Nina fit Mini.  She is a lot more portable than Nina who is a big girl.  The sewing machines do tend to stay clutter free.  Thank goodness! 
The bookcase to the right of my sewing area holds backing, buttons, beads and thread. When I found this over the door ironing board I was ecstatic.  Then I decided last week to remove the door from the closet and moved the ironing station inside my main door.   I thought it might not work.  But when I am 'in the zone' I don't leave the room and it retracts pretty easy.

My cutting table has gone from being half used to always fully extended.  I luv the height and it is always cluttered and always in use.  I purposely put it in the middle of the room so I can access three sides.  I proceeded to completely fill underneath it with storage.  The two Ikea drawers are repurposed from my girls' bedroom and are shallow for 12 " blocks and pattern pieces.  The  plastic carts hold all kinds of supplies and I wish they were almost all shallow.  Beats digging!  ;)   My Rooster did put two legs to support the corners better as that tends to be where I cut.

The mixed media wall gathers many of the supplies for altering cloth and paper for my art.  The wall is short due to the roof slope but I'm pretty short so I can't reach much higher.  The near left is for my scrap booking.  The centre counter is all about wet.  The last section is an old wooden office cabinet and will probably collect my idea folders and my latest technique book.

I am just thrilled with the results of removing this closet door.  It has really opened up this whole corner.  The door is stashed behind the cupboard and brings it forward which means I'll not be able to pile things on the floor.  ;)  I've added more shelves to the cupboard and it holds scrap book supplies. Tucked out of sight and under the roof slope is a bookcase for more of my book stash.  A light in here would be a help!  lol

My big cutter moved from the old office cabinet to between these doors and  it hasn't collected too much stuff during this week.  My grand son (5) has already tried out the new set up and approves!  lol

One good thing is that my centre table doesn't get horribly cluttered because I am forced to clear it off regularly for the next project.  I have made many changes over the years and once again I can't imagine improving my work space again but I've learned to never say never when it comes to the creative process which seems to have me always in mid- project. 
 
Thanks for visiting.    I hope you visit more 'real' studios over at the Field Trips in Fiber blog who are also in mid-project.   May you be blessed in all your projects wherever you are in the creative process. :)

10 comments:

Vicki W said...

Great tour! You have really maximized the efficiency of the space. I think that's the same cutting table I have. I should get some corner legs too.....that's a great idea.

Margaret said...

I think I'm in love with your behind-the-door ironing board! If I could find one like that, I'd move my shoe-bag of yarn to the other side of the door to make a space. What a great thing! And yes, I too love my door-less closet. So much more open!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

You have really made good use of your space. I know how hard it is to keep the work table free of 'stuff'. I have just unearthed mine and hope to control it better this time.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I like how you've utilized the area in the sloped wall - great use of space! Thanks for inviting us to visit.

Kats Studio said...

Love you space, especially the storage, which is something I don't have a lot of. Thanks for sharing.

Mary said...

I also love your behind the door ironing board...gotta look for one of those. Thanks for the tour!

Sharon said...

What a nice space! And so much going on! BTW, Love your newly painted running shoes!

Dandelion and Daisy said...

You've really put a lot of time, not to mention work,into designing a room that works for you. No matter what we do, there never seems to be enough room for everything, does there. I'm a stacker, too. I don't know if I could even change that habit! Your room is wonderful....enjoy! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Mary Ann Tate said...

That ironing board is a fabulous idea. Where did you get it?

Carli The Quilter said...

Elle, I envy your huge studio! Great little post!