my new space!

So I've been working away on my little studio space and it is finally almost done. I figured now was as good a time as any to post some photos and make it official! It's been so fun to finally have a real space that is mine. I've been squirreled away in the attic for a few years now, and while initially that space was okay, it was far from ideal. It had very little light or ventilation, both required for creating art! It was too far off the beaten path, which kept me from using it often enough. And it was always both a space for me and a spare bedroom, so it never really felt like either.

Now that we completed the house addition, our old den is the perfect new studio space for me. It was a little L-shaped room that housed our desk and a TV for the kids. Not ideal for them as they have grown (A LOT) and they and their friends were too big for such a small space. The desk is now in our old living room, awaiting it's transformation into a sitting area/library (?) and the TV and couch were moved to the new basement area, which is much bigger and far far away from us so we don't have to hear hours of Def Leppard and Bon Jovi as played by said children and their friends on Rock Band. It's the perfect scenario for all of us.

Now my little space is all about me! First of all it's PINK. I myself can't believe I chose pink, because I've never been a girly girl and never really loved the color, but I decided that this shade (Benjamin Moore "Precocious" was perfect and bright, reminded me of all the things I like about being a girl. I moved a lot of my supplies into the new closet area, and then installed some Home Depot shelves to hold some of my treasures, my books, journals, etc. I moved the big comfy chair from the family room, which is the perfect color and the perfect spot for my morning coffee and thinking spot, got some new curtains at Target that are white and frilly and sweet, and moved my table and lamp into the spot where the couch once was.

I still need to work on putting up an inspiration wall and hang some of my favorite artwork (like my print from this cool chick and a favorite photograph that this lovely girl took) but it is almost there! Voila! I love it and I think I'm going to finally be my best creative self there! I hope so anyway . . .

Slacking

Wow! Been slacking again and this time it was because I just felt boring and lame and undeserving of writing a blog. But lately I've been feeling the creative juices flowing. I've been feeling inspiration slowly seeping back into my veins. I'm sloooooowly working toward getting the little creative space I've always wanted, I've been writing (just not here) and some really great ideas have been marinating in my brain and are clearly ready to bust out, so I decided to take this little one's lead and join the fun.

I'm a huge fan of paying it forward. Before EZpass I used to love to pay the toll of the person behind me on the Garden State Parkway--leaving them wondering; and I've been known to pay for the meal of the person behind me at the drive-thru; and I love to feed the meter when I see someone is about to run out of time so they avoid a ticket. So I'm joining the pay-it-forward fun--but it's also selfish. It will force me to be creative and play and make something special for five people (presuming I even have 5 readers anymore . . . ) but here goes!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make for you!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a song. It may be a self portrait or maybe even some creation I haven't yet dreamed up. I may draw. I may bake you something and mail it to you. It may not be big or impressive. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! (Nor I at this point...)
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to post this same information on their blog and leave a comment telling me they did will win a fun homemade gift by me! Let's keep the chain of love going around!!!


let's call it having a "pay it forward" moment. just something beautiful from my heart to yours.