My studio

I think we are all a little voyeuristic at times, and I especially love to see the spaces of fellow crafters...I like to know how people work. When we built our house in 2005, I picked this space specifically for my studio...the windows face south east, great light, and I'm on the main floor, just off the kitchen and can see my boys' playing in the family room. An IDEAL location.

I'm a "controlled chaos" quilter, sewer, and scrapbooker. I am by no means clean, but I'm organized and I know where everything is at all times. Buuuut, I am very visual, and I have to see my stuff to be inspired. So, when I'm working on something, I've got ALL my options laid out in front of me (or around me).

The other day, in the midst of completing three large custom orders, photographing new things to list, and sewing some new projects, I thought it would be a perfect time to photograph the controlled chaos in which I work. I didn't pick up or clean up for the photos - so if you think I'm messy, I am!

The doorway - I haven't painted this room because I like having the white walls for photography and I'm not skewed when choosing colors for projects. The cutting table is a beautiful Sylvia table that I got as a Christmas gift. It folds down and out of the way if I need more room - as it is in the photo, it's only halfway extended.
The chaos. The small bookshelf holds my finished projects that are currently for sale. The huge white shelf is mostly my fabric stash. Very little of it goes into projects for sale (either won't be used and just "collected", or I use it for personal projects). The fabric piles on the floor and under the cutting tables are actually all organized - and all projects and supplies for items that will be listed on Etsy.

A head-on picture of the stash...I love the shelf, it's a Metro shelving unit I got from the container store. Each shelf can hold up to 500 lbs, and since fabric can get so heavy (I've destroyed many bookshelves in my day), this shelving unit was worth the investment. (Oh yah, and for perspective, you can see the ceiling - it's 9' tall!)

Where the magic happens! I have used this desk for literally years, it used to be my student desk when I lived at home! It works so well for me, and someday I'll be able to get an official sewing table, but this is the best fit int he meantime. I have lots of storage behind the desk - hidden behind the sewing machine is a bookshelf that actually has all of my quilting and sewing books, and a few shelves of currently in progress projects.

My typical view. (Notice the tv with the Tivo - the best invention ever!) I got this Bernina 440 QE as the best Christmas gift ever from my mom and dad in 2007. I have put almost 400,000 stitches on it to date :) (You can tell in this photo I've been working on a Sushi Tag Ball - soon to be listed).

Another great set up. My ironing board used to be a typical ironing board with a "Big Board" on top. I bought this Elfa shelving and the Big Board actually drops right on top. It is the MOST efficient ironing space ever. In those drawers are all of my other hobbies. Stamps (Stampin' Up is ADDICITING!), knitting, scrapbook paper, embellishments, tools, digital printing items and accessories, and two drawers with gift bags, bows, ribbons, etc. (notice the gift wrap holder on the left hand side).