Monday, January 24, 2011

A tour of my creative space.

1
We moved into our new house in November 2009. Since moving in we have had our hands full caring for our twins, my finishing residency, working, studying for and passing my OB/GYN board exams, working, getting the main living spaces in order and more working. When we first looked at the house I immediately fell in love with the attic and knew it would make a beautiful sewing and crafting space. However, out of necessity, this project was low on the to-do list. Its been a little over a year since we moved in and we FINALLY started on the attic. So, over the course of a couple weekends, Husband and I diligently worked transforming our attic space into a home office on one side and a creative space on the other.

Our 1920’s home is full of character and the attic is no exception with it’s beautiful hardwood floors, charming small windows, and lots of nooks & crannies. I drew inspiration from many sources. My grandmother taught me to sew so I knew I wanted some of the furniture I inherited from her and her sewing basket to be in this space. I also knew I had to have a wall of hooped fabric which was, of course, inspired by a visit to Purl Soho. I wanted my creative space to not only be a place where I could retreat and simply be while making, but also to be a space for gathering. I envisioned a space for my mom & sister to join in the making (crafty sleepovers are the best), a space for husband to curl up and watch a movie while keeping me company, and a space that could grow to involve my little crafters, as well. So, I chose to divide the space into smaller clusters…the sitting area, the sewing/cutting area, and the storage area.

The Sitting Area
A micro-suede covered futon, a bench that belonged to my grandmother who taught me to sew and a thrifted black painted chair surround a thick wool rug. Of course, there is a TV for movie watching with Husband while sewing. The soft wool rug creates a comfortable floor space for those projects that require more room. A dressform rounds out this area providing a nice decorative touch when not in use.

The Sewing/Cutting Area
This table moved with me from our old house. Do any of you recognize it? It is simply a folding table with a skirt that I made with some home décor weight fabric found for a really good deal from JoAnn’s. It is perfect because it is a great height for sewing and cutting and has plenty of space for both. I sew with a Bernina Aurora 440 Quilters Edition and I often use my embroidery module. My favorite thread, presser feet and laptop are kept close by the machine. It’s great to have a computer close by to follow along with tutorials (no wasting paper printing tutorials!) and it is a must for machine embroidery.

The cutting mat is always out and ready…and I couldn’t live without my Gingher scissors and rotary cutter! Everything I need is always right at my fingertips on this table. Spice jars from Ikea perfectly store alligator clips and jewels for making hair bows for my little girlie and chipped pieces of wedding china and crystal make perfect containers for a tomato pincushion and scissors, respectively. I chose Ott-Lites for this space because I love the natural light they provide. The ironing board is close by the sewing table because I use it A LOT while sewing! I use a Rowenta and love it.

The Storage Area
There are actually two storage areas in this space. The first storage area is right behind my sewing/cutting table and I keep all of my frequently used supplies here. I love these CUBEicals by Closetmaid. This one is perfect for housing all of my crafty books and makes a cute display shelf for vintage knitting needles (and new ones too!) and vintage wooden spools of thread (my weakness). The yarn baller is strategically placed…I can loop a hank of yarn over the back of my sewing chair and easily wind up a ball of yarn. Who needs a swift, right? The canvas bins store projects in progress, machine embroidery supplies (hoop, grid, spray adhesive, stabilizer, etc.) and Cricut cartridges. All notions are kept handy but neatly labeled and tucked away in two Rubbermaid containers.

See that door below the rod holding ribbons? That door leads to one of the attic cubbies which serves as the second storage area. In there I store my fabric and other odds & ends supplies. I also have my Singer Futura in there at the time being. Anyone interested in a sewing/embroidery machine???

So that rounds out the tour...

Now tell me...where do you create?

Friday, January 21, 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Color of Love

Today has been great.

The twins & I started the day out taking lots of new pictures for Valentine's Day with Sister & SoSo.
I cannot wait to see them...my sister does amazing work (and I'm not even being biased)!



During nap time I was able to spend some quality time with my sewing machine. I finished both of the twins Valentine's Day shirts! I was super happy with how they turned out. I used this font from Apex Embroidery to put their names on plain red long sleeve tees. Simple and cute.
If you have an embroidery machine head over to their site and check out their stuff...its cute and thru the end of this month use the code APEX for 25% off! I am not affiliated with this embroidery site in any way...just thought I would pass along a good deal.



I was super excited to find Gutermann thread on sale 40% off at Jo-Ann's. Perfect time to pick up some metallics! I'm a sucker for arranging my thread in a Roy G. Biv pattern. Does anyone else have any quirks like this???


Here's a sneak peek at the new sewing/craft room...it is pretty much finished. Took some pictures this afternoon but the lighting just wasn't right. It is an attic room with small windows so getting good lighting in here is quite challenging. I have another idea up my sleeve for the tour of the room that I plan on working on over the weekend...stay tuned. :)
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Monday, January 17, 2011

Found



While clearing out and cleaning up our attic (a.k.a. my crafty room/office) I came across a lot of beautiful vintage needles and crochet hooks I picked up at an estate sale a couple of years ago.

So I cleaned them up and arranged them in a super cute glass container I had on hand.


I'm finally getting my new crafting room in order.  Would anyone be interested in a tour when I'm finished?

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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Stick



I can't take full credit for this one.

We love taking walks around our neighborhood and the kids LOVE to take their buckets (a.k.a. sand pails) to gather treasures (rocks, sticks, acorns, pine cones and the like). One day back in the fall (October maybe?), Husband took the kids on a walk before I got home from work and found his own treasure...this stick. When I returned home that evening I noticed the stick in with the candle but didn't think much of it...figured he just put it there to keep it out of reach of the kids. We both decided we liked the interesting look of the stick in the vase and left it there.

Since February is approaching, I thought The Stick would look particularly stunning with a few handmade red felt heart ornaments.
It's been almost 4 months now with The Stick...I think it's a keeper.

P.S. I was very disappointed with the snow...

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Monday, January 10, 2011

Maybe...


I hope by this time tomorrow we have snow up to my knees (as long as the electricity stays on)!
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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Saturday Paper Crafting



A lunch visit with my mama became an afternoon papercraft-a-thon. While the twins napped we made luminaries, magnets and garland for Valentine's Day. It was pure fun. Plus, anytime one has the opportunity to use those amazing little battery operated tea lights they should. Happy weekend everyone!
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Friday, January 7, 2011

Super Simple Toddler Belt Tutorial



This project is so easy ANYONE can do it! Believe me...it's scary how easy it is!

While dropping some stuff off at Goodwill I thought I would take a look around. I was actually looking for old picture frames for another project I have in mind and the belts just happened to be hanging right beside the housewares. After browsing through the belts for a bit I knew what had to be done.

And it's so simple...I thought I would share it with you so you can do it to.

1. Pick up a canvas belt at your local thrift store. The above belts (the star print one melts my heart...and it's a Tommy Hilfiger!) were $1 each.

2. Take a belt that currently fits your child...or measure his/her little waist (leave enough room to grow!).

3. Cut off excess belt.


4. Seal the ends with a lighter.

Voila! The Super Simple Toddler Belt.
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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Thursday happiness is...

Sewing with my new Christmas present from my husband.  He is the best ever...he managed to research Bernina machines and pick one that is perfectly suited for me.  Husband even got the embroidery unit to go with it!  Now part of this deal included trading in my first love (Bernina activa 230).  Turning her in was extremely hard to do...but this new kid on the block made it a little less painful.


Here is a sneak peek of what I have been working on...it is something for my other amazing Christmas gift from my mother.  I really must have been on the NICE list this year because Santa sure was good to me!


We celebrated Three Kings Day with the kids today.  These crowns were from a Dora printable found here.  The twins have just recently discovered Dora and they are in love.  We are raising our children to be bilingual (my father-in-law and our nanny are both Peruvian) and Dora is a natural fit for them.  They watch Dora after lunch as a way to wind down before their nap.  We were even able to watch a new Three Kings Day episode of Dora...fabulous.

But the happiest part of my Thursday was not able to be captured in a photo.  It was a day filled with nothing but family...lots of running, playing and giggling...it was just right.

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Monday, January 3, 2011

What I am loving right now.

I recently have found some new favorite things that I am totally in love with right now. 
All of these things are less than $10 (even a free one!).  Enjoy!
[Image from here]
1.  These printable calendars from Red Stamp.  I printed the modern one on ivory linen paper and framed it in an 8.5x11" document frame I picked up for $4.  It is so super cute it makes me look forward to going to work tomorrow so I can see what it is going to look like sitting on my desk.  In fact, I love these printable calendars so much I even printed off extras and slipped them into some sheet protectors and I plan to hang one in each of the exam rooms in my office.   

2.  Goody spin pins.  I have shoulder length hair and these work!  Perfectly easy solution when you want something more than a ponytail!

3.  My new 2011 Planning Journal by Mead.  I. Love. It.  I am a daily list maker so when I saw this I didn't have to think twice about purchasing it.  It is like a day planner...but it just has the date and little lines to make your list and little bubbles to check them off once completed.  I thought this would be a nice thing to have not only to stay organized, but also this time next year I can look back and see what I have accomplished.  Even if it is just "pick up organic milk" or "pay bills."  Plus, it is hardback and in a super cute green print.  I have searched all over the web for a link (I even put in the item # on the back of it at http://www.mead.com/) but I cannot find an example to show you. 

I will try to snap a picture of my new calendar and planner tomorrow!
Have a great week!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year, New Blog

 
Welcome to my new home...

I've dabbled in blogging since 2007...it all started with a little blog dedicated to sewing. I met many bloggy friends thru that space and enjoyed having an outlet for my craftiness while finishing my residency. I loved that blog but many things in my life changed in 2009 and I lost my will to be in that space..it just didn't suit me anymore. So after the twins were born in March 2009, I started blogging about my new chapter in life as a mother of twins on a private blog dedicated to them. While I still continue to document their life in that space I found myself wanting an outlet similar to my first blog. So as 2011 begins so does my new, fresh start.

my SEW blessed life seems like the perfect title for my space because my life is SO blessed. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children (twins) who are the little rays of sunshine in my life. I have a fabulous mother, a sweet sister, a sassy niece, incredible in-laws, an amazing job and a house I love to pieces. I am even more blessed because I have a loving earthly father and Heavenly Father both of whom watch over me from heaven. I love sewing, knitting and creating. I love my life.

My goal is to post twice a week on my days off from work - Monday and Thursday. If I post more often - great! I want this to be a space that inspires me (and maybe you) to create and document life along the way. I hope some of my previous readers join me and I really hope to gather a few more bloggy friends who share my same interests - sewing, knitting, family and generally enjoying life.
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