Studio Decorations and a Fun Ottoman project - Day 12 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Today I'm sharing some photos of black and white accents I have added to my studio. I like the way black and white works with all the other colors, so it is almost like a neutral to add to your studio décor.

This all started when I discovered a black and white ironing board cover my local Marshall's. 

Black and white ironing board cover with resident irons and steamer:

from left, my older Rowenta, Oliso I-touch, Clover mini iron, 

steamer, and vintage toy iron. I use the Oliso I-touch Iron most often.

I later found a black and white box, (also at Marshall's) which I now use to store textile paints, and also a black and white over the door organizer, which I now use in my office closet. 

Black and white box, used to store textile paints.

I recently wanted to add a foot stool to my reading corner in my studio, to make it a bit more comfortable. I had the idea that perhaps I could make my own, so I did a Google search, and found a pattern and instructions for a fabric ottoman on the HGTV Blog. Check the bottom of my post for a link to the HGTV Blog post by Michelle Edgemont with the pattern and instructions.

This was a very fun project to make. I used fabrics from my stash. In retrospect, I would have purchased new solid black fabric, since the solid black fabric I had in my stash was a little thin. I plan to replenish my stash with a higher quality fabric for later use.

My reading corner with the new ottoman and a little mini quilt I made for the top.

 

I was able to complete this project in one weekend. It is very easy to sew. The fun part is stuffing it, the instructions suggest stuffing with old textiles you have on hand. A search of our closets followed with findings of old pillow cases, a shirt, and other various textiles. I added polyester stuffing and an older unused polyester quilt bat to fill the ottoman out. 

I also later made a little mini quilt to set on top of the ottoman. This is to rest my feet on, so it limits the amount of dirt that gets on the ottoman (since it is not really machine washable). Easier to wash the mini quilt, than the whole ottoman! I hope to use it for many years! However, it would not be too difficult to sew a new one, and the stuffing could be reused. 

Here are more photos of the results:

Ottoman without the cover.

Ottoman with mini quilt cover.

Reverse side of Mini quilt cover (I also like purple!)

Here is the link to the instructions, by Michelle Edgemont on the HGTV blog:

https://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/how-to-make-a-fabric-pouf-ottoman

Give the project a try! It is a lot of fun to make, and also not too time-consuming.

I hope to add additional black and white accents to my studio in the future, I will share an update in the future!

Happy Creating in your space,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

Fabric Giveaway to check out! Henry Glass Fabrics - Day 11 - #31DayBlogWritingChallenge

Good evening,

It is Day 11 of the #31DayBlogWritingChallenge. It has been a busy day, so I'm just now getting to writing.

As an artist, I love entering creative challenges. They entice me, if it a challenge around a theme, the theme will often give me ideas for creating a project. It is a fun starting place and a great way to get started creating a new project. 

I sometimes enter fabric challenges, and the fabric inspires the design which I create. The design of the fabric can be a great way to begin creating too.

I also like entering contests to win prizes, and I have been lucky to win a few. 

Henry Glass Fabrics has a fun Fabric Giveaway starting tomorrow, which you may want to check out. It is 12 days of fabric prizes starting on 12/13/2018. You can check it out here: http://henryglassfabrics.blogspot.com/2018/12/

The Henry Glass Blog also sponsors the monthly "Desire to Inspire" Challenge, which you can enter, and if chosen you receive fabric for that month and in exchange create sewing or quilting projects to be featured on their Blog, the following month. I have done the Challenge twice, and it is alot of fun. You can design your own project (I designed a table runner and a quilt, and mug mats.) or you can use patterns to create a project or projects from the fabric. Check it out and have fun challenging yourself!

Until tomorrow!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Some Creative Gift Ideas from Craftsy/bluprint - Day 10 #31DayBlogWritingChallenge

Happy Monday!

If you are looking for holiday gifts, including classes and arts and crafts supplies for your creative friends and family here are some suggestions from Craftsy/blueprint. They are a great place to discover new supplies and learn new things. If you have always wanted to learn tatting, I highly recommend their tatting classes! There are also free classes you can try out, if you haven't check them out before. A fun place to visit, shop and learn.

You may even find something for yourself! 

Sponsored Ad(s):

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Coupon Code: No coupon needed.

Expiration Date: 12/12/2018 11:59pm MST
Restrictions: By clicking the Start free trial button you agree to the Terms of Use, Membership Agreement and Privacy Policy. You authorize Bluprint to charge your credit/debit card at the above stated price and before each subscription term at the then-current rate plus applicable tax. You understand that your plan is continuous and will auto-renew until cancelled or changed by visiting the Account page. For plans with a trial you must cancel during the trial to avoid being charged. *Monthly and Annual Bluprint subscribers will receive 50% off the full listing price of Craftsy.com classes, DVDs, kits and supplies November 3rd through December 31st, 2018 11:59PM EST. To redeem this discount, customers must sign in with their Bluprint email address and password on Craftsy.com Discount cannot be combined with other offers or promotional codes and is not redeemable for cash. 50% off Craftsy.com discount is only available upon the completion of free trial. Discount cannot be applied towards the purchase of the following products: excludes classes regularly priced at $9.99, Throughstone Sweater Knit-Along, Kitchen Invasion, The Flower Kitchen, Real Life Cooking, iPhoneography: Photos Videos & More, Baking Swaps, Easy & Delicious Plant-Based Meals, Classic Quilted Stockings, Minion Cookie & Cake Decorating Tutorial, High Sierra Shawl Knit-Along, Creating a Quilting Plan: Approaches for Any Quilt, Let's Decorate: Gingerbread House, Master Portuguese Knitting: Advanced Techniques in the Portuguese Style, Tealeaf Sweater Knit-Along, Fair Isle Holiday Ornaments, The Quilted Tree Skirt, The Easy Modern Apron, The Cross-Body Bag: Sewing With Waxed Canvas, Covering Cakes in Fondant: Round, Square & Shaped, The No-Sew Clutch, Fremont Tote Bag Kit, Embroidery Kits, Creative Grids, Karen Kay Buckley, Zirkel, Bluprint Boxes and the Mastering in Minutes series. Discounted $9.99 monthly and $100 annual price is only valid for the first 12 months of service, after which you will be charged our standard subscription rate of $14.99 for monthly or $120 for annual plans. Subject to additional terms. Bluprint and Craftsy may end or alter this offer at their discretion.

Happy Crafting and Shopping (that last offer was a long one!),

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

More Organizational ideas from my Studio - Day 9 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge 2018

Hi,

Hope you are having a good day. Today I'm sharing some additional ideas from my studio, for storing and organizing art supplies.

I meant to post them on Day 7 of the #31DayBlogWritingChallenge2018, but I was writing on my tablet and it was taking a bit too long! Also, my photos were deleted at the last minute. (technical difficulties!)

So, here are a few more ideas/views from my Studio:

View of my walk-in supply closet. I was able to plan the design of my studio and this is something I have always wanted. Fabric is stored on a middle shelf away from direct light. On the right art books and thread are stored, on the left are other drawing, painting and paper supplies. Additional supplies are stored in fabric baskets on the floor, marked with paper tags.

Close up view of closet shelves.

I use my family antique secretary to display my camera collection and other 

collectibles and family items, and use the drawers for storing my needle-felting supplies. The rolling shelf holds sewing supplies, ribbons and marking supplies (stored in tins and boxes).

Close up of my secretary.

Cubby storage for additional fabrics and trims, stabilizers and fusible. 

Close up of one of the tags labeling a cubby basket.

Hope you enjoyed this peek at my studio! Happy organizing and creating!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

A new studio tool to explore - Day 8 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge 2018

Hi,

Sharing my new studio tool today! I have wanted to get a Brother ScanNCut cutting machine for quite a while. This arrived about 2 days ago. A present from my husband and myself!

This is the Brother ScanNCut DX125 model, it arrived neatly packed. It was thoughtfully packed so it was not too difficult to remove from the box. The Styrofoam on the ends of the machine is in 2 pieces, so you take out the top halves, and it makes it easy to lift the machine out of the box. Simple solution!

Box which came inside of another cardboard box, inside of 

another larger cardboard box.

When I saw the machine I thought, it is so pretty, and also nicely compact, not too heavy, but sturdy. I tried out the get started project 

which didn't take too long to make. (It is a little box, which can be folded into shape.)

Looking forward to experimenting with the machine to discover the different ways I can use it. The machine comes with one standard mat, and cutting blade. Also a black pen holder and pen. A spatula tool for removing designs from the mat is included, along with a plastic stylus, for use with the touch screen. (You can use your finger on the touch screen, also.)

There is software that you can download for use with the machine, so you can design your own work. You can also scan your own designs into the machine, and cut them out. It comes with designs built in, and some included with the software. You don't need your computer to use it, which is one thing I like very much about the machine.

I plan to cut paper, fabric, and felt with it for use in projects. I may have to buy some additional supplies for cutting fabric, but plan to use the blade and mat that came with it first, and cut some paper projects, so I can become acquainted with it.

Will share my progress with you in the days ahead!

Have a great day,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk 

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

If you would like to participate in the 31 day blog writing challenge or visit the blogs of the other participants go to http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2018-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/.

Some organizational ideas from my studio - Day 7 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Hi,

For todays blog I'm sharing a look at my studio and some organizational ideas:

A cute vintage planter and votive holders makes great storage for scissors and sewing tools

A rolling shelf holds sewing and marking supplies.

My second rolling shelf hold fabric paints and markers.

My button supply and collection stored in an antique printers type drawer.
 I have begun using them to embellish my artwork.

Close up of the buttons.

I hope you enjoy this look at my studio, and perhaps you will get some ideas for your own creative space.

Be creative and enjoy life!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge2018

Some pretty photos to brighten the day - Day 6 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Good Afternoon!

It is a cloudy and chilly December Arizona day here today. Though it is not as cold as when we lived in the Midwest. We gathered some nuts earlier today (check out yesterday's blog), and it began to rain a bit, but not too heavily.

I thought it would be good to share some photos from October to brighten your day:

Cosmos!

Cosmos with house in background.

Lighter Cosmos

A Visiting Snail

Monarch Butterfly passing by.

Cosmos and Gray Sky

Cosmos Closeup!

Hope you are staying warm where you are, and may your days be Merry and Bright!

Denise Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31DayBlogWritingChallenge2018