A PLACE OF MY OWN

Some might comment that our entire apartment is mine. But I try very hard to make sure that B is as comfortable here as I am. Trust me, things would be a lot different if this was only my apartment. He keeps me from doing crazier things.

But, I decided that if I was really going to take this whole embroidery thing seriously, then I needed to dedicate a space in this apartment for that and only that.

So I did:

(If you cannot see the pictuours, consult your local library.)

I made the desk out of pine board and plumbing pipes for our old apartment. It was in storage up until now. It's just slightly higher than regular table height, so it's perfect. The chairs were already here. The lamp was in our bedroom in Savannah, but I had had it in storage, too. My bowling pin table is the perfect spot to store the machine. I picked up the soda crate at the flea market for $5 and then added a shelf and lined the inside with vinyl to protect the fabrics (Love the 'Atlas' graphics on it). Now I can keep the embroidery fabrics separate from my other fabrics and I don't have to sort them every time I start a new piece.

The little seven picture was scanned in from a catalog last year, but I could never figure out where to put it. The sconces are from eBay, and I really need to get some candles to put in them. I've stored all my little extras in the cool thrifted tin that I just love. I had two white metal bins that matched the others in storage and now I've filled them up with various supplies to build the frames. And there's finally a place to store the pins (in a glass votive candleholder).

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL! I keep asking myself why I didn't do this sooner? It's so nice not to have to wonder where I left my pins (or pattern marker, or pattern paper, or thread, or scissors - the list goes on and on) because they have a home now. And it's so conveniently located - right next to the computer, scanner, and printer. I can watch DVD's on the computer, or just turn on the TV. Most often, I sit at the worktable while B is on the computer at night. (It's nice to be in the same room again...) I also positioned the plants outside so that I can bear to look out into the sunshine if I feel the need.

It's also re-aligned the apartment as a whole. Now, the office/studio is for weekdays, for the working time. On Saturday, I can shut the door and just relax. Go out into the rest of the apartment or the patio and just enjoy it. Instead of walking in the front door and seeing all the sewing flotsam and jetsam that's here, there, and everywhere, I just see comfy chairs and good things to read and watch. No stress.

All the little pieces fit underneath the table for when the room magically turns into a guest room. I'm going to sew a cover for it right quick. The table is actually the exact same depth as the little dresser, so I don't lose any space. We just gain some more surface space. Fantastic!

It's lover-ly. I should have done it sooner!