WHERE BLOGGERS CREATE. . . with touches of PINK

Finally the day has arrived!!! The special day that THE STONE RABBIT and I have been looking forward to for weeks!!!  It's the day we not only celebrate the PINKS in our lives through Beverly's, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, but we also get to take a peek at the wonderful places of WHERE BLOGGERS CREATE, hosted by Karen of MY DESERT COTTAGE!!!

You are a fortunate group of folks. 

Very few people have been allowed into my "studio" (that's a stretch!).  Mainly, because during my peak production time, this very large room is piled high with fabrics and items in partially completed stages!  However, this is my "off" season. . . so I've tidied up a bit!!!

I design, construct and sell fabric seasonal decor!! I have for many years. . . and, therefore, I have amassed  quite a lot of the supplies  required for me to produce my wares!

Such as:

1.  My beloved Bernina  which has seen hours and hours and hours of use over the years!!!  I adore, worship and cherish this magnificent sewing machine!  In fact, every so often I stop and give it a big old smooch for the fine work that it does for me!!!
 

2.  Pins, scissors, bobbins!!
 
 

3.  IN THE DRAWERS . . . LOTS of sewing machine thread, needles, and buttons!

4.  RIBBONS, EMBROIDERY FLOSS. . . all on these shelves!
 

5.  FABRICS. . .yards and yards of wools, muslins, flannels. . . vintage table cloths. . . all ready for me and my Bernina!

 

6.  STAMPS and SCRAP BOOKING SUPPLIES. . .  contained in these white drawers. . . I don't do a lot of that craft (yet!).

7.     REFERENCE BOOKS AND MAGAZINES. . . on the shelves to the left and stacked in many, many other areas of this huge room. . . not for your eyes to see on this trip cuz they are still too messy for me to share today!!
 

This little area, directly behind my "sewing station" is my "finishing station".  It's where I can stuff, or paint, or do hand sewing. . . all while watching my favorite shows!!  I also have gobs of supplies on hand in those nifty storage drawers you see to the right of my chair!!
 

This area not only functions as a great work station, but also as a spot full of "inspiration" to me.
 

So this part of my post is about that. . . some of the INSPIRATION  items in this retreat of mine!

My grand girl is a prolific artist. . . and her countless pictures bring me great joy!!

I recall with fondness the day I sat her daddy down (at that VERY table I use as my sewing table these days. . . then it was our dining room table!) and handed him his first piece of paper and crayons. 

He ate the crayons!!!!  :)
  

The HARDEE'S coffee mug belonged to my mother.  I smile each time I see it.  Many years ago, there was a Breakfast Club that Hardee's sponsored.  Mom and many of her friends belonged to that club and would meet there on a regular basis!!   They all had their own mug that they'd bring each time to use for their coffee!  I can only imagine the lively times that mug has seen!!

My good friend Marian gives me a new Mary Englebreit calendar every Christmas. . . I even save many of the pages from previous years. . . I find them so enjoyable AND inspirationall and beautiful !

 

This vintage pattern is one of three that I keep above my sewing machine.  It belonged to my mom. . . who got it from her friend "Helen".   Helen was one of my mom's close friends when I was growing up.

My mom taught me to sew on a treadle sewing machine when I was ten years old. 

 

I used this pattern to create a "robe" . . . to wear in my dorm. . . in my first year of college, in the Fall of 1965!    Oh, yes, I was "stylin"!!!

 
 

My dad was truly a creative inspiration.  He could fix or build anything. . . but he had a softer, artistic side, too.  He was a self taught musician. . . he could play the banjo, fiddle, guitar and dulcimer. . . and he had a great singing voice.  

He painted. 

He fashioned "fun stuff". . . like these wooden geese!  He was very proud that he was able to "twist" the necks of those wooden guys!!  Oh, and the geese are standing on my mom's "button tin".

My parents were both creative. . . and certainly played a big roll in fostering my interests. 
 


 

Besides the memories from my distant past. . . I have an amazing INSPIRATION board that is filled with newer memories. . .

ones that are funny, but so true. . . like this note sent to me from my friend Bonnie.  We both operate on that motto!!!
 

Or this sign that was above my booth in The Country Sampler Store in Overland Park, Kansas, for a few years!!!  It was a place that brought me so much joy and really challenged me creatively!  I met some amazing fellow crafters and customers in that location. . . people that I still see at my local shows.
 

 

I love all things ICE CREAM. . . so I have a little collection of soda glasses in their metal holders. . . reminders of how ice cream concoctions SHOULD be served!
 

This little squirrel place card holder was the last item I purchased at my friend's shop, THE PAINTED BIRDHOUSE.  She died shortly after that.  She was the person that helped me get into the business of "retail". . .  I made a buying trip with her to Atlanta one January.  I think of her every time I look at that little silver guy!!  She was truly an energetic and gifted lady!!!

My pal Bonnie is an incredibly creative gal, too!  She made me the PINK tree and heart box for Valentine's Day last year.  It's always a treat to be on the receiving end of her treasures!!

The birthday card in the background was one of the last ones my mom gave to me. . .she knew how much I loved rabbits!! :) 

I really miss getting cards from her. . . . . .

All of you recognize the artist who created the card below.  Mary Engelbreit.

Many years ago, I was Christmas shopping and saw a display of boxed cards in a bookstore.  My eyes popped out at the Santa. . . and the simple message of "BELIEVE".

I purchased those cards and sent them out that year. . . keeping this one for me.  I have treasured  the beauty and the simplicity of the message. . . and  have tried so hard to live by Mary's word!

One of the biggest thrills of my life was meeting her at a local bookstore . . I brought my card for her to sign!

 

  Of course, the semi-tour (you've only seen half of my room!) of my creative space wouldn't be complete without a cat picture!!  This time, Frankie was overseeing my work. . . along with THE STONE RABBIT!!

 

THE STONE RABBIT wanted to make sure I showed you a big part of my INSPIRATION. . . it comes from my supportive friends. 

Several of them are pictured in this photo. . . on the day I hosted a PINK FLIP FLOP PARTY!!!  They are a group of gals. . .always there when you need help and who are always ready to  have FUN. . . especially when it comes to celebrating PINK!!

 

There you have a little view of my creative retreat. 

It's not fancy, but it's BIG and it's semi-organized and it's very functional for ME!! 

And that is pretty much what counts!! :)

 

For LOADS of fun, please visit Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.   She'll have  a long list of bloggers ready and waiting with PINKS to share!!

                         

           

          AND. . . . .

" 

  

 Please visit Karen of MY DESERT COTTAGE as she hosts "WHERE BLOGGERS CREATE II"!!

                   AND. . . . .

PLEASE visit my blogging friend DONNA of PARTY WISHES as she celebrates her 300th post with a giveaway!!! 

Donna is a party planner extraordinaire. . . .so creative and fun and someone  you would LOVE to have as your friend. . . or next door neighbor!!

DANA

Comments

[Rini Boer]

That is a great pink post and a great craft area .
Have a nice weekend .
love ♥RINI♥
the Nethertlands

[Lynn@HappierThanAPigInMud]

What a fun space! I've been reading PS for months and didn't know that you crafted-always love a big fabric stash! It's getting so hard to find fabric here in Philly, only Joann's left. Have a great weekend!

[Kiki]

Wow..what a fabulous post! I so enjoyed reading your story and all the wonderful treasures you have shared! I am smitten with all your tea pots on the ledge..fabulous! Gorgeous studio..lots of eyecandy..and it would be so fun looking at all your fantatsic supplies! A wonderful tour..thankyou!! yay!
Kiki~

[naturegirl]

Dana thank you for this look into your creative space!I see that your Frankie could pass for one of my 2 girls!
It is always interesting to see where one becomes inspired and creates!Happy PS!

[Sheila]

Dana, I love your space for many reasons, but the main reason is because it is filled with creative sentiment and appreciation for the people who inspired you along the way! I enjoyed reading every single word and seeing all the pics. :-)

And your machine! OH, girl... I don't sew, but I have seen that same machine in a friend's house who is the most creative sewer/artist/crafter on earth, so that means business! You must be very, very good, and from seeing your cute things, YOU ARE! :-)

I laughed so hard about your son eating the crayons! LOL! And I loved the story about your mom's Hardee mug and your dad's twisty neck geese. I also loved your able assistants who are there to help you and all of the treasures from friends.

That flamingo card is a HOOT! No pun intended... well, maybe a little pun.

Happy PS, Dana!

XO,

Sheila :-)

[Keetha]

Dana,

I LOVE the row of coffee pots in the window!!!!

Please, show us a piece or two of your fabric seasonal decor!!!

[CC]

What a fun,sweet and loving post. I've never met you..but your crafting area is how I think of you. Warm,friendly,bubbly..beautiful..it's a big warm,loving welcoming hug. That room is just you. Oh my!!!! Such a wonderful place to craft.. Happy Pinks,and have a lovely weekend.
p.s. Give that sweet stone rabbit and the sweet kitty's a big hug..

[karen cox]

Dana,
What a perfect place to create. I have always wanted to sew, I bought a little sewing machine and I am taking classes. Sometime you must tell me why the Bernina is such a wonderful sewing machine. I love all of your vignettes of the perfect sewing room.
Karen

[nannykim at nannykim's]

Oh what I loved best is all the teapots!! Aluminum? Of course the rabbit! AND the pink flip flop party sounds fun....I really would love to have a vintage hat party where we go out to eat wearing them---put the flip flops with that and who knows what might happen!!

[chris in Sacramento]

Thanks so much for sharing your studio. I'm envious of all your space. It's wonderful.

[chris in Sacramento]

I forgot to mention that I love your dad's twisted geese.

[doris]

AND, you have a cat to keep you and the SR company--that REALLY counts! (in my book, anyway...)

[Ceekay]

I didn't know you did craft shows. I knew you went to them...how nice you have a creation room. I am going to get something soon...I can't keep using the dining room table!!

[Pat H]

Wow! Dana, what an awesome place to create, love it...One of my favorite place to shop was "Country Sampler". Have a great weekend....Pat

[Lynn@thevintagenest]

Oh Dana, I just loved seeing this. I didn't show a photo of my sewing machine but I have a new Elna (that I haven't even had time to try all the million stitches on it yet) that sits on top of my late mother-in-law's old treadle machine. Your space is just fabulous. I sure wish I could meet up with all the fun talented bloggers that I have met...especially you. We have so much in common. You have a wonderful week...you hear! xoxox

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

I enjoyed your blog tour Dana. I also love Mary E and I have saved that same card. How exciting that you got to meet her!
Happy Pink Saturday!

[Beverly]

Dana, I love your space, and I know I would love all of your creations. And, I love the little pots on the window sill.

Each of your special treasures made me smile. I think your parents shared their talents with a daughter they adored.

Happy Pink Saturday, dear Dana. I am so glad pink found its way into your heart.

[jeanne]

Hi Dana, I was here much earlier and my son and three of my grands arrived early this morning. I was still CLEANING. Sigh. Life goes on and we are anxiously waiting for my daughters and four more grands. Yes, i finished cleaning sort of. I was just going over the carpets and floors. I am still dusting in between catching up with the latest boyfriends/girlfriends etc. The tabl and benches did NOT get sanded. I thought the kinds might take a crack at it. Really I just ran out of time. I love Bonnie's sign. She is so talking about me. HA!

I love your whole tour of your craft room Dana. I have often wondered where you create all your items you sell. I am so envious because I do not have a space of my own. My sewing machine is in Bill's office. There is something wrong with this picture. I loved reading about your parents and the music and crafts your dad and mom made. It sure gave you the crafting genes. wonderful memories. I wish I could receive a card from my mom too. We do miss our parents don't we? I remember the flip flop pink Sat. and the photo of all your friends is so special. You are blessed to have such wonderful friends.

I'm planning a honey baked ham for supper. I found the most fun pasta to fix a pasta salad. It is all about U of F and gators. The three children that are here are all graduates from that college, as well as their dad. I can't wait to see their reaction

I have a confession to make because I am sure Beverly will tell you. Ha! I did not know this was a share your creating spaces today. I though it was funny when the first three places I visited and they were all sharing their craft rooms. DUH!!! Then I came to your post and so were you.Beverly called and I said, "what a coincidence, everyone is showing their craft spaces." Of course, then I had to hear it from Beverly. HA! she was right so I quickly amended my post.

This is a chapter already but I had lots to say. Love your post and love you too.
Jeanne xoxoxo

[kayellen]

How wonderful!!
a great space to create!!

Happy Pink Saturday~~~

Hugs,
Kay Ellen

[Nancy]

What a wonderful tour of your space - I feel like part of your inner circle now! I'd love to have a space like that with all that light and space. How about that teapot collection? It's fabulous and you have so many of the aluminum? ones. I didn't realize you sewed so much. You have to show us your wares sometime. The little I saw is darling. Yikes - I can hardly keep my eyes open. The girls came last night and spent the night and we stayed up waaay too late and got up too early. We went to see The Queen of Bingo - three of us fell asleeep during the show! if that tells you how it was. LOL
Hope you're having cooler weather than us - whew it's sizzlin'....I'm such a whiner but I hate summer. Wish I was in your Ozarks right now! xoxo Nancy

[Jorgelina]

What a fun space!
Happy pink saturday!!!Hugs

[Jillian (Jill)]

Dana I just loved seeing this side of you...and your creative room! So COOL! WOw...I'd love a room like that. Thanks for showing it to us!

Jillian

[Michelle May]

Hi Dana!
Thanks so much for the tour of your fun creative space! Of course the stone rabbit is a sweetie to me!
Hugs!

[Claudia]

Hi Dana! I feel like I learned so much about you today. I only know you through PS and the Stone Rabbit. I had no idea you created in this way. I love all the wonderful memories everywhere in your space, of your father and mother, of your dear friends. I think you've feel the space with such wonderful warm, creative energy. I love it.

xo
Claudia

[Pat]

Dana you are so lucky to have such a wonderful large pace in which to create! I wish I had a room like yours.Everything is so nicely organized. I enjoyed seeing all your mementos, too.

Happy Pink Saturday!

♥ Pat

[Donna]

What an amazing room full of creativity and memories. I wish I had a room devoted to crafting! *sigh*
I can't wait to see all of your creations this Fall.

Hope you have a wonderful Father's Day and thanks for the shout-out!

[Maggie]

I like your space and your pinks!

Happy belated Pink Saturday from
Maggie Mae!
"Do these shoes match this purse?"

[Rebecca]

What a GrEAt place to create! Everything is so organized. Thanks for sharing your special area with us!

Creative Blessings,
Rebecca

[Queen]

So much wonderful inspiration in your creative space!
Queen Bee Studio

[zandra cudney]

What a fabulous creative space. love the inspiration board and the vintage sewing patterns are to die for. So, enjoyed my visit with you. Have a great week.
Hugz,
Zandra

[Sandy]

Dana, what a sweet and lovely post. Thanks for sharing your memories and giving us a tour of your creative work area. You are one organized person and everything so tidy. I can picture you working away like one of Santa's elves, lol. I had to smile when I seen your Audubon clock, I just purchased one at the Cracker Barrel this weekend.

[debbie]

HAPPY BELATED PINK SATURDAY TO YOU DANA, STONE RABBIT, AND FRANKIE.
I LOVED THE TOUR OF YOUR WORK SPACE. I THINK IT LOOKS LOVELY WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT PLACES FOR EACH THING.HUGS AND BLESSINGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

What a wonderful creative space!

I adore your storage solutions. You have inspired me to work on my own crafting paradise.

[Betty Jo]

What a wonderful creative space you've created my sweet friend. I just got rid of some vintage patterns that look very similar to those in your post. ♥

[Mary Anne]

I'd love to come and create with you in that studio! So nice to see little treasures here and there that have special meaning to you. That's what a studio should have, I think. Thank you for inviting us.

[Kathy Uhrig]

I like the way you have thing so nicely arranged into "stations" and it was wonderful to hear about your inspiration. Thank you for sharing!

[Terri G.]

What a great space to create! All that elbow room..love the color you picked for the wall and that window ledge is something else! TFS!

[Jillayne]

Your room is so warm and welcoming! I love all the bits of family history; they make your space so very personal. And all your storage - that seems to be a recurring theme in all these blogs but yours looks awfully good!

[Sandy]

I love how personal your studio is with so many special treasures from family and friends. Your snowmen creations are amazing, love them! Thank you for the tour.

[Karen Valentine]

Dana your room is wonderful. I can see it working very well for you. My mom sews too and she has a love afair with her sewing machine too! Thank you so much for joining the party ans letting us have a peak inside!
xo,
Karen
My Desert Cottage

[marnie]

How fun! It's always great to see the personality behind the creations. Love all the great details you shared; the ME card, the pink flamingos, and your gd's artwork all made me smile. :D