My Arts and Crafts Studio

Slowly, over time, I have re-purposed my son's former bedroom
into an arts and crafts studio/guest room.

It started out as an office for The Mr. after the nest emptied out,
but because it is tucked away upstairs he never used it,
preferring to sit on the couch with his laptop while watching t.v. 

He is a true multi-tasker. *Ahem* 

So, with him out of the picture, I slowly took it over.

First, I repainted the walls. The 'Nascar" checkered border
 and bright blue and white sponge painting had to go.

I simply painted over the checkers with my favorite shade of blue and ragged over the sponge painting with the same color. It came out soft and muted on the rough plastered walls.

Then I stenciled celestial symbols in metallic gold. These glint softly in the morning and evening light.

 I found baskets to fit on the shelving unit for craft supplies and hung up a pretty curtain. 

It is actually a cloth shower curtain, but don't tell anyone. Shhhhhh! 

 I found some wire shelves and fitted them with crates and baskets to hold art supplies. 

Mountain scenes collected from flea markets and thrift stores provide art for the walls. 

I painted some of the frames.

My computer shelf holds office books, supplies and a few keepsakes. The giraffe is from my childhood, as is the frog, which I sewed myself from a pattern in Woman's Day Magazine, when I was 12. I made dozens of these frogs as Christmas gifts for my little sisters and cousins one year. 

I cut up my green velvet dress to make them. 

My Mother was not pleased. 

I always hated that dress.

But it made great frog skin :)

The Futon has pillows made using throw rugs from Ikea. 

The futon is covered with a feather bed to make it dreamy soft.

My folding Army surplus table works as a portable art desk. 

Painted Army surplus crates and a wooden art box I found for $7, with drawers full of paints and pencils are tucked underneath.

My sturdy woven bag and portable easel stand ready for painting and sketching 'plein air'.

Another bookshelf, painted to match the table and curtained cupboard ('Green Stone'), holds my art, botanical and wildlife books for reference. 

I am always on the lookout for these at thrift stores and used book sales. 

Many old books have wonderful hand painted illustrations. 

Excellent for reference. 

This room has wonderful light with windows on both sides. 

Normally, my little art table would fit right under the other window. 

But now that prime piece of real estate is taken over by this guy....Birdy Boy. 

He normally resides in front of the big window in my loft. 

But the loft is under renovation right now. 

Can you picture my art table right there in this beautiful light? 

But I have tried to make the best of things. 

  It gives me an opportunity to spend more time with my little buddy, 

Birdy Boy, the Cockatiel I have had for 13 years. 

Except he chews all of my erasers. 

xx

Now that Autumn is here and the weather is changing, 

I intend to spend more time in my little arts and crafts studio. 

Raising 4 children and then helping to care for ageing parents, I never had time just for myself. 

Creativity is a subjective state of mind. 

It is like writer's block and when you lose it, sometimes it takes time to get it back. 

When life is busy and you are always in demand,
it is hard to get in touch with your creative side.

Now I have time. 

Time for little dreams. 

Dreams from my younger self. 

Before marriage, children and life took over. 

And now I have the perfect place to bring out some childlike creativity.

A beloved room, used and loved once more.

xo

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Anonymous

ox

Thank you my Dear Friends for your sweet visits. 

I treasure every one.

xx

Small service is true service while it lasts;

Of friends however humble, scorn not one;

The daisy, by the shadow that it casts,

Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun.

William Wordsworth