Thursday 14 July 2016

My Creative Space - Where Women Create Tour 2016

Hello and welcome to my creative space. My DH calls me 'The Queen of Clutter'. I love to surround myself with inspiration, and I enjoy changing my displays when it's time to dust them.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

As you walk through the double sliding glass doors, I have divided the room into an area on the left which contains my computer area and opposite that is my sewing machine area. I use the same chair for the sewing machine (opposite) as it's height-adjustable and ergonomic.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

My creative space opens onto an open living/dining/kitchen area. When the children were toddlers I kept the glass doors closed to allow one room to remain non-baby-proof. During their daily naps I would escape to create for a while. Now that they are older, the doors are mostly left open.  

First I'll show you the left side...the sewing bench with shelves above.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

The room is a work space as well as a creative space. It's used for card-making, collage, making fabric collage wall hangings and books, embroidery, sewing, mending, quilting, making teddy bears and dolls as well as lining flute cases, using my computer for book-keeping, organising and editing photos and music. Pinterest is a favourite activity, too.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Our home faces a wilderness of dry schlerophyll forest which surrounds us with peace and birdsong, with the ocean waves in the background when the surf's up. 

On the left (below) is my computer desk. 

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

I spend quite a lot of time at the computer doing work-related activities, so I enjoy displaying things on my workbenches when I'm not using them. When I sew, I set the ironing board up just outside the doors, and it only takes a few moments to move displays to make free space on the benches. 

The work bench for my sewing machine is an L-shape of 19mm craft wood (MDF) which is screwed over several 'op shop' drawer units. 


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

The sewing machine sits on a recessed shelf so I have a level surface for quilting. I made a simple thread bag to catch messy offcuts. 


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

It's tied around the machine, and uses velcro to shut it when not in use.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

I made a beautiful patchwork sewing machine cover, but now it's covered with a display of my favourite doilies and laces.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Over the years I've collected quite a few tarnished pieces of old silver which isn't so fashionable any more - candlesticks, bowls, and trays of different shapes and sizes. 


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

I like to glue pieces together to make tiered displays for lace, sewing knick knacks, old jewellery, ribbons and pin cushions. Tarnished silver and vintage lace go well together.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

A close up of an embroidered pin cushion I made years ago...


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Gorgeous porcelain roses...


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


 I've made many a teddy bear over the years. This one was fashioned from an old woolen coat. In the early days I couldn't afford mohair, so I would look around for cheap old fur coats from op shops and get 3-4 bears out of a coat. This is Edwina, and she is wearing a small baby dress I smocked.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

One of my favourite pastimes is hunting for old furniture to re-purpose. This is an old library card catalogue (which I think came from Dee's Funk'nJunk at Ulladulla). It now holds coveted quilting fabrics, sorted by colour. I covered the front of the drawers with special quilting fabrics.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


This set of sewing drawers came from a dilapidated old Singer sewing machine cabinet in a junk sale. I rescued the drawer units off it and put them together using part of its top for a base, and adding a new top. I decided to paint it shabby chic white and distress it to hide the new timber top. It's great for storing ribbons, stationery and sewing scissors.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573




Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Small drawers attract my attention at junk sales. They are great for displaying bits and pieces... the more worn-looking, the better!


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Doilies are something that bring joy to my heart - the loving work of women who have spent their time and talent to make their world a more beautiful place. 


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace treasures spilling over like a waterfall...


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573



I take great pleasure in creating vignettes of pretty lace and objects. A favourite quilting book is draped with an exquisite piece of lace, a Birthday card from my Mum and a piece of wool I embroidered years ago. It was on a bear's belly, but I've decided to give it a new lease of life - probably in a future fabric book.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573



Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Vintage scales (broken!) displaying sumptuous laces...


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Vintage books are another passion I enjoy. They feature in my displays around the house, and I love to browse their musty pages, too!


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Now to take a look at the paper crafting area to the right...


There is a high bench I can stand to work at or sit on the tall stool. It used to be a nappy changing table but I added a large MDF top to extend the bench space, and the large cutting mat is stuck on with double-sided tape so it won't slip. I use it for cutting paper as well as quilt blocks.

At the right you can see CD covers which contain clear stamps, labelled on the spine with tape. The small drawers contain shells, buttons, ribbons, found objects, paper flowers and other tiny bits used for collage.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

On the tall chair is a vintage photo of a baby called Lorraine. She is a treasure given to me by a wonderful vintage shop dealer, Dee of Dee's Funk'n'JunkShe was sad that this picture had been abandoned in a clean-up after Lorraine had passed away at a ripe old age, with no children to pass on her precious mementos to so they'd be appreciated.  Dee knew I would cherish it, so she generously gave it to me - and made my day :)


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

I'd like to share her with you (to use in your artworks, not to resell) as my first give-away... I'd love to see what you make with her. If you left click on her, then right click, you can save her to your computer at a higher resolution.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Vintage sewing machines are works of art, and I have just two - this lovely Jones which came without its cupboard sits in pride of place in my crafting space. I also have  a Singer treadle from my grandmother which I'll share with you another time.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573



Here are some of my creations, collections and flowers from my garden...

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

I live on the South Coast of NSW, Australia, with my DH, three children and two RSPCA rescued cats, Gypsy and Willow.  Gypsy is the bold, naughty one, while Willow is the timid grey one. They enjoy the comfort of drawers, quilts, pillows and laps.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

When our children grew out of their bookshelves I decided to add them to the back of my sewing bench for storage and display. These baskets contain doilies, scarves, fabric scraps and lace cut from second-hand clothes, sorted by colour, with the prettiest on top. I've hung some special doilies on the front of each basket just to appreciate them every day...


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573



Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


It can be a challenge to find things when they are tucked away in various pretty boxes or drawers. I try to keep tools and materials together near their relevant work space, and  I like to label them where possible. The higher shelves where I can't reach easily are for displaying things I don't need to access much.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Here are some yummy seam binding ribbons which I mounted on a dowel glued into a round craftwood base. I just unwind the ribbon in their place as I need a piece.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

A needle case I embroidered nestles among vintage lace, sweet pink tape measures and a velvet rose...


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Here it is in another vignette with old wooden cotton reels and huge old pinking shears on a box I covered with quilting fabric.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573
Fairy children and babies populate my creative space. I cut them from cardboard and give them butterfly or moth wings and a cardboard stand. Next I add glitter, feathers, jewellery, lace and found objects. Wings symbolize freedom, and babies have been a source of inner healing and growth for me.

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573

I've always been interested in the past and pestered my parents to tell me about 'the olden days'. It's my good fortune to be the caretaker of both sides of my family's family tree photos and info, and this has fostered an appreciation of vintage photos and the memories and stories attached to old worn things.


Lace Age Girl Studio Tour 2016 https://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/my-creative-space-where-women-create.html?showComment=1468574219804#c445309567340364573


Thank you to Karen Valentine for hosting 'Where Women Create 2016'. Drop in to her blog My Desert Cottage
and browse the other creative spaces on the 2016 tour.

I can't wait to enjoy this year's tour...
cheers,
Jesse











Wednesday 22 June 2016

Healing, Processing and Dreaming Time

Hello dear blogging friends,

I've been absent from Blogland for a while (since April!), processing big emotions from past events, and working out how to move on and grow.

It's affected my health, but I am getting support from many directions, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This hitting rock bottom has opened up the possibility of huge personal transformation, which takes time and inner work. 

The usual activities of my life have been shelved while emergency healing, reading, writing and talking have been the focus of the last few weeks. The warm cosy comfort of purring cats has helped me to come back to my feelings, which have been frozen for many years, taking much energy to remain incarcerated safely within.





Both of our cats are from the RSPCA, abandoned as kittens. The large grey cat is Willow, who was malnourished and terrified when we got her, a 4 week old bedraggled and skinny, shaking kitten. She didn't purr for a week, and I just held her in my jumper every day. She remains very traumatised - afraid to go outside, afraid to even go through a doorway to another room without pausing and fearfully running through.

http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

They are family to each other now, and a special part of our family.

Both cats are a metaphor for me to learn from! Willow who carries her fear with her all the time, holding her back from life, and Gypsy who is well-adapted despite her early trauma. She was part of a litter dumped too young to be separated from their mother, and left in the rain to die.  

Like the cats, some people are more affected by their negative experiences, while others are more resilient. But unlike Willow, who might never learn to be brave and bold, people can make decisions and changes in their thinking patterns to grow more resilient. That's what I'm doing!

One of the best things that has come out of this experience is how books have come into my hand just at the right time. I have picked up many an interesting book at a garage sale, thinking, "I wonder if this book has something to say to me..." and brought them home to add to the pile of possibilities by my comfy chair for a spare moment. The pile at my chair ebbs and flows as I read them, put away or pass on those I've read, or decide it's not time yet for others, so into the cupboard they go for a while. 

And so I stumbled on these...




What a wonderful coincidence that my daughter's primary school is the first school in Australia to include a mindfulness course as part of its curriculum, and I attended a recent information night on it.

Subsequently I bought this book and CD which comes from rigorous research through the Oxford University. I'm into my third week of the course, and it's transformational. I'm feeling like the Ice Queen, melting into Spring (even though it's Winter here!).





The forest near our home has been a source of grounding, peace and inspiration to my process. Every day I spend some time there.

I'd like to take you on part of my walk and let you, too, hear and see the beauty of an Australian dry sclerophyll forest.

From our back gate I cross the bridge we made from fallen trees. There's rarely water here, only just after rain.


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

The tracks wind up to the ridge, some fire trails, some foot-worn paths.

Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

The spotty gums are white after their old bark drops off. The ironbarks and spotty gums are over 30m tall...


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html


Dry schlerophyll forest walk


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html




dry schlerophyll forest


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html


The bird calls are amazing here... have a listen to a recording done on my smartphone:





I have discovered a superb lyrebird here, and I've been following him to watch and listen. I'll have some videos of him soon for you in another blogpost.

So until then, enjoy each moment as much as you can...

Jesse