Wednesday 11 April 2012

In the Making: A New Workspace!



Look what we've been making this weekend! I can hardly believe it's mine! Last Saturday we drove down to Sydney, left the kids with my folks and slipped out to Ikea and shopped like two child-free pigs in mud. Armed with a generous gift, some Christmas money and some hard earned savings, we were able to get exactly what I needed to fill my designated sewing wall and free up our dining table.



I still can't believe it to look at it. At Christmas, with Tim still unemployed, I reflected that things not going to plan seem to be part of the plan. I could never have imagined that by Easter I would have this special, beautiful space.




It took me a while to decide what I wanted. I scoured second hand places for beautiful old furniture. I needed enough room for my stuff plus a desk to work at, and I needed to keep little fingers out. But nothing would quite do the trick. It was either too big or too expensive. So I embraced the versatility of a flat packed kitchen and we spent a restful Easter Sunday putting it together. It was a really fun way to spend a special day with the family.


So this is it, nearly done! As you can see, I got a bit impatient with screwing holes and started packing. And soon after this photo was taken, I started sewing! So, needless to say, it's still 80% finished.


All my fabric is up high out of reach. We used a couple of towel rails under this shelf for finished clothing waiting to be photographed. And we cut the timber bench (which we got for a steal in the reduced section!) to lower half of it to desk height. What do you think?


Do you know that in about 10 days I would have been blogging for a year? You can read my first post here. I was inspired to blog by an ugly creeping feeling for Anna Maria Horner. She was building her new studio and I had a little teething baby who tied me to the couch and made me feel utterly dissatisfied with my life. It was while hanging the washing out one day that I had the thought that maybe, if I just took photos of the things I loved and made, I would be on the look out for the beautiful, wonderful things in my world. Then I started to make. Then I got the courage to sell what I make. And following a vast array of celebrations and disappointments, here I am, in my sunny new studio and I can't help but think that that moment hanging out the washing had everything to do with it.
Many people, when they have a blogging anniversary give something away. But could I impose upon you do give something for me? A little while ago I wrote about my dear friend Jem and her three kids. Do you know that with online and offline donations, they're nearly half way to their $55,000 goal for new electric wheelchairs! That's amazing! Thank you to those who have so generously donated. My raffle on my Facebook page is running till Saturday. If you've donated, you can comment under the Giveaway Album to enter to win a great bunch of handmade prizes! And there's some yummy voile on offer! Here's where I'm up to with my Little Folks voile quilt... I can't wait to finish and show you the whole thing!


Thanks for being along for the ride! Jodi. xx


WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Fresh Poppy Design

16 comments:

  1. Great new sewing space, and so pleased you found a way to fit in all the elements you wanted :) congratulations on your blogging anniversary and thank you for your story about how you got started. I love that you you started with identifying things to be grateful for.....a practice I might have to adopt :)
    Cheers Kathy

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  2. Great new sewing space, and so pleased you found a way to fit in all the elements you wanted :) congratulations on your blogging anniversary and thank you for your story about how you got started. I love that you you started with identifying things to be grateful for.....a practice I might have to adopt :)
    Cheers Kathy

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  3. Your new nook is amazing Jodi!! So organised too, my nook is looking very untidy and unloved in comparison :)

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  4. Oh I am in love with your nook. It is just perfect. Will have to see if I get something like that when we renovate. It will be so good for you to have a dedicated workspace. Happy blogoversary- so good that it has helped you see the beauty in your life.

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  5. These posts make me so happy. We all deserve our own area to create and grow. I am so excited for you!

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  6. oh your workspace is amazing!! I bet you just love going there now? What a great way to use flat pack kitchen units. They are perfect! My sewing space is a wall in my lounge with a desk nothing as cool as this! Well impressed! xxxxx

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  7. Perfect! Just perfect. I love your sewing space. Happy sewing.
    Teresa

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  8. Love the new sewing space! Great idea to have everything out of reach from the children =D

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  9. Very nice space you have---- you lucky,deserving girl you!!

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  10. So very exciting! ~ i love seeing other creative peoples 'play' space, thanks for sharing. I started blogging for similar reasons - figured if I shared what i loved, it would motivate me to 'finish' ... well, maybe not so many finishes ;)
    We will be moving in a few weeks, it's been a bittersweet year - and i am looking at this move as being a blessing. My husband went from unemployed, to starting a new job and having a heart attack the same week - talk about a roller coaster ride. It has truly helped us put things in perspective.
    ... my new home will have a creative space - i will "loose" my studio, but i will have a shared space that i had missed when i 'finally' got my studio - we get a fresh start.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Oh I really love your work space! Hope it makes your life a little easier.

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  12. Hi :)
    I landed here while surfing sewing rooms on flickr....and I love the size and shape of the green bag hanging on the door knob! I want to make one, and would really appreciate any information you could share. Did you make it and/or blog about it?

    Your kiddies are adorable!

    Thanks for whatever you can tell me about the bag.

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  13. @Libby,
    Hello! I'm glad you stopped by! The bag is the Sidewalk Satchel by Anna Maria Horner. I made it before I started blogging. There are lots of patterns for sale here: http://www.etsy.com/search?q=sidewalk%20satchel&view_type=gallery&ship_to=ZZ&min=0&max=0
    Happy Sewing!
    Jodi. xx

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I so love your comments! I read all of them and reply when I can. If you don't hear back, I'm lost under a mound of scraps or outside jumping on the trampoline with the kids. Jodi. xx