A Dozen Roses & an Empty Attic

Happy Tuesday (Monday?)  I'm getting the days mixed up this week... probably because I took Monday off, and therefore had an extra Saturday.  :)

A wonderful event happened this weekend.  Some of the girls at our church completed all of the requirements to be 'crowned' (which is a ceremony in which we celebrate the wonderful work they've done and they receive tiaras while wearing beautiful dresses.)  And, as with all things, I never do a ceremony half-way.  I agreed to do the church decorations so that I could make sure the background was fabulous, there were slideshows of the girls growing up (which brought tears to many eyes), and a lovely time of fellowship afterwards, complete with custom cupcakes made by my amazingly talented friend, Katie.

And then, a surprise.  There were six girls in all, and at the end of the ceremony, they each gave myself and the other club leader two roses, so that we both received a dozen.  I was moved almost to tears at their thoughtfulness.  Aren't the roses beautiful?

I have been concentrating on so many things for the crowning lately that many of my posts have been rather useless other than to remind you that I'm still here.  But a project is still underway -- remember all those months ago I announced that we were remodeling my STUDIO??  Well, the garage idea wound up being a bust... there was just no way to make it work.  But we've turned our attention to our full attic.  It's a waste of space right now, being used only for one or two storage boxes.  So Jayson asked if I wanted it.  {Perhaps he's tired of tripping over boxes in the hallway in the middle of the night... boxes that won't fit in the current studio.}  I've asked for the new studio as my Christmas present, and he seems to think that this is a possibility.  Pictures to follow, of course.

Love to all of you!

~ Sarah

A Room of One's Own

According to Virginia Woolf, a woman must have a room of her own if she is to write (or, in Sarah's version, to create!)

I have a wonderful opportunity ahead of me.  My husband has decided to give me the garage for my studio... the concrete, cold, smelly, humid, unfinished garage. 

I know what you would assume I'm thinking: "Gee, hunny, thanks.  You really shouldn't have."  But don't, for he is giving me much, much more.  He plans to finish the garage.  He'll start by moving his things - motorcycle, 4-wheeler, spare parts, tools and ladders, and then he'll insulate, drywall, spackle, paint, furnish, and otherwise turn a dirty, grungy place into a whole new world. 

So he is giving me the transformed garage for my new studio. 

Be still, my heart!!!!!

Once I recovered from the shock of this announcement, I set out looking for inspiration.  I thought I'd share some.  :)

The first five are images that came up through google (search words: "amazing craft rooms").  Honestly, I'm not sure of the sources {Help, anyone?}  The last three are from Alicia Paulson's studio (her blog is Posie Gets Cozy.)  She is my hero, and I would live in her craft room, if she would let me. 

What I've noticed is that I tend to be drawn towards bright, colorful, organized spaces that don't overpower me.  I certainly have enough stuff to fill my garage, but hopefully, with my brilliant husband's organizing and my inspirations, it won't be such an overwhelming task. 

So, what do you think??  Any suggestions??

~ Sarah