On Tuesday night, I had a little dinner party. It was an iffy day, sometimes too hot, sometimes too wet, so I set up a tent for shade in case the rain stayed away and we could eat outside.
Luckily, no rain, and the shade from the little pop up tent was ideal for dining outside in the evening after the heat of the day had passed.
Which made Twinkle and Agnes Rosebud pretty happy, they'd stay outdoors every minute of the day if I'd let them.
Since the day was unpredictable and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to eat outdoors if a storm came up, I cleaned my studio just in case we had to move indoors with our plates. I have two dining room tables in the front half of my workshop, that are usually piled up so high with crap, I mean, great stuff that you can't even see the tables.
The area usually only gets cleaned up for company, which is kind of sad. I wonder why I can't keep it nice for just me?
Anyway, its clean now and since it won't stay that way long, I thought I'd make the most of it and get some studio pictures.
This is the Treat Cabinet. (Lacking in treats at the moment.) I fill it up with goodies when company comes for dinner, or on craft days. If I'm out in the studio alone, that just is not a safe thing to do. If I had a full treat cabinet, I'd never get any work done.
Recently, I've decided to use the top shelf of the wardrobe as wallpaper storage, quite a bit of my collection fit up there.
This cabinet was meant to be a closet or wardrobe. It has the one shelf at the top and a bar for clothes. I added tables to set the goodies on, and cut a hole in the back to run an extension cord through for lighting.
Picking a vintage wallpaper to cover the back was tough. First of all, I wanted it to be kind of neutral- not a lot of color. Second, I wanted rosy. I chose this toile rose pattern because I think it would look good with lots of different displays when I change things up a bit.
The space under the table cloths makes great storage for cups/napkins/etc.
This is a new addition to the Treat Cabinet. My pal, Suzanne Duda, gave me this foofed up, old suitcase pocket. I thought it was ideal to use for serving pieces. I slipped a couple large cups inside it, one to hold plastic forks, the other to hold napkins, so they wouldn't all just fall into the bottom of the pockets.
Behind the cups, I slid the paper plates.
A few years back, I used to paint furniture and sell it at a Kansas City antique mall. Some days I miss doing that, but not very often. I didn't realize how hard I was working until I quit doing it. Its nice to concentrate on small items that fit into an envelope now instead!!
There are a few pieces of painted stuff still around the house, and even more in the studio. You can probably tell that the room is a bit of a hodge podge of what ever I had.
The two dining tables usually have either recently made items, or stuff for sale, or things I just bought set out on them.
The centers of the tables are filled with things that just kinda make me smile...
By the way, I do have a giveaway chosen for June! And the month is only half way over, too. All comments all month still count.
And here it is-
I'll be giving away a Peat Pot Pretty with a frozen Charlotte fairy. These will be featured in Somerset Life, I'm writing an article about it next week, which is always an honor!!
Leave a comment if you'd like a chance to win one!
I'll leave you with a couple more pics of some hand painted pieces in the studio.
While the room was cleaned up I made a little video of the space.
Oh, I am smiling at every inch of your studio...what good times I have had there! Glad the suitcase pocket found a way in to the treat closet...near the homemade granola bars and vintage wallpaper!! Great pictures as always! xo
Posted by: Suzanne Duda | June 17, 2010 at 05:10 PM
I am Moving In I'll just sleep under the table you wont even notice except when it's cold i'll let you put your feet on my back to keep them warm :D Yes I think I love your Studio that much!
Luvs and glitter
~jen
Posted by: Jen | June 17, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Love the yard, all white with pops of pink.
Posted by: Dawn Gahan | June 17, 2010 at 05:34 PM
Ooh, a treat cabinet!! Love it! And love your fairy peat pots too - so pretty!
Posted by: Kay, Oklahoma City | June 17, 2010 at 06:05 PM
Hi Karla, I love seeing your studio! It makes me want to clean up my mess of wanna be projects and get busy!
Bella
Posted by: Bella | June 17, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Your painting is beautiful!!
Posted by: Angela | June 17, 2010 at 06:15 PM
Soon my room will be done but I don't think it will hold a candle to yours. Love your al fresco dining. It looks so relaxing and fun!! Love the pictures, esp. Twinks and Rosebud!!
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | June 17, 2010 at 06:33 PM
The yard with the tent looks so inviting! Hope it stays dry!
Posted by: Diane | June 17, 2010 at 06:41 PM
I always love seeing photos of your studio - it looks like a heavenly place in which to create. I don't know if anything is in the works, but you should DEFINITELY be in Where Women Create.
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | June 17, 2010 at 07:04 PM
Your studio/house is like a world I've dreamed about. I just love it! I've been blog distracted (but quite nicely because I had a friend to visit) so am guessing your trip and sister visit was a good one. I love it when my sisters and I can rendezvous!
And please enter me in your drawing. I love the adore "Charlotte"!!
Best,
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie | June 17, 2010 at 07:22 PM
your studio is beautiful Karla...you sure have a huge stash of wallpaper...yummy...
Posted by: Lori | June 17, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Your outdoor area is so wonderful for entertaining. Me, all I'd need would be the puppies, tho. I'd be like a little kid playing with them. Love your hp furniture pieces! Your studio looks huge and is so neat and orderly! Oh, how I'd love to win one of your Frozen Charlottes!!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: Stephanie | June 17, 2010 at 07:43 PM
I enjoyed the pictures of your outdoor dining area and I am happy the rain stayed away so you could enjoy the evening.
I love the magical enviornment you have created in your studio. The DR table that has the beautiful bench and red chair looks like the one I have in my kitchen. I bought it many years ago at an antique mall. However, mine did not have the table extensions to make it longer. This is the first time that I have seen another one like it.
As always, the picture of Twinkle and Rosebud are enchanting - they know they are special.
Hugs,
Connie
Posted by: Connie | June 17, 2010 at 07:52 PM
i have so enjoyed your puppies. and prayed long and hard about getting one while you were passing through st. louis. but decide two dogs were enough for now. i love your creative pieces. my daughter gail introduced me to your blog and have been blessed. thanks for posting so often - it makes my day. love watching sugar wings - she's livin my dream.
Posted by: jeanine mayden | June 17, 2010 at 08:44 PM
sorry all lower case...just took the skin off a finger with my hot glue. aghhhhh. i love to collect and use vintage wallpaper, too. your collection looks wonderful. i love your blog and peatpots.
Posted by: jo lucero | June 17, 2010 at 08:44 PM
It makes my day ,seing all the lovely pictures of Sugerwing puppis , oh and your home .
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth Flowers | June 17, 2010 at 08:47 PM
Your studio is so great. What a great place to create. I loooove the charlotte angel. I want it reeeeeeally bad.
I love your puppy's name Agnes Rosebud. How cute!!
Ginger
Posted by: ginger | June 17, 2010 at 08:52 PM
mmmm....what a lovely home, inside and out! Love your storage cupboard/wardrobe...makes a beautiful display!
Posted by: Lucy | June 17, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Your studio never ceases to amaze me; you never cease to inspire me......
:)
~Becca~
Posted by: Becca | June 17, 2010 at 09:14 PM
Oh! Ooodles of goodness abound in your studio,Karla!
Blessings!
Myrna
Posted by: Myrna | June 17, 2010 at 09:34 PM
I'm still getting up my nerve to paint any piece of my furniture. Gad, what a deal this is turning into.
Things never stay in their place, they're always piled upon one another in plain view.
Hugs & ♥♥♥s,
Gerry
Posted by: GerryART | June 17, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Karla amor, I love everything about this post! Your back yard dining area is fabulous as is your studio and all your treasures (crap? lol I thought Iwas the only one that sometimes referred to my treasures as that ) I love that picture of the lil girl in your treat cabinet! Everything looks beautiful as always! Besos, Rose
ps...I missed visiting your beautiful blog, but w/everything going on, sometimes too tired to do so :)
Posted by: Rose | June 17, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Your studio is heavenly!! It is a beautiful and magical place to create!!
Love the picture of Twinkle and Rosebud...too cute!!
~Cindy~
Posted by: Cindy | June 17, 2010 at 10:40 PM
oooooooo!! LOVE the doll with the sheet music wings! As you can tell, you obviously delight and inspire many women with your artist's eye.
Jill
Posted by: Jill at buckscountyfolkart.blogspot.com | June 17, 2010 at 10:53 PM
Love taking a peak into your craft studio! You have some wonderful goodies to work with!
Posted by: Danielle | June 17, 2010 at 11:02 PM
What a wonderfull studio Karla, love all your lovely things dispalyed, and the bunch od gorgeus paperrolls, but most I love the peatpot fairy ,my goodness, it is beautifull.
Dorthe
Posted by: Dorthe | June 18, 2010 at 02:45 AM
Well Karla, you know I want to be counted "in". Love your "baby" pictures. We are going to be getting a little Yorkie puppy this summer.
Take care,
Judy
Posted by: Judy | June 18, 2010 at 03:39 AM
Your studio is amazing, what a fabulous place to create in. Love the idea of a treat cabinet.
Posted by: lululiz | June 18, 2010 at 04:03 AM
Seeing your house and studio is always so nice. I so love the colors.
Posted by: Mahala | June 18, 2010 at 04:36 AM
Good morning, many thanks for sharing your lovely home and garden with us. I wish I was organised. lol. I would love to take part in your giveaway. Thank you for giving me a chance. Blessings
Posted by: Lesley Walker | June 18, 2010 at 05:03 AM
I always enjoy seeing your studio and treat cabinet. Personally, it seems the treat cabinet has treats all of the time. Not just the ones you can eat. I like that lamp you have covered in flowers, too! Really, pretty.
Happy Friday! - Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | June 18, 2010 at 07:22 AM
Karla
You have a beautiful studio. I enjoyed all the photos and would love to explore it in real life. So many treasures to be discovered. See you soon Can't wait to meet you
sherryb
Posted by: sherry bamsey | June 18, 2010 at 08:38 AM
Love the view of your wonderful treat cabinet, and I'd love the opportunity to win a frozen charlotte fairy!
Posted by: Barbara | June 18, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Just let me curl up in a corner and live there! I will pick up my bed in the morning and... and... I can cook! I will cook for you!!! I will even help you keep everything clean and organized! hugs! karen....
Posted by: karen | June 18, 2010 at 09:05 AM
You can't keep it "nice" because you USE it!!! All that creativity that pours out of you has to land somewhere! Loved seeing Twink and her little Aggie Rose together. I wonder if they will always stick close to each other. One more thing, I want the giveaway to be a big piece of your painted furniture, I should win it, and I will come and get it (ROAD TRIP!). Seriously, though, those pieces are amazing, I love it when you show them. Your Friend, Bobbi
Posted by: Bobbi | June 18, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Beautiful!! I can't wait to see more!!!!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | June 18, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Karlait is always a treat to see any part of your home. My word for it is "delicious".
Hugs
FredaB
Posted by: Freda Butler | June 18, 2010 at 03:58 PM
It's been awhile since I've read blogs! Love the treat cabinet! Can't wait to get back into crafting again and eating :) haha take care miss ya shawn
Posted by: shawn | June 18, 2010 at 04:04 PM
Karla,
Thanks for sharing pics of your studio....what a lovely place to create! I'll have to come and play some time!
Take care and see you next month! :)
Xo
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Stoneham | June 18, 2010 at 04:34 PM
Love the treat cabinet makeover...it is the same one that was in Romantic Homes isn't it? That rose/toile paper is SO pretty and really does look like it will go with everything.
Your hand painted furniture is gorgeous too!
The pic of Twinkle and rosebud is darling!
Posted by: Samantha | June 18, 2010 at 06:50 PM
It was fun seeing your studio in a different light. Definitely think you need just a few treats in your treat cabinet, though.
Posted by: barbara | June 18, 2010 at 07:08 PM
I'm 66 years old and this is the first time I've written a comment to a blog. I just started reading blogs a few months ago and love it. So many creative & sharing women. Your studio is great. What a neat way to use a wardrobe. Thans for sharing your granddaughter, puppies and home. Oh, how do you litter box train puppies? Great idea.
Posted by: Judy J | June 18, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Seeing yours makes me want to tidy up mine! I have a mess going, a few spots are pretty the rest is piles! I love
the idea of the suitcase pocket! Beautiful hand painted items, really lovely~
Posted by: Ellen | June 18, 2010 at 10:23 PM
you have a lovely blog and a lovely studio! i would love a chance to win your lovely giveaway!
Posted by: peggy | June 18, 2010 at 10:25 PM
What pretty pictures of your creation room. It doesn't look like a hodge-podge to me at all...just very pretty and very real. I just about croaked when I saw your wallpaper, Karla. OMG...I have never seen so much in my life. I just got my first little wallpaper stash today. I was at an estate sale...kind of an odd one...and found a little container in the basement with about five rolls of vintage wallpaper. I told the worker I made art with it and she gave it all to me for fifty cents! I have been high about it all day with no one to tell so you get the story...fun, huh?
Agnes Rosebud is a wonderful name!!! Katie named our first dog Crystal Moonbeams when she was young. Did you name her or did Sugarwings?
Posted by: Suz Reaney | June 18, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Love your blog & your crafting space. Thank you for the inspiration! Enter me to win our pretty giveaway!
Blessings,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Morris | June 18, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Love all the spaces that you have created. I am hoping that I will get a more creative once I read and go over it once more.
Posted by: Mystica | June 19, 2010 at 01:01 AM
How totally beautiful and inspirational. After I looked, I saw I HAD signed up for the Where I create party. So I did put in some snaps of the mess I am organizing for a creative space. It's kind of like the before pics! haha.. I hope there will be an 'after.'
Your photographs and video are amazing. I love your blog and your puppies, Sugarwings... everything! It is one of those inspirational ones. You seem so real, though. How is that possible? haha..
Posted by: Gayla | June 19, 2010 at 03:47 PM
Beautiful studio space Karla!
Posted by: Deb | June 19, 2010 at 04:33 PM
Would love to have it! Count me in too!
Posted by: rachel crisman | June 19, 2010 at 10:36 PM
I wanted to add, even your voice has a fairy/Glinda like
quality to it! There's no place like home, etc, etc. ;-D
Posted by: Ellen | June 20, 2010 at 01:03 PM
What a wonderfully creative space!
I adore your storage solutions. They have inspired me.
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | June 20, 2010 at 10:42 PM
Hi Karla,
What a beautiful inspirational studio!!! It must be so much fun to work there with so many wonderful items at your fingertips. Love it!!!
Posted by: Gail | June 20, 2010 at 10:55 PM
I wouldn't mind living in that room ... just put me in the pup area and throw me a treat every once in a while. Your studio is TO DIE FOR - truly. I would love to win this peat pot; it is darling. Thanks for the opportunity! PS - I am a follower, too!
Posted by: SuZeQ | June 21, 2010 at 10:17 AM
More gorgeous photos and love the festive outdoors!
Posted by: Jeanie | June 21, 2010 at 04:15 PM
Karla, Your space is amazing! I love the beautiful colors...so yummy!
Posted by: Beth A. | June 21, 2010 at 09:27 PM
So many wonderful things to love in there! I am totally envious of your old jewelry and those hats! I buy them to use the flowers too! After I got past the guilt of taking one apart I was hooked! If they are too amazing I can't get myself to take them apart but oh my, the flowers are wonderful! The lace pocket on the wall is genius, I'm really need more wall space to do all of the wonderful ideas I have found through this party! Thanks for sharing so much inspiration, Theresa
Posted by: Theresa | June 21, 2010 at 11:13 PM
It must have been a lovely dinner. Your creative storage is clever AND beautiful!
Posted by: Laurie | June 24, 2010 at 09:28 PM
Hi Karla,
well you have been a very busy lady, from crafting, to decorating, entertaining, have loads of fun with Sugarwings and puppies, trips etc, etc....my lady you are liven the life, and you are looking amazing...how do you do it...."Nike"..just do it!!! but I was wondering can I play in your wallpaper storage cupboard for an hour or so.....wont take "Much".....lol
been a great journey thank~you
hugs to you
Kirstie. xxx
Posted by: Kirstie | August 14, 2010 at 11:14 AM