I Hate Mondays!

Today was a horrible day. Is it a sign that you are in the wrong job when you want to come home and cry? No, I LOVE teaching. I just hate the middle school attitude and laziness. Its not all of them. Not even most of them but the ones that ARE the ones. Boy!

Just a week ago I vowed to be positive and happy. That's so hard to keep when you are around middle school students all day. Even more so when all you want to do is make and create and maybe own your own business.

So I came home early today so that I could do something, make something for myself. I tried to cut out a pattern to sew. I just wasn't into it. So, instead I decided to post on my blog. Its about time. I haven't posted since this summer. I should make a vow to post at least once a week. I don't know if that will make me happier...but it is worth a try. At least it something I could do at work.

A trip to Stitch Lab

So in Austin we have a great little place called Stitch Lab. They have beautiful fabrics and great classes. I went the other day just to see what they had. I found this great voile fabric.

 I had to have it but I didn't have a pattern in mind. I had seen this pin and decided this would be my inspiration.

Kimono Sleeve Top

 

So I modified my design a bit. I added this cotton lace to the sleeves and the bottom. 

I added elastic to the waist instead of a drawstring. Finally the bottom piece was made from several strips of the large floral motifs.

 

So this is my first official sewing project I made in my "new" sewing room! On to my next project.

 

Creative storage ideas

Found an old ladder on a walk with Bosco. Added small hooks to hang my crocheted and felted hats. Folded my crocheted scarves over the rungs. Now I can see all my things instead of having to dig through a basket.

Painted an old curtain rod and draped my ponchos and shawls on it.

This is the other half of the old ladder. Kept the original paint. Like the look of the distressed red paint. More cup hooks that Frank added for me. Perfect for displaying all my jewelry. Unfortunately, still needed more storage...

Covered an old ceiling tile with fabric and hung it above my chair in my jewelry and painting studio. Use pearl tipped pins and hand the rest of my jewelry on it. Still have room to grow my collection!

View of the sewing machine table. I used an old earring display that I had to store some of the thread. I've got my grand-ma's old chocolate tins storing sewing tools and little crochet things.

Better view of my desk. Now I have a proper chair and space for my computer/laptop. And I can look out the window to the right. This room has such great light!

Creating a space to sew

Large tabletop for cutting patterns

Well here it is. I converted the guest bedroom, more commonly known as Bosco's room, into a sewing, crocheting and computer space. Those of you who know me may be asking yourselves, "But what happened to your jewelry studio?". 

Oh, I still have it. Now I have two studio spaces. Let me explain. We have lived in our home for 9 years. I created a jewelry/painting/computer space in one of the bedrooms. It served its purpose pretty well. Then on the last day of my 1st year teaching public school art I came home to a horrific smell. I thought, we really need to take out the trash! But low and behold it was coming from my studio. The studio I was longing to get back into and create. As my luck would have it, unfortunately, a rodent got there before me and then proceeded to die.

So unable to do anything creative much less breath fresh air in the studio I had an idea. I will turn the front bedroom into a sewing and textiles room. Three years ago when another rat died in the studio wall I proceeded to return to sewing for a creative outlet. I spread everything out on the dining room table and there it stayed. So I obviously needed more room for more creative outlets. 

 
 I have a permanent place for my computer and sewing machine. I can display all my crocheted items on the wall. Bosco still has her bed to look out the window. I have a comfy place to red or crochet. Guests still have a room to sleep in if they come for a visit. All is well.

 

Just trying to find the time

Well, I've been saying I was going to do this for a long time. Start a blog about me and my pursuit of finding time to make more jewelry, learn new techniques, sell my jewelry... all the while trying to maintain a happy relationship with my husband. There just never seems to be enough time to do all the things I want to do! So why in the world start a blog? I'm hoping to hear from others out there trying to do all the same things I'm trying to do. Share ideas? pictures? I really don't know.

So recently I have been trying get back into using more metal and wire in my jewelry designs. Trying new wire-wrapping techniques has been the most exciting discovery. Wrapping and wrapping and wrapping wire for days it seems. I think I'm developing tendonitis in my wrist from it. But not going to stop! Here are some pics of some of my wire wrapping...

Green tourmaline and hammered copper rings

another copper ring, wrapped and hammered with a faceted green amethyst stone

 Turquoise and handmade gunmetal ear wires

 More copper! This time with chalcedony (my new favorite!)

Mystic blue quartz

Oxidized sterling and chalcedony

Green chalcedony with tourmaline...oh and yea more copper!

 

 

 

 

Swirly copper pendant with green glass beads

I've got more pics but no more time. I don't know what will happen with all this. But it is good to take risks!
Off to make some dinner!