This little corner makes me smile. I think it’s so important to have a little corner, whether it’s a comfy chair, a desk, or a spot in the basement, where you can create. During the years in which I crocheted and knitted, I used to have a basket filled with yarn next to my chair here in the den. That was my space. When I quilted, I had the sewing machine table tucked under the skylight in the upstairs hall. I still use the kitchen table for projects, as well as for jigsaw puzzles.
And, of course, we all need a place where we can read a good book.
For many years – many – I had absolutely no extra space for that kind of thing. I was living in rentals and micro-sized studio apartments. I always came up with some sort of solution. Back in San Diego in our rental house, my friend hinged a door to a wall. It was in a horizontal position. I could lift it and lock it in place and that’s where my sewing machine and quilting took place. When we moved here, I eventually made a studio out of the hallway upstairs. (It was even in a magazine.) When we finally realized that our second bedroom, with a queen-sized bed, was never used and we were wasting valuable space, everything changed. We sold the bed and I asked Don to help me carve out two spaces in that room – one for him, one for me.
It works for us. We’re seldom up there at the same time and Don most often plays and composes down here in the living room. But he waits until I finish writing the blog, ’cause he’s a good guy.
Do you have a space in which to create? I’d love to know about it.
Also, another question: I’m having some trouble with the content of my ads right now and I’m trying to sort it out. Can you tell me what ads you see on the blog? (Everyone who comes to the blog sees something different depending on their browsing history.) I’m currently seeing ads from pharmaceutical companies for breast cancer treatment. Personally, I have a real problem with the amount of ads I see online and on the television from pharmaceutical companies. I don’t like ads for drugs/medical treatments on the blog.
Thank you in advance.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Interesting that ads are based on browsing history, I don’t think that’s true for me since on your blog I’m seeing ads for pharmaceuticals and Target neither of which I’m searching! 😂
I create at the kitchen table. I don’t like clutter so I like to have what I need ready to go and then put away.
Thanks Ginny! I appreciate your response.
Stay safe.
10: 15 am here in Detroit–ads for sports fight on Netflix, ad with Steve Martin, Martin Short for a credit card, and the comedian’s ad changed to an ad for machine tools. And I really hate ads done by celeberities who you know have plenty of money shilling for companies that want to make money from the little people. Grumpy, grey Monday morning here. Though shouldn’t be as feeling better after a week and a half of back muscle spasms. Thank heavens for medication, a heating pad, books, knitting, and the laying on of healing paws from the cat!
I agree. We always groan when yet another wealthy celebrity is selling something on a commercial. Especially for gambling.
I hope you feel better, Lucie!
Stay safe.
Good morning, Claudia. Really enjoying your posts lately.
Yes, I NEED my own space. Always have. Currently, I’m in a small bedroom off the living room for ‘clean’ crafts and office work. Also have a space in the basement for messy projects. We have a sectional with a chaise. That’s my cozy spot for reading, games and watching shows. I’m not a collector but have houseplants galore to fill my happy spaces.
Ads. Hmmm, I don’t really pay attention. On your blog today was an ad for Razr. What is it? A phone perhaps? It was only at the very bottom. Barely noticeable. Sometimes, the ads cover both sides of the page and squeeze into the blog text.
To be honest, I only use an ad-free browser and don’t see very many anymore. Except for my favorite bloggers that depend on ad revenue. I still use Safari. We dumped commercial tv years ago but I remember all the Rx ads.
Enjoy your day!
Kelli
If the ads cover both sides of the page, you might be using a phone to read the blog? Otherwise it has to do with your browser.
Yes, Razr is a phone.
We don’t watch commercial tv either, but we did watch the World Series. And Jeopardy. Both were full of pharmaceutical commercials.
Stay safe, Kelli.
As far as ads go…my first time it was Target and Vivalaia…then Vivalaia disappeared and they were all Target…no browsing there. Just now, it’s a drug and Tampax…neither of each I use.
My favorite place to do projects is our dining room table…we have an L-shaped room…and the L is the dining room. It only gets used for family dinners one a month and holidays. And since it’s glass (easy clean up) and has comfy chairs, it fits the bill. I just make sure it’s cleaned when I’m done because of our cat…and because I can’t deal with clutter.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I guess I wasn’t clear – not necessarily something you’ve specifically searched for – just something that might appear on a site you visit.
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! I am so glad you have creative space! Yes, we all need it… some of us more than others, I think. I am a “space pig”… I use whatever space there is… all of it! I have always used “dining room” tables as sewing spaces… cloth needs to be spread out to cut! And I have had a “drawing table” since my Dad (an architect) gave me an extra one when I was in my twenties. It has a sliding parallel rule which is invaluable in my calligraphy and drawing work. It is not free-standing but sits on a slant on a larger table in my “upstairs studio”… it is dedicated to the ink/watercolor paint work. I also do smaller embroidery in that room… and read/write/computer use… most would call it the office. My “dining room” with the larger table has been taken over by the craft/dollhouse projects… I don’t entertain much and family is all so far away they rarely come here other than one at a time and the kitchen is for food and “dining”. And for a while I had a “sitting room” …. supposedly to while away the social hours with people… but again, I don’t entertain much and have taken it over with the other projects! It has the book shelves the houseplants and “easy chairs” but they become handy perches for the unfinished projects… my sewing machine sits at the bottom of the stairs…. it is an antique treadle singer that was converted to electric in the 40’s… I love it still! I am fortunate to have so much space to spread my creative wings! I just finished my annual Halloween story on my blog… for days I had “backdrops and scenes” set up all over the house… gotta get the pictures for the story!!!
As for ads, I am not seeing any at all on your blog. I use blogger for my blog and have never monetized it at all. I have been following your blog for many years, but never clicked a “subscribe” or “follow” button… I just have your site bookmarked in my favorites and check in fairy regularly… because I always hope for dollhouse content! :) I like your other content too, but as you know, I am an unabashed mini lover. :)
If you’re not seeing any you must have an ad blocker on your browser.
(I have one on my other browser.)
Stay safe, Betsy. Thanks.
I see ads for Wal Mart, commercial real estate and pharmaceuticals. I had a bedroom that I had turned into a sewing/quilting space but am now sharing it with a grandchild’s toys and play space.
Thanks so much, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I recognize that I’m very very fortunate. When we were expecting our second child, we had a craft room for me constructed over our dining room, which had an extra high ceiling. Since then, I have many different areas for “my corner”, many of which are not corners per se. When I do needlework, it’s most likely in my bedroom where my needlework stand sits. Knitting is portable. Sewing is either in my craft room or in the family room, where I keep my vintage Singer. I don’t know what I’d do without being able to craft.
As to add, today I got one for closet storage systems and joining the military, and I’ve never searched on-line for either subject.
You don’t have to have searched for it. Anyway, my ad agency is changing it so I no longer get pharmaceutical ads. Hurrah.
Stay safe, Wendy.
That little corner looks so cosy. You’ve surrounded yourself with things you love, it looks great.
I have an old chair, that belonged to my dad and it is by the patio doors looking out to my garden. I sit and knit and watch the squirrels and birds. It’s my favourite spot in our airily modern house.
Today I’ve got an ad for a physiotherapists and another one for drinking olive oil! Neither of which I’ve browsed for.
You don’t have to have browsed for it, it just has to have appeared on feed.
Thanks so much! My ad agency is changing it so I no longer get pharmaceutical ads
Stay safe, Fiona.
Hi Claudia. It is nice to have space for crafting and relaxing. I love the blue colors in your picture. Relaxing. I have a spot in our sunroom to read. I can watch the birds in the birdbath. Very nice.
Advertisements have been Cascadian Farm and AX Savings.
Have a lovely day.
Thanks so much. My ad agency is changing it so I no longer get pharmaceutical ads.
Stay safe.
I’m in Australia, so I don’t know if that makes a difference to the ads I see. I have an ad for Cathay Pacific (I didn’t know they were still flying), one for Hexclad Hybrid frying pan, and one for Adobe Stock.
Thanks so much, Janette!
Stay safe.
I’m seeing Best Buy, Target and Vrbo – oh, WSJ, Wise and Mazda just popped up. They keep changing as I scroll up and down.
I have two creative spots. One is my bedroom – computer and a big chair for reading and it’s where I do my cross stitching. The other is my sewing room for quilting. The sewing room doubles as a guest room when I have visitors…
Sounds like the perfect set up, Ellen.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Culver’s, Norton, and Target.
Thank you, Sandy!
Stay safe.
I wanted to respond quickly to your question about ads. Today it is Target and they want you to buy General Mills products.
I enjoyed reading about your creative space. Mine is in a bedroom . I have a wooden TV tray that I draw and watercolor on . I also read in there. I also use the dinning room table.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thanks so much, Kaye. I appreciate it.
Stay safe.
Your room looks so creative and cosy at the same time. I have a very small room which in the UK is often called ‘ a box room’. It’s usually gets used as a child’s bedroom with just enough space for a cot or a single bed against one wall. I have a desk on which I do jigsaws and there’s just enough room for a small bookcase plus the same turquoise craft IKEA trolley as yours.
Adverts I currently have are for Disney + and a Christmas appeal for a British homeless charity but strangely, there’s also an American one for Funder Pro offering me up 200 thousand dollars!
Happy Monday
Thank you, Dee Dee. I’ve heard of box rooms. What a practical idea!
Stay safe.
I used to have my sewing machine in a corner of our bedroom. when my son grew up and moved out I kept a bed in his room and also my sewing machine, quilting stuff , yarn, embroidery stuff , my iPod etc. Later, we put a Murphy bed in the finished basement and I gave away the bed. My room is a bit of a mess but it’s a creative mess :) At least that’s what I tell myself.
Tonight at 7:58 PM, there were 2 ads one for Pillsbury and one for DYOMA.
Been a crazy day today. My husband is recuperating from open heart surgery so I’ve been driving him around for appointments as he sits in the back seat so the air bag will not open onto his chest. I am a slow , careful driver so I doubt this would happen but as a retired nurse I follow all the rules!
I love your organized room!
I send best wishes for your husband’s complete recovery, Betsy.
Thanks so much!
Stay safe.
glad you and don have that space. looks great!
ads here today: the big “w” store, culver’s restaurant, a theatrical performance and property for sale in minneapolis. quite a range.
i like hearing about everyone’s creative interests and spaces so thanks for showing us your set-ups and for asking about our own, claudia. here’s mine:
knitting, counted cross-stitch = done on sofa. supplies kept in basket and tote bags in bedroom.
working on children’s picture books = not had time or been inspired for months. several stories in two notebooks (binders) stacked on top of some of my favorite children’s books in bedroom closet.
painting and drawing (watercolors and waxy pastels) = same as with writing … nothing happening right now. supplies stacked in same closet.
sewing = need to finish a quilt. when i can, will happen in basement using my mother’s necchi machine.
one-day weaving class is less than two weeks away. *almost* hope to not love it like i think i will … because i have no idea where the loom and stand could (will?!?) go. it’s portable, a tabletop size, and thankfully i can rent it to see if i love weaving and can make a place for the supplies.
hope you had a good day.
stay safe.
kathy
Such a good idea to take a class and try it out, Kathy.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
I love when you feature this space. So many fun, interesting and pretty things to see! I saw three ads: PayPal, Tillamook Cream Cheese from Safeway, Charles Schwab.
Thank you, Debbie!
Stay safe.
I see ads for Best Buy, Target and Walmart. I’ve never been in the later 2 – did go in a BB maybe 20 years ago. Maybe they think I need to shop more? Also a supplements ad and something Pharma – Nova Nordisc? And now xfinity. I’ve never noticed any of these on your blog before!
I am lucky to have a sizable bedroom (formerly the domaine of various kids) for sewing, and a painting counter in the kitchen sitting room.
Ceci
Hopefully, you won’t notice the ads again!
Thanks so much, Ceci.
Stay safe.
I love your creation space. You’re right — it’s a wonderful corner and a sanctuary for you as well. Right now, at least at home, I have a whole house to create in! Mainly, I use a table in the main room for art projects because the light there is best; reading in a sofa corner. At the lake and with Rick there, it is more complicated. I tend to paint on the porch and I can do that no matter where he is. When the weather is bad, I have to do that inside, usually at a pull-out counter in the kitchen — smaller but adequate. I can’t do that when he is practicing guitar though. In fact, I can’t do much of anything except plug in my headphones and try not to go crazy with repetitive scales and technique work, so then I’ll go into one of the bedrooms and read if the weather isn’t right for the porch. Not the best method, but it works for us.
I sometimes have to retreat upstairs when Don is recording a song. I understand!
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
Today we have Target and Oceania Cruises advertised. And yes, TV is flooded with pharmaceutical advertisements. My husband and I are very tired of it. Half the time we don’t even know what the meds are for!
Or the side effects of the meds!
Thanks so much, Judy.
Stay safe.
I’m seeing an ad for JC Penney and one where I can make up to $115K for being a surrogate. Yikes. That ship sailed ages ago.
I think it is vital to have a space for creativity in your home. In our new house I have a small office/craft room. I really miss the space in our last house. I haven’t been able to get that same vibe back yet. Lack of storage is my biggest issue. I think I might need to dial back on all the hobbies I have. :o)
Thanks so much, Andrea! Storage is always a challenge!
Stay safe.