Monday, February 4, 2013

Madness and Mayhem

The creative process....


For me it's always madness and mayhem. It starts with an idea. Usually at 6:00 a.m. as I wake. My best ideas always come at that time. Not sure why. I guess because my mind is rested and hasn't been cluttered with events of the day.


I head up to Bunnyville around 9:00 a.m. and work pretty much until 6:00 p.m. I do take a 15 minute break around 3:00 for a cup of coffee. Starbucks junkie I am. I even started collecting their mugs from different cities. A coffee groupie. Nice. ;)


I pile lots and lots of pretty things together and stare at them. I ponder...


I rearrange, add more things, and ponder some more. I make notes... I ponder. I don't get paid for pondering. I don't get paid for many weeks sometimes. Yet, I still ponder the possibilities. Creative careers are like that.  


I pet the bunnies and ask their opinion. They don't care. They just want more snuggles from me. I'm happy do oblige them. Could you resist that fuzzy sweetness? I think not. There is a gentle kindness, light, and love that comes from critters of all kinds.


 
 
The end of the day, I leave a disaster. Madness and mayhem. Time well spent.

I love my job. I'm blessed to have it. It took me twenty some years to get here. I'm the poorest I've been in twenty years, but at the same time, I'm the happiest I've been in my entire life. Hmmm...makes you think about what really makes you happy. ;)

Hugs and see ya back here Wednesday.

xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies

32 comments:

Jeanette said...

Aww Shell i'd love to come ponder with you in Bunnyville. :) Snuggle the gorgeous buns too. Hugs,xx.

Kris said...

Oh, my sweet, friend!! I too am the poorest (in money) than I have ever been in all my life but I am now the richest person I know!! It really does make one think about what really makes us happy!! And being your fiend makes me happy!!! :-)) P.S. Will you come and design my studio downstairs??

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

I am sure the bunnies are a great help when pondering :-)

Anonymous said...

Your room is so organized and lovely. I was going to collect Starbucks mugs with city names on them and and I ended up with only Chicago. That completed my city collection but I have several Starbucks mugs without names. It's hard to resist when I see a new one that I like. :)

Lesley said...

How wonderful to see your studio and read about your day. Love learning about your creative prices...I think I will start drinking your brand, giggle! I know what you mean about poorer but happier...I am right there with you. I chose to retire earlier to be happier and I am! Thanks for sharing!

KaHolly said...

Ditto. Isn't it wonderful?

Chris said...

I know that the pondering always leads to beautiful things!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Michelle, I have a somewhat similar routine to you and I think you expressed it well: after we sleep, our mind is decluttered and we can allow the beauty of our creative passions come through.

But what strikes a chord with me and you today is that creatures give us that unconditional love that we need to carry on. I was just thinking yesterday, "I need a rabbit. I need a dog. I need a HORSE to pet!"

Give your bunnies a hug from me, please?

Lovely design sweet friend. Anita

Unknown said...

Love your studio! I want one! I like that neat swirly pattern, the first pic, too. Looks cool:)

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Love your sewing room! Disaster you say? LOL...you have not seen disaster till you've seen mine!! I too am happy now designing so much. I am on a roll again, getting some small things done. I love your first picture! Such a great addition of wool yarn! That's a new look? Such a nice stitch to hold it on! Can't wait to see the rest of it! Thanks for sharing!!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Very Lovely sewing room to ponder about being creative. Hugs judy

Anna said...

This post filled my soul...we think so much alike. the buns look so contented it must be who they hang with! I loved the peeks into your creative world thank you for sharing!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I'd love to sit in that room, petting the bunnies and pondering...

Carrie P. said...

Yep! money isn't everything even though we need it for so many things like buying wool and yarn. LOL
I like that yarn embellishment on your piece. Neat idea! Your studio is beautiful.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Shell I have to know....in that beautiful space, where do you keep your books? Because I'm overflowing with books. Over. Flowing. And I love every one of them. Period. The end. blessings, marlene

Sparklyjools said...

Loved this post! I'm really, really, really poor now, but much happier. Oh no!!! I just realised the next stage is the coffee junkie and I've had 2 cups already today....
Aaaaarghhhh.... it's happppppeenninnnnggggggg...........................................
xxx!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Your workroom is very similar to how mine WOULD be! Maybe one of these days I'll get to follow my passion!

Createology said...

Hearing and seeing your creative process in your studio is wonderful. Happy is far better than money. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

kc said...

Like all your stitcheries, your creative space is beautiful, warm & inviting..and who could resist those little noses?

You put in a lot of hours, so I'm glad you make time to cuddle!

Linda said...

Here's to pondering!! My only problem is that I wake in the middle of the night with an idea...for some reason they come to me then!! You are lucky to do what you love...I am too...been able to use my creative side for a couple years now and I love it!! Have a great day!!

Christina said...

Poor but happy, what a concept. I love your studio and you get to hang out with bunnies all day. It doesnt get any better than that.

Elly D said...

Oh I just wanted to reach in and rub those noses! So very gorgeous and cute noses.
LOVE your studio! WOW!! Thank you for sharing your den :)

Sherry said...

Thanks for sharing pictures of your creative space and the story of your creative process. It is wonderful that you can do what you do and share it with the rest of us. I love your designs, I am still working on a few more blocks for my BOM you shared last year, I love it.

Lilac Haven said...

I see you have a Mary Engelbreit print on your wall. I have a bunch of them from when her magazine used to include one in the fold back when the paper was thicker. I love them. Looking at your projects makes me want to start one but I know better. LOL I have three unfinished quilts that my grandma left me when she passed on. For some reason I can seem to get to them. )-: I need to post some pictures of the blocks she started.

Loris said...

Your studio looks like a sweet haven for work and a lot of creativity. The bunnies are the best 'feature' :-) They are so beautiful!

glassbylindi.blogspot.com said...

I am so glad to hear someone else think the same way I do. My brother(who has several collector cars, an entire wood shop he does nothing with, a plane, etc.. doesn't see it that way because he's always working to pay for his toys.) I'm in your boat, do we have a paddle, if not we're crafters, we can make some!!! (Ha)

JudyCinNC said...

I am so envious of your room which really means I definitely miss my old sewing room. I went back to sewing last week and got so claustrophobic and still can't find anything so have spent the last two days reorganizing again. It is wonderful to feel and have passion in everyday life - happiness is loving what you have. Hugs to you and the bunnies. Judy C

Starr White said...

Thanks for the little peek inside your creative space and your creative process. I sometimes feel a little stressed if I don't have something to show for my creative time. It's reassuring to know that you also spend a lot of time in contemplative looking and it reminds me that it is an important part of the process!

Sharmond said...

Such a wonderful space to work in! How blessed you are!

Barb said...

Oh my gosh, your space is amazing and soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo organized and clean....never never never come to my home, you would be sooooo unhappy with me.

jerilanders said...

Just goes to show, happiness and wealth do not necessarily go hand in hand! But wow, what a great work space you have! And your "mess" is not really that bad, at least it is a soft mess... fabrics, threads and fuzzy things. Wishing you many more years of Happiness in creativity!

Clovie Boy said...

I like your new creations, Shell!

I think the creative process leading up to the actual creating is just as enjoyable. It takes time to figure everything out and you are so lucky you can spend your days doing it.

My morning shower seems to wake up my creativity. I cannot tell you how many drawings I have done on my shower door...just wish the hot water would last longer!

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