Let's catch up!

Hello, my friends.  It has been too long!  I'm slowly getting back to blogging after a challenging few weeks at work and home keeping up with everyone's busy schedules and deadlines. Let's catch up! Here's what we have been up to since the holidays.

My studio is back to normal after serving as your Christmas tree display and extra dining room for weeks! It took just as long to put it back together. It is in need of organization now. I found this little beauty above hidden away and longing to be used in a project. Isn't it fun to go through your stuff and "re-live" your finds and purchases?

This little suitcase is overflowing with ephemera.  I love the suitcase but time to get everything in there sorted and organized.  How do you store your paper?  I'm trying to think of categories. I may actually end up using this suitcase to store projects and switch the paper to a plastic divided container in the closet. So, studio back to normal. Time to organize and create.  As for the family...

 

Well, this little gal had some surgery recently to remove some lumps and bumps. Her recovery has included numerous vet trips, limited mobility and lots of TLC.  Not easy for a busy working mom, but she is worth it. She is doing great now.  One more set of stitches to come out this week!

Jack (who rarely makes an appearance here) finished a science project he's (and by he, I mean we...lol) been working on since Thanksgiving and took second in this category at the science fair.  Made all that hard work worth it!

And then there is Kara (who for the record hates this picture ) who I've been working with to study for the school spelling bee. She won last year and went on to county.  Well, those extra hours studying have paid off. She won the spelling bee for the second year in a row this week!  She's off to county again.

So, I've been focused on my family and their needs and deadlines. Work has been quite busy so I do look forward now to having the studio back as my getaway and stress free zone.  I have a little project in the works right now for Valentines Day.  I'll be sure to share this week! Hope you are well. I've missed you and look forward to visiting soon! Until then...xoxo

Vintage Inspired work spaces

Today, I have a guest post written by Susi with Arcadian Lighting. Visit their website and cool blog for more information about interior design, lighting design, and beautiful light fixtures. Enjoy!

Using vintage and antique finds can turn a home office into a beautiful work space. Here are 8 examples of vintage inspired work spaces that cleverly incorporate flea market finds and function to make beautiful work spaces.

Ruche via

A few simple elements can make a beautiful workspace. A farmhouse style table works as a desk below reclaimed shutters that enclose a message board.

Pinterest via

A repurposed mirror or picture frame makes an over scale bulletin board in this charming vintage feeling work space. Love the aqua color that ties the room together. So cheerful!

Pinterest via

A work space can also be a crafting space. Tools and supplies are charmingly stored in vintage suitcases while vintage illustrations decorate the wall.

DecorPad via

A rescued and painted vintage desk and French style side chair painted in the same color create a charming, feminine work space. Every work area needs at least one good light fixture and preferably more. A vintage lamp completes the vintage charm of this work space.

Strawberry Chic via

This tiny workspace is beyond charming. The vintage desk chair and other found and repurposed items are cleverly put to work: love the drop leaf wall desk; love the bedsprings (from a crib?) turned into a message center.

Shelterness via

Vintage roll top desks and writing desks easily accommodate today's laptop based home offices. With nooks for storing bits of paper and other desk accessories, these old fashioned desks can create a beautiful work space.

Switcheroom via

If your work space or home office doesn't have a lovely view, create one with art. Art can turn any space into a beautiful space. Interesting lamps can liven up a desk as well.

House Beautiful via

A room filled with objects you love will create a beautiful space where you won't mind working. A long table or vintage desk and functional lighting, like the pendant lights in this room, are the basis for any good work space.

Thanks so much to Arcadian Lighting for writing my guest post today. Arcadian Lighting is the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices. Arcadian Lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products. Visit their website via any of the links in this post for more information.

Sweet treasures

Barbara Jean at Treasures from the Heart is one of my favorite people.  She is so talented and welcomes new bloggers with open arms. She gave me one of my first features and for that I'm so thankful! Barb makes these gorgeous pin cushions out of glass candlesticks. Isn't this amazing? I purchased it from her online store here.

It fits me like a glove. I just love it and plan to use it in the new studio. I find myself drawn to pincushions lately.  How about you? Any collectors out there? I'm thinking we need a pincushion party! I may have to host one. Or, how about a "What I collect" party? What do you girls think about that?

Ready for something really cute? My daughter had a friend over and they were doing some painting on the porch this past weekend. She surprised me with this -

Is that not the cutest rooster you've ever seen?  Smaller is always cuter to me. I big puffy heart this.  I hope you are having a great week!  Thank you so much for your comments and follows. I treasure those too! Linking up to -

Let there be light...and drapes!

We are getting there! This afternoon we had four recessed can lights and two pendant lights installed in my newly converted studio space...WOW! I can see in here! Took these pictures tonight with flash. Double click to enlarge. Now, I'll be able to finish a few projects and work on organizing and decorating more in the evenings. What a treat to finally have these installed, especially during daylight savings!  I love the glass pendants with their super cute chains. I also put out some vintage yardsticks. The left side of the room is done for now. Tomorrow, I start the right side. Remember this?

She's getting a coat of Rustoleum Autumn Brown tomorrow. It is a multi colored, textured spray paint. I did a test run today and loved it. It looks like rust! Thanks to Erin at Like Grandma's for sharing this wonderful paint in some terrific projects! You have me hooked. Speaking of hooks,  I bought some hooks to hang her too. So, I'll be patching my holes and hopefully have her up by tomorrow night. We'll see! 

Here's some fabric that I've picked for drapes in the studio and adjacent dining room. The best part about the drapes though is the trim!

(Insert squeal here!) The jacquard tape is going between the two solids. The drapes will flank the french doors in the studio and cover the full 12 ft of wall. They will just be panels and not able to close. The light color solid will be in top with the darker color from the door knobs down or so.  I can't wait!  The multi brush fringe will be used with the multicolor tapestry looking fabric and the brown tweed for my dining room.  The rooms are adjacent and open to each other so I needed the colors to compliment. I'm very excited to finally have some nice window coverings in both these rooms. The old palm tree can go once I have some fabric up to help warm up the room and more importantly give it some height.  Enjoying this labor of love. Still filling it with treasures.  How about you? What are you working on this weekend? I'd love to hear and see.  Leave me a comment. I love them!