That is always a great question, isn't it? We ususally create wherever we can. Sometimes it's the kitchen table, the island, a dining room table that doesn't get much use otherwise unless it's a special occasion. Sometimes we are lucky to carve out our own space, an extra bedroom, a room designated buy the builder as a home office or we really take over that unused dining room and set up serious shop. I am lucky enough to have part of the basement, okay, a good part of the basement that is all mine. That's where I create. That's where I bring the treasures I discover at thrift stores, antiques stores, garage sales, estate sales, Target, you name it and I've been there. But I know alot of you are there too. Either a day ahead of me or a redlight behind me, we all know the thrill of the hunt. What am I hunting for, not sure, but I'll know when I see it, am I right? I know you get it, because we are alot alike. Here is a peek at what my studio used to look like after all those treasure hunts. As Teresa would say, " GAAAA! " I know, I know! And yes that is an elliptical machine, and no, no one uses it because they can't get to it for the piles of "treasures" around it.
And thankfully, Jo Packham gets it. She conceived and continues to produce the Where Women Create series of magazines and travels the contry peeking into the lives and drawers of women who create. Lucky girl, and she knows it, too, doesn't take it for granted, realizes all her hard work pays off for all involved. She is a fantastically gorgeous person who travels with Paula Jansen, an incredible photographer, who is nicer than nice, I definitely can't wait to talk to either of them again.
When you get an email from Jo, asking if she and Paula could come and photograph your studio for the magazine, what do you say? Well, after you come to, you get up off the floor, get back into your computer chair and you respond, something like, "I would be honored to have you as a guest in my studio, what year were you thinking of coming?" Then she responds back, "We will be in the area in ten or so days, will that work for you?" After you again come to lying on the floor, pull yourself back into your computer chair, your mind spinning, and respond, "That would be fantastic, can't wait to meet you!" you go to your patio door and scream at the top of your lungs, gather yourself, call your bestest friends, get some paint and some garbage bags and get busy!!! Many late nights, pain pills for screaming muscles (up and down basement stairs, like, a 1,000 times), and 7 bandaids for paper cuts, a major furniture construction project by your husband, who hates the finished product because it turned out to be much more complicated than we both thought, but I absolutely LOVE, later, you have a magical place that looks like this...
which is a small portion of my whole studio, if you want to see more, pick up the Fall issue when it is ready, don't worry, I'll let you know.
So thank you,
Jo and
Paula, for lighting a fire under me to really do the things that I have always wanted to in my space. Thank you Deb, Chris and Susie for all your hard work painting, carrying and adopting my extra stuff, baking the best blueberry muffins, I have ever tasted and all your encouragement and support, I truly couldn't have done it without you! I owe you all BIG TIME!!!! To the gals on my bowling team and from Sorority, who came over at the drop of a hat to cruise an impromptu garage sale and made donations to the American Cancer Society. You are the best and I love bowling and being with you all! And to my very own
Glitter Fairy who has included me in so many amazing adventures that have encouraged me to step out of my "box" and try new things, meet new people and just grow, thank you from the bottom of my glittered heart! And finally to my kids, who cheer when fast food is for supper, (and I can cook, by the way, it's not because they don't get good home cooked meals, I swear!) and my sweet, sweet husband, who rolls his eyes at my crazy project requests and then laughs and says, "Just joking," and reaches for a pad of paper, a pencil and a tape measure. I love you more every day!
Here is a picture taken by
Miss Red Mittens, herself when we all went out to dinner together. Jo & Paula had just finished shooting
Princess Lasertron's studio that afternoon and
Teresa's that morning. I was on the schedule for the following morning..eeek! After meeting Jo & Paula, I was much more relaxed about the whole thing and just so excited!!!
This concept of Jo's has sparked a new creativity in me that feeds off my new environment and I know it will inspire you, too, as you look through the pages and peek through the window of so many amazing women, if you don't already own the book and the magazines, go get them. And when you have hit your mental roadblock, stop and pull out one of these publications and take a moment to read the stories and really look at the photos, and I guarantee you will be rejuvinated and that spark will start glowing again! When I run out of creative juices, I know I will go to my copy of the book, open it up to the first page and read this...
and truly be inspired. A girl, I mean a woman, couldn't ask for a better cheerleader!
So be watching for the Fall issue, if it changes, I'll be sure to let you know! The magazine can be purchased online at
Stampington.com, and at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Barnes & Noble, & Borders. The book can be purchased
here.
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