mini studio tour
Originally uploaded by Karla's Cottage
Here is a quickie video of my studio. I called it "Part One" as I was making it, but I was able to fit the whole room in and don't know if a part two is neccessary. If you'd like to see more, let me know.
I've shown lots of photos of the room before, but the odd way I have it laid out, makes it hard for everyone to picture altogether. So, I thought I'd give you a little mini tour.
Today is my Mom's birthday. I miss her all the time, but even more today. She is a person who understood the love of a good work room! Mom was a quilter and could spend hours in her basement sewing room. ( under the vintage card is a quilt that she made for me).
At the end of her life, she was in the hospital for months, very ill and weak. Watching her in her final weeks, I saw that the most simple of pleasures, like having a loved one near by, sharing a laugh, and the sweet taste of a favorite treat are the true treasures in life. The joy on her face when my sisters and I fed her a bite of canned Mandarin oranges, brought tears to my eyes. She didn't have much of an appetite and was tiring of hospital food, so we brought her cans of oranges, one thing she had always enjoyed.
The oranges weren't something fancy or exotic, but were special to her. The simplicity of the food itself kind of became a symbol to me. It made me remember to appreciate life's little perks.
So, when she died, I scooped up a can of oranges that was left on her table.
Today, for her birthday, I wanted to make the can into something I could use. After emptying it, I took off the label and glued it to the inside of the can, and then looked through old books for some words that reminded me of her. I found this little poem about a daughter sitting at her mother's feet while she sewed, and that was just perfect! (I've got lots of memories of sitting under the sewing machine and playing with fabric scraps)
Mom loved fairies as much as I do, so I drew and colored, and sparkled two sets of wings and glued them to a picture of her cut from a copy of an old photo. The first pair, I glued down, the second, I bent up for a 3-D effect.
With a green sparkle marker that Sissy gave me, I colored the dress Mom is wearing. I chose green for the rick rack that I lined the edges of the cans too, because that was her favorite color.
As soon as the glue is dried, I will fill it with sparkly marker pens and keep it on my desk, in my studio, since that is such a special place for me. I feel close to her there, knowing how happy she was in her own workroom.
what a GREAT space Karla...thanks for the tour!!!
Posted by: Lori | February 16, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Thanks for the mini tour of your studio Karla. I've always loved seeing pictures of it when you've posted them. Looks like a wonderful place to spend time in. So many pretty things to look at. I love to see how other women decorate thier homes and the things they surround themselves with. Those little puppies sure are cute!!!
Posted by: Kim | February 16, 2009 at 07:39 PM
I know what you are saying I love my Mom it is so funny how we take life and people for granted and when they are gone how much your heart can hurt, my mom is still with us and I LOVE her. Thanks for the Studio Video Tour very fun.
Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Diane | February 16, 2009 at 07:44 PM
I love the sweetness behind your mandarin orange tin. What a precious story.
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | February 16, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Karla,
I love your post today...your tender heart is wonderful. I like the special can you altered and her picture is beautiful! Continue to cherish your fond memories.
Posted by: Kana Conger | February 16, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Beautiful tribute to your Mom...
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | February 16, 2009 at 08:39 PM
And what a beautiful studio it is.... I could move in there and be perfectly happy.
What a lovely post about your Mom.. I LOVE that you made that from her orange can. SO sweet Karla.
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | February 16, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Love your pen can! Your memories of your mom are so simular to mine of my mom. she was a quilter also along with just about anything else artistic. i miss her so much! Thanks for sharing! your studio is gorgeous!
Posted by: robin | February 16, 2009 at 10:22 PM
What sweet and sad memories. The little crafty can you made is so cute and your mother was such a pretty lady! She must be enjoying having an angel-eye's view of you and Sugarwings spending so many happy hours in your studio!
Take care!
Laurie S.
Posted by: Laurie S. | February 16, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Lovely remembrance of your mother, Karla--I really like what you did with the orange can.
Great video tour of your studio. I checked out the puppy videos while I was there too--soooo cute!
Posted by: Marilyn | February 16, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Dear Karla, What beautiful memories to bring you comfort. I love how you have altered the orange tin.
Thinking of you
Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | February 16, 2009 at 11:37 PM
What a great story today Karla.....I loved it. I also really like the way that the can turned out.....what a wonderful way to remember your mom.
Blessings-
Christa
Posted by: Christa from Chloe Rose | February 16, 2009 at 11:47 PM
oh Karla....this one made tears spring to my eyes! As I sat and ripped up my fabric scraps I was peeking at blogs tonight and this post is such a sweet tribute. The simple things in life are what our memories are made of. "Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take...but by the moments that take your breath away". One of my favorite quotes!
Posted by: robin-Thrifty Miss Priss | February 16, 2009 at 11:55 PM
It's the simple things that give us the fondest memories. I love the symbolism that you put into making your pen holder special.
It must bring you peace to see how much your boys and sugarwings resemble your mother.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | February 17, 2009 at 02:36 AM
Karla, thanks so much for the mini studio tour. What a most fabulous place - I can see why you are so happy there. Wow! And your precious little mandarin tin - what a beautiful memory of your mother, and one you will be reminded of now in your favourite place in the world.
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | February 17, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Good Morning Sweet Karla! Working in the nursing home as I do, I watch mothers and daughters doing things like the mandarin oranges every day. I truly understand, and what a wonderful keepsake you've made. At the end, there is so little we can do, and the little things are what count...I have spent many nights at the bedside of mothers without daughters, so that they didn't have to leave this world alone. It is a gift to me that I can spend that time with people who don't have a little girl of their own...On a lighter note, for my little girl, I have ordered your puppy love tag book from the boutique, and will put it away until next Valentine's Day, unless I just can't stand it and have to give it to her sooner! As always, thank you for sharing your days with us...Your Friend, Bobbi
Posted by: Bobbi | February 17, 2009 at 06:49 AM
What a nice tribute to your Mom! I still have mine but lost my Dad 7 years ago. Somethings you, thankfully, never forget about the things they do, say..........
Posted by: Diane | February 17, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Karla that is so sweet. I love the can you made with your mom's picture on it, and the 3-d wings are great. The poem is perfect!
It is a great way to have her near you while you are creating. And you are so much like her, in appearance and artistic talent!
Posted by: gail | February 17, 2009 at 08:24 AM
I'm wiping tears away after reading about you and your mom. What a dear, bittersweet memory. I'm glad I watched your tour after. It put a smile on my face. How wonderful to hear what you sound like! You have that wonderful Kansas accent!! I hear it now after living in Chicago for 18 years. And YES, there is an accent! What a delight to see your studio and the puppies. Thank you for sharing. - Kathy in Chicago
Posted by: Kathy in Chicago | February 17, 2009 at 08:40 AM
Just had the 8th anniversary of my mother's passing...this is always such a sad time of year for me! We will always be our mothers little girls. Thanks for such a heartwarming story Karla!!!! XO
Posted by: jennifer | February 17, 2009 at 08:41 AM
What a sweet memory!
Posted by: karen | February 17, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Tomorrow it will be four years since my father passed away, and I remember those last weeks in the hospital, much as you do. His favorite was a mounds bar. I miss him every day.
Blessings ~ Eileen
Posted by: Eileen @ Star's Fault | February 17, 2009 at 09:34 AM
What a sweet tribute to your mom, I love your little remembrance!
Posted by: michelle | February 17, 2009 at 09:40 AM
This post is so beautiful Karla. First the studio tour. I loved it, I never imagined the studio to be divided in four. You gave us a good impression, so a part two isn't necessary, if you ask me. I have to tell you that I love those clips though!
Your words about your mother are so beautiful and alas, I know exactly how you feel. I think you look like your mother. My mother used to sew too, but she had to use the dining table in our very small appartment. Her 50-ties industrial sewing machine weighed a ton! With every meal she had to remove the machine. That machine was a present from my father to her. He carried it traveling by bus and train for hours to their home in Rotterdam. I have inherited this machine and when someone here lifts it and complains about its weight we always say; You are lucky, you don't have to carry it to Rotterdam!
I think it's great how you managed to turn your sad feelings into a positive creative force. Your mother is proud of you, I'm sure of that!
Posted by: LiLi M. | February 17, 2009 at 10:32 AM
What a beautiful post!
Posted by: Andrea | February 17, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Memories are priceless, aren't they? Sugarwings will surely have wonderful memories of glittering fairies with you in your lovely studio.
BTW, Feb 16th is my birthday, too. :)
Posted by: Lovely | February 17, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Hugs!
Posted by: phyllis | February 17, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Karla,
What a sweet, sweet post and a beautiful tribute to your Mom. I know SugarWings will have these kind of memories of you...honestly, I think she is a mighty blessed little girl to have you. I hope I'll be as good a grandma as you are....you just seem to let her have so much fun, not worrying about the messes she creates. I so admire you!
Oh, I'd love to see more of your studio. It went by a little too fast to take in all the details..
Hugs,
Sandra
Posted by: sandra blanks | February 17, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Can't get the tour to come up for me, drat it! I'll come back again later & try. I just happen to be taking my mother out for a Girl's Day out. We just decided a couple of weeks ago to do this every Tuesday. I so cherish my time with her. So this post about your mother really hit home with me. What a lovely tribute to your mother. She was a beautiful lady who raised an awesome daughter!!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: Stephanie | February 17, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Hi Karla,
What a beautiful space you have. Looks like the perfect place to create. Very sweet little creation for your mother too.
Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie | February 17, 2009 at 02:00 PM
What a lovely tribute to your mom and a creative way to remember her and all those lovely memories.
Posted by: Sheila R | February 17, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Karla, your tribute to your mom is so beautiful.
Thanks for the studio tour; it was fun to hear what you sound like! Looking forward to more peeks. :)
Posted by: Jessica Canham | February 17, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Hi Karla.
What a beautiful way to honour your mother's memory.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Have a good week.
Lois
PS thanks too for the tour!
Posted by: Lois | February 17, 2009 at 09:11 PM
What a beautiful piece of work you created & what a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing with us.
Nerissa
Posted by: Nerissa | February 17, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Karla, thank you so much for your post. My mom is still alive and kicking (literally! At 80 she still dances in a tap dance group) and I tend to take her for granted. Your tribute brought up the good memories I have of my mom. I talked with her on Sunday, but I'm gonna call again tomorrow (it's too late tonight).
hugs, Marilee
Posted by: Rose Brier Studio | February 18, 2009 at 12:42 AM
Hi Karla,
Your studio is such a creative escape. I could spend hours in there.
I also love what you did with the can of peaches. I'm sure your mom could see it she would have a huge smile on her face.
Have a happy day
Kris
Posted by: kris | February 18, 2009 at 06:47 AM
What a nice thing to be able to do with your mother in mind.
I loved your studio tour.. you have a great voice!
Posted by: Jen R | February 18, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Karla, I read your blog frequently and own some of your wallpaper dresses that hang in my studio...Your story about your Mom really touched me. I lost my Mom last March and I'm really missing her. I think the mandarin orange can is so very awesome. I forgot how yummy those oranges are...
Posted by: Susan Elliott | February 18, 2009 at 09:30 AM
I love that precious card, happy Birthday to your Mom karla, she sounds wonderful! xoxo andrea
Posted by: Andrea | February 18, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Hi, Karla -- I'll pop back later for the studio tour, but I just had to comment now that this post very nearly made me cry. The things you said about your mom and the hospital really touched home for me, as I experienced the same thing for not months, but about eight weeks. And oh, how she loved her own special treats, so the oranges really moved me. My mom, too, understood the value of a good workroom and was both an enthusiastic supporter of my own creativity and one who was creative herself. The revamped tin is a lovely tribute to a woman who obviously played a large role in your life, and I'm so glad you shared it with us. Happy Birthday, Karla's Mom -- I know you hear those wishes.
Posted by: jeanie | February 18, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I love your studio, thank you so much for the tour. Puppie's movies are adorable too.
It was a sweet post about your mother and I love what you did with the oranges can.
Posted by: Sonia | February 18, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Beautiful tribute to your mother, Karla! You do look like her, don't you? Lovely post altogether. Always a treat to visit your blog!
Jane - Jacksonville
Posted by: Jane | February 20, 2009 at 08:19 PM
I just loved reading your post about your mother. It was beautiful and I'm sure she was smiling down on you as you were typing it. We do need to remember in life to slow down and take a step back and enjoy the small wonders that we have around us. Many times I get caught up in the worries of the world and forget this but I believe after reading this I too need to relax a little more and enjoy the little things. I enjoy reading you blog and seeing the overwhelming love that you have for you grandbaby. She to will have many, many wonderful memories of you and her and it seems like your also passing down your creative genes to her as your mom did to you. Thank you for sharing your blog with all of us I do get so much enjoyment out of it.
Posted by: Kristie Wenzrel | February 25, 2009 at 11:14 AM