Tuesday To-Do #10: Studio Prep Part Two--The Tour

Welcome to another edition of Tuesday To-Do, and
to Part Deux of how the dream studio is coming along.


You might want to grab a large  coffee for this one!
Let's link up with Texas Quilt Gal and hop to it!

First checking in with last week's to-do's:

1) Give a tour of new studio--Done.  See below.

2) Keep practicing on Lucey--Done, but progress feels slow.

I did not expect it to be so different but it is.
The laser is on the left--my old one was on the right.
I'm on carpet now--I was used to sliding on a wood floor.
And obviously the machine itself feels different.  Eventually,
this will be great but right now, I'm trying not to get frustrated.
The good news is, I'm trying to get used to a smoother and
very consistent feel.  My old one changed
as the quilt rolled up.


The curves are giving me some real angst but leaves have
always come easy to me.  The one on the right is a panto
I've never done before so that threw in another factor.
Well, I'll get there.  I have a practice quilt on the way.
More on that next week.

3) Make some blocks for the monthly challenge--Tiny bit done.


I'm excited to announce I finally started one of Edyta's designs!
As you know, I've been focusing on building a good stash for
working my way through Edyta's A Season In Blue book.
 I'm still trying to find 8+ yds of neutral before I dive in to
the snowflake quilt so for now, I thought with all the LA
practicing going on, how about something with little
thought?  A billion HST's ought to fit that bill, right?
Cue that quilt to the far left on the book cover.
 (That's my teaser).


I came up with the above pull from that Blue Stash,
as I'll be referring to it, but I felt I needed a little more.
And I definitely needed more neutrals.


I was just up the street from Wichita's lone quilt shop
(just pathetic--we used to have so many more!)
so I decided to pop in and see if I couldn't make some
additions.  Above, a few FQ's and 1/4-yds--hopefully
that will do the trick.


I'll be following the directions for using some small scrap
pieces but for most of this, I'm going off-road and
employing the 4-at-a-time HST method because--eesh!
Why not!?


I generally start out a quilt by cutting a random
amount of pieces and then making a trial block or two.
Somehow it helps me with cutting the entire thing out
to know where I'm going with each piece, and to
see how the fabrics play together.   It makes for a
very slow start to every quilt but if it might save time
and frustration later, I'm willing to invest initially.


And this is where I'm at now:  a whopping two blocks
in March toward the 350 Blocks challenge.  Oh well.  
I rather killed it in Jan and Feb (400 total) so I'm fine.
I was a little busy.

Okay, time for the room tour....
If you missed Part 1, you can get caught up here.

Nothing to see here, just a lovely open highway
on a rainy KS morning!  No truck traffic--yay!

When I left off of part 1, I was heading to IKEA.  Oh,
the freedom to make spur-of-the-moment road trips!
After two hours of roaming their showroom floor,
I scored some great goodies for the studio.
These will show up later.


Heading out of the KC area, I finally got to stop by
Quilter's Haven, a shop that has evaded me for years.
(Time constraint and/or other passengers with me.)


Located just a hop off the main highway, I found
it to be worth the stop, especially if looking for
something specific.  


As noted earlier, I'm working on building the Blue
Stash so I picked up 1/2-yds of these three.

Back home, I wasn't even finished unloading when
Chloe discovered her surprise: a scratching mat.


Honestly, you'd think the thing had catnip on it
the way she rolled all over it.  Well, it's good to
have a happy recipient for one's gifts, right?
As for my other finds, I'll point them out as
we tour my studio.  

So, now, without further ado, how about you all
come check out my new creative space!?


This is the view as you enter.
Aside from the obvious, Lucey, the first thing you are
likely to see--and recognize from my old room--is
my fabric hutch (from IKEA about 6? years ago).


Fabric is a major source of motivation for me so it
has always been important to me that this cabinet
is the first thing I see when walking into my studio.
(Currently looking for the perfect clock to go on the 
blank wall space to the right of the hutch.)


When this space is completely packed with fabric
(ahem)
that is my sign that I need to stop buying!
(It's about as packed as it has ever been!)


The top drawer holds bindings, various scrap
pieces and a few panels; the second drawer
holds fat quarters and orphan layer cakes; the
last holds what's left of my older, cheaper fabric
(back when I shopped Joann's and Walmart)
that I use for practice or any other random
and unimportant uses (not quilting).


On the top is the majority of my knitting supplies.
I look at these longingly from time to time.


To the side is a barstool that holds a couple of my
new IKEA purchases.  I've always had a thing for
pitchers and thought this was too cute.  Besides,
I needed him to water my new plants
from IKEA (incl the one above).


I think by now you've all met Lucey.  


I've finally started practicing on her--thus the
ugly brown fabric you see loaded up.  
I really wish I had something prettier staged
for these pics but I'm just not there yet.


I picked up a runner to catch oil spills, etc.


Behind her in the back corner by the window is
another IKEA purchase.  I always wanted one for
longarm supplies so, finally, I have one.


Let's move into the dormer where I do my actual sewing.


As I set up the entire dormer area, I thought for sure
everything would feel too confined but so far, aside
from the cutting table (which has always been
too small for my tastes), it all just feels snug and
convenient!   I know it may not look that way but
you'll have to trust me on this one.


Perhaps it's because I'm used to my small studio?
And there is much to be said for having everything
within arm's reach.


You may recognize this from my old sewing room.
I just couldn't live without it.  On top is another
new plant and most of my rulers--for now.


I have two of these ruler racks so I've been thinking
about setting them on brackets and mounting one
on each side of the window.  I've been worried about
getting too much clutter on the wall but this would
be very handy.  I continually tell myself that it's not
so much a living space as it is a studio and while
aesthetics are great, it's also about function.


Under the table is the scrap fabric and batting bins.
Until now I always referred to the latter as "Mount Batting"
but with all of my practicing on Lucey, it's almost all gone!
Note Chloe's scratching pad on the left table leg.
(It comes with straps for this.)


In the corner is one of two basket carts.  In this one 
are my WIPs and cutting trays.  There are also a
few rulers and to-make-soon-patterns on top.


Most of the time you'll also find Chloe up there.


Perhaps temporarily, I have a second basket cart
(houses my yarn collection that, sadly, never gets used!)
at the entry to the "sewing space".  I needed an
extra surface for technology--not the cutting table
or sewing desk.  This works...for now.


I tried to avoid putting it there because it makes
for a tight entry into the sewing area but,
believe it or not, thus far it has been a non-issue.


Remember that I picked this up the day I bought
Lucey?  You'll see it on that little cart as well, holding
the markers for my IKEA chalkboard (above cart)
that I use daily.


In the only space I could fit it you'll see the design wall.


A view from the back of the dormer.


While sitting at my sewing machine, I'll be able to keep
an eye on Lucey when she becomes more independent
 (aka, digital).   You'll also note the tv hubs bought
for me.  I'm not a tv-watcher while I sew but boy
do I love tutorials and such.  It's in a perfect spot,
especially for watching long-arm tutorials!
On the desk you'll see one of my new IKEA trays in use.


These deep ones are for larger amounts; I love that
the lids can keep pieces from blowing around
when the windows are open....

 
...and then double as more shallow trays.
Oh how I have needed these!


Now, moving back toward the door, is the main
reason I ran up to IKEA.


I wanted a space to store my precuts away from
lint and dust.  For someone who says they don't
really like precuts, perhaps it's a bit crazy to take
such measures but...I like it and it stores cute stuff.
It also stores most of my quilt books.

There is an optional base that would raise it
another 5-ish inches but IKEA is completely out
everywhere.  I'm waiting for now but I may just
give up.  It would be nice to not have to reach
quite so far down but, really, how often would
I really need to do that anyway?


This past weekend, I got lights mounted inside,
just like in my fabric hutch. They're white LEDs,
 not yellow like they look in the pics.
The colander on the top shelf that holds some
jelly rolls is another new IKEA purchase...


as is this little plate rack that is now a charm
pack holder (3rd shelf on layer cakes).
There is a reason I'm trying to make use of
kitchen gadgets for organization but I'll get
to that in the months to come.


Above it is the painting hubs got for me;
on the hutch top, another new IKEA plant....


and a fun message from my morning coffee!


And lastly, the outdated vanity.  I'm still looking for
a new mirror but for now, a new light and towel
ring are up.  Eventually we'll get new countertops
in both rooms but I'm not in a huge hurry.
(Maybe next fall when the outdoor work dwindles.)
I have craft items stored in the drawers:
paper cutter, paper, packaging supplies, glue gun, etc.


Yet another IKEA find, I thought this would be great
to fill with ice, water and fruit and/or mint for a long
day of sewing.  I think I'll eventually add a Keurig, too,


For perspective, this is the view from the vanity.
(And off to the very near left is the bathroom.)
It was taken a little earlier in the set up but you
get the idea.

It's a little crazy how this just all fell into place,
and is still falling into place, but I'm really happy
with how it all turned out and to be able to
share it all with you today!  

My to-do's for next week?

1) Load a quilt and get going
2) Finish cutting out Blues #1
3) Figure out window treatments
I love them wide open but the heat from the
afternoon/evening sun will be a real issue!

Happy quilting!

Comments

you are very lucky to have such a huge room for your quilting, it looks like it is all coming together
piecefulwendy said…
What a wonderful, fun sewing space! I hope hubs knows where to find you (I know he does) since you're going to like being in that room so much. I am sure you'll have a handle on Lucey soon!
Totally enjoyed this tour. You have made perfect use of the space and it all fit in, not too snugly, etc. within easy reach. It all looks like a welcoming and practical area. You will enjoy many many hours of happy sewing there!
grammajudyb said…
A fabulous space and arrangement. I might be a little bit "jelly"! Giggle!

So nice to have an IKEA close. I'm not even sure where the closest one to me is? Maybe KC???? There might be one in Denver.. only 5.5 hours away!
I like your HST so far! Looking good!
Such an amazing space, Cheree! I really enjoyed the tour. I know you'll get used to the new and different feel of Lucey, and be quilting up a storm before you know it. We were just at Ikea in Denver today and I really thought hard about buying one of those handy 3 tiered carts, but I came home without it. Now I'm regretting that, lol!
Home Sewn By Us said…
Hi Cheree! Another nice newsy post with plenty of photos. I have never been to IKEA . . . but I think I need to go check it out. I am really looking forward to seeing your quilting on your 10 tops. What you've shared already looks fabulous to me. Are both windows a concern for the summer sunshine? Good luck with this week's goals. {{Hugs}} a bunch. ~smile~ Roseanne
chrisknits said…
Love it!! I bet you can just stay in there all day!!
Kate said…
Congrats on creating both a beautiful and functional sewing/quilting space! Enjoy!
Vicki in MN said…
It's amazing how much stuff one can collect and store in the space we have to work with. I think you achieved a nice balance between aesthetic and storing of supplies;)
Linda said…
Oh how I love it! Let's have a party in your space, and we'll all bring you a Lucey-warming gift - lol! My favorite spot is your dormer space next to that wonderful window. Love how you lit up the pretty cabinet, so lights are next on my wishlist. :)
Thank you for sharing your beautiful room with To Do Tuesday!
Ivani said…
Amazing!!! Great quilting space, love all the details.
Happy Quilting, Cheree!
Needled Mom said…
It looks great. I agree that it is nice to have a picture perfect studio, but more important to have a well functioning space. I think your practice pieces are looking great.
Marsha Cooper said…
A Season in Blue is the book I chose to buy to donate to our public library from our quilt guild!