My Studio MeMe

A few days ago I received this challenge in an email from Candi: "Ok Gerry, your turn. You've been tagged to show pic's of your sewing room and where you do all your beautiful work!
HUGZ:)
Candi"

Well today I rounded up some fresh batteries and here it is. Unfortunately it doesn't really look too much different than it did a few months ago when I was going to clean it up. WHY???? Because I never really got around to it!

My studio/work area/craft room/whatever is located in a 13' x 15' spare bedroom with a HUGE walk-in closet on the back yard side of our house. It's directly over the kitchen area and overlooking the garage. I actually like being in this room because I can look out my window and watch for DH to come home from work. When I see him pull in I can run lickity split down the stairs, meet him in the kitchen and pretend that I'm doing something.

Another couple of bonus features are that I can also look into the library (homework area) while I'm working and keep an eye on DS's progress (or goofing off at times). I can also easily look out to the front door. So if someone comes to I get to decide if I should answer it or ignore it. And finally, I have a bathroom just a few feet away. Awe, all the comforts of "home" in my little corner of the world. LOL.

Anyway here's the tour.

Starting on the west wall (entrance to the right) and moving counter clockwise. This is where I spend entirely too much of my time. Like now, for instance! I have 2 printers; the larger one is my favorite because copy quality is better and I do a lot of printing on fabric. The other is great for scanning and general paper printing. That's my cutting table in the foreground, and doggie toys on the floor. As a rule of thumb you can tell how bored Fritz is by how many toys I have laying in here. Today I only have 5 of 9.



On the south wall is my machine quilting frame, complete with sewing machine. I obviously haven't used it lately because it's cluttered up with fabric, misc. projects and well, junk! This BTW was a put it together yourself project. I took several hours and had about a gazillion pieces. I dread the day I have to take it apart. And even worse, putting it back together again (YIKES)!


Against the east wall are my sewing tables. Sewing machine on one side, serger on the other, iron on the end, and 'important stuff' in the middle.


Also on the east wall is a bookcase that I use for not only books, but magazines, misc. patterns (self designed), quilt templates, a pasta machine, extra iron, misc. projects, yada, yada, yada. It really is organized chaos! If you click on the photo you will get a better view of the little doll face hanging on my magazine holder. That was a gift from my good friend Kat. She sent a huge box of goodies one day, just out of the blue. She's an incredibly talented doll maker. So naturally the box contained doll stuff, beads, books, CD's on doll making, etc. It was a wonderful, wonderful gift to receive.


On the north wall is where I keep my design wall (behind the quilt rack), my bins of paper crafting and clay molds and supplies, my bins of small fancy fabric pieces, and other misc. important and totally useless stuff.

I would like to point out that cute little wall quilt hanging on the quilt rack. That was a thank you gift from Susan. It just arrived in the mail one day. Totally unexpected but thoroughly appreciated. It's darling! She has hand appliqued all of the little feature objects and even designed the snowman. (click here to see the whole quilt).


Okay, now for storage....this is a walk-in closet in which I have managed to get four 3' x 5' shelves into. Luckily, I have shelves above too. Did I tell you that I have a knack for spacial relations? Well, I DO!!! Anyway, this is where the majority of my cotton fabrics and brocades are stored along with my beads, charms, laces, ribbons, yarns, threads, patterns (store bought), and of course....lots of other "important stuff!" Stuff I might actually use in my life time. LOL.



And finally, this is my over-flow closet. It holds things like stencils, zippers, seasonal fabrics, wicker baskets (in the big box, too), frames for finished CQ's, hand quilting frame, yada, yada, yada. Okay let's say it together...."and other important stuff!" And the only thing I didn't show is a 5' x 15 yard roll of batting that's in another closet.


Well that's it. Now all I have to do is decide if I'm going to tag someone else. It wasn't a requirement, so I'll think on it. Bye for now :-)

Fairy Tale RR - Unicorns

This is the work I did on Candi's replacement Nemo block. Unfortunately the original block went bye-bye with the post office near completion. We're all hoping that it surfaces and that she will end up with a pair.

SOH Swap

This is the most recent heart that I've made for the Sharing Our Hearts (SOH) swap. This one is for Charlene. I know she likes purple so I gave her a purple spider with a purple metallic web. And I used lots of purple beads and threads. Along with the heart, I will be sending her a little something extra but I won't say what it is. She'll just have to wait and see.

Common Courtesy in Swaps

I make this post because I normally make it a point of sending a THANK YOU package to anyone who hosts a swap. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep them organized and I believe that it's just common courtesy to say thanks!

Well, I just realized that I have over-looked one of my hostesses. It was for the Spring Fling Block Swap hostessed by Lesa at CQN. Well, with that said, I would also like to say to Lesa:



And I'll be putting something special in the mail for you!

ETS - Block 2 Finished

Hello and thanks for stopping by to look at my latest, completed block. This will be a 'quickie' post but I wanted to get it up.

This is an Egyptian Block Swap, hosted by JK for the CQN group. I would like to take this opportunity to thank JK for the time and effort she has put forth in this swap. And also for the wonderful examples she has given us on her blog.

This block took a little longer than I had expected it to. Part of it was not stitching for the week mom was here. I felt a little out of it and just couldn't quite find my groove. Anyway, this is the completed block.

You might not recognize it, but this is a cobra, aka Uraeus . It is said that the Pharaohs used the cobra as a symbol of their power over life and death.

Here we have a camel walking across the sand dunes.

I'm a little disappointed that the "ISIS" isn't more legible. Poor color combo choices, I guess. Oh well, it's always a learning experience. Again I added an Ankh, and a Crook. And this time an eye, symbolizing the Eye of Horus.

And finally, we have the Goddess Bastet again. Aptly placed over the name of the place she was most fondly worshipped, and looking out over the Nile (that's the blue stuff. LOL).

Both of my swap blocks will be in the mail shortly along with a little 'hostess gift.'

Mom Came with Gifts

I was really happy when mom showed up with a bag of goodies for me. Well, teacups actually. I have most of my grandmother's collections, some from my MIL, and some miscellaneous pieces that I've acquired. I must admit that I have a pretty nice little collection. And since I know you can't wait to see it....here it is, starting with the 5 mom brought.



I just love the funky little handles and single flowers inside of them. The next bunch are part of my existing collection.


I just love glass and china. Leaded, etched crystal, etc. I was able, through some e-Bay buys to put together a 22+ piece place setting of my grandmother's china pattern (Rosebud). It was actually a 1950's grocery story promotional item. Remember those? Anyway, when I started reassembling the set I only had a few salad plates, a gravy boat, and lots of cups and saucers.

Believe it or not, it's fairly difficult to find. So, when I see it....I buy it! Especially the large serving trays, gravy boats, and cream and sugar bowls. My favorite piece in this set is the covered casserole dish. They are beyond rare! I have never found another one. The dimensions of the platter are 18 x 14. It's huge! The casserole dish is near 2 quarts.



The pink set are from the 1920's. The round, gold laced set are from the 1930's (for as much as I could find out), and the gold trimmed set, from the 1940's. Don't you just love that covered dish????


This set is from the 1970's. It's Bavarian but was also part of a grocery store promotion. Again, with the covered dishes and matching serving platters. The largest one is a soup tureen. It stands about 14" tall and holds 3+ quarts. The smaller is a casserole/veggie dish. The platter is about 14" long. And isn't this just the cutest coffee service? I might have to put on a cutesy summer dress and have tea today.


And finally, miscellaneous glasses. I didn't feel like digging out the green glass, so I'll save that for another day. Also, I have very little Depression glass. This photo is of my favorite pieces. The etching in the tray is to die for! The compote is a truly lovely piece and is approximately 11" across. Next is maybe my favorite. The AMBER. Or carnival glass. I have the Louise patterned pieces. Just look at the detail on the bowl (approximately 12" across). I love the rose in the center. The end photo is of a smaller plate and bowl. Garnish size, I guess. The plate is about 6" across.



Oh, where do I keep all this stuff???? Well, some of it goes in here. The rest is tucked away in cupboards and closets. Awe, such a pity. LOL.


Well, I'm off to do 'chores' that just won't do themselves. Thanks for joining me. I had fun doing 'girly stuff' for a change!

Picture Time!!!!

I've decided not to make separate posts for everything I want to post. So I'll break them down a bit and add lots of photos so that the reading isn't so bad. LOL.


MY LITTLE VISTOR'S BACK
He/she likes to hang out in the shade of the grasses in the front flower beds. I feel so happy when its there.

A BIT OF EXCITEMENT - STORM
This isn't exactly how I have planned my day but....

We got just a little too much wind before a small storm and our neighbor's tree decided to come over for a visit.

Luckily, it didn't take out our tree when it fell, there was not other damage, and NO ONE was hurt - BONUS!!! Mark, our neighbor is a really nice guy. He and DH got it cut up, tossed back over his fence, and by afternoon the day after the fence was fixed. Ya gotta love neighbors like that!!!!


SPRING FLING BLOCK RECEIVED
This was another swap with the CQForNewbies (CQN) group. And I was so tickled to receive this little darling in the mail from JK. I don't know how she did it but she made 4 blocks. Anyway, I just giggled as I started to look it over. The fabrics are too cute but the detail put into it was so fun.



The group of cats all have little necklaces with pendants for collars, and metallic threads extending their whiskers.







This cute little bird is caring a banner that reads, "Birds rule cats drool."







The parrot is just precious. It's been painted and stitched. It has little pink cheeks, and long, fuzzy eyelashes.







And then there are lots of "Spring" things, like heart-shaped flowers, pretty glass leaves, fruit on the vine, and of course....Butterflies!






Okay....on to the next post :-)

Waz (Been) Happening?

I've been having a visit with my mom. I flew her here from Arizona for a week. She headed back home yesterday and now it's time to catch up....

The photo is me (with my new short hair cut), DS (with his new beard growth), and mom. BTW, she's not that short. She's sitting on a chair!

We did a little sewing/crafting while she was here. Not as much as I had expected but what we did was fun. Here's a peek at a pillow we made. They will be Christmas presents for my nieces and nephew. I sent her home with all the fabrics, pillow forms, and other goodies and supplies to make 4 more of them, including a 'beginner's' cutting mat and cutters from JoAnn's.


I was really happy with the way this one turned out. Each one will have a center siggie with their name and a saying. Some beads, rick-rack or lace, etc. And for my nephew, something more macho, of course. LOL.

Some of the other things we did included dinner at Chili's with DS's girlfriend and Babin's Seafood in Kemah as a family. I love to tour the Boardwalk after dinner. Mom and I soloed to do a little antiquing and lunch at Sandie McGee's in Richmond, made 2 trips to JoAnns, and had lots of conversation over iced tea (fresh brewed and unsweetened, of course). DS took grandma for a tour of the area and the neighborhood. Which was a nice way for them to spend some time alone, too.

In the end, I think mom enjoyed everything except the weather. BIG SURPRISE! LOL. The rain sort of freaked her out. Let me see....54" per year vs. 3" per year. Oh, now it makes sense. The humidity was really hard on her too. She's used to a dry heat. But we both agreed that it was OKAY if it wasn't snow! LOL.

Well, got to go sew :-)