Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Inside my She-Shed


There can't be a woman anywhere who doesn't fancy the idea of a She-Shed. A little place to escape from the whir of the washing machine and the unrelenting calls of "Mummy!"

Well mine is finally starting to take shape! Over the last few weeks as I've caught up on sewing projects, I've also begun to sort out the cabin in the garden, transforming it from it's first life as a sleeping space during our building works, into it's new role as my studio. 

There's still a long way to go before it looks anything like the pictures of perfect sewing rooms that you see in magazines. (I probably need to iron all my fat quarters and stack them perfectly just to begin with) but already it's a place I love to retreat to if I can steal a couple of hours while Theo is at nursery.

Part of its beauty is that because it's detached from the house, none of the day to day house clutter invades my sewing space and likewise my sewing doesn't take over the living space.




At the moment it is being used solely for quilting, but longterm I also want to have a photography backdrop on one wall which can be rolled up and down when needed. The cabin faces south and the light in it is lovely, even at this time of the year.

Many of the things inside are bits I had acquired over the years which have traveled through a few countries to get here, but I also bought a few bits just for this space.

The pine table my sewing machine is on came from eBay. It was very cheap because it was far too low for practical use. We raised it up by several inches to make it useable again and when I have actually got round to painting the feet, I'll explain the whole process we did.  It was actually very easy and salvaged an otherwise lovely but unusable table.


This magnetic noticeboard came from Canada and is called an Everyday Display. It is supposed to be used for scrapbook pages (oh yes, I used to be a scrapbooker!) but has lots of photos and magnets on it at the moment. The smaller magnets are from Picstick who are currently doing a 25% off deal for readers of this blog if you use the code 'MAYB25' until November 5th.



My sister (the antiques hunter!) bought me the Dr Pepper tray last Christmas. The various quilts on the walls are either made by me or by other lovely quilters as part of swaps on Flickr. The one in the photo above was made by Liz.


This sweetheart display cabinet was given to me by the dotcomgiftshop and is brilliant for storing precious bits and pieces that Theo is not supposed to get his hands on.

Amongst the things on the shelves are a collection of champagne corks marking various significant points in our lives (from four countries) a very old toy truck marked up as British Forces Broadcasting (my former employers) the "&" sign from the table plan at our wedding (The C and J have vanished!) and a pin cushion made for me as part of a swap.

If you could have a She-Shed what would use it for? Many of these outside buildings have been turned into artist studios or libraries.One person even has an extra large one with a swimming pool in it!



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17 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness I am so jealous of your she shed! It's beautiful. x

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  2. It's gorgeous! It already looks magazine photo worthy to me-so lucky to be able to carve out your own studio away from the house. It's lovely-have fun creating in there!

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  3. It looks great. How are you heating it? I would love a she-shed but I hate the cold so I'd need some convincing. I have a conventional shed and a summer house - the latter can't be used in the winter (the doors swell to much to get open. They shrink back a lot in summer so I can't even have them eased.)

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    1. I don't like cold rooms either and I did have a big fear that it would become this cold void in the garden that wasn't used in the winter. However it is both heated (electric and thermostatically controlled) and extremely well insulated. Also facing south it heats up really well on its own, so if you time sewing sessions for the afternoon you don't even need the heater. I popped in there today at about 5pm and it was 19c on its own!

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  4. I have one, I call it my studio, she-shed is a great name though! Mine needs total refurbing, hope to get around to it in the springtime, it's had many incarnations from running courses to a party room! Love yours x

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  5. Oh I would love a She-Shed for blogging, writing and just being. What a wonderful space x

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  6. What a beautiful room. It feels very peaceful and creative- you are a very lucky lady! Can't wait to see what you have been making.

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  7. I am sooo jealous, it looks fantastic! Glad I'm not the only one who keeps the corks with the coins in :)

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  8. I'm trying very very hard not to be jealous, and failing just a little bit! It's gorgeous!! I can't really complain because I do have a studio, or at least a half share in one; we just need to get it tidied up and organised and not used as a dumping ground for the rest of the house and then it will be perfect!

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  9. What a wonderful space to call your own and it looks so stylish, enjoy every minure there

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  10. I love your She-Shed and would love one of my own. I could stick a comfy chair out there and my favourite magazines, I could put the sewing machine out there too! This is definitely going on the 'must have list' when we eventually move house xx

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  11. This is gorgeous! No wonder you like spending time here. Such a pretty space! #sharewithme

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  12. Your space looks so beautiful! I love the white walls, the light and all the colourful handmade items!

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  13. I am SO jealous. We are looking at new houses and I hope to have a little sewing room of my own, even if I have to squash all the kids into one room like sardines.
    Your quilts are amazing. I love your little log cabin block; I'm planning on making my first one and turning it into a cushion cover. #sharewithme

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  14. Wow, such an amazing space. I so need a she-shed! xx

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  15. Quite the most wonderful 'she shed' I have ever seen and a great idea for the space, long may you enjoy it Clare. when (and if ) I get a new sewing space next year I hope it looks a little like yours.Lorraine x

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  16. WOW hunny never been so jealous. I need a She-Shed pronto or I am coming to retreat in yours for sure. This is an absolutely amazing space. I am dying to turn my garage into a she-space for my food photography with props galore. It's on the wishlist at least. lol That's a start. Love all quilts on the wall too. I just did my very first quilt and it felt like such an accomplishment when I finished. Lovely. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. I am also jealous of your light. No where in our house or where we live gets good light. So it's hard to take bright photos. #sharewithme

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