My Creative Space

"My Creative Spaces" is being hosted by Shannon from the blog "Thoughts and Thimbles". I have been following Shannon's blog for years, her sewing, decorating and homemaking tips have always been an inspiration. When I recently read her invitation to fellow bloggers to participate and link-up I thought it would be a great time to share a little bit about where I sew and how I organize my supplies.

The photo above was taken in our dining room, where I do the majority of my sewing. I have always enjoyed sewing by a window, the natural light and view of God's beautiful creation brings me great pleasure.

Beside our dining room table is an antique cherry server that a dear friend gave me before Adam and I married. I had no idea then just how handy this lovely piece would be. There are two drawers in the bottom of the server, the one drawer was designed with dividers for silverware but I am using it to store my ric-rac and bias tape. : ) I am storing some lace and elastic in the other drawer.

Our dining room is rather narrow and I found it awkward to do any ironing in the dining room, but the kitchen is off the dining room and a great place for my ironing board.

The ironing board cover was made by my sister Rachel and given to me as a wedding gift. I really like the cheerful colors and how well it coordinates with my iron.

The table in our living room was built by my father when my sisters and I were little. The wood used to build the table came from the woods surrounding my grandparents home. I am so pleased to have this table as part of our home! I have many fond memories of cutting out my first sewing projects on this table with my mom.

I enjoy using tea cups to store special little sewing treasures. Not only is it attractive, but handy. Many time I will set buttons for a  current project on the saucer.

My little pincushion mouse (sneaking around the teacup) is the perfect place to keep my hand sewing needles. The peach calico mouse is filled with sand, which is helpful in sharpening needles.

Last Christmas Adam gave me this lovely antique sewing box. I store all of my most special projects in this box.

I must confess I am a bit of a "basket case". I have baskets in almost every room of the house, and each is filled with fabric or other supplies for projects. The basket in the photos above is especially handy as it has a lid. I store my yarn in this basket. Our cat Winston is very fond of yarn, and this is a great way for me to keep my yarn collection protected!

Some of my supplies are currently being stored in our laundry room. My thread is on a shelf near my washing machine.

This bookshelf is also in our laundry room. I have my fabric organized by amounts suitable for certain projects. I have more fabric over at my mom's house that I haven't had time to bring home and organize.

I have found photo boxes to be a terrific help in keeping my supplies organized. Each of the boxes contain different supplies such as buttons, ribbons, patterns and the like.

And to close, the view out our dining room window. Truly an inspiration while sewing!

"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands."
Psalm 90:17 

Naples

The other week my mom, sisters, nephew and I took a trip to the town of Naples. Naples, New York is known for it's foliage covered hills and delicious grapes. In the photo above you can see a hill, and that there is surprisingly still a lot of green.

The LORD blessed us with a perfect autumn day- crisp and sunny! While in Naples we visited a truly charming antique shop, fabric shop and farm market. While at the farm market we purchased gallons of grape juice, homemade doughnuts and I found some cinnamon creamed honey for Adam. He enjoys stirring a spoonful in his tea.

             My lovely mom and sisters. Micah was cut off in this photo, not sure how I managed that...

                        But here is my dear little nephew! Isn't he the cutest?

Grape juice! The main reason for our visit. There is nothing like fresh grape juice, absolutely delicious!! While driving to Naples we passed many vineyards. It was truly a beautiful sight to see the grape vines filled with vibrant purple grapes, I wish I had taken a picture. The LORD has certainly blessed our area this year with an abundance of produce.
  
"Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.  You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The rivers of God will not run dry; they provide a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so.  You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.  You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." Psalm 65:8-11

The First Fire of the Season

The night before last Adam built the first fire in our wood burning stove. Growing up my family always used wood as the main source of heat in our home. I love the cozy feel, the great smoky smell and orange fire glow. I made tea for Adam and I as he tended the fire, and once we had a nice little fire started we sat back to enjoy the warmth.

The stove was my mom's wedding gift to us. Since the stove is new we had to begin with small fires in order to cure the paint. It certainly makes the house cozy, and takes away the dampness in the air.

Our cat Winston seems to be in approval of the wood stove, and fall in general. He has spent a lot of time outside chasing leaves, and when not outside chasing leaves, inside admiring the leaves. : )

October

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October."
-  Nathaniel Hawthorne
 

                                                    (image from Pintrest)

October's Bright Blue Weather

"When gentians roll their fingers tight
To save them for the morning,
And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
Without a sound of warning;

When on the ground red apples lie
In piles like jewels shining,
And redder still on old stone walls
Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When all the lovely wayside things
Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
And in the fields still green and fair,
Late aftermaths are growing;

When springs run low, and on the brooks,
In idle golden freighting,
Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush
Of woods, for winter waiting;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
By twos and twos together,
And count like misers, hour by hour,
October's bright blue weather."
-  Helen Hunt Jackson

                                                  (image from Pintrest)

Hope you all have been enjoying a beautiful start to October. Here is upstate New York we have been blessed with truly lovely autumnal weather. The foliage is reaching peak in our area. It is such a treat to see God's handiwork on each and every tree.

Yesterday I baked my second apple pie of the season, and pumpkin is sneaking into many of the treats we are enjoying. I love the cozy flavors and feelings this time of year brings.

May you have a blessed start to your week!

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1&2