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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Utterly beautiful Lucy, very well done you. The wool looks divine. The lights are so totally you. I completely understand the problem of a small boy being in that room and not messing it up! In fact I'd probably mess it up a bit if I was allowed to play there. Wishing you every success with the open day.
Posted by: CJ | June 18, 2013 at 06:50 AM
Hi. New to writing on here, but I've been a fan for soooo long. I am currently making a couple of your projects and blogging about them amongst other things. I am new to blogging. You have a lovely home and studio.
Posted by: Kelly | June 18, 2013 at 06:49 AM
It's really hard when you have nippers and you need time to yourself. Little B will soon grow. It's just a phase.
Posted by: Jenny Grant | June 18, 2013 at 06:12 AM
Beautiful! I would love to settle down for a while with a coffee!
And the lights are truly fab!
Posted by: Sona Jacob | June 18, 2013 at 05:39 AM
Looking beautiful there, as always love the bright colors. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Vikki | June 18, 2013 at 04:58 AM
Lucy your studio is just wonderful. Yours is the first ever blog I have followed and you have not only taught me to crochet but inspired me to start my own little blog of my progress. Thank you for another wonderful post
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxx
Posted by: Dorothy Griffiths | June 18, 2013 at 04:51 AM
Darling, just adorable, welcoming, delightful, colorful, charming and inviting... I wish I lived on your side of the Pond after spending this time with your loving photography and growing studio space.
Congratulations, I wish you love, luck and hours of creating in this wonderful location.
Posted by: Lynda M O | June 18, 2013 at 04:40 AM
Love your workshop! I recently started using a bookcase to hold my yarn stash and it works well. I like seeing all my colors - it makes it so easy to select yarn for a project.
Posted by: Sandy | June 18, 2013 at 04:36 AM
You are such a lucky girl! The Studio is coming along nicely and I would luv to visit if I could. Those lights are so Lucy! And yes, your little corner is definitely got the Attic24 look! I am so excited for you and Tracy! Keep us posted! Hugs, MO
http://moisbloggingit.blogspot.ca/
Posted by: Marylin | June 18, 2013 at 03:53 AM
what an absolute beautiful little space. love it.
Posted by: Mandy | June 18, 2013 at 03:23 AM
Lucy the curtains in the connievan ended up beautifully !!!
Posted by: izzy | June 18, 2013 at 02:50 AM
Love those lights! Your studio is really looking inviting and is going to be a wonderful place for you to work.
Posted by: Super Mom - No Cape! | June 18, 2013 at 02:47 AM
It's coming together so beautifully! Love the lights,a big case of the wanties!I looked at something similar over the weekend,so this is surely pushing me over ;D A wonderful crafty haven. Hope your finger is better soon.
Posted by: Angela- Southern U.S.A. | June 18, 2013 at 01:38 AM
Absolutely warm and inviting! I hope many happy memories are made!
Lori
http://www.theverandaatfallingrock.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Lori | June 18, 2013 at 01:30 AM
Lucy, her little studio is really a wonder! I am happy to see the progress! Congrats! The shelving IKEA always gives results! Congratulations!
Posted by: cristina | June 18, 2013 at 01:12 AM
Oh wow!!!!!!! Serious case of the wanties, but not just the lights, ALL OF IT!!!! How do you ever leave? Very inspiring!
Posted by: Teegan | June 18, 2013 at 01:12 AM
I love your studio, it looks a comfy, relaxing, creative place to be.
Sally x
Posted by: Sally | June 18, 2013 at 01:03 AM
Amazing as usual... Love the lights and the shelves full of color! I want a studio! Lol..
Posted by: Tammy | June 18, 2013 at 12:34 AM
Very beautiful and inspiring! Wish I lived closer!
Posted by: Elena Hunt | June 18, 2013 at 12:27 AM
Oh...¡Qué lindo rincón para tejer!, ¿me invitas? ;)
Posted by: Mónica | June 18, 2013 at 12:10 AM
I would LOVE to come. It's still quite a way, so not sure if I will be able to. Hope it goes well.
Posted by: Anne Marie | June 17, 2013 at 11:20 PM
I like those lights, so bright and colourful, I'd find it hard not to be keeping them in my home though rather than a workspace - I see quite a few of your lovely things have been transferred to your studio, it'll be be more homely than your home soon! It does look very nice.
Posted by: anne@andamento | June 17, 2013 at 11:06 PM
Fantastic colours at the studio and some lovely lovely "energy" I can feel at your photo's, creative and delightful crocheting. Lovely.
Posted by: Unn | June 17, 2013 at 11:03 PM
your lights look great - I bought some for my daughter for Christmas and like you had so much fun choosing the colours. Your studio is looking so good and I agree very Attic 24ish - good luck x
Posted by: Sue | June 17, 2013 at 11:01 PM
It looks fabulous. I totally sympathise with the need for a little time to be YOU and not MUMMY! By the way if you fancy popping my way I posted LOADS of pictures of the recent yarnbombing at Saltburn. It is really fun - all based on seaside things. There is even knitted fish and chips. Have a good week and enjoy those 270 minutes of peace and quiet...
Posted by: Rachael Iddon | June 17, 2013 at 10:50 PM