the Creative Thursday blog

2 years ago

2 years ago April 3rd, escrow closed and we officially became Los Angeles homeowners.

 

A day we will never forget, one that took a village - literally - combined with piecing together of every bit of our financial story to make it happen. (Lenders do not make it easy for the self-employed) 

I’m posting this to celebrate, to mark a turning point and to remind you (and me) that life always has a way of working out. I hesitate to share how “hard" it was to get here, because I’m done perpetuating “the struggle". But sometimes the life and specific direction I’ve chosen has felt like an uphill battle. But that’s why I’m an artist and an entrepreneur - I don’t follow the herd, and I don’t share the same point of view as the masses. I’m the one who thinks outside of the box, asks questions and moves things forward sometimes to places even I wasn’t sure were possible. This isn’t easy and those of you who are also taking this path know what I’m talking about. I’ve learned and am relearning that it always comes down to how I choose to perceive my circumstances that makes all the difference in how “hard” life is going to sometimes feel.

 

Home ownership was not new to me and when I gave up my first home in L.A., the proceeds of the sale became the investment I needed to build Creative Thursday. To find my way back to home ownership again after selling that house to build this same business was a big accomplishment and a dream fulfilled. However, investing in a house at the very moment my business was going through some scary financial shifts, on the heels of failed and expensive fertility treatments, was beyond uncomfortable and stressful. But when the house we fell in love, that we happened to already be renting, was going on the market? we had to try.

 

Buying this house took a big leap of faith, plus persistence in the face of many “no’s”. With a fierce determination, a knowing that there’s always a way and the support of many, Sean and I made it happen and are still making it happen. Two bumpy years in, it feels like we’re gradually finding our footing again. And every day we wake up we could not be more thankful that the perfect timing led us here. We LOVE this house, our neighborhood and our neighbors so, so much, and not to mention the tiny critters (pepita, mae mae and anderson cooper) who unexpectedly found homes with us here. The support, connections and friendships we have on our block are unlike any other neighborhood I’ve ever lived in.

 

We now know that landing here came at the exact perfect timing. We couldn’t always see it...especially that day when our former next door neighbors unexpectedly bought the last house we were renting and we had to move suddenly and the only way to break the news to Sean was a shot of tequila after crying the news to my friend over dinner...If we only knew it was all just leading us here, it might have eliminated the fear accompanied by so much anguish. And now we have this beautiful house as a daily reminder to fear less, trust more - to let go of the struggle and enjoy the process.

 

kittens are staying!!

Just over one week in, they all became friends :)

nesting

slowly but surely coming together over here. my favorite part of moving into a new space: making it feel like home.

also featuring art by mummysam and corinne dean

we're home.

the move is done. insert *big sigh of relief*

and already, we are so happy here. I can't even begin to tell you how the recent renovations and upgrade in size especially in both home and studio are making such a difference. Oh and since it's 92 degrees today, let me talk , just one more time, about the amazing miracle that's called 'having air conditioning'...and our neighbors... Honestly in all of the states and cities I've lived in, never have I experienced a neighborhood like this. The genuine kindness and support we've been shown already - a sense of community I didn't even know I had been been missing all these years.

Below are before shots of the new studio, living room {while waiting for the floors to dry}, dining room with a glimpse of the picture window with a view of the garden, master bedroom with stained glass windows that make us feel like we're in church, our neighborhood gathering at our neighbors' accompanied by wine and ice cream, and the best sunset and long palm trees that line our street. we are home.

more to come soon! have a great {labor day} weekend!

we're moving

Boom! a couple of months ago our house was sold unexpectedly, or out from under us as I usually describe it. It was sudden and super stressful until...as often happens...and is hard to remember during times of extreme uncertainty...everything worked out perfectly and we found a new house, a larger one {that we have really needed for far too long} with air conditioning, and an actual large room that will be my new studio,  did I mention air conditioning?!

Packing has begun and thanks to these awesome eco-friendly bins, so much easier than ever before. If you're in the L.A. area and planning a move soon, you've got to check this company out. Rentamovingbox.biz You rent the boxes and packing material if you need it? They drop them off and pick them up when you're done. That's right, ease, recycling, handles, lids, crush proof, and an immediate incentive to unpack. 

I'll be taking a bit of a break here as I also plan to return with a brand new blog. See you on the other side!

This is going to be the beginning of an amazing time. I feel this for a lot of us. Want to come with?

art on the wall

I've been meaning to...is the start to a lot of sentences when your a business owner. 

You have big plans or just mediocre ones too, and then the day to day tasks and certain projects of your business come first. But! eventually there's a moment when it's time; when that thing you've been meaning to do becomes the priority and voila. 

That's my long way of saying, I have been wanting to share more photography of my work in a space. It makes such a difference, really, to see art work in context. I just released the option for a new large size 17" x 22", limited edition print in the shop, and this is how they look framed. 

This is also how several of the smaller 8.5" x 11" prints look framed sided by side, combined with one of my canvases, the bunting, the patchwork, and a mobile, and a wall decal below.

While I always emphatically say that my work was never intended to be solely for babies or kids {as I've always painted for me!} It's fair to say that most of my customers by it for their children. I give in. This is my art in a nursery :)

Turns out! my assistant Rachel is expecting her first baby in just a few weeks, so she was the perfect model.

Next shoot will be for those adults who like me are still kids at heart and want what I create for themselves.

my first patchwork throw

Oh you know, before I headed out to quilt market a few weeks ago, I just whipped up my first patchwork throw.

Seriously! I made this in a day {daily quilting?!} This is when I realized that all the sewing I've been doing, especially garment sewing, is starting to pay off. My skill level and speed is improving. Also, I was given some great advice about easing into your first quilt and that is to use a 12" x 12" ruler square to cut your pieces. Brilliant! 

You can see the front is an assortment of 12" x 12" squares. At least one design from each of my printed fabric collections to date is featured. I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun this was to make and how satisfying it was to put together a grouping of some of my favorite designs and see how they all tell the same story together. Joy. They give me so much joy.

The back displays 4 more designs. I didn't add any batting or quilt this throw. I just stitched the front and the back together and the combination created a perfect summer blanket.

As I told the audience at my schoolhouse at market, "I get it. I really get it. The love of quilting and the fabric stash." The chance to layout and design a favorite collection of fabrics and then turn it into your own, timeless piece of art, that is not only beautiful but useful. I get it.

there have been times

when I've looked at other's lives, wishing I had more of what they have. instead lately i've been looking more at my life and am really happy with what I see.

is it a pillow or a cat?

 

an unexpected guest + an art wall

I'm visiting over at Victoria's blog today. I LOVE her unexpected guest/home tours series. Don't know about you, but one of my favorite parts of this whole creative blogging world is the chance to peek into other artist's homes. It must be the interior designer left over in me. I'm a sucker for an inspiring interior space.

Which reminds me, I don't think I have shared the beginning stages of my art wall with you yet? Earlier this year we let go of a very large armoire in our entry/living room and replaced it with my favorite yellow chest. Guess what was created? *space* and the perfect place for my 'art wall'. You know how eclectic collections of art all on one wall are all the rage? I've been wanting one for a while and would've chosen my sunroom studio ~ however  ~ it's proven to be rather challenging. First since it is a sunroom there are more windows than wall space and second, it was literally added on to the outside of the house, and the walls are actually the original exterior of the house which means they are made of some serious cement. I've finally given up on trying to hammer or screw anything into them and have resorted to sticky back velcro squares to adhere art. This means that the art can also fall at any given moment...oh who am I kidding? I've pretty much used up all my wall space in the studio, and my growing art collection is spilling over and needed a new home. Voila!

Here are some of the artists featured from top then clockwise

Outi Harma

Amanda Blake

Camilla Engman

Matt Adrian aka the Mincing Mockingbird

Michele Genele

Mavis Leahy

Lizzy House

my work

and my crazy "maps to the stars home" vintage sign I found in Silverlake when I first arrived in L.A.

Thank goodness this art wall is attached to a 15' ceiling...because I cannot wait to keep adding to the collection...