Cleaning and Organizing...Again!!!

My sewing room.

I love this room Mr. C built for me.

I am not ashamed of showing it like this as it means I have been creative and that is the best feeling. This is what this room was designed for. Sewing and being happy is in my DNA. I learned to sew when I was a very young girl. My Grandmother, Mother, older Sister and her mother all sewed and it was never even discussed that I would learn to sew and I did.

This is an old Singer that I got out of storage a couple months ago thinking I should be using it for all the paper I have been sewing. Hmmm...once you have a new machine like my Pfaff it is really hard to go backwards. I tried to sew on it but I must admit I keep using my new machine with all of its ease and features I have grown to love.


This is the desk area with fabulous open shelves above which I tend to use as display for my numerous bits of this and that I collect and love. You can also see that I tend to pile things and pending projects on any flat surface I have. Drives Mr. C crazy however this is my room so I can close the door and he doesn't have to see it. :o) When I took these photos I didn't plan on posting the before and hopefully the after (not today!) so the photo cutoffs are a bit incomplete. Yes, you do see my covered up IBM Selectric II typewriter (with changeable font ball) that I will not get rid of. I actually still use it from time to time.

This is another random photo of my very messy room. So yesterday after I took these photos I got the cleaning supplies and a ladder and began at the top to clean and organize this wonderful room I love. Today I am continuing my journey of making this room just that much better for my creativity. I hope to complete my task and take new photos to share with you very soon.

May you have a wonderful and sunny and creative weekend...
Prayers and Blessings to all who have experienced family and/or friends who have been touched by the horrific weather across this country.

Success Is In Doing...

I feel success is in doing for a couple of reasons. Mr. C and I traveled to Italy a while back and had a wonderful trip. I was focused on beads and inspiration for making jewelry. I have shared a lot of this in previous posts. In one of the more upscale fashion districts in Florence I saw a necklace displayed in a shop window and I was entranced. Of course my photos wouldn't work because of the glass and the lighting. So in my mind was this necklace I just had to make as my own. Time passes...more time passes and I never make it. Well you know the story...doubt held me back! So in my 2011 frame of mind to do it NOW I went into my studio yesterday and pulled out everything I thought I might like to use. I knew it would be black and silver overall. Well...

Here is my version of the coveted Italian necklace. I used all things I already owned. A couple of vintage necklaces, some purchased chain, black suede hearts, Swarovski crystals in clear and smokey black diamond, a black tassel, some sheer polka dot ribbon and two purchased round charms. I started to assemble everything together and just let the pieces fall where they wanted to. I am so pleased with how this turned out and will be wearing it this weekend which I shall share in a future post.

My feeling of success is the best. Getting it done NOW is even better. I am feeling quite positive about this year and what I personally will be able to achieve.

Getting things done is something I can accomplish. It may be cleaning a room, it may be spending time with my family and friends or it may be creating something fun.

I hope you are feeling success with something important to you.

Happy creating...

Two Birds and One Cat...

Here is an adorable little bird I received from Miss Lilla of Hawaii. Many of you already follow her blog and know the fun things she makes and shares. This bird is made with ticking fabric. Lilla also included the cafe au lait sticker just for fun. Thank you so much Lilla. I love my bird.

This is bird two that I received and I am loving the message here. Kerri's blog was the very first blog I ever followed and I am so glad I found her. She is wonderful and talented and heartwarming. I just love this piece of her art. Even the back is decorated and personalized. Thank you very very much Kerri.

And with birds there must be a cat. This is an art piece I received from Terri. She is part of 3 Creative Studios and her blog is filled with lots of art, fabric quilting and zentangling. I am thrilled to have this adorable cat to inspire me. Thank you so very much Terri.

The generousity of bloggers is always amazing. I feel blessed to be able to enjoy so much.
Each of these pieces of art inspire me to create. I think that is partly why I like blogging so much as we all share our ideas and abilities and inspire others to make their own creations.

What will you make this week? I am making some simple birthday cards for January mailings.

Create something that really makes you smile with delight this week. After all we are beginning a brand new year where anything is possible for each of us.

Words of Inspiration...

Still no photos due to computer desktop blindness. My new monitor is still in transit.
So let me list some words of inspiration I really like:

Often used words -

Believe
Breathe
Create
Dream
Hope
Live
Love

Calls to Action -

Be
Dare
Resist
Think
Try

Statements -

Bad
Colorful
Coy
Dangerous
Different
Good
Lucky
Shy
Sweet

Short Phrases -

Be Free
Carpe Diem
Don't Do It
Give
Hello There
Try Again

I hope you gain some inspiration from these words and use them to advance your creativity and happiness in your everyday world.

My super good news is that without my constantly sitting in front of the computer I am getting lots of things accomplished even if it is the simple act of sewing on a button that has fallen off. The sad news is that I have not been able to keep up with all of your blogs and I miss that. So I shall have some catching up to do very soon.
May you have a wonderful October of surprises and treats and fun.

Bead Trends Magazine...

Wow! Bead Trends magazine www.beadtrendsmag.com is my new favorite tool for my upcoming designer line of jewelry..."Adorn Me". Soon to be debuting in my online shop http://createology.etsy.com
If you love jewelry...making it, wearing it, buying it or giving it you need to see this magazine. No, I do not have any vested interest in this publication. It is simply and beautifully done.
I found Bead Trends at my closest big book store last week. At $17.95 it seemed very pricey for a monthly issue, however I decided to splurge and give it a solid try. Well, upon bringing it home and literally devouring it page by page I am sold on the quality and focus of this magazine. The photography is amazing and interesting. Each piece of jewelry is shown and then lists the materials used. This is an excellent resource for everyone making their own jewelry. Use it as wonderful inspiration but never copy pieces for resale. Be unique in your style. There is an artist feature and display of their jewelry. Excellent how to directions for a piece of jewelry.
This beautiful magazine has very few advertisements and therefore the true focus is on jewelry. I believe I have found my new favorite resource in my pursuit of making "Adorn Me" a successful venture. I look forward to submitting my work to Bead Trends for possible publication. What a gem among the numerous beading magazines on the shelves.
Have you read or seen this Bead Trends magazine? Has it inspired your jewelry making?