So why another spot for my studio? Here’s the story! I’m still in the same house in Tucson (Spanish/Mediterranean style) where I previously shared my laundry room turned into a craft studio/laundry combination. Remember the fabulous chandelier? You can learn more about it and watch a video here.
It was always on my radar to find a way to turn my sun room into a craft studio, primarily because it has tremendous natural light. The mountain (wildlife) and city views are amazing and artistically inspiring. It’s a very peaceful and spiritually uplifting spot for me. However, my sun room had some pretty significant challenges to resolve before transitioning it into a studio.
For starters, it housed a small indoor swimming pool and whirlpool. It had to be drained, collapsed and a new floor installed. Our outdoor pool offers plenty of water and warm weather splash time for me!
And what about the Arizona heat in the summer and all that glass? It would have been nearly impossible to craft most afternoons when the western sun hits. I had a mini-split heating and cooling unit installed (huge difference), added heat blocking shades on the windows and two ceiling fans. While I was at it, I added powerful lighting above the island – much needed when I typically get up in the dark at 4:30 a.m. (nutty, I know).
Next, because there are so many windows, I had to deal with a lack of wall space for shelving and cabinets. I used my one big wall very efficiently by having a custom hutch built that holds my paper, punches, ink and more. In addition, I designed and had a large island built, with lots of drawer storage, open bookcases on each end and, finally, seating so that I could craft with others.
Last weekend, Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and my dear friend, Brian King, came to visit and I asked him to help me put together a simple video tour of the new space. It’s just Brian, a cell phone and a very casual walk through with me. However, I offer lots of tips and insight on how my studio is organized and why. Please forgive some of the crazy lighting – bright sunshine can be challenging.
FIND IT! Here’s a link to many products I used to organize the paper, stamps, inks, ribbon and more in my studio.
The same weekend, I had the pleasure of hosting Brian, Tricia Chuba, Kadie Labadie (both of them above) and Sheryl Sharp (below). We had a ball sharing ideas, crafting and playing a game to guess retired Stampin’ Up! colors (anyone remember Ballet Blue or Orchid Opulence)? Everyone was a winner!
Sheryl concentrates on using Blackberry Bliss ink and a dauber on the raised areas created by the Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Here’s my card that inspired the technique.
Kadie Labadie guided us through the construction of these charming mini Tic Tac holders.
Check these cuties out. More details on how to create them along with a resized version for two Hershey’s nuggets and a video here.
Just say YES to these yummy toffees made with graham crackers and pecans.
Graham Cracker Crisp
Line toast pan with foil and place graham crackers on the entire pan.
In a pan on top of stove melt one stick of butter and one stick of margarine. Add one half cup of sugar. Boil three minutes stirring often.
Pour mixture over graham crackers and spread out evenly. Add about one cup of chopped nuts (pecans) over the graham crackers and bake in the oven for about ten minutes in a 350 oven.
Cool for about one hour or more. Lift up foil and break into bite size pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Chef’s notes: you can use all butter if you want. Also, bake for 15 minutes (instead of 10) for crispier result.
My daughter, Caroline, whipped up these sugar cookies. They were perfection.
This is the recipe my daughter, Caroline, used for the sugar cookies. She added an extra 1/4 C of butter: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/9870/easy-sugar-cookies/
Brian had some cuddle time with our fur-baby rescues Freddie and Lucy (home with Caroline for the weekend). We all had a delightful time hanging out for the weekend and crafting in my new studio space!
WHAT HAPPENED TO my previous craft studio? It’s now a lovely butler’s pantry (just off the kitchen) and perfect for drinks and appetizers when I have guests. I have plans to build shelves below where my desk was (below the window) and add an under counter refrigerator! Could the grapes and pears of the chandelier fit any better into this new theme?
I love hearing from you! Please leave me your questions or comments about the project for today.
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Oh my gosh Mary I LOVE your new crafting space! Heck your home and the area look like what my dream home would be and the area around it! HOLY SMOKES is that some gorgeous scenary! NO wonder you wanted to be in that room to create!!!! So since i absolutely LOVE your style and decor.. and parts of the home that I’ve seen already, can you do an actual full house tour? I know a bit of an odd and strange request but i would love to see your home! You have such great taste and I love your decor and well, we are thinking about moving to Arizona in the next 2-3 years and I’d love to see what homes there look like lol … Could you also tell me where you purchased your furniture pieces and island for your craft room? LOVE them! Thanks a bunch!
Hugs,
Jo in Jersey
Thanks, Jo. This warms my heart and makes me very proud of my home and setting. It’s truly a dream come true. I have considered doing more photos or a video or the rest of the house. Maybe someday!
Hi Mary. I love your new studio. Such a wonderful setting to create! (On a side note – my daughter-in-law is wondering where you got your Apple Watch wrap leather band ?)
Chris
It’s the ultimate crafting girl cave, yes? The watch strap came with the watch. I turned 60 last November and indulged in the Hermes Apple Watch and double tour band. There are knock offs out there for much less!
Your new space is just heavenly, Mary! What a gorgeous, inspiring view. Every space you’ve had was beautiful, but this one, with this view, and the gorgeous tile on the floor…takes my breath away. I would never want to leave it. Dinner? Who needs dinner when you’re in there doing your thing? Beautiful…and thanks for sharing. I love your organization tips too.
My morning coffee and lunch are often in this space. I have the door open today and enjoying the spring temperatures!
Mary, I loved the tour of your new craft space. It has to be very inspiring. The Southwestern colors are beautiful.
I’m anxiously waiting for the cactus bloom, Jo. Last week’s wild snow “storm” is only a memory.
Totally fabulous and amazingly organized, not to mention stunning.
I love it Mary,
I’m incredibly lucky to have two big windows that overlook my back yard, I get tons of natural light even on cloudy days.
I think having an organized crafting space is key to get inspired, thank you for sharing this wonderful video with us.
XO
I’m with YOU, Maria, on needing an organized space. The natural light really helps with photography, too.
Your new stamping space is absolutely gorgeous! I’m an East Coast girl but have always loved southwest style. I also sport a pixie….you really rock yours! I’m a long-time follower of your blog. And I adore that top you have on…..would you share where you got it?
I love both coasts but very happy in Tucson. I’m originally from the Midwest (Madison, WI). Thanks for the sweet thoughts on my hair . . . heading out for a haircut shortly. The top was on clearance (70% off) from J. McLaughlin.
Mary, I love your new studio, especially all the windows with the natural light. Your studio looks so neat with everything in draws and a special place for everything. Did you do all the designing and planning yourself? Just being in this room can’t help but make you feel good. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Marilyn. Yes, I did all the planning and measuring since it was so specific to what I wanted and where. It helped to have done other studios in terms of how to group things and what should be closest to me.
I loved seeing your new craft space. I too, have my craft room in our sunroom, but we live in Washington state, so it gets cold in my craft room during the winter. (Right now I’m using our remodeled kitchen for my stamp camps!) We have a glass roof in our sunroom so one of my challenges has been keeping cards and cardstock from fading in the sunlight. Do you have any issues with that for your wall with cardstock? I love how you organized everything!
The good news is that the card stock is about as far away from sunlight as possible. However, I DO get fading on the ends of a few colors. I keep extra packs in the plastic. I feel having easy access as well as the ability to see all those pretty colors makes it worth dealing with some fading on the ends now and then.
Wow! Beautiful and inspiring!
Thanks for stopping by, Wendie.
I love your new stamp room and butlers pantry. You’ve really gained so much with the change.
It took time with all the challenges, Selina. I feel I gained a lot and feel very fortunate.
I enjoyed the tour of your new studio. It inspires me to get better organized. I don’t have as much as you do, but what little I have seems to get spread all over the room and then I’m not able to find what I need later on. Any tips on keeping your work area clean and placing everything back in place? Also the view you have is beautiful…. I would find it hard to get any work done. I enjoy reading your blog each day. Thank you for sharing.
First of all, Karen, don’t think for a minute that I don’t create a mess when I’m making a project. I pull quite a bit and tend to deliberate quite a bit on the final touches. Second, I’m working on getting a better rhythm on putting/pushing things away from the craft mat to at least keep that fairly open!
HI Mary. Thanks so much for giving all of us a tour of your beautiful new studio. It’s quite lovely. The view out the widows would be quite inspirational (even though my thought was about how many snakes might be sunning themselves)! Your pantry turned out great too. Looks like an ideal place for entertaining, etc. you have a really beautiful home. Also enjoyed seeing Freddie and Lucy. They are two “lucky dogs” for sure. Well enjoy that beautiful Arizona sun while we in the Buckeye state await the return of spring! Thanks again. Judy
Thanks for your feedback, Judy. I have only seen one snake (non-poisonous) in the 2 1/2 years we have been here but am always vigilant. I HAVE seen a mountain lion, bobcats, big horn sheep, deer, javelina, coati and many birds (Tucson is a birdwatchers haven).
What an amazing craft space! Can you tell me where you got the shelves for your stamps?
Stamp-n-Storage has several types of shelves for stamp storage. These are wall mount and Brett custom sized these for me. My painter, David, painted the shelves as well as my island!
I am so jealous of your new crafting area. You will enjoy it forever! Such a fantastic view! And now for the graham cracker and pecan recipe that looked so scrumptious??? Are you going to share it???
God Bless, enjoy and get crafting. Your ideas are wonderful.
Thanks for asking, Diane. I have now added the recipes for the graham cracker toffee and sugar cookies in the post.
Wow! That studio is awesome! The graham cracker pecan toffee looks pretty awesome too…recipe please! I really enjoy following your blog and all the great cards you share! Thanks for sharing.
That’s lovely to hear, Veronica. I have added the recipes to the post above 🙂
You have such wonderful ideas. Always a pleasure to check your site.
Thanks, Carol. That means a lot.
Your new craft room is magnificent! I can’t get over the storage unit you
designed, what an awesome job. Yes, I agree that it is an oasis. I was under the weather for a few weeks….I caught up on the blog today and that was such a wonderful treat. Thank you for all the sharing that you do and, please know that I am extremely grateful to you.
Paper crafting has been a gift in my life . . . in so many ways!
I LOVE IT! Especially the floors. You have incredible taste. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Kim. I have saltillo tile in these colors throughout my house. They worked well to bring back it’s Spanish/Mediterranean style!
Everything is so elegant and beautiful. You have a great eye for color and design. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Judy. It has taken awhile to work through the challenges but I’m a happy stamper!
I love your new stamp studio. Your views are stunning. I’m sure it helps to inspire you!
A day doesn’t go by that I’m not grateful to have this space and view, Marsha.
What a great craft space, Mary. I don’t think my card studio has ever been that neat since I moved in. LOL! You did a great job of organizing everything down to the smallest detail. Love your view! Thanks so much for sharing it. Enjoy your day!
I finished a card this morning and managed to make quite a mess. I like to try different colors, patterns, etc. However, it pretty quick and easy to put it all away and find organization again, Hilda.
Love love love! Your new space and all your organizing ideas! Beautiful! Wish I could visit from snowy Canada!
It was snowy Tucson earlier this week. However, it’s sunny and mid-50’s. Perfect for my walk this morning, Caroline.
Wow! What an amazing craft room, and that VIEW!! I could sit in there all day! You are so lucky! Your home looks just beautiful!
Thanks, Laurie. We spent 8 months remodeling the rest of the house. It was nice to get the studio done (finally).
Wow, what a pleasure to see this new video, the before and after. What a beautiful setting for crafting and living. Thanks for sharing, Brian did an excellent job of filming. I have watched all your videos over the years of new spaces.
Question: What was the light blue cloth in the clear plastic tube in the drawer, you mentioned that you still use it, for what and what is it called? What about your paper being exposed to so much light, do you go through it so quickly that the outdoor sun doesn’t fade it? I know that the sun isn’t directly on it, but still.
Thanks again for sharing, I am happy for your continued success. All the best to you and yours, pets too.
Thanks for your kindness and questions, Linda.
The light blue cloth is an Absorber Cloth from Amazon (and elsewhere). It remains damp and is handy for quick clean up, especially stamps and plates on my Stamparatus.
Sun isn’t directly on the card stock but I do get some fading in a few colors (even with using the block out shades). I live with it for the benefit of easy access to my colors (and they look so pretty)!
From pool room to serene stamping area, what an amazing transformation. Your room tour gave me inner peace, LOL, and those buttery lemon cushion tops are marvelous. Thanks for sharing this with us!
I appreciate your thoughts, Cindie. The yellow cushion bar height stools were from Wayfair (I think). They were on clearance (happy dance)!
The studio is amazing. Your house also looks beautiful, but I am not surprised at that! I think organization is the key to good crafting. Love some of your ideas.
Thanks, Susan. I struggle to create in “chaos.” It’s easier to find what I need and easier to clean up if I’m organized! This doesn’t mean that I don’t less things get messy when I’m working on a card. So many decisions!
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful, efficient craft “room” you have!!! Fabulous! Inspiring! Love, love it! I have just recently subscribed to your newsletters & daily inspirations. One of the gals in my stampin’ group told us about you. I went home and immediately started following you. Thank you, thank you for sharing your talents with so many people.
I’m so happy that you are enjoying my blog and newsletters. Be sure to thank your stampin’ group friend from me!
I love your new space! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure to share, Tracy. Hoping that some of these organization products and tips will help others!
Love your new space, working on mine . Trying to get everything organized, but then I stop to stamp ,oh well. Have a wonderful time using your space
You should always stop to stamp, Wanda. Glad you are working on your new space!
I love what you’ve done. It gives me ideas for organizing my space which well be desk/computer space/ sewing space. I moved from having craft room to 1 bedroom in Senior’s complex. I have 2 book cases which i’m Converting to stamps. I read mainly ebooks & can access public library online. I quite buying real fiction years ago & borrow.
Sounds like you are using your space very efficiently. Enjoy your new digs, Heather!
Mary, what an exciting transformation and remodel you have been involved in! I can hardly believe you’ve been going through all of this and still crafting and posting
( seems like ), as much as ever ! You’re amazing!
Your Butler’s Pantry turned out fabulous. It’s one of the nicest I’ve ever seen.
Can hardly wait until tomorrow to see part two!
Sincerely, another crafter ,
CeCe
The butler’s pantry turned out to be a godsend! We have a huge Thanksgiving and like to entertain. It “kicks” peeps out of the kitchen!
Mary, thank you for sharing your beautiful work space. By far this has to be my favorite, unbelievable views, storage and inspiration.
What it lacks, it makes up for in light, views and wildlife! I see a lot of critters and have birds (including hummingbirds) as regular visitors to my feeders
Great video my friend…..but I must admit…..Wish everyone could experience your space first hand. It’s AMAZING and the view would make it extremely difficult for me to get anything done. Thanks for sharing with us. (PS…..LOVE how how you displayed some of the cards you received on the wall.)
Thanks, Kadie. It’s such a treat when you visit. You always have a 3-D item to WOW! me with!
What an amazing space filled with inspiration and joy! It was such a pleasure to spend time with you and the others there, Mary! So glad we were able to pull together a fun video that shows how perfect your space is. Such great pictures and memories of a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, BK. Hope you come back soon!
OMG…..I love your new crafting space, especially the natural lighting and organization. I dream of such a space! I look forward to your next post that will tell where you bought all of your storage accessories. I’m particularly interested in the wall storage case in which you store all your stamp cases. Your butler’s pantry is also awesome! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Mickey. I had the stamp storage shelves custom built and painted. Stamp-n-Storage offers wall shelves, however, in other sizes.
Your new studio is gorgeous. You did a wonderful job of organizing it. I wish mine was that organized.
The key is planning. I thought about all my key areas (paper, punches, adhesive) and what I needed closest to me. Thanks so much, Sharon.