Treasures...

 

I have a treasure shelf in my studio that's filled with things made by dear, creative friends or some of my own work. Some were from blog friends who no longer post, or some who do infrequently, but with whom I'm still in regular touch. 

 

Especially when I'm not able to create, looking at these treasures reignites my creative fire, or just makes me happy.
 

 

My friend, Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered Nest blog and SewManyRoses on Etsy created the sparkling snowman on the pink box (upper left). My friend, Mary Wadsworth created the oak leaf tree (along with a Kes ornament and B for Brynwood ornament) almost as soon as I began blogging. I love all of them. The David Winter piece, called the Crofter's Cottage, was a gift from our (then) boys when I collected many of the pieces. I only have about four left that hold a special place in my heart, and this is one of them. The Harris Tweed Rabbit pincushion  - available as a pattern - and the embroidered teddy bear are both my own creations. I still have the boy bear on my To Do list.

 

I have a Longaberger jar that I turned into a pincushion, filled with wooden acorns that were a gift from my talented designer friend, Bren Riddle of Brenda Riddle Designs. Bircornus done in cross stitch by my New Zealand friend, Marrianne who I met through Ravelry and still have nearly daily contact with. The top one of the stack is my own piece.

Then there's the needle felted Corgi from my friend Marion (who still has Tag's brother, Trip) , a polar bear I just had to have, and the snowman I did during one of our monthly craft days. The white teddy bear was made by Margaret B from Canada. It's fully jointed and weighted, and I love it.

The bottom shelf has the acorn egg cup with the wonderful squirrel and acorns that was a special commission I requested of my friend, Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings blog. She's also on Facebook and Instagram, so you can see her current works. She also made the wee mouse on the other end of the shelf sitting on a tuffet created on a wooden spool. I've previously shared a gorgeous, big heart trio with my monogram and another mouse that she also made for me. That one hangs on the wall above my computer. They all make me smile.

The items in between those two pieces are all acorns in one form or another...pincushions I've made, gifted felted acorn-topped pins, and a tin with an acorn cross stitch piece that my faithful blog friend, Marilyn gave me last fall. Each and every piece holds a special place in my heart, and is displayed in this most prominent place where I can enjoy them daily. 

These are not the only gifts I've received over the years, and they're all displayed somewhere in our home. Most are in my studio, but they're definitely not confined to those rooms. There are the gifts from my friend, Jody, who always manages to find the perfect pieces for me to use in the kitchen. Dear Sherry has painted wonderful pieces for me that are on display. I have a really fun sewing mouse that is laden with sewing ephemera, created by my blog friend, Ann many years ago. I wrote about her HERE. That mouse sits right next to my computer. I always try to share these gifts in posts, but I don't always include the gifter's name, in case they'd rather remain anonymous.

There are so many blessings that surround me. When I'm busy with work and have no time or energy to play, these are just some of the pieces that remind me why I've continued to blog, create and share my life with you these past fourteen years. 

 

I'm so blessed, and truly one lucky girl. Thank you to all who fill my life with joy - your comments always make me smile, and your gifts are memories I'll always hold dear.

Painted Shelf...

Gifts From Friends

I thought I finished painting the shelf yesterday. When I was editing these pictures, I still saw a pink tinge in some of the images. Man, that dark brick stain is aggressive!

I've hung the shelf and placed my treasures on it already, so when I'll take it down to tackle that tinge is anyone's guess. I didn't see it when it was hanging up, so it's not top priority for now. I have other things to do.

The top shelf holds the artwork of my blog friend, Mary Wadsworth (the oak leaf tree on the left); a Jim Shore Labrador retriever; an antique acorn table cigarette lighter; a felted polar bear and owl from PeakVintage on Etsy; and a felted corgi from my dear friend, Marion (she owns Tag's brother, Trip).

More Treasures

The tiny bear (sitting on a chair) was made by my longtime Wisconsin girlfriend, Linda; the strawberry pincushion in back next to the chair, and the strawberries on the far right were created by my friend, Jacque. I wrote about them HERE. She also did the corgi cushion hanging in the middle of the next picture.

I placed my antique silver pincushions from England (the swan and shoes) and a dog (behind the swan); and a little basket pincushion, holding custom-made acorn and oak leaf charms (sorry, I couldn't find the Etsy shop for those).

I made the pincushion on the lower shelf (and offer smaller versions in my Etsy shop); the acorn straight pins were a gift from Jacque, too. Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings created my gorgeous, little mouse pincushion; and my Canadian friend, Margaret B. of The French Bear made my gorgeous white bear. The wooden acorn is an antique thimble holder.

Hearts

Some of my favorite heart shapes, and the corgi (which was hand stitched by Jacque) hang from the pegs at the bottom of the shelf. There's a pair of acorns hanging behind the corgi, too. (There's that pink tinge. grrrrr)

More Treasures

The brown velvet acorns were also created by Margaret B., and I love them! My friend, Shelly R. of Bungalow Bling created the cone. Isn't it pretty?

I love that little gap at the top of the shelf, too. I chose not to fill it with caulk, preferring the imperfection of it.

Studio Shelf

I originally had my hanging organizer located here, but I decided to move that and put the shelf here instead. I think it's better in this space, and I have another use for the organizer that was here before.

I think you'd agree that I did pretty well for a $15 find and a little leftover paint, wouldn't you?

Sewing Studio - Getting Close...

The Space Between Studios

I'm so very close to being organized in the sewing studio that I had to share a few photos today. There would have been more, but the light wasn't cooperating yesterday. No matter which camera I used, there were flares in my images. Because of that, I'll wait until the light is better to give you full photographs.

This is the area between my sewing studio and my fabric studio. I decided to place my tribute to Fezzik here, where I'll see it whenever I turn the corner to enter one of these rooms.

The quilting frame is another gift from Shelley. I've placed it here to be out of the way, but this is only its temporary space. I'm planning to put it in my bedroom or in the sewing studio once the dust settles.

Treasures From Friends

I've placed the wall pocket organizer (my own design) on the wall opposite the entry door into this room. The drawings of the sweet squirrel, oak leaves and acorns were done by my dear friend, Michelle Palmer (as was the pincushion in the lower left pocket).  The teddy bear was created by the talented Margaret Bouwmeester of The French Bear in Canada. There are acorns, Corgis and other trinkets that I hold near to my heart, so I've placed them here where I can see them while I'm sewing. I'm grateful for every piece given to me.

My Sewing Room Cutting Table

This is my view from my sewing machine. I have Mom's pattern file already filled with the jelly rolls, fat quarters, patterns, and other pieces that were in it before our move. Above it are two shelves, laden with some of the items that will be available in my Etsy shop after this holiday weekend. My television (with an integrated dvd player) is there for playing movies, tutorial videos and listening to music.

Along the door jamb, I've hung pieces created by Mary Wadsworth, which I'll share again (close up) soon. They were pieces done for me to remember Kes, and one for Brynwood with acorns. I haven't placed anything on the wall yet, though. I'm still waiting to unpack everything before I make final decisions about that.

Rebecca Has Returned...With A Corgi!

 

As I said, the lighting was a bit uneven in the studio, so I won't show you my cupboard wall or computer table quite yet. I promise that will come soon. I'm happy to say that Rebecca is back in the studio, and now she has a Corgi to keep her company! 

Handsome and I are looking forward to the holiday weekend...the holiday that always signals the beginning of summer in Wisconsin. It's going to be especially fun this year...and I have a great surprise that I'll share with you about that, too. Just not today. hee hee I'm going to make you wait until next week to tell you more. We're really happy about it, so believe me, waiting to tell you bugs me as much as it does you. (wink)

Greetings From The Land Of Glee...

I opened all those packages on Sunday and will share their contents with you over the next few days. One of the most wonderful things that we bloggers share is the relationships we develop with other bloggers and those who read our words.

Mary Wadsworth and I have corresponded and are becoming good friends. She sent a package while I was away containing some of her fabulous artwork. I am now the proud owner of one of the Trees of Glee! Mary also sent a little gift for Kes (which I will take care of for her).

My words and photographic skills (or lack thereof) cannot adaquately convey the beauty, whimsy and talent of my friend. Mary explained to me that, from reading my posts about creating knitted and quilted blankets for the Project Linus children, she was inspired to write the words associated with the special oak tree she made for me. The words on the acorn-adorned tag read: "When seeds of hope are filled with Glee, Grow they will like a mighty oak tree."

I'm so honored to now own not one, but two of her pieces of work. The "kite" she created for Kes is also beautiful. It has a sweet dog bone in the center and even says "Lady Kes" on it.

I showed it to Kes after I opened the package and told her that it would hang in a place of honor in my studio. Kes wanted to see if it could really fly. I had to do some explaining there. It went like this: "Kessie, honey. It's art. It flies without taking flight. It flies because it's beautiful. It flies in your imagination." She snorted, "Sure, Mom." and left the studio. She did wag her tail on the way out, though, which is a good thing.

So, be sure to stop by Mary's blog Mary Wadsworth's Blooming Ideas and tell her you saw her work here. Don't forget to check out her Etsy Shop, Blooming Ideas, too! You just may need to own a piece from the Land of Glee yourself! Thank you, Mary. I love everything. Your talent is truly humbling!