Finding the time to spend at the studio is proving rather tricksy at the moment. Although Little B loves to spend time there with me, I've found that I can expect approximately 40 minutes of Good Behaviour before it all goes rapidly downhill and we end up in a tizz with each other. Which is understandable really as he is only three years old and is a very active, on-the-go kind of boy. He finds it hard to sit still, and his attention span for things like books and drawing is still pretty short. I can keep him happy for a reasonable length of time if I give him a) tools of any kind, b) a length of yarn or c) food, but these things inevitably end in damage/trouble/mess and it's simply not worth it.
He is currently at playgroup for three mornings a week which gives me a 90 minute slot of child free time on those mornings. Oh that time feels veeery precious! I try to have at least one of those mornings at the studio if I can, but it never seems long enough to get anything constructive done.
A month or so ago, we purchased some flat pack from Ikea. We had been trying to resist the temptation of quick-fix flat pack, preferring to take our time and look for pre-loved furniture with some character/history to it. But when it came to storage, Ikea just couldn't be beat. Tracy and I both have this same combo, which is a Billy bookcase (mine has some extra shelves added in) and a Benno DVD tower.
I managed to secure two whole child free hours to spend in the studio on Saturday morning, and it was bliss. Absolute BliSS. I got sooo much done. Number one job was to start filling those shelves with colour. It's still a work in progress, but I'm thrilled with the results so far. It's a good practical solution to storing the large amount of yarn I've accumulated, but it's also very visually inspiring and fabulous to gaze at.
As you can see, my little creative corner is starting to fill up! I love it so much. I feel like a happy bird sat in a warm woolly nest :o)
Number two job on Saturday was to play with install my de-lightful new lights. Yes, this box of colourful balls is actually going to transform into Studio Lighting, how fabulous is that?
I first saw these lights on a really beautiful blog called Tales From A Happy House, do you know it? Gillian is a great writer and photographer and we share a lot in common. You can see the photo of hers that made me giddy with excitement and weak with lust right here, and then what she did with her beautiful lights here.
The lights are from a wonderful company called Cable and Cotton and are gloriously simple and rather beautiful. In a nutshell, you purchase a string of 20 fairy lights, then select 20 coloured cotton balls to act as little lampshades. There are about 40 colours to choose from, so you can have a fabby time mixing and matching your own colour combos. If it would help any of you who might (like I did) have a sudden attack of The Wanties after reading this, I will list my colours for you....
I have two of each colour, as follows ::
bright orange, raspberry red, fuscia pink, pale pink, pale blue, sky blue, sunflower yellow, pale yellow, lime green, anais green.
I had a dickens of a job deciding on positioning. Vertical or horizontal? Up and down, or draped across? As you can see, I finally settled on the vertical, after much indecision, coffee, and jigging about. The above photo shows them unlit.....
.....and this is them all lit up. They glow so beautifully! De-lightful indeed!
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! Love love love love them!!!
You can see things are slowly coming together in the studio. I now have some above-desk shelving and my notice board and pictures have been hung. A new little cotton rug too, although I might later replace it with a larger version. The paper circle bunting was a sweet gift from Caroline Rose Art, you can find it in her shop here.
It's all looking very jolly and Attic24-ish I have to say.
Tracy wrote a lovely blog post about our Open Studio event with some pictures of the café etc., do go take a little look if you like. We are really looking forward to opening our door in a couple of weeks and welcoming you in, it's kind of thrilling and nerve wracking in equal measure.
I'm hoping to get these cute little cotton circles worked up into some sort of window bunting this week, although my finger is still acting a bit weird. Wish me luck.
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Love your work space. Just moved into our home last fall and when I find the time I hope to eventually have my space set up as nice. I love the lights, what a fun idea. I had some horrid pain in my wrist a few years back that was causing tears when I tried to crochet. A girl at my church prayed for it and it went away. I will send a prayer your way for your finger. :)
Posted by: Alicia | June 18, 2013 at 02:24 PM
Your studio has to be the happiest place on earth.
Posted by: Nikki | June 18, 2013 at 02:19 PM
Absolutely Fab!!!! Oh how I wish I could just pop on by! A bit difficult seeing as I'm in MINNESOTA, USA!!!! But I have to tell you, your blog can brighten my most dreary day!!! Thank you!!!!
Posted by: Cari | June 18, 2013 at 02:11 PM
Dear Lucy,
your studio is oh so wonderful! Full of colour, full of love.
Wishing you good luck with your cotton circles window bunting,
Sonja
Posted by: Sonja | June 18, 2013 at 01:40 PM
love the lights----and the color---absolutely gorgeous and as always---thanks for the inspiration!!!
Posted by: Mary | June 18, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Oh!!!Lucy I love your studio!I want one like that for me at home! I´m very pleased to know you are better now, The other day you seemed sow worried and sad :(
Enjoy your lovely studio
Posted by: Ana Molineri | June 18, 2013 at 01:17 PM
Your studio is so beautiful! It looks comfy and I like the lights and full of colours and yarn in your studio. It makes me happy.
I would like to join your open studio event. please let me know how to contact you for further details of the event. Thanks.
Have a lovely day!
Posted by: Abigail Kim | June 18, 2013 at 01:11 PM
Lucy, Your studio is gorgeous! It looks so peaceful and like such a fun place to enjoy crocheting. Wish I lived in England, not only to enjoy your wonderful country, but to have fun getting together in your friendly place! I also love the lights; they are so beautiful and colorful! Thanks for sharing your "attic"!
Pat F.
Las Vegas, NV
USA
Posted by: Pat F. | June 18, 2013 at 01:05 PM
Lovely post - having a little boy with similar disposition I used to take some of his brio train track to my crafting place - just a thought :)
Posted by: lynn | June 18, 2013 at 12:16 PM
wahooooo!!! your room is to beautiful!!! I love!!!! I would like to have to.... I am sorry I 'm french and I not speak inglish very weel!!!! Good by
Anne
Posted by: Anne76 | June 18, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Lucy your studio looks wonderful. I am sorry to hear about your finger I sure hope it heals up quick. I know how sad it can be not having hands to crochet. I too suffer from hand pain and I so can relate. I just told my husband when I go to the UK I am definitely going to meet you.
Posted by: KIKI | June 18, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Oh Lucy the study is just wonderful and the decor is a source of inspiration for me and I never get tired of visiting your blog so full of color, you're beautiful ... thank you!
I'm glad to know that your finger goes a bit 'better, I must say that my finger now that I've finished my granny square, can rest ... but just a little 'o)
It remains only to hide all the wires: o (
Posted by: Maria | June 18, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Beautiful ! What a lovely and inspiring studio. Well done you ! Hope you are soon feeling 100% well again and best wishes for opening day!
Posted by: Janet Chappell | June 18, 2013 at 12:09 PM
What a lovely studio - you've done a great job and it looks fabulously cozy and welcoming! also it is so good to have like-minded people you can start such deal with :)all the best, Lucy, and take care of yourself!
Posted by: Anna | June 18, 2013 at 11:32 AM
What a beautiful, colourful, delightful place to be! All those colourful balls of wool, I am so envious! :o) And I also spy another Bower Bird! xx
Posted by: Sarah | June 18, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Your studio is looking so gorgeous - loving it - your little storage rack (where did you find ?) is perfect for those balls of yarn - just makes me want to dip in!
Posted by: janet | June 18, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Lucy it's looking absolutely lovely. How I long for a space like that. I bet you want to be there all the time. My little F starts nursery 2 mornings a week in September and I must say I am slightly looking forward to it. Feel a bit funny as well but it will be nice to have a bit of time as little H is so much easier to amuse at the moment. I'm hoping to gain a little creative time for myself. Love your lights. I spotted them on Gillian's blog too. Definitely on my wish list. Hope the finger is soon fully functional again. Fiona x
Posted by: Fiona | June 18, 2013 at 09:30 AM
Just gorgeous, I love how your studio is coming around. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the lights !! and your yarn stored like that.
xEva
Posted by: Eva Martin | June 18, 2013 at 09:24 AM
The studio is looking FAB, I love the new lights! Good colour choice, very Attic 24-ish :)
I'm a big fan of Tales From A Happy House too.
I hope your finger is feeling better soon and am looking forward to seeing the window bunting.
Posted by: Chelsey | June 18, 2013 at 09:17 AM
Oh wow Lucy, your studio is looking so cosy and colourful... Just perfect I'd say! I so wish I could come to the Open Studio! Lots and lots of luck and fun to you both, and do take care of that little finger (what a coincidence, I've been struggling with a very painful thumb joint which made it impossible to crochet for 3 days. Lots of ice seems to have cured it!) xxxx
Posted by: Nanita | June 18, 2013 at 09:16 AM
The studio looks very beautiful!
Lovely lights.
Good luck!!!
Posted by: Inge | June 18, 2013 at 09:09 AM
Hi Lucy
Soooo beautiful - you are getting me addicted to colour ! Absolutely love the lights as well.
Kate x
Posted by: Kate Eastwood | June 18, 2013 at 08:56 AM
Wow the studio is looking fantastic such a bright and sunny place to work ~ Sarah X
thefaeriefactory.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Sarah | June 18, 2013 at 08:34 AM
Fab Studio! I bet you get more people than you think, you will be walking on air afterwards like I was after my first ever crochet class went well. Jo x
http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk
Posted by: Jo Roberts | June 18, 2013 at 08:12 AM
Now I "need" a set of those lights!!! I'm not sure they'd
fit in to my house at all - but I definitely need them!
Your studio is looking gorgeous. I'd never be able to keep the
yarn so neat and organised! x
Posted by: Sara Jenkins | June 18, 2013 at 07:52 AM