It's January 15th ALREADY????

Oh WOW! I can not believe how time flies!!!!

It is a NEW year AND I am totally ready for what this year is going to bring . . .

AND I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

So, what have I been doing.

Well, for one thing, I have finally finished my studio and getting it set up. I am really proud of the way it has turned out too. Trying to organize all of my fabric and yarns has been an existing problem for me and then it finally occurred to me how to do it!

First off, I guess I should tell you what it is that I do here . . .

I am a designer, weaver, artist (pen & ink and graphic).

Looking around here on our blog should give you an idea.

I looked and looked all over Pinterest (and other places too) and could not find anything that suited my particular problem of storage. I am happy to post pictures here and share my solution, hoping that this will help someone else with their storage challenge too. 

This picture shows 21 ~ 4 Wire Basket Units from Ikea.

Yup, that is 84 wire baskets!!!!!

I won't bore you with how many trips I actually made to the store to get my

studio organized, but it was a lot!

I have stored my::

fabric ~ woolfelt, wool, cotton, flannel, batik, handwoven fabric

yarn ~ wool, wool blend, cotton, twine, novelty, ribbon, roving

finished items, work in progress and my items for sale.

Each basket has a label and is lined with paper so everything stays in the basket.

Boy, am I happy!

Next . . .

I love this view!

Again, from Ikea ~ the desk and legs along with two drawer units that also store files ~ a must!

I have most of my pens, markers and watercolors in this area too. My computer too.

Then . . .

My cutting center. Again Ikea. Table and legs. Two files drawers that can best be described

as units that could store maps.

I have my weaving tools, embroidery threads and tools, rulers & templates, fringers,

yo-yo makers, knitting and crocheting tools, etc. in these drawers.

Up on this peg board (there is another that stores my cutting tools) I have some of my pin looms,

weaving yarn spools, project bags (so I can grab and go).

Lastly (not really)  . . .

My library and embellishment center!

2 of my five rigid heddle looms.

Button, beads, charms, wire, tools, more pens, dies, etc.

I love this center!!!!!!

So, this is what I have been working on to get ready for this new year.

I am excited to work in this fabulous studio!

Please come back often to see what I am making . . .

my husband and I actually have more in store, but that is another post!!

Have a GREAT day!

Another Way?

Just another way to get those tangles/patterns organized. We ALL have so
many ways to do this and believe me, I keep trying them all!!!!

I really do like these books though and keep going back to them.
 Rick and Maria started me with these books when I
went through certification so many years ago.

I love the paper ~ the book fits into my purse beautifully.
AND, I get to remember the wonderful time I spent learning from
Rick and Maria ~ the book is definitely a memory trigger!

The book/journal is called hand book by Global Art Materials.
You can find them at Amazon ~ different sizes and cover colors.

This is what I'm doing with this book ~ this time!

One side the pattern process (steps).
The facing page, a finished tangle/pattern.

So ~ how are you organizing your tangle/patterns?????

 

Zentangle Fun Day

I don't think that my students realize just

how much I learn from them!!!! 

Yesterday, I had the wonderful experience of teaching Zentangle

to two terrific ladies, Melodie and Laura. Both were enthusiastic

to learn and came with fresh and open minds, even though

they had both been tangling for several months.

We had a full day of tangles, patterns, lunch, talking!

I get that I should be playing music to enjoy the full effect

of Zentangle ~ and in thinking back over the day ~ I will forevermore,

provide a period of time for my students to experience that; however,

there is something about the talking ~ I believe the better word is brainstorming!

Organizing, sharing the art, sharing the heart, comfort food, 

positive comments ~ all the way around.

Melodie and Laura ~ thank you for a wonderful day!

I don't think that there could have been a

better way to begin Autumn!!!!

Yippee!!!!

Well, Gary and I finally took the plunge

and bought our business a

MAXX 15 x 15 Digital Heat Press!

So here is a picture of my first press ~

I've wanted an apron to use in my studio

for quite some time now ~ viola!!!

This was done with black StripFlock Vinyl

and then I added fabric paint to show my pallet colors.

So fun and boy, will I get a lot of use out of it!

Now to get busy and start pressing for our ETSY store.