If Anyone Wants Me, I'll be in My Pit!

Every spare minute that I've had recently has been taken up with tidying my workroom...which I started last week. Its taken a while, but its clearer than it was. I have a few crates and boxes stored under the stairs, full of bits and pieces that I have been putting away for fairs so that I don't have to empty the shop of stock, but apart from those looking a little untidy, its a lot better...

For those who have only found my blog recently, my workspace was created from the cellar under our house. (Shown first here and then here.) Hence the title of my post...I have to descend a small flight of stairs into the room, so it has commonly become known in our house as 'Mum's Pit'! It was a lot of work to create it from the very rough and ready space that it was previously, but has proved to be a good decision. In fact, I have changed very little in the room since I moved in almost three years ago! Supplies have been added to, but many of the fabrics have been used and turned into items that I've sold.

The lamp that sits on my computer desk had been illuminating a huge pile of papers...I usually have a list of emails that I owe to people, which I never quite seem to reach the end of, but for now, at least, I can see the table cloth again! I see time sat at my PC as a huge drain and I'm always promising myself to spend less time sat here...but its not easy, is it?!

The old wooden rack on one wall stores some of my lace and ribbons - The ones I've been lucky enough to buy whole cards of...

The velvet ribbons are my favourites and are parted with only sparingly ;-))

Vintage French fabric covered boxes are used throughout my workroom to keep small supplies safe.

The old washstand (just seen below) hasn't proved so practical, and may shortly be going to live in our soon-to-be spare bedroom. A larger shelved cupboard will replace it.

Drawers keep special finds filed away...

Lengths of ribbon roses...

Stitched motifs...

and samples of rare woven ribbons (that I found on a buying trip here.)

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The little grey painted drawers, sat amongst my fabrics are extremely useful...

The bottom drawer is full of buttons - I usually make my selection from here when looking for the right button to fasten a handmade bag.

Other drawers hold my tiny buttons, beads and millinery leaves and stamens - All perfect for fairy dolls.

The box frames showcase velvet flowers and doll faces waiting to be turned into hat stands. (Some of my past makes can be seen here and here.)

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I covered the mini set of drawers in vintage wallpaper...

I use them to store postcards and pretty pictures.

The glazed cupboard above them has some of my French ticking fabric pieces inside.

The large set of aqua painted drawers are mostly full of lace, and a few trims.

The violet drawers have a varied assortment of supplies...

including embroidery silks.

Hanging beside my small window is this vintage fabric pocket wall tidy.

Here's Vera mouse - I first discovered this little character back in the early 80's, I think. I've always loved this busy little image of her making a patchwork quilt - Cute!

Sewing threads at the ready...

And other sewing equipment in here. With the lamp base that I created a few years ago from a boudoir doll's head!

Hope you enjoyed the short tour of my workroom. I will be trying to keep it tidy from now on! Have a great weekend,

Niki x