Happy second day of February, everyone! After several spectacularly frigid sunny days, the thermometer is registering a bit more warmth. It was cold, and I mean cold this past weekend. The dogs are handling the change in sleeping arrangements fairly well; perhaps a bit better than their mama.

I’ve been playing around in the ‘studio’ lately. I always put studio in quotes because, let’s face it, it is not like all those gorgeous studios I see throughout blogdom. I don’t think Where Women Create will come calling. It is not a separate room. Or a large space. It is the small hallway on our second floor. We are space challenged here at MHC. However, where there’s a will, there’s a way…. that’s my motto.

After much consideration, I decided to hang the reimagined bulletin board here. (I will be creating another one for the living room.)

Just a few things on it at the moment – when something inspires me, I will add it to the mix.

This gorgeous ribbon came from Andrea Singarella. Her blog, Everyday Beauty is simply gorgeous. I fell in love with the soft pastels she uses in her creations. The ‘C’ is from my friend Elyse and the bird was created by my friend Joy.

Vintage Chick button from Joy – Vowels print from my friend Heidi.

A McCoy pot full of pens, markers for quilting, a seam ripper, millinery flowers and tags made by Jill at Gypsy Brocante.

While shopping for Christmas presents, I found this little framed beauty. I love that vintage graphic. The ballerina in a little jar is from Linda Crispell.

The starfish and cherub are from Vintage Sue. The Carl Larsson prints are from IKEA – I used them in my temporary digs in San Diego.

A beautiful watercolor from Helene and a little pink chick from Elyse.

My ribbon board – full of favorite quotes, cards and notes from my blogging friends, my Ravelry button from Rhinebeck, a button from Heidi’s shop.

One of my favorite quotes – ever. I’ve carried it around with me for several years. Oh, and my Paul McCartney ticket. The red button came as part of the wrapping on a little gift from Amy at Inspire Company.

More quotes, cards and a photo of my best friend Laural and me taken a few years ago in Manhattan. Laural and I have been best of friends since I was 12 and she was 13. She lives outside of Chicago and is also in theater. My nails no longer look that nice – I went back to my real nails, for better or worse.

Blogging friends make such creative tags and I’m starting to gather them together in one spot. Some blogger had a post about using these tags in her studio space and darned if I can remember who it was!

There was a play on Broadway in the 40’s called Claudia. It was a big hit and was eventually made into a movie with Dorothy McGuire. There was a sequel made called Claudia and David. I’ve always known about these movies because they influenced the names my parents chose for my brother and me. A few years ago, my antique dealer friend Suzanne found this original program from the Broadway play and gave it to me.

I saw this piece in a shop over two months ago. When I went back recently, it was still there and so reasonably priced that I snapped it up. It is beautifully embroidered and is a doilies roll. Was that the way doilies were stored? I’ve kept in on the roll but I may hang it somewhere.

The sewing corner of the studio. There is also the design wall portion but I haven’t really changed anything there. As I finish this post, I am taken by how many of the items that are a part of this space are from my blogging friends. My life has been enriched by your friendship.

This is my happy place.