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You are here: Home / Archives for Studios magazine

A New Look for the Studio Cabinet

February 14, 2013 at 9:17 am by Claudia

Some of you will remember when I found a cabinet for the studio via Craigs List. A fellow resident of my little town was selling it, the price was good and the next thing Don knew, he was helping me lug it home and then up the stairs. Here’s what it looked liked (from the article on my studio in Studios magazine):

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It was painted in a khaki color and the  funky homemade handles were painted in a darkish blue. Another view from the day I brought it home:

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I talked myself into thinking it looked just fine as is, most likely because I was too lazy to paint it at the time. And it was fine. But the colors really weren’t me – and they didn’t really fit in with the pink and aqua look of the rest of this mini studio.

In my painting frenzy, I decided to take on the cabinet. I used some paint that I had on hand from another project.

cabinet1

It’s now a very pale pink. So much better. I purposely left it a bit weathered and let some of the original paint show through in places. I’ll probably do more aging as time goes on – or just let daily life upstairs in this narrow hallway take care of the aging.

It’s hard to get a good photo. If I want to take a picture, I have to do it at an angle. Or shoot through the spindles:

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I moved the dolls from their previous home on the top of the bookshelf in the bedroom. I like them better here.

From the left: my mom’s Shirley Temple doll (I’ve given up on trying to restore her banana curls), my favorite teddy bear (who travels with me), my beautiful Tressa with two left feet (you can read her story here) little Emma (she has a story, too, you can read it here) a bunny I won in a giveaway, and my little stuffed dog, Billy Rubin, given to me by Don when I had gall bladder surgery – get it? Bilirubin = Billy Rubin (name courtesy of Elyse.)

cabinetdolls

Inside the cabinet:

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Pottery, buttons, a framed print, my wedding cake toppers and a photo of my mom on her wedding day.

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Pottery, pretty clothespins, ribbons, one of Georgianna’s photos (from Brenda), glove boxes, treasures.

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Pottery, pincushions, thread, floss, buttons, ribbons, my favorite vintage hat and a tiny bird nest.

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And a pretty vintage prize ribbon.

The new look really lightens up the studio, which, let’s face it, is tiny. Since it’s in the upstairs hallway, I want to keep it light and bright and cheery.

That may be it for the painting, my friends. At least until I discuss the dresser with Don. I’m leaning toward trying to restore it a little. But, keep in mind, one of the drawers doesn’t always open. We’ll see.

Oh, right. It’s Valentine’s Day. I keep forgetting. Don and I really don’t make a big deal of V Day because we say I love you many times a day, every day. I’d even go so far as to say that every day is Valentine’s Day for us. (Hope that doesn’t sound too sappy!) But the love that Valentine’s Day symbolizes? That is indeed a wonderful thing. So Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. I treasure each and every one of you and am so grateful that you want to spend a little portion of your day here. I wish you nothing but love and happiness.

Happy Thursday.

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Filed Under: decorating, DIY, dolls, studio, Studios magazine 30 Comments

Riley, Rehearsals, Skunks & Studios

February 24, 2011 at 10:48 am by Claudia

:: This is Riley looking longingly at the stairs, hoping that Dad will soon come down from his office. Riley loves his Dad. If he hears a sound coming from that general direction, he snaps to attention, all big brown eyes and tail wag. Riley’s favorite time of day is when Dad starts to prepare dinner. About 6 pm, he starts nagging. Then little whimpers. Then the pacing. He keeps this up until Don makes his move toward the kitchen. When that happens, this guy with bad hips practically leaps up the 2 steps leading into the living room from the den and trots into the kitchen.

Right now, as I write this, he is pacing back and forth, trying to see up the stairs. That’s because Don was just down here in the den and now has gone upstairs again. Soon he will begin worrying about when I am going to feed him. As if it just might not happen for the first time ever.

:: Last night we went to sleep with the delightful pungent smell of skunk throughout the house. This morning the smell is gone, thank goodness. When we looked outside, we could see tracks in the snow leading to our porch. Skunk tracks. All this, however, is a breeze compared to our skunk adventures when we were living in San Diego. Back then, they routinely got under our house and let loose with a smell that permeated everything in the house for days. Clothes, doorknobs – you name it. I lived in fear that I smelled like skunk. We tried everything to get rid of them. Nothing worked. And you know me well enough to know I would never consent to having them killed. No way. The little devils were very smart. We set out Hav-a-Heart traps and they never fell for the bait.

So last night, though annoying, was a breeze.

:: Yesterday was the last day in the rehearsal space. Now the cast moves onstage for tech rehearsals. I will be traveling into the city on Saturday for an 8 day stay while we are in the dress rehearsal/preview stage. I’ll be very busy with the play, but I will try to get out and about for some photo opportunities. It should be fun!

:: Thank you for all the wonderful comments about Don’s CD. I know some of you have downloaded the songs and others have written to request an autographed copy of the CD. We are very grateful for your support!

:: And thank you for all the lovely congratulations on my little studio’s appearance in Studios. I’m very happy. Another article to be framed!

Have a great day, my friends.

Filed Under: new york, On The Road, Riley, Studios magazine 13 Comments

Studios

February 20, 2011 at 4:04 pm by Claudia

Just a little reminder that Studios magazine comes out this week. It isn’t in my Barnes & Noble yet, but I did see it in a magazine shop in Manhattan. I thought I’d give you a peek at the first page. I wrote the article (I guess I have a magazine writing credit now!) and took the photos. Husband took the one of me. There are photos of my bookcase and the vintage cabinet I added recently, as well as some fabric in one of my Chinese nesting baskets. Sadly, Letitia had to be moved out of this shot or she would have blocked the view of the sewing nook. She was upset until she realized that she really needs her own article – why share the spotlight?

Some of you have sweetly written to tell me that you now have a copy of the magazine. I’m so glad you like my little feature. Thank you dear friends, as always, for your generous well-wishes and support. What would I do without you? What would I do without blogging? Quite frankly, I wouldn’t have been featured in Romantic Homes or Studios if I hadn’t started this blog 3 years ago. 3 years ago this past week, as a matter of fact. My blog anniversary was on February 17th. Well over 600 posts later, I love blogging more than ever. The generosity and kindness I have found in this blogging world fills me with gratitude. Would I have kept tweaking my studio without the daily inspiration I get from all of you? I doubt it. And so many of the treasures that fill that space were gifts from you.

Isn’t it wonderful to have a group of friends that are right there for you? Who aren’t bored when you want to show something wonderful you’ve found at a flea market? Who love to see photos of your home and garden? Who don’t mind (or at least are polite enough not to say so) seeing endless photos of your pets? Who get you? I tell you all: you inspire me to try new things, to be daring, to take a chance, to see the beauty that surrounds me, to be a better photographer and writer – and to share it all with you.

Thank you.

Filed Under: Fellow bloggers, Studios magazine 32 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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