The T-Cozy

Up and Running

Here's an update regarding my recent computer woes . . . two days and a few hundred dollars later and I'm up and running again!

My tech guy, Chris, worked wonders, as usual. But I had to bring T-Party's computer home a little earlier than planned to transfer all of my data from my eight-year-old G4 Cube to the eMac computer shown above. T-Party's eMac is only five years old but apparently even that is considered old for a computer. (Yes, it's that dreaded planned obsolescence again.) So Chris updated its operating system and installed more memory. Sometimes I wish I could buy a memory chip or two for myself.

My computer guru was even able to work his magic on my old G4 Cube so it isn't a complete goner after all. But I decided it's best to put it into early retirement anyway. It's still acting very quirky and Chris is sure it's bound to have another nervous breakdown before long. With all that's going on around here, I just hope I don't have one first!

Susan

Trash Collecting (and a Bit of System Overload)

There has been a lot going on around here lately; like my shop getting ready to close, my 50th birthday, my daughter graduating from high school next week and my 20th wedding anniversary. And amidst all of the chaos, my computer decided to crash last night! ARGHHH!

I've felt a bit overwhelmed lately and I guess my computer was suffering from system overload, as well. My Mac, a very old G4 Cube, was probably one of the few out there still running. (Notice how I'm referring to it in the past tense as I have a feeling it has really kicked the bucket this time.) So I'll be working on my kid's computer today. And luckily. last night I had finished most of this post before the fatal hard drive event.

As you know, I'm a bit of a collector. I even have a collection that's meant to collect trash. Here's a peek at the varied vintage waste cans around our house . . .

 

Aren't they pretty? Certainly some of the things I collect might be considered trash to the some people. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so what's trash to some is a treasure to others.

And it sounds like my computer may be "trash" soon, too. (How I loathe planned obsolescence!!!) I sure hope my computer guy is able to stop over today. If nothing else, maybe he can retrieve my data from the hard drive. Wish me luck . . .

Susan

Finishing Touches

My studio is really coming together. This week, I've been putting on the finishing touches in between the craziness at T-Party. Have a look . . .

I brought a few pieces home from the shop to help me finish off the empty space where John's weights used to reside.  What a cozy corner this has become.

The counter-height stainless steel work table was in T-Party's kitchen. It has a bottom shelf that provides lots of storage and the addition of 1940's fabric around the sides hides clutter. This fabric also came from my shop where I had used it to make a "skirt" around T-Party's front desk. These metal tables can be found on restaurant supply web sites or in catalogs. They would make a great kitchen island, too.

I made these curtains five years ago for T-Party's front room. Little did I know they would be perfect for my studio!

This storage piece was made by a local carpenter from savaged elements. Isn't it cool? I love the old tin ceiling tiles on the front and the use of a window backed with fabric on top. This cabinet will be devoted to tea and will house canisters of loose tea and tea tins that I plan to sell on line.

 

 

My studio will be where the T-Party spirit will live on. It's where I'll continue writing this blog and manage my tpartyantiques.com website selling all of the things our patrons have come to know and love. Plus, I'm looking forward to sewing tea cozies and other fun items for Etsy this summer. 

I've worked hard on this room over the past month and I'm more than pleased with the results. It's a colorful, happy oasis filled with inspiration and all my favorite things. And though I'll miss the "brick and mortar" T-Party, I do look forward to spending time here in my studio.

Susan

Studio Miscellany

This post is the last in my series about my new, improved home studio. It's been a lot of work to paint and reorganize this space, but I know it is worth it since I'll be spending a lot more time here after T-Party closes.

What's left to share with you is a little bit of this and that. From the antique child's dresser where I store my rubber stamp collection . . .



. . . to the paint splattered old ladder that holds a few of my favorite vintage tablecloths. (You may wonder why tablecloths are displayed in my studio. Because they're so pretty to look at!)



There's even a comfy chair (along with a small TV) which comes in handy when either of my kids come in to keep me company.



Here's more studio miscellany . . .



 







Below is another Goodwill find. Once again, all this lamp needed was a new shade.





As you can see, I still have plenty of open space where John's weights used to reside. I plan to bring home a few useful pieces from T-Party soon. Once this remaining area of my studio is done, I'll be sure to share it with you.



But who am I kidding? This special room that's all mine will never really be "done." I'll surely keep tinkering with the layout and vintage treasures because that's just what I like to do.

Thanks for coming along on my week-long studio tour. And do stop by to read about my giveaway tomorrow.

Susan

Sew Nice

My mother was a terrific seamstress who sewed to help make ends meet when my parents first came to the U.S. in 1950. She was so talented and made lovely dresses for my sister and I. Though my mom never formally taught me how to sew, I seem to have picked it up from observing her over the years.



These days, I've begun to really enjoy sewing. And at last I have a dedicated space in my studio for my old but trustworthy sewing machine.



In this area I've once again surrounded myself with some of my favorite things, like the aqua painted shelf that is the perfect spot for some sewing accessories.

Hannah gave me the pretty teacup (below left) which is just the right size for my pin cushion. And the oval faux wicker tin (below right) holds more sewing notions.

 

These large spools of thread were from my mother's sewing table. Now they sit in a vintage doll dresser drawer that still sports its original little knobs and 1940's decal.



My sewing table, with its interesting curved shape, came from a neighborhood tag sale a few years back. Next to it is a two-tiered Victorian sewing stand that holds baskets of supplies.



The other day at Goodwill, I purchased a small candlestick lamp for two dollars. In perfect working order, it just needed a shade. So Hannah and I stopped by Anthropologie yesterday. She found a pretty dress to wear to her graduation next month and I found this sweet embroidered lampshade (below left). It was even on sale!

 

A 1950's crocheted pot holder in the shape of a dress hangs in the window, above. And my studio's sewing area would not be complete without my vintage button collection. Glass storage glass jars reside on the windowsill and allow light to illuminate the colorful plastic buttons.



That sums up cozy sewing corner. Isn't it sew nice?

Stop back tomorrow for the last in my series of studio peeks. My giveaway, in honor of the "big" birthday I have coming up next week, will be announced and begin this Saturday. I hope you'll participate.

Susan

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

What I love most about this space is that it's all mine. My studio is the one place I can surround myself with all of my favorite things. And many of these favorites are on and around my drawing table. 



This old desk lives is in a sunny corner of my studio with a view of our back garden. I enjoy getting creative with all of the storage needed in this area.



Below left, my old green metal shopping cart holds wrapping paper. This cart also accompanies me (after I empty it) when I go to flea markets. The window sill above the table is a great spot for small treasures. Feel free to click on any of the photos if you'd like an enlarged view.

 

My drawing table has a variety of fun vintage planters which neatly coral all of my pens, scissors, brushes and markers.





Above is my ring holder collection. These tiny wooden teapots were used in the 1940's and 50's as a handy and clever way to hold one's rings while doing dishes.

Below are more collectibles I keep around for storage . . . and for inspiration!

 



I can never have enough scrap paper and my 1940's planter does a great job of keeping it tidy. The pretty little basket alongside holds a ball of string and the tiny wooden panda is actually a vintage pencil sharpener. Cute!
 
So that's a little peek at some of my most favorite things. Tomorrow I'll focus on my new sewing corner. I do hope you'll stop by. (And don't forget about my giveaway which will be announced and start this Saturday!)

Susan

The Great Wall of Cottages

When it comes to collections, grouping like items together give them more impact. I've been wanting to group my collection of cottage pictures together for a long time. And I finally have the perfect spot on the freshly painted wall above my computer desk.

Here are more views of this area of my studio . . .

For those of you that expressed an interest in knowing my studio's wall paint color; it's Benjamin Moore's Turquoise Mist #695. A great shade; a little bit green, a little bit aqua.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to tune in tomorrow for more studio photos. Plus, later in the week I'll be having a giveaway!

Susan

More of My Studio...and a Weekend Away

John and I spent this past weekend away together to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We traveled to Lenox, a small town in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. Twenty-three years ago, Lenox was the place we had our first weekend away together, so we thought it would be nice to revisit all these years later.

We stayed at a charming bed and breakfast, above, called the Garden Gables Inn. Here's our lovely room below.

Just a mile from the inn is Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as an annual summer music festival and jazz festival. Though Tanglewood isn't open for the season yet, we were able to walk its lovely grounds. Just look at this glorious view!

This area of Massachusetts is beautiful and peaceful, filled with great restaurants and quaint towns. Along with Lenox, we also explored Stockbridge and Great Barrington. Such fun; we had a wonderful weekend away.

Now, it's time to get back to my studio . . .

Here's a little area of my studio that houses a big collection.

I like to stay organized, preferring to use vintage items for storage. Picnic tins are one of my favorite collectibles. They are also my storage container of choice as they look great and keep items neatly within easy reach.

Not only are these tins practical, when grouped together they add visual interest to bland shelves. And the little metal rimmed tags make it easy to tell what's in each one. Aren't they fun?

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for more studio views. And I'll reveal my wall paint color (as soon as I find the swatch!) as many of you liked it enough to consider using it in your homes.

Thanks for stopping by,

Susan

My New, Improved Studio

After it's new paint job, my home studio is coming together nicely. I've spent the last week slowly bringing everything back in and going through each drawer, file, and cabinet to purge what I didn't need. It was a daunting task but now I'm really organized which feels great.

I plan to share all sorts of detailed photos of my studio with you each day next week. But until then, here's a quick overview.

Along one entire wall you'll find my computer desk and printers. And, at last, I have my cottage pictures displayed on the wall.

In another corner is my drawing table. Coming from a graphic design background, I still love having this type of work surface in my studio.

And I finally have a dedicated area for my sewing machine. Isn't it sweet?

My studio even has some free space. I plan to bring home a couple of interesting display pieces I have at T-Party to fill out those areas.

I hope you've enjoyed this little peek at my new, improved studio. And be sure to stop by all next week for lots more.

Susan

The Merry Month of May

Ahhh May. . . my favorite month. Not only do we celebrate our anniversary, my birthday and Mother's Day; this month is the time of year we set up our screened porch. In the winter, this room is used for storing our teak deck furniture and outdoor ping pong table. But come May, it gets transformed into our favorite warm weather spot.

It's a simple room with very few furnishings. So once I washed the wainscoting and floor this week, it took me about an hour to get the porch in order. All that's left to do is to take the glass windows out and pop in the screens. But first I'm waiting for the oak trees in our backyard to finish dropping their oak dust. Last year, I put the screens in too early and then there was a fine layer of dust all over everything. And I am really allergic to oak dust! So we'll be enjoying those warm spring breezes in our back porch soon.

Isn't this a lovely time of year?

Susan