Over a foot of snow on the ground here with more coming on Saturday.
My head is spinning. February, you are a cruel mistress.
Thanks go to our neighbor who, as we were sitting in the house getting ready to tackle shoveling, started to snow blow the entrance to our driveway. You know, that place where all the heavy and impossibly hard to shovel snow plow build up is. What a lifesaver! Then he proceeded to do a bit more of our driveway as we shoveled the top and the paths to the doors and the shed. Even with his help, we were out there about 2 hours. Sore backs all around.
The bed? Oh my heaven. With tired bodies and the aforementioned aching backs, we sank in to that pillow top and slept blissfully.
I’m in love.
I’ve been making a few changes to my studio/sewing space. For quite a while now, I’ve felt it was too cluttered. What I found charming a year or so ago is now just plain too much. So, since we had to move some things to get the bed up the stairs, I used that time to to reconsider what I wanted in that space. I decided to clear everything off the mantel shelf and take everything off the walls. I’d already moved the bookshelf into the bedroom (it’s right next to my side of the bed.) While I was waiting for the new bed, I repainted the mantel shelf in a lighter shade of aqua and moved Mabel out of the way of the incoming mattress, which got me considering a new place for her to live.
Note snow on skylight. Makes for a rather dim photo shoot.
I wanted something more striking and graphic on the mantel shelf. One day I had the idea to create a display of some of my favorite egg cups, arranged in a straight line all the way across the shelf.
They always make me smile and their pastel colors look good on the aqua shelf. They are also a collection, variations of the same thing, and that makes for a more striking display. I bought that fifties-era print several years ago when I was working in San Diego. (I used that frame to display something else for a while but I decided to change it back. I missed it.)
Hello, cheery, happy egg cups! I’m glad you’ll be right by my side when I’m sewing.
Since I’ve been editing a bit in every room of the house, I had this pretty, but empty, frame sitting around. That adorable badge says Mockingbird Hill Cottage and I’ve always loved it, so I decided to hang it from the frame. I like it.
Remember those frames I was painting? There were from the dollar store – made of plastic, black and silver, the usual document type frame. I painted them the same aqua as the shelf and now they display the Studios Magazine and Romantic Homes Magazine features. I don’t know if you remember, but I had these in much larger frames before and they hung over the bookcase, which used to be on this wall. This is much simpler.
The little vintage spice shelf that holds The Lamb with the Party Hat has been moved to the right side of the sewing machine.
And I moved Mabel into the bedroom, where she remains, ready and waiting for a sewing session. The little table she was on just took up too much room in what is already a very small space. That’s the same reason I moved the bookcase. I wanted to make it easier for Don and I, especially Don, to maneuver around that corner.
Oh drat. I forgot about the Claudia program I just framed in the shadow box. I wonder if it should be part of this space?
I promise more photos when there’s light streaming in through that skylight.
Don leaves tomorrow. We’re already very sad but grateful, of course, that he has work. There will be two lonely girls here at MHC.
Don’t miss the chance to win a $1000 Target Gift Card. Visit my post on the new Cartwheel App.
Happy Thursday.
I love what you’ve done to the place! What a great posting to open first thing on this very icy, cold morning. I so enjoy seeing how people decorate and re-decorate their homes. I could even have fun going through you kitchen cupboards.
Tana
Well, maybe not that, Tana. They need some work!
Everything looks so darling, Claudia! As I’ve said before, I’m besotted with your egg cup collection – obsessed. (I look at everyone’s blogs with open shelves with envy but this girl from earthquake country gets the trembles – I lost half my things in the ’94 quake … whimper … ) Love your painting. Every time I see a sheep now I think of yours. I’ve been winnowing down too, removing all the extras from our bookcases, so that only books show now and loving it. Got so tiresome to keep everything dusted.
So glad your bed has at long last arrived and there’s a happy ending! So sorry Don will be off again shortly. My old brain has forgotten his destination and how long he will be gone. Thinking of you and Scout, hoping the time will pass quickly for you. xo
I have earthquake wax and I use it around here, too. Not because of earthquakes so much but to secure things that might be broken. I’m going to be doing some securing with the egg cups – I don’t want to knock them off when I’m sewing!
Don is going to Boston for 2 months.
We use earthquake wax too. I don’t know if I did something wrong or if it’s because we used the clear one (instead of the original) on some things, but it’s failed on some of our things. YIKES! And other pieces are like they’ve been cemented down for dear life. So weird.
I’m sorry Don has to go away for so long. Hoping you and Scout have lots of plans for adventures and fun and interesting projects to make the time fly by. xo
Claudia, I LOVE the 50s print, Part of fresh,clean looking new space! Good Job! -Judy A-
Me too, Judy. I’m glad I re-discovered it – it’s almost like I just bought it!
I’m so happy the bed arrived without a hitch. It looks comfy cosy for sure!
And the egg cups on that shelf just make me smile.
Good luck to Don in Boston. May the time pass quickly for you all.
We’re happy he has work. I’m happy he’ll have a chance to discover Boston, a city I lived in for 5 years and a city I absolutely adore. BUT, being apart is very hard and the theater won’t let him bring a pet so that means I can’t visit because the only way I could go is if I could bring Scout.
LOVE the egg cups with the aqua – very happy/cheerful. My 2-cents is that the Claudia program belongs in your “Claudia space”. I’m watching it snow out my window this morning, kind of unusual for the area where I live here in Oregon!
You’ve probably right, Debbie. But where? I’m rather happy with the uncluttered look as it is!
Ha! No skimming for me on this post! I read every word and gazed at each photo.
You have inspired me. Now, which disaster area to tackle first?
Which look that I love to settle on?
How will I get the disappointing couch out of here in all this snow,
not to mention the clutter?
Groan… Oh, well. This would be one reason my blog seldom features home decorating. :)
I ain’t easy, Aunt Lou. But where there’s a will there’s a way.
Quite so, Claudia. Thing is, the way sometimes saps the will. I shall plod on. :)
I love your studio/sewing space! I was reading this post, wishing I had a space like that in my small house when it hit me. I do have a little area like that!! I just never thought of it like that since it’s always been used differently. Oh the fun I’m going to have creating my space! Thank you for sharing your home with us and inspiring me.
See? You can make a space just for you! I’m so excited for you!
I’ve become the same way. What I used to think was charming or a nice look is now looking cluttered to me. Not only in my own house, but in photos I see of other’s homes. A few weeks ago I took a box of “things” I had planned to go through that had been sitting for months. I decided I hadn’t missed anything in the box, so I set it out for a charity pickup without even looking inside. Gone. Done. Felt so much better! Now, if I can keep going that way???
I hope we both can keep going that way. I have a lot of stuff in this house and most of it is just fine. BUT, like you, when I see that there’s too much, I am starting to edit and donate. We’ve already donated quite a few things to the Salvation Army and I expect I will find even more in the next month or two. Same here – when I see clutter in photos of other’s home, I have an immediate negative reaction.
What is it about seeing what others do in their homes that is so mesmerizing? I guess I am enthralled with your studio! That is a lovely place for your egg cups…they look so fresh there. I’ve been thinning out things too…a little here, a little there. Getting ready for the day when Spring arrives! How long will Don be gone? Will you be able to visit? Hope so! ;)
Don will be gone over 2 months, Donna. The theater doesn’t allow pets in the apartments so I can’t see how I can go visit. I can’t leave Scout in a kennel. I was hoping I could take her with me…ah well.
Two months is so long! I hope the time flies for you and you can do all those things we want to do that are easier when we have the house to our self … (get that kitchen painted lol)
Love your egg cups, and what’s great is they can hold some of the little sewing supplies as well…..or candy ;-)
Glad you bed turned out to be worth the wait!
Stay safe in all that snow.
It’s all shoveled and, hopefully, all is calm for a while, Tracy!
Nothing like changing things around to make your home feel more comfortable and fresher. The egg cups really look nice on the mantel shelf Claudia. Hope all goes well for Don as he leaves for his job. Glad your neighbor helped out so you didn’t have to shovel as much. Hope he continues to help while Don is away. Stay warm!
I’ll have to let them know that Don is heading to Boston, Janie.
Your “adjustments” look great, and I know what a blessing a new bed can be. Maybe you can visit Don and stay at an inexpensive motel that does accept pets–most do now. Then all three of you can have a treat. The Cartwheel post isn’t open to more comments so I’ll put it here–Yes, indeedy, I want to save money.
Just adjusted my comments settings, Sonja. Forgot it was set to close comments after 5 days! That’s not a good thing for a contest. Please go back when you have a chance and leave the comment on that post. Thanks so much for your patience.
I think I can relate. I retired in August and since “inside” weather started, I’ve kept very busy “nesting” as my niece says. Cleaning, re-organizing and re-arranging everything. And surprisingly, it’s been fun. Found things I’ve forgotten about and books I haven’t read. Re-thought my wall displays too. Plus, filled more than a few boxes for donations and our yearly family yard sale. Also resolved to use my “good” china for at least one meal a day – too pretty to use only for guests. PS – I love your little egg cups. HAPPY and CHEERY is exactly what they are, And what a cute thing to collect – they don’t even take up a lot of space! I also LOVE that floral picture right above them – so so pretty.
I’m going to keep sorting Janet. I have to do it while I’m on a roll!
How adorable! Is there nothing you can’t do? You have a great eye for style and color. I love it all!
Oh thank you, Carolyn!
Your new space is looking lovely, Claudia. Still you, still charming and full of color, but pared down. Do you like having Mable in your bedroom? Have you tried her in the sewing room? I felt that same way after Christmas and suddenly wanted to remove things and store them or give them away or use them differently just to make more breathing room. Hoping to do more of that this summer! You are my inspiration!
Well the sewing room is the studio and I did have her there, but space is at a premium. So I’ll stash her in the bedroom until I need to use her and then I’ll bring her out to the sewing area. That’s the plan.
Oh, dear,I misunderstood…. I think I thought your sewing room was the guest room, not your studio! Hoping you’ve been enjoying your lovely new bed! : xx
I really think you should try to find a spot for your “CLAUDIA” program in the shadow box..Your sweet little studio is the only spot in the cottage that is truly all your own..I think it is important for each of us to have a private little space if possible..I like the adorable blue and white spice shelf..Little Lamb looks so cute on there..I know that you and Don will make it through another time apart but I also understand that it does not get any easier no matter how many times you do it..and certainly no easier for poor sweet Scout who can’t understand at all..Travel safely Don..
Scout will be very depressed. She adores her dad. Poor baby.
I just put “Claudia” up on the wall in the studio. I’ll update with a photo in the next few days.
I am doing some serious decluttering also and I can’t believe how much I love it. Not saying that I’m a minimalist, but a little less ‘stuff’ is appealing to me. I love the softer aqua of the shelf and it is a perfect place for you adorable collection of egg cups. I love the simple aqua frames and how it spotlights the articles your home is featured in! Every thing looks fresh!
I love the simpler look, Claudia. Stay warm. xo Laura
So glad you love your new bed. Love your egg cup collection – so charming on the aqua shelf.
It’s great to have good neighbors to help with the snow removal! Your egg cup collection looks wonderful on that shelf. Love your framed magazine articles also.
Stay warm and safe travel for Don!
Judy
I so happy you are liking your new bed, after all that trouble it is worth it. Your sewing space is adorable, and neat and organized.
Claudia, I wish I could post you a picture as I have a knife block that is a sister to your daffodil shelf…except mine is red.
Your little craftspace looks beautiful, well done with the editing – I wish I was as good at editing my space!
I love that little vintage spice rack.
Mercedes