The Barn (continued)

Well, it's been a few days now since I've taken possession of the sewing studio at the barn.  One might imagine that I would be sewing away feverishly, but alas, it isn't so.  There has been so much work to do to get the barn ready for me to work.  So. Much. Work.  :-(   I've attached a few photos of the barn in all of it's scary, spidery splendor. 

Fortunately, my hubby is an angel, and he has been working so hard to get this space ready for me.  He did some electrical work so I could have outlets for all of my machines and my iron.  He installed lighting for me, and he built me a cutting table/pressing area.  He's the best! 

We ordered some window coverings, and the first project will be valances (gingham, of course!) for the studio windows.  Yes, I have windows!  Lots of them!  I have other projects that I need to complete, and I'm still trying to figure out what my work schedule will be between the baby and classes (I'm taking a class and teaching two!).  Right now, the only free days that I have are Thursdays and Fridays :-(  It makes for such a busy week, and I'm finding it difficult to find time to relax on the weekends because I have so much school work and grading to do.  The good news: we're half way through the semester.  The bad news: next semester is going to be even worse with only one day off each week.  Oh, how I will come to cherish Thursdays.   

All of this, though, makes me realize that I am thankful.  I'm so thankful for having such a wonderful and supportive husband, and thankful that I now have a space to be creative.  I feel pretty lucky!  Exhausted, but lucky!

The Barn

I have been desperately looking for a studio space, but I was finding that it was becoming cost prohibitive.  Out of desperation, I decided to looking into an available welder's shop that was for rent on a farm.  Would the welding space work?  Possibly, but he did have a space in his barn that I might want to consider.  No kidding.  It's a real, red barn, and it has a work area at the back of the barn that would be perfect for my sewing studio (and the farm is kid-friendly for Violet, too!).  

I timidly entered the barn, only to be shocked by the sheer volume, yes I said volume, of SPIDERS in this room. Alas, it was too late though.  I had already fallen in love with the idea of having a sewing studio in a barn on a farm.  Coincidentally enough, he was the same farmer that I had contacted a few weeks earlier about renting some land for the chickens and goats that I was hoping to acquire, so there is the possibility of having the best of both worlds.  I could have my barn and my chickens too!

One problem:  There are no restroom facilities in either the welder's shop or the barn.  The only bathrooms available were in the land owner's home, and seeing how I work odd hours, I certainly wouldn't want to impose on them in the middle of the night to use the facilities.

Our initial meeting took place on Friday, and he said that he would get back to me on Monday or Tuesday to see what types of solutions he could come up with for the space.  I was discouraged.  I thought it was the perfect place for me to be creative, but I couldn't imagine how we might resolve the bathroom issue. Well, he called me first thing this morning and gave me an answer.  He's going to get a bathroom installed, and in the interim I could use a Port-a-potty.  I must be crazy because this sounded fantastic to me!  My very own barn with my very own port-a-potty!  Yee-haw!

Design Space

Well, we are a happy family of five, but it looks like my projects have taken over the house.  Unfortunately, we do not have a spare bedroom (actually, we're one short), and for this reason, and for other reasons, I've decided to try to find some studio space in town.  I found a great place that is a studio for pottery, and I asked them if I could use some space for my sewing studio, but alas, I have not heard back from them.  I'm also considering finding office space, but I just don't want a studio that is too far away from home, so that it becomes "inconvenient" for me to do what I love.

I spent the afternoon trying to make it work.  Between the laundry, paperwork, and kids, it feels nearly impossible to get anything done.  The reason why? Well, I believe in a clean, uncluttered exterior leads to a clean, uncluttered interior.  And it is in that environment when I am the most creative and productive.

Hubby thinks I'm crazy, but what's new? He married me because I'm a bit crazy.  He thinks it's a bad idea because it takes my work away from the home, and I might have some challenges, especially if I'm trying to create a baby-friendly workplace.  I may have neighbors who may not like the idea of a small child being in a professional, work environment, so I'm still trying to figure out a way to negotiate this territory.

Holiday Rush

In October?  Of course!  I've just returned from a VERY relaxing trip to Carmel, California.  We had a beautiful suite with a fireplace.  We read, roasted marshmallows, ate cheese, drank wine . . . .it was absolutely divine. There's something to be said about getting away, and how it allows you to center yourself.   Somehow, the creativity flows when I am relaxed; it's a delightful experience! 

But, alas, back to reality, and I need to get the shop in order for Christmas.  Thanks to the etsy bootcamp, I've been very motivated to do this!  I've been ordering fabric, tinkering with ideas for new designs, and shopping for supplies.  It's a lot of work, but it's work that I love!  There's something to be said about getting away, and how it allows you to center yourself.  Now, if I could only quit my day job. . . . between teaching classes, taking classes, sewing (for business and pleasure) and family, there are only so many hours in the day.

One think that I really love is the Twelve Days of Christmas  charm pack, and while I was lounging in front of the fire, I became inspired to make a Twelve Days of Christmas dress from the charm pack.  I'm still thinking of other holiday items to make, but I think this is a great start!