Joyful Abode

Tell us about what we see in your photos.

The main part of my work space is the shelving – it holds everything I use and need and has to really work for me in the way I utilize every inch of its space!

It houses fabric, which I try to group into loose color piles, notions and trims, BUTTONS, thread, machine accessories, patterns, embroidery hoops, wool, hooks, needles and anything you care to think of. It’s there. It’s a limited space and I’m continually assessing what I need and what I don’t because I can’t afford to waste the space.

Then there’s The Table. That’s right. The Table. We have only one and it’s the Everything Table – the dinner, the study, the art table, the work bench, the home-school table – and my time is limited on it. If I am very lucky and the planets are aligned just so I may get both my machine AND serger on it at the same time and then we really have a party on our hands… if my serger isn’t being hormonal that is.

What do you create in your space?

ANYTHING that grabs my fancy! I make clothes for the children (and shop), I embroider and knit there when the kids are eating or working, I make quilts, pillow covers, bags, curtains, things for the house, gifts, dolls and stuffies - really anything that has got my mojo. I love quilting and patchwork and embroidery but I seem to make a lot of scrap stuffies at the moment too. I like to try new things and rise to a creative challenge and currently I’m in love with felt.

What advice do you have for others who are trying to put together their own creative space?

It doesn’t have to be a studio – your work space is a good space so long as you get it working for YOU. I worked out of a shoe box at one time and fabric was all over the house. What it must be is organised – everything must be something you will use and need and it is good for every thing to have it’s own place. Nothing kills creativity more than having to stop to look for a tool for three hours. Plus surround yourself with beauty for inspiration. Being surrounded by mess and ugly things does nothing but create stress.

How does being in your creative space make you feel?

When I am here I feel connected. Any boredom I might feel quickly gets replaced by a creative surge and I feel quite at harmony with the people around me.

What has your biggest challenge been in creating and maintaining your creative space?

Space and money. Our house is not so big (two up two down) and finding a place to put shelves was a creative challenge in itself. Plus money for materials – if I had money I would love more fabric and notions – as it is I buy sparingly and make use of everything I have.

What is your favorite quote?

“I didn’t do it; nobody saw me do it; you can’t prove anything” Bart Simpson

What do you do when you’re NOT creating?

I am a stay at home homeschooling mother of two boys. We live and learn and create together every day. We are continuously creating! We try to get outdoors as much as possible and we try to find and create beauty in our lives.

What one piece of furniture or organizational equipment could you not live without?

Shelving!

What is your next “move” for your creative space? Do you have plans for its future?

Obviously one day I would love to have an entire ROOM to myself but I don’t see it happening anytime soon. But realistically I would like to create a better inspirational area for myself. So far things are stuck on my fridge with magnets – I’d like to create something that works better, and LOOKS better, perhaps an inspiration board or some kind of rail for me to hook things up over. I’m still scooting around looking for the best thing right now and inspiration for my inspiration area! Plus more artwork for the muse

Do you have a website we could visit?

Sure! My main blog, Sew Q is mainly about me and the stuff I make and what have you. I have a store at bigcartel which is a make-do place for me until Etsy can sort a sellers scheme with Paypal (for religious reasons I don’t own a credit card) and our homeschool journal if that floats your boat.

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