I was wonderfully unplugged for the past week. This has been so good and necessary for my soul. I think I spent more time in the studio this week than in the entire month that came before. It was all I could do to tear myself away to make dinner. Luckily my family is understanding and encouraging. It helps that Emma loves to work with me in the studio (in fact she is in here with me right now making a new sofa for her dollhouse) and that my studio is right off the family room so that even when I'm in here I still feel like I'm still connected to what's going on outside of my room.
I wanted to share with you this cart I ordered from Ikea (worth the shipping!) in December with some birthday money. I love how it is working out for me. I keep my favorite and most used tools and studio bits here and can roll it to whichever table I happen to be working on that day. I do like to make the rounds!
It works great to have everything together and to not have to jump up every few minutes to find what I'm looking for. Plus, I love the way it all looks on display together. Seeing the prettiness when I walk in the room inspires me to play. I loved gathering the boxes and containers to use. Thrifted and gifted milk glass, gathered boxes and tins. A cart full of happiness.
I feel like I have gotten a great start to my most creative year yet. I have a hard time letting go of all the ideas long enough to fall asleep at night and can't wait to get back in here in the morning.
This is what we have been dealing with for the last several days: blizzard conditions, subzero temperatures, school and work closures and travel warnings.
Also, have I mentioned that our house was built in 1900? When your house was built in 1900 and may or may not be insulated, you start to care less about your appearance and care more about staying warm. This may lead to unfortunate outfit choices, especially when your studio seems to stay a bit chillier that other rooms. My outfit today is not much better. I'm sure looking forward to that warm front that will bring us above zero. And putting on normal (for me) clothes.
Hope you are enjoying this quiet, energizing time of year and keeping warm and inspired.
Isn't wonderful to have such fabulous company in the craft room with you (Emma)? I love it when my girls are with me in my room. Stay warm!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen-
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on that ikea cart for a long time and am not at all surprised that you love it. I plan on getting one for my own studio when I actually get my studio together. I know what you mean about loosing yourself in the creativity . . . I love that place, too! :)
Yes- old houses and freezing temps- mine was built 26 years after yours but I don't think it's any better in the cold. I spend every day in full dress, a hoodie and my fleece full-length robe on top of that. It's hard to work in so many layers but far better than the alternative!
I have the same cart in my tiny cottage kitchen. I was just thinking that I needed another one, and you inspired me on how to use it!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love your pictures!
What a perfectly wonderful day! I have that cart and am trying to budget for it's partner. Have fun and stay warm!
ReplyDeleteOMGOSH- I was SURE that was some wonderful vintage cart. I thought Ikea would not ship? Now I have to get online and look at Ikea stuff again! You are so lucky to have a first floor studio and I am glad you are using it. Glad to see you back though- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteYour cart is adorable & looks just like you :) I'd love to see the results of your creativity in your studio. We also had a cold weather day here -- there was a lot of fluffing around the house & baking cookies.
ReplyDeleteI bought that cart this summer and keep my painting supplies on it....I LOVE it! Yours looks way cuter than mine, I must say. :) We're frozen up here in Fort Wayne too....stay warm and safe!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I also love the IKEA cart - I have one too! I use it for similar purposes. I just moved to a 1948 house with some cold spots - I might have to find some cute clothe like yours!
ReplyDeleteI love the costume for warmth. I love to done striped knee highs even if I am wearing polka dot flannels.
ReplyDeleteI too have the IKEA cart in aqua. I bought it for my daughter last spring and would have bought it for myself then, but I had flown to San Francisco to visit her. She uses hers as a Bar Cart - more for a sophisticated look than the actual drinking. When she moved back home we drove into IKEA three times to buy things for her new house and I bought myself the cart. I just set up a new creative room for me and I did the same thing with my cart as you did. I am not quite finished with the room, but I know I am going to love wheeling it around the room for different projects.
Stay warm and be creative today.
Oh you lucky, lucky girl. I have been drooling over that cart myself but always seem to stop myself from picking it up since I can't figure out where I would use it. Now after seeing yours all decked out with pretty supplies I may not be able to resist any longer! LOL.
ReplyDeleteThat cart is so pretty and everything inside it is too! Great outfit -- looks similar to something I've been wearing lately! Polar vortex needs to go away -- when is spring?? :)
ReplyDeletehi jen!
ReplyDeletelots of the same going on here ... ikea cart love (mine is in the bathroom) and crazy socks over tights with slippers. enjoy your cozy crafting!
happy new year wishes!
xo
elyse
Your cart looks like a little rolling treasure trove of happiness! I'm doing the same thing as last year -- trying to pare down to what's really important and chuck the rest. It's an evolution, for sure. I hope you have an amazing year this year. Love! ~Angela~
ReplyDeleteLove that cute cart! Full of inspiration! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteJudy
I have thought of that cart myself for my sewing room. I love all the little odds & ends in there - looks very creative Jen! We are in a deep freeze here in Ottawa so I know what you mean about staying warm. It's a great excuse for sewing though! Stay safe and warm. Julie xx
ReplyDeleteI think your outfit is pretty darn cute!! I feel your pain, though. Our house is old and drafty and I've been dressing in layers for the past few weeks, too. Today is the first day we're getting some relief and it kind of feels like spring....a really cold spring day, but still. :)
ReplyDeleteYour back yard looks so pretty piled with fresh white snow!
Love your new cart, and I'm envious of your fabulous craft room. Sigh. We're off to Minneapolis tomorrow to visit our oldest daughter, so we'll be visiting IKEA too. I can hardly wait!
i have that cart too and i LOVE it! i love seeing all the sweet containers you have holding fun supplies and tools!
ReplyDeleteour GA house's heating system isn't made to handle temps even in the teens, so we've been dealing with a cold house this week too. today was the first day since sunday that i've even left the house, which means i've been in my cozy lounging sweaters, cuddle duds, and fuzzy slippers every day before today! ha! :) glad i'm not alone! and i LOVE your snowy view.
Very cute. They have a similar cart at World Market (not the cute aqua color though).
ReplyDeleteMy husband gave me the exact cart for Christmas and it is a perfect addition to my sewing room! Also, those letter stickers from target are magical, aren't they? Happy crafting!
ReplyDeleteGreat cart and the color is perfect for you! Love your outfit. I know you will think I am crazy, but I would love all that snow. Our mountains are full but not our valley. :( Keep warm! Kit
ReplyDeletei have that cart and use it for the very same purpose! it's the best. glad you got one for yourself! i also think you look pretty cute in your cozy outfit. we had much of the same crazy weather...a lot has melted now already. Hope things have improved by you as well. happy new year and happy creating!
ReplyDelete