New Bookcases, Vintage Postcards and Good Mail

As the de-clutter guy on tv says, "The problem is too much stuff." Yes. I know. And another problem is 'too much stuff in too small a space'. Because I am not only doing calligraphy, but I also like to paint and do collage, there's lots of 'stuff' to be stored. When I bought this house I wavered between turning the family room into a studio, turning a bedroom into a studio or sharing the family room/studio space. I opted for the latter. I was working full time then and not doing much art, and I knew I wouldn't use it much if my studio were relegated to an upstairs bedroom. The door could have been closed on it when it was messy or had important work going on, but I would feel isolated. The downside of this plan is - not much space, too much going into that small space, and the mess (or alternately the important work) is there for anyone to see (and for little hands to get into.)

My art books have been stored away, not out for easy access, until recently when I purchased two nice bookcases. Having all of my art books exposed for my 2 1/2 year old grandson to pull down and possibly destroy was risky, according to his mother. I risked it. I'm glad I did. Here are a few photos of my new shelves and a blurry one of Jace seated on the floor in front of them. (He left them alone except when we played 'hide My Little Pony' on the shelves together.)

I am so happy with my new shelves! Having them allowed me to get rid of my old computer armoire (always a wreck of a mess) and prompted me to clean up my studio. I feel much more productive, and am working diligently on having a place for everything and everything in its place. New flooring is next on the list, and maybe a move to 100% studio too, but I have bought myself a little time to mull that one over.

Here are a few studio photos. It's not magazine-worthy, but it's a lot better than the days of working on the dining room table!

A recent project was working with these vintage post cards. If you'd like to see them transformed, please keep checking my wedding blog, which right now has some place card and table setting images from a lovely bride I worked with some time ago. You can see them on my wedding blog here.

Fun mail last week! A nice envelope, exuberantly addressed, from my friend Diana Hutchison in Florida and a bill - not such good news, but it was from Kate Page in Nashville for guild dues. How can you not want to pay them when the notice comes so beautifully addressed?