Wednesday 16 March 2016

My Spaces: Studio, Home, Garden.

 
 
 
Hello, hope all is good in your part of the bloggy world. It's been really lovely reading your comments, I really do appreciate that you spend the time to have a little chat with me. I'm sorry, I've still not managed to reply yet to your comments on my 'Pouring It All Out Post'. I will, I promise, such difficult stories you shared, I need to make sure I've enough time to properly respond.
I've been thinking a lot about the space I've created here. What it means to me, who reads it, and why? I still find it all quite remarkable, and very humbling too, that anyone stops by. I really love this space. Yes I'd like to be able to take better pictures, I'd LOVE to get a new look for my blog, a new header...so many ideas floating around in my head, but zilch technical ability (although notice my blog list is back!). So it will remain the same. But actually, it doesn't really matter, what really matters is that you enjoy popping by, having a little read. You the readers, are the most important. Substance over image. (Although I wouldn't say no to image, AND substance!).
 
I thought I'd start a new monthly blog series. I'm calling it My Spaces: Studio, Home and Garden. Each month I will let you know what I've been getting up to.
 
My Studio- something I've been making/creating/reading.
 
My Home- something I've cooked, rearranged, de-cluttered, decorated.
 
My Garden- something I've sown, grow, harvested.
 
I'm not one for planning posts, I didn't even know I was going to do this one until this morning. I'm hoping that by putting a bit of structure into my blog, it will keep things fresh.
 
 
My Studio...
I'm managing to squeeze in a bit more studio time now Otto is getting bigger. It's still a challenge! Yesterday he ran up off with one of my slipper boots. He almost couldn't lift it, and kept tripping over as he legged it up the garden. I couldn't chase after him I was laughing so much.
I've given it a bit of a spring clean, and added another shelving unit. My next thing is to sort out my book collection. I've got a one in, one out policy going on with magazines and books, time for a sort out. I'm also going to give my fabric collection a sort out too. I'm never going to sew lots, too afraid of my sewing machine, so I need to ration out what I do have, give someone else a chance to use it.
 
 
My Home...
I've been mantel faffing again. I keep rearranging things, I'm happy with it, but that can change within a moment. I love mantel faffing. I could spend hours mantel faffing. I do spend hours mantel faffing!
I'm also trying to decide about what to do with the conservatory. It's lovely in there now, when the sun shines. It doesn't quite gel though, which is frustrating me. When we had the studio built, I took the sofa from the conservatory down there, so it's made the space look too bare now. I'm thinking of painting the chairs and drawers over the next few months, a shade of grey perhaps, and popping up a picture. Cosy it up.
 
 
My Garden...
This is where most of my energies are being spent at the moment, pennies too! I'm really, really pleased how the lower kitchen garden is looking. The raised beds look good, I feel like I'm getting the 'bones' of the space just as I envisaged. I've enjoyed watching it take shape, but now for the fun bit...filling them up!
I've got 6 beds, one will be for strawberries, 3 for vegetables and salads, 2 will be for cut flowers. Well that's the plan at the moment. I've got lots of seeds to sow, sticking mainly to my favourites, but with a new one here and there. I've put shallots, French shallots, beetroot, salad leaves and rainbow chard in one of the beds this week.
I've got some summer raspberries to plant out, I might get another raised bed for those, put it where the herb bed is. Herbs are better near the back door. I'm hoping to use the bottom patio to pot up some fruit trees, the sort you can grow in containers. It gets a lot of shade from the conifer next door, so I'm not sure what will thrive there. Any advice would be most welcome.
On my last post, I mentioned our frustrations over the assembly of our Agriframes arch. Fabulous arch, but a pain to put up. Imagine my surprise when I got an email from Vicky at Agriframes, apologising for our difficulties, and wanting to know how things could be improved! She had read my blog post. What great customer service, they are sending me a Slugbuster to compensate, I think it will come in very handy. (I wonder if they do Sausage dog busters too, he's eating everything, just as they are starting to grow!).
My worms were delivered yesterday, just picking up the box was making me heave, hubbie gallantly popped them in the compost bin...let's hope they do their job. Oh for crumbly, smell free compost!
 
 
So what do you think to My Spaces: Studio, Home and Garden? What projects have you got going on at the moment, I'd love to hear...
 
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

46 comments:

  1. Hi, I don't think I've ever commented before but I've been reading along for at least a couple of years! I've always been a silent blog reader but find I'm becoming more chatty on the blogs I follow... Anyway, I digress!
    I'm scared of my sewing machine too! Silly really but I get a bit OCD about straight lines etc and know I don't have full control of the machine, I'm usually chuffed with the less than perfect results so maybe I should use it a bit more.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Mandy. I've got one that goes really slow so at least I feel I've got some control!!! Don't think I've ever done a straight line though! ;) xxx

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  2. I used to be scared of sewing machines because they always seemed to go too fast, but bought myself a middle price Janome with a variable speed on it - it's brilliant! If it is on slow speed, even with the foot pedal right down, it still goes nice and slowly. I am a beginner but had a few sewing lessons a couple of years ago and have made lots of things including a skirt with a zip, several pinafore/shift dresses, a bag, decorations and bunting. I love sewing things now and if I can do it, anyone can! (My straight lines are improving with practise...)
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Hi Ellie, mine has never been on anything other than very slow, I panic otherwise! ;) xxx

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  3. Nice to read what´s going on at your spaces.
    Your studio is such a beautiful space. I´d needed some place like this, too, for escaping : )
    Since I have no studio, there are only two spaces to talk about.
    First the house, which I wish to change a bit and first of all declutter a lot. It keeps only up to a snails pace...
    But nether the less I´m keeping up.
    Last week I bought a new reading/knitting/crocheting chair.
    Fels like heaven sitting on it.
    Second is the garden, which my Man and I, we both are so looking forward to see everything grow. We love to have our self grown vegetables and fruits.
    Have a nice day, really liking to stop by at your space
    (there´s no need to wonder why!)
    Angela

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    1. It's a great place to escape. It must be lovely to share your garden with your partner, mine hates gardening! :) xxx

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  4. All of your spaces look wonderful dear Amanda, your studio looks very well organised and a lovely place to retreat to for your craft projects. I love your eclectic mix of decorations in your house, especially those on the mantel that you like to faff. I love how you have decorated your bedroom and your Laura Ashley bed head and footer, something I would like to buy one day. Your garden plans are coming along beautifully, in no time at all you will be harvesting your fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables and picking flowers. I love the photos of Minnie and of Otto with his silky, floppy ears. My sewing machine has been well used over the years for children's clothing, doll's clothes, curtains and cushions etc. I have to watch the speed on mine as it can go too fast.
    I plan to do some de-cluttering this weekend and frame some prints for my daughter.
    I love visiting your blog as it is always so interesting and filled with colour.
    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. Thanks Dianne, my girls would die rather than wear anything I would make for them ;) good luck with the decluttering :) xxx

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    2. This reply made me laugh!

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    3. I think I would rather die tha wear anything I made! ;) xxx

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    4. Your reply made me laugh also. I made many clothes for my daughter until she was about 10years old and they were very much in fashion for the time but then she moved on to the more trendy store clothes.
      Don't worry I didn't make her wear any clothes that would embarrass her. ;)
      xoxoxo ♡

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    5. Pleased to hear that, we wouldn't want to embarrass our children would we?! ;) xxx

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  5. Lovely Spaces it's great to have a seperate crafting area, I'm slowly tacking the summerhouse at the mo, Sewing machine are scary after two years I'm finally just having a go on mine. The gardens looking lovely
    Clare x

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    1. To have a separate area for all my stuff has been brilliant, it's freed up the house of all my clutter, have fun seeing and I hope the summerhouse is finished in time for the warm weather :) xxx

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  6. You have a lovely, honest, whole-hearted blog. I enjoy all your posts.
    I have a tiny, similar but messier plot. Our gooseberry and Blackcurrant bushes are the ones we couldn't live without.
    Best of luck with the faffing and decluttering

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    1. I'm a bit nervous about growing fruit to be honest, sticking to strawberries, raspberries and perhaps some apples, although I like the idea of fresh rubarb so that might get on the plot somewhere! Thanks for stopping by :) xxx

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  7. What a beautiful work space you have xx

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  8. My workspace is my couch ;-) I am drooling just a tad when looking at all those pretty vintage fabrics!!
    Esther.

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    1. Thank you- I'm feeling rather guilty Esther that I've not been using them...really must get my act together! ;) xxx

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  9. I will look forward to your new series of posts, I hope you enjoy them too! Good luck on the sausage dog buster, I fear you will just have to give it time though!! Good customer service from the arch people though getting in touch with you! Your garden is looking really good. xx

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    1. Thanks Amy...I'm not sure the sausage dog buster will work either! ;) xxx

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  10. I love all your posts and enjoy visiting all your rooms ,

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  11. It's all lovely! Peaceful and inspiring.

    You certainly don't need to take better pictures!

    Oh decluttering - I really need to get on with it, I'm an expert at procrastinating.

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  12. everywhere is coming along so well you must be thrilled with the garden, afraid I do not grow veg, have a few fruit trees but they rarely produce fruit! and do plant dried peas as they come up so quickly and the shoots are lovely in salads. Not heard of slug busters sounds a good idea hate the slimy things
    I used to make all my clothes and for the girls but when they got to teenage would not wear them they are 40 and 44 now.
    Practise and you will soon get the hang of the machine, I seen to recall you made a lovely quilt maybe last year. I have lots of .
    First glance thought you were reading 50 shades of grey!

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    1. You are doing so well with your quilt making Margaret, I can remember when you took your first tentative steps, you're running away with them now! I know, I just need to apply myself...ever been very good at that ;) xxx

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  13. I read this just as I was having a sip of tea - splutter!

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  14. I do love your studio. What a great place to spend some quality time, to do your own thing and be able to leave it as it is. Knowing it will still be there when you return...
    Must be great to have such a happy place.
    Have a very nice evening,
    love,
    Mirjam

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    1. I created for years in our dining room and had to tidy everything away before dinner, I can't get out of the habit of tidying up, crazy really as no one else's uses the room! ;) xxx

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  15. Where is my comment to this post???..Lost in the web...:-(((((...
    however among other things I complimented you for your beautiful teapot!
    Ciao,
    Miriam

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    1. That always happens to me too...where do they go?! ;) xxx

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  16. I love your blog. You have such a wonderful way of describing your life to us. Love the pics of your house, garden and studio... Get you a studio, love it. 😀 I now Pfaff with my mantel too .... Thanks to you. Xx

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  17. Evening Amanda, I love reading all your blog posts and look forward to seeing things grow and you accomplish it all. Good theat Agriframes contacted you. I have managed to crochet even with the stitches still in my finger, I have joined Shelley Husband's, Spincushions CAL, a mystery blanket. never done one before, but enjoyed doing my first 9 squares. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Hello Alison, so glad your finger hasn't stopped you crocheting! Hope you have a lovely weekend :) xxx

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  18. It's a shame you couldn't get a photo of Otto stealing your slipper. Now that would have been class.

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  19. oh no! The front greens of the studio is gone.

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    1. Hi- do you mean the grass? It was very uneven and not great for me to get in and out of the studio, I kept falling over...I plan to put tubs of flowers on it so there will be some colour! ;) xxx

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  20. Hi and thanks for your entertaining posts. I have just caught up with your no dig gardening post and have a couple of thoughts. 1. The slimy mess of compost. I think your missing ingredient is oxygen. That's my problem, too, but it's because I don't turn and toss it regularly. Aeration is the key. 2). I note you finished with compost. Compost is full of microbes which are great for the garden but don't like to be exposed to the air. Here in Aus, we always finish with mulch over, be it straw or some such. Lupin and coco peat is good, too. This might help http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s4227516.htm . Best of luck and enjoy your summer. We plan to be seeing some of it this year. Sincerely Ruth Barker

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    1. Thanks Ruth, I think you're right. I've been turning the compost every week so hoping that will help! Yes fingers crossed for some sun this year, I think we are overdue! ;) xxx

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