It’s nearly six years since I last presented my first virtual tour of my studio. Although things have not changed dramatically, I welcome this opportunity to participate in the SAQA Oceania Studio Blog Hop and refresh the tour. And I am pleased to be part of Where I Sew Month with Pink Chalk Studio too. It’s always nice to have visitors!
I live and create at Copacabana on the Central Coast of New South Wales, about 100km/60 miles north of Sydney, Australia. When my husband (aka the Laundry King) and I decided to make Casa da Praia our full time (and only) residence, we built an extension to include a dedicated studio for me and a workshop for him. Here is an exterior view:
Although the studio is attached to the house, it has a separate entrance. The Laundry King was under the misapprehension (delusion?) that this separation would quarantine pins and threads to the studio but somehow the accoutrements of quiltmaking still migrate into the main house on a regular basis.
The Laundry King made me this beautiful sign to guide studio visitors to the right location:
I call this the stairway to heaven:
In this corner of the studio, I have some custom book cases (also built by my husband); radio (great to listening to public radio and the cricket!), CD player and TV. The TV doesn’t get used much – the remote still has its original batteries from 2004! The pontillist artwork is by my youngest sister (18+ years my junior) from when she was about six. I don’t have much other art hanging in my studio as the strong morning and afternoon sun causes fading.
Besides, I have plenty to see out this panoramic window – the middle section is about 3 metres wide. Whale watching season is nearly upon us and I have the binoculars ready:
Continuing clockwise around the room, this is my main design wall. I use a 6×6 foot Blockbutler on which you can affix loose blocks without pinning (heavier quilt tops require pins). I have qualified praise for this product. When the Blockbutler works, it is great. However attempts to hang a smaller one above the work bench on another studio wall were unsuccessful. (Your mileage may vary.)
My counter and cutting board are at a perfect height for me. Indeed, I often stand while working on my computer too. The screen in the corner is all that is left of my desktop computer that was zapped in an electrical storm. I still keep it for auditioning website designs that I work on for clients.
And this brings you back to the corner at the top of the stairs:
With a little domestic negotiation, I can usually borrow the wet area in the Laundry King’s workshop for dyeing and painting:
I am also fortunate that, as a recent unexpected Christmas present, the Laundry King built me a storage area under the house for my quilts, files, batting, fabrics and other overflow such a boxes and packaging for the 30 textile works in the Beneath the Southern Sky travelling exhibition that I am curating. (Incidentally, US readers may be interested to know that this will be a special exhibit at the AQS shows in Lancaster and Paducah in March and April 2013.) The storage space is tricky to photograph but this gives you an idea:
Thank you for joining my on this updated tour of the Serendipity Studio. (The prospect of public disclosure was also a strong incentive undertake some decluttering which was well overdue!) Alison Laurence is next up on 25 May over on Ali George’s blog. Here is a full list of the blog hop participants:
- Mel Forrest (1st May)
- Sue Dennis (3rd May)
- Lisa Walton (5th May)
- Linda Robertus (7th May)
- Dale Rollerson (9th May)
- Averil Stuart-Head (11th May)
- Beth Miller (13th May)
- Sally Westcott (15th May)
- Ali George (17th May)
- Pam Holland (19th May)
- Felicity Clarke (21st May)
- Brenda Gael Smith (23rd May)
- Alison Laurence (25th May)
- Jenny Bowker (27th May)
- Sue Domeney (29th May)
jackie m says
OMG, how do you ever get any work done with a view like that??? i would start out fine, but then gradually could see my attention being drawn to the view as my work lay forgotten…..
Nice dye area!!!
Sue Dennis says
Also have to comment of the fabulous view. A compact but very usable studio.
Linda Steele says
I love looking at where other people work. Everyone is so different. I agree that the view is amazing and must be inspiring. Thanks for letting us have a look.
Amanda House says
I don’t think I could work with a stunning view like that! I get too distracted with the view I have of the birds in the front garden!!
Great spaces, thanks for sharing.
Sally Westcott says
I agree with everyone else! How on earth do you produce the amazing work that you do with a view like that outside the window? Your work space is so tidy!!!!!! I love the fresh, open feel it has! Thanks for inviting us to drop in!
Hugz
kateoz says
Gorgeous Brenda!! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
Your workspace is beautiful. I love the airy feeling and the fabulous view you have. Very jealous of your view. Thanks so much for letting us peek in.
Wen Redmond says
Nice! Love to join the blog hop if I can.
http://fiberartgoddess.blogspot.com/
Just did a Studio Stash but also
Quilting Arts published my studio
link -http://fiberartgoddess.blogspot.com/2010/08/invitation-to-my-studio.html
vivian helena Aumond-Capone says
Thank you for sharing… Lovely view, and wonderful to see where you do your quilting, and creativity… wish mine looked so neat…
Maia says
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and inspiring studio with us. I can’t imagine a better view than yours. Whale-watching! What a excellent support from your hubby, too.
Helen says
Was glad to see your BlockButler in use and covered with threads. Mine has never come clean from its first usage. I have it pinned to my wall and as fabric floats to the floor when stuck on it, I always pin the top the top corners.
Not prefect, but miles better than nothing.
Laura says
OK, that’s it! I’m going to seriously clean my space up. I don’t have a view (except the building across the street), and dyeing is done over the bathroom basin or in a friend’s backyard, but I am certainly inspired at the organization and tidiness. What kind of whales pass by?
Brenda says
Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my studio. Yes, the view is very good for the soul but I still get engrossed in my work. Apparently, the firt whales (humpbacks and Southern rights) came through last week. I missed them completely!
Monica Johnstone says
Hats off to you and the Laundry King. You seem to work well with relatively smaller surfaces (I didn’t spot acres of cutting mats, for instance, as you see in some people’s work places). I’m considering actually going with a slightly smaller table in my studio to allow for more walking space.
Your students must feel very inspired by your studio. What a great place to visit. What a great place to create.