The Space to Create

It's very important to have a place to create. I got lucky when I got pregnant way back when for then I had to give up the spare bedroom which at the time was my studio and got this giant room instead! We decided to convert the outdoor porch into a new studio space for me. I got to help in the design of it and although it still isn't exactly as I envisioned it would be (too many interests---and things get a bit crowded!) it was at least ready for me when our son was born.

This is where I do all my illustration work. I worked on the art for Snowbear's Christmas Countdown here as well as The Halloween Queen although I didn't have such a nice desk at the time. This is what I'm working on now...

It's the beginning of Mimi's book for the project I started, Paperbag Swag, which is a round robin type thing I'm doing with 5 other lovely ladies. It wraps up next week after being in the works for well over a year! The original plan was six months!
I'm looking forward to finishing up that commitment as I want to start writing a new book...

Surprised? Me too. And it involves this guy. I always start writing stories with the character first. I need to get to know him or her, then find the story that lies within that personality and is waiting to come out. I've gotten to know this guy pretty well over the last year or so. We'll see if he has anything to say that anybody wants to hear.

Oh, but I was showing you the rest of the studio before I got sidetracked... So, this room is basically divided in half. One half like I said, is for illustration with lots of bins of paper and collagey bits, and tubs of glue and rubberstamping stuff and the other side is for sewing and mohair bears and housing my supplies for every craft imaginable and my books. I must admit though I've tried to weed out my book collection by siphoning it off into the living room and my kiddo's room. Sneaky, I know.

This is where I make my bears etc. There's a cast of my pregnant belly in that basket there that I plan on collaging/painting on one of these days. So many projects, so little time!

Here is my bear cabinet filled with mohair and on top sits a few of my creations as well as others that I've been lucky enough to receive from blog friends over the years. I have a lot more now--this is not a recent photo! I love them all!

These vintage suitcases hold more supplies and stuff for my etsy shoppe. My mom made Mary Poppins--I recently found the pattern on ebay so I might have a go at it some time myself.
But not today; I've got to get back to that project on my desk.

Thanks for visiting!

Comments

[Butterfly]

HATU and a butterfly. I am smiling so wide. :-)
One thing for sure, the hugs really *have* gone across the universe.
How about that?
:) xxx

[Emily]

Oh my gosh! A new book - that's wonderful! And I can't wait to see the finished paperbag book - I started one way back (inspired by you, of course) as a kind of exploration of me but never finished it. Perhaps now it's time for me to wrap mine up as well.

And it's lovely to see all of these photos again - from this post and the archives! :-)

[Hanna]

Thanks for the studio tour, loved it but want more of course. Close ups and details! Thanks for the visit in my blog too, I always gets happy when I get to know you've visited and that you are making a book is very good news! I hope you'll have lots of fun with the new character!

[Melba]

I am pretty jealous ~ your studio looks gorgeous! It has been a challenge to find space in this house for me with 2 children that have big toys. I would like to give them all away! Just kidding. But we have seriously been thinking about remodeling or moving because it is not that we need a ton more square footage it is just this house isn't working for us right now.

[moki]

I'm so glad you're back :)

[tara]

Your wall green is my favorite color and on my kitchen walls. I saw that Mary poppins pattern on ebay and thought I needed to make one (actually would have to make 3 so no fights).