Short of ripping out the dark carpet and replacing all the furnishings, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of personalizing this temporary home-away-from-home. There are pops of color everywhere. I’ve brought tchotchkes from home, quilts, bark cloth remnants, vases, flowers, table runners, books.
During my visit home, I grabbed a few more things. Time to tweak.
I added the pillow to the sofa. All that darkish green (not my favorite color) needed to be cut by a pop of color. Actually this is an IKEA bolster pillow and the cover is a vintage pillow cover I found a few years back. It has also lived on our bed back home. I love the nubby fabric, which reminds me of forties-era curtain or upholstery fabric.
I also brought this, from my little studio back home:
The chalkboard I made that normally hangs on the back of a door in the studio. (Gosh, this apartment is a truly difficult space in which to take photos. Windows on one wall only. Very dark. Frustrating.)
Anyway, I like this board and, though I always plan on changing its message, somehow it remains. Though, now that I think of it, I might erase those words and substitute Leonard Cohen’s. Yep. That’s the ticket.
I added some pictures of my loved ones. Another piece of barkcloth covers the dresser.
And the other day, some fabric I had saved my pennies for arrived.
Do you remember this Bonnie and Camille print? You can see it here:
It’s in this quilt top, both in some of the quilt blocks and in the borders. I’m going to use it for the backing. Yesterday, the batting I ordered arrived, too. You know what that means: time to pin baste all three layers together and hand quilt this baby.
I’m excited. I can’t wait to hang the finished product on our wall back home.
Happy Friday.
Claudia, you have the true knack for making a home anywhere! I’ve always tried to brighten up every space I’ve lived in, no matter how small of a budget I had, and I love what you’ve done to brighten up your apartment. Love that quilt fabric! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Thank you, Martha! You, too!
Happy Friday, Claudia. I love how you make your home away from home so “you”! (And it’s fun to buy new earrings on sale, isn’t it?!)
On sale at Target, Sylvia!
I’ve been tweaking our living room. I woke up at 1:30 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep so I reorganized three bookshelves and moved around the framed photos and other decorative items on them. We are hoping to take my sister’s travel trailer to a state park in Ga. for 2 or 3 weeks next summer so I’m going to take your advice and make up a list of things from home that will help me feel at home. Love what you’ve done with the apartment. Keep the posts coming they are full of good ideas and encouragement and always thought provoking.
That’s a good use of your time! I just lay in bed and toss and turn when I can’t sleep. Good for you, Janie!
I love Bonnie and Camille designs! And their fabric is so cheerful and happy!!!
Have a nice weekend!!
xo Kris
I know – I just love their patterns and colors. They make me smile!
Claudia, I Love what you’ve done with the place! One of my daughters is on the road with her truck driver new husband. She recently told me Mom, I’m going to put some Halloween lights in the back of the cab of our truck. Claudia, I’ve never been more proud! One of my girls gets it!! Your tweaking posts have inspired me! -Judy A-
Yay for your daughter! Good for her, Judy!
Beautiful! You have truly made a home for yourself even in the most Plain Jane apartment. I think it’s important to have our personal things around us too. I’ve done the same in our camping trailer and some people just don’t get it. I’ve replaced the factory bedspread with a handmade quilt. Have crocheted pillows and blankets on the sofa and pictures of our family scattered around wherever I can find space. My spinning wheel sits in the corner, ready to be pulled out and used.
Blessings,
Betsy
Your trailer sounds so cozy and warm and wonderful, Betsy! Love the addition of your spinning wheel.
Great job tweaking your temporary space. Little touches make all the difference. Love that fabric. Have a good time working on your quilt. It’s sure to be beautiful.
I’m going to lay it all out after rehearsal this afternoon, Lorrie.
I found myself puttering last evening, fiddling with the bookcases and starting to rearrange things. Your “second home” is looking more like you. You have the knack, Claudia.
-Karen
I’m glad to hear it’s looking more like ‘me.’ Thanks, Karen!
Love the tweaking! Now you’re going to be busy with your new fabric…that should keep you out of trouble! Enjoy your day! ;)
You too, Donna!
How are you planning on hand quilting the quilt? I took the same Crafty class and, although I used a different fabric line, I have the same top ready to quilt. Are you going to stitch in the ditch, or do you have something else in mind?
I’m thinking circles, Debra – sort of random and interlocking.
Claudia, I am just curious how long you are usually
away from home..or maybe the question I ask, what has been
the longest you have been away at one time. You sure do
have the knack to make your space cozy, with a taste of home.
It is so much fun to see your photos. Bonnie in WI
Usually, I’m away for about 5 weeks. But I’ve been away for 10 weeks, too. The longest I’ve ever been away was for 6 months (will never do that again) when I taught for a semester and coached the Shakespeare Summer Repertory in San Diego.
Love all the personal touches around your temporary home.
It looks comfy now.
The fabric is pretty. The quilt is going to be so wonderful and all the colors will suit Mockingbird Hill Cottage nicely.
-Pat
I think they will too, Pat!
Hi Claudia, Lovely additions to your home-away-from-home. And what awesome fabric — love it and the quilt. That should be a fun project to work on while you are “away.” Have a wonderful, peaceful weekend.
Thank you, Vera. I’ll be working all weekend, as usual!
It certainly looks much homier than when you arrived there..Great job Claudia!
Thanks so much, Nancy!
Claudia I am cracking up reading your post. All I can imagine is Don having to arrive with a UHaul to help you bring all your things home. LOL Can’t wait to see the quilt complete. I so wish I had the time to put one together. My son needs one so bad for his bed, I may have to try and get one done before Christmas.
Well, it might seem that way, but everything is pretty small and packable. But for sure, Don can’t bring Scout when he picks me up – no room for her!
Home Sweet Apartment! You truly have turned a boring, blah apartment into a cozy living space. Your quilt is beautiful!!
Judy
Thanks so much, Judy! Have fun tomorrow – I know you’ll be doing your Saturday shopping.
Hi Claudia,, I was thinking the same as Dawn, Don will need a uhaul! LOL Have fun with your quilt. Doris
Nah, it’s all packable! The biggest thing is the chalkboard and that’s not bad at all!
Love what you’ve done with the place !! So homey..very cozy..love the quilt..
Thanks, Missy!
I love what you’ve done to your room. I remember getting to live in a lovely suite hotel in Ottawa (all expenses paid) when I was working there. I brought just a few things but your own pillows, pictures, books and music make a huge difference to your home away from home.
They sure do, Julie!
I think at some point I must have forgotten that you still had to quilt this! :)
I could SCREAM because I just did some machine quilting on a quilt ( that also had hand quilting in it ) and then I machine quilted two pillows. Went back to the quilt ( just a scrap one for my son’s couch ) to do a bit more…and skipped stitches everywhere. All of a sudden the Even Feed foot just won’t work right. I researched this…not uncommon but geez, I JUST decided to try to move over to machine quilting a bit to get more things done and then it turned into a big hassle. Cannot win here :) It is not the tension, thread, needles etc..it’s the damn foot. So I guess I am back to hand quilting that couch quilt for my son :) Happy quilting to us both :)
Oh boy. Makes me wary of starting to machine quilt! So sorry, Debra, how frustrating that must be!
You are a inspiration for those staying in a hotel room for any length of time…what great changes, it now looks so much better…they might want to hire you as a designer.
Jen
Hello Claudia
I’m just catching up after 6 weeks away visiting my daughter and her family in France.
Oh how hard that must be for you, but you have made a pretty ‘home away from home’ with your lovely familiar things around you. Not the same I know – you will be counting down the days until the end of September.
I love your quilt Claudia, the colors are fresh and lively. It’s a good project to finish in the evenings while you’re away and not distracted by a million other things.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
((hugs))
Shane