Redecorating

Every year we make an update or two to our place in Key West. This year we painted the downstairs. That is the Royal we! My husband says there is only one thing he dislikes more than painting, and that's paying someone to paint. The color is Sea Kissed. I have to thank my friend Lynne for that. I visited her beach house in Delaware and fell in love with this color. She also inspired me to hang Key West art on the walls. Our place looks so bright and light now. Before this, the walls were gold and maroon - not very Key West.

I decided that the wall was calling for a Beachalicious.

It was hard for me to make this quilt again, after spending so much time developing the pattern. To help me get it done, I made some additions. Thanks to Judy for the lighthouse fabric.

Beach chairs

A sun

And some towels.
Many of my students have made changes to the pattern, including a Mickey Mouse in a sailboat. I love to see the changes. Beachalicious pattern is available in my Etsy shop. I'll also have it for sale in my booth at the Daytona Quilt Show.
We also purchased some new furniture from Ikea. I love this buffet we bought.

It's my sewing studio for 2 months. On top is my cutting mat and an ironing surface. Inside are baskets with fabric and sewing supplies. Everything is so well organized and easy to see. Plus it's hidden from sight.

When we leave I will take everything with me and it will be nice for storage for our renters. Here's a link if you are interested in renting our place to spend some time in Paradise.

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Do You IKEA?

I met a colleague for lunch this week (www.dippydyes.com) and it was near IKEA in Conshohocken.  I have been thinking about lighting for my booth at the Syracuse AQS show this summer (yes, I am taking the Curvalicious plunge), so I decided to pop into IKEA.  I have not been there for years.  I need to go more often.  The colors and designs of the Swedish aesthetic just made my heart sing.

 If you live near one, put it on your "to do" list.  If there is not one near you, look for one when you go on vacation. In addition to their modern, inexpensive products, it is a shopping experience as you are directed through the maze of merchandise - everything from furniture to kitchen supplies to children's items to fabric - yes fabric! And don't forget to bring your appetite for their Swedish meatballs.
Here are a bunch of photos.  Tomorrow, I'll show you a photo of what I bought for Henry.

 Modern neutral bedding.  They celebrate grey.

Their displays are a study in color blocking.

 Love this gift wrap.

 I love these lamps, but they don't quite fit into my decor.

 

Summer anyone?

And fabric! Decorator weight.

 It was hard to take photos.  This pink and orange with these unusual animals was my favorite. (OOps,I had trouble rotating the photo.)  I have become a sucker for orange and pink thanks to a friend of mine.

 And I couldn't leave the store without a treat.

So what did I buy?
- A clock for my still in progress exercise studio
- Hanging clips for my quilts for my booth display
- A lamp to experiment with for my booth
- A bag of Swedish Fish
- A surprise for Henry

Studio Makeover

 It all started with a new TV.  I have to admit, I'm a TVaholic.  The house is just too quiet with out it.  I spend a lot of time in my studio and it's on all the time I am there.  Some people listen to music.  Some people listen to books on tape.  Some people enjoy the peace and quiet.  I need the TV.  It is usually just background noise.  But I have to also confess that I watch/listen to a lot of those reality shows.  I know those housewives.  I love looking for houses in international countries.  And when Niecey Nash goes in to Clean a House, my jaw drops over the mess.  I do draw the line though.  I can't watch Snooky at The Jersey Shore.  I can't watch The Hoarders.  A girl has to to have some standards!

After Christmas sales on electronics were fabulous.  I saw this sweet little 22" flat screen TV with a built in DVD player.  The price was right.  And I could buy it on line without having to fight the crowds at the store.


First, I removed the old TV with layers and layers of dust.  I knew it was time for a studio makeover.  My priorities were a place for my books and storage underneath my oversized ironing board.

I made a trip to IKEA.  Their furniture is amazing.  The designers and engineers who create this stuff are brilliant.  The instructions and details are amazing.  I found this bookcase that wasn't too high.  I also found this cabinet for underneath my ironing board with sliding doors.  I love hidden storage. But that unit took me over 3 hours to put together and was more of a workout than my morning 5 mile walk.

The top of the bookcase was perfect for my new TV.  It was amazing how quickly it got filled up.  There's still room, but I have a boatload of magazines.

 And I really do love my new ironing board base.  Those sliding doors are great.

 On the right side I was able to fit 2 sewing machines and my wheelie 

with my digital projector.

On the left side, I was able to put my bead storage box, my toolbox and a few other bins.  It looks like there's room for a few more things. 

I'm so happy how that part of my studio makeover turned out.  

Now I have to keep going AND keep the section I already did neat and tidy.