Tuesday, April 28, 2009

SPOON UP "A PINK COTTAGE"

Spring has been a busy time around my home and studio. The giveaway is still going on with entries for any comment you leave on any post. I promise to show pictures soon of the yard redesign. It has been raining here the last few days and I have not been able to take any, but I hope to, when I return from our trip.



In the meantime, I have some new designs for my spoon cottages to share. These designs will be coming soon to my etsy shoppe along with lots of new goodies when I come back.

We are leaving the 1st and hope to get lots of great pics of our travels.



See you soon, and good luck on the giveaway. I will share pictures of the gifts, someone will receive when I return.

Till then, blessings to you always.





Early flower pics of the new yard.





See you soon~
Hugs, Celestina Marie

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Friday, April 17, 2009

MAKING ROOM FOR CREATIVE STORAGE

For most of us, we can never have too much storage space. In my studio I am always trying to upgrade and find different ways to store all the many supplies it takes to create with. Unique jars, shelves, containers and even an old roasting pan to hold paint bottles. I love to be organized and keep clutter limited. At times, my room looks like a tornado has gone through it with stuff everywhere and glitter covering most surfaces. That's when I stop, regroup and clean up my mess just to start making a new one. I know many artists who create best in a mess. I am not one of those people. I have a need to keep things straight in order to be accomplished. This seems to work for me and I am always looking for new ways to keep my studio organized. So I thought I would share a few ways I use to hold creative supplies.


If you remember past posts of my creative space, you know I have a black toile decor taken from Inspiration in a Spring/Summer issue of Romantic Country 2007. The following year I redesigned mine, inspired from elements in Fifi O'Neil's toile studio. Since then it has changed a few times to meet my daily work load and needs.


Toile fabric skirt I made to hide the clutter under the work table. It is attached with velcro to easy remove when I need to get supplies underneath.


Chest of drawers I purchased from Hobby Lobby for a huge discount because one of the drawers had a crack in it. That's not a problem for me, a little distressed never hurts anything. The drawers hold ribbons, trims and other embellishments. On the top is the vintage lamp from my sweet friend Ann from Ann's Finds. I covered the unique square shade with toile fabric and it just adds a cozy feel to the room.


Recently I added this white wicker chair I found several years ago at a tag sale. Added a cushion and soft toile quilt with pillows for a cozy spot to read or take a break. I realized something about myself when I moved the room around to put this chair by the window. And, that was, I love to position a cozy spot by a window. I have done this in several places throughout my home. In this case, I can see those pretty roses dh planted.

Tall storage cupboards hold product and display a few favorite aprons.




Desk area where I blog and work on the computer.

Side of an old sewing machine where the drawers would fit. Turned on it's side and hung makes the perfect shelf to hold pretty treasures.
Old shadow box house that my dad made, now holds tons of paint bottles.

Pink wood tote to hold, what else, lots of pink paints!
Storage right under the work table to roll out when needed.
Lots of jar storage. Large jars hold trims and baby food jars hold gems, buttons and silk roses. Canisters hold more embellishments in a decorative way. While an old roaster pan painted pink holds more paints.





















Victorian boot my mother made years ago holds sponge brushes.
Lazy susan great for brushes, pencils and other items used often.
Drawings of sweet Miss Beazy Lee.






The search for unique ways to store and organize will continue.

Where I paint~~


Where I blog~~


Blessed with La Job~



Do you have ideas for unique and fun storage using items you have in a different way? It is so much fun to give new purpose to old objects or collectible treasures.




Till next time, I'll be in the studio, with brush in hand.

Remember, leaving a comment enters you in my 100th post giveaway. Be an active blogger, be able to supply your address and leave a comment. Drawing will be May 9th and the winner posted on Mother's day.

Blessings and Blue Skies, Celestina Marie

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

HAPPY EASTER! and 100th POST GIVEAWAY!!!

High time I get here, right? Well I have been very MIA trying to finish orders and work home projects at the same time, I just don't know how all you wonderful blogging friends find time to post so much. What is your secret?
Being Easter week, this beautiful time finds me balancing holiday and home along with planning a trip to New Jersey and New York. It is a working vacation of sorts with DH speaking at a seminar and myself meeting a client, turned good friend, whom I have been working a year long custom order for. I am so excited to meet her, if all works out. This all takes place May 1st. We will also go into New York to see Phantom on Broadway and dinner. So excited about this as we really need a get away.

When I return, I am excited to have Sherry from Edie Marie's Attic visit along with her daughter in law Chris and Linda from Linda's Bluegate. What fun. Sherry has been planning this trip with her DIL for some time and they will Amtrak here from Ohio. What a great trip they have planned and I am so excited to be on their list of stops. If anyone of you are near my area and would like to join us, let me know. Just send me an email.
100~~~100~~~100~~~
AND, since this is my 100th post I will have the girls do the drawing for my Spring Surprise giveaway on May 9th. Yes, I said surprise. I will reveal the winner on Mother's Day. All you have to do is comment on this post and any others between now and then, be an active blogger and able to supply me your address for shipping your winning gift. Easy right? If you comment on all posts I will enter your name in as many times as you comment. Fun!!! I know that most of you have posted twice as much as I have in this length of time, but for me, this is a milestone.




In the mean time, I am finishing my large year long special custom and finishing up my garden redesign, which has about 3 more days till finished. There is something so wonderful for me to work in the earth and baby my flowers. All my interior design background goes into play in the garden as I seem to work it like the inside with decorative touches and layout. Can't help it, in the blood I guess! LOL! More pictures to follow when finished.



Recently I purchased a few new goodies that add personality to my shabby Tuscan villa cottage. Here is a gorgeous collage from Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage with sweet umbrella chicks she sent for my birthday. The details and colors are perfect.
Betzie from Time Enough makes these wonderful designer soaps and I just had to have more after the first set she sent. This group is pink with sparkles and looks amazing in our master bath displayed on a gorgeous rose platter purchased from Stephanie of Angelic Accents. Betzie, I added my 4 leaf clover pin to the shoe. Isn't it pretty?

Sharing some decorative touches~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~My cross collection.

Spring Tea Set.

Italian bunny couple! Sweet birdie and Egg tree meets Tuscan country!


Vintage hand painted egg set I painted many years ago. A bit of whimsy to make a home complete!

With Easter upon us, I want to take this time to wish each and everyone a special holiday season and wonderful Springtime with blessings and many joys with your family and friends. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for this 100th post. Time has flown by so fast since I have begun to blog my studio and art shoppe designs. My greatest joy has been to meet and make friends with so many special people around the country and abroad. Thank you for making my first 100 posts fun. Your comments are always welcome and I answer each and everyone the best I can.
Good Luck!!!




Happy Easter Everyone~~~~~~~~~~
Blessings Always, Celestina Marie





















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