Wednesday, April 30, 2014

My California Studio

Hello lovely readers.
For a week now I have been staring at a blank blog post editor, trying to find inspiration to blog about something you might all like. My inspiration seems to have fled - along with my camera battery charger - so a few post ideas are on the back burner pending battery power and photographs. Inspiration has been a hard thing to come by lately, as you might imagine. For those of you who are strangers to loss or depression (you, a happy minority, I would guess) there is a listlessness that can plague one's days after a great loss, and it can be hard to find your way back from it.

I am searching high and low to find my spark again (and that blasted charger) and I think it might be found in sewing. Of course my to do list is massive and that's what usually keeps me away from my sewing, but sometimes you just need to blow off the "musts" and deal with the "needs."

I have a few U.F.O.'s floating about my sewing space and I think I'll finish a much neglected silk bra today. But first, I thought I would show you my new studio. For those of you who are new to A Few Threads Loose, I moved to California about 9 months ago and finishing my new studio space has been an evolving project.

I was recently featured on the Pattern Pattern Blog (which is fantastic, by the way) and it was motivation enough to finish my studio and take some photos (using the last of my battery power, coincidentally).

So, without further ado, here is my (almost) finished studio!


My pattern drafting table also pulls triple duty as a pattern folding and shipping station.


Wee Butters (now almost 70 lbs and still growing!) keeps me company all day as I work. He and Vinny the cat play constantly and provide numerous hilarious distractions from work.


You can see Vinny the cat hiding out (and most likely cleaning the dog slobber from his fur) in his tiny cube behind my chair.


I'm excited to try out my new sewing corner - before, the machine was cramped on my drafting table and it was frustrating as all get out.


You all remember Boobs McGee, of course.


And of course, no workspace is complete without a picture of happier times, and cartoon monster post-its.

Coming soon: a giveaway, pictures of my garden (my best therapy so far) and a little sumthin' to do with vintage cars.

I'm off to sew!

16 comments:

  1. Your workspace is beautiful Anna! It's so bright and clean. The pops of color look really nice against the neutral background. You will find your way back from your great loss, it just takes time (which makes it so difficult, because you don't know how much time it will take until you suddenly wake up and realize that it is not the first thing on your mind). Hang in there dear!

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  2. So sorry for your loss. That is such a great workspace, I really hope you can start to enjoy using it and that things gradually become easier for you.

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  3. What a fabulous room, I will show my room soon too. Vintage cars, I cannot wait. :)

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  4. Sometimes creativity is the best way to relieve the mind. I personally suffer with a few problems that can be hard to deal with and I find that any kind of creativity (even colouring in!) can help soothe. For me its quiet time I can allow my mind to rearrange thoughts. Housework and chores can be done another day, so do what you need to do to begin to heal first.

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  5. Fabulous & beautiful room! I'm working on mine so I have to ask - where did you get the furniture (drafting table & sewing desk), please? Thank you!

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    1. I got the drafting table and office at Ikea and the sewing desk is from Target online!

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  7. Hang in there Anna. You will find your spark again, in its time. It seems like you've got a really good attitude about doing things to nurture yourself in this challenging time...

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  8. Dear Anna, Hi! I think your workspace is beautiful and quite an inspiration! Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find your spark again. It will take time; however, so don't rush yourself. Hugs, Kathy from Arizona

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  9. I love your work space and can only dream of having an uncluttered space! My kitty sits on his bed (I made it to match my decor) in my office window watching the birds and bunnies. I can't wait to see the garden.

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  10. Your space looks so light and airy! What a wonderful place to spend your work time. It makes going to work so much easier. The division of computer work and creative work is very nice!

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  11. It looks great! So bright, which will be great for photos. Happy you're settled.

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  12. Amazing sewing room! So nice and bright and airy - and organised! *lol* Unllike my little nook of Hell ;)
    Glad to see that you're managing, my dear, and gardening is terrific therapy, especially now that Spring has decided to...ummm...spring. Yeesh, that sounded a little like Austin Powers "Allow myself to introduce...myself..."
    My goodness, I remember when Butters there was just a puppy! Wow, did he ever grow fast. Hopefully Vinnie has made the transition from Norway to America smoothly?
    Good times ahead, I can feel it! :)

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    1. Duh on me - I've forgotten...where ever did you get such an amazing sewing mannequin (forgot the proper term, too - good thing my head is attached, eh? *lol*) ?

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  13. Much love - hope your bright cheerful sewing space brings light and creativity back into your life in droves :) I love Boobs McGee - haha! :)

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  14. Your sewing studio is wonderful! I saw the feature on Pattern Patter--how cool!

    While I cannot begin to comprehend the enormity of the sorrow you are surely feeling, I can empathize with the depression aspect of it; "listless" is an excellent descriptor. It seems like the more there is to be done, the more of a struggle it is to do anything at all. I hope that your spark--wherever you find it--is enough to propel you from moment to moment, hour to hour, or day to day, whatever the case may be. Good luck, and happy sewing!

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