The Tale of Jane's Studio

Once upon a time a crafter called Jane dreamed of having a workspace of her own. From her earliest days as a little girl  she occupied many hours "making and doing" wherever there was a space..the kitchen side, the dining room table, her bedroom floor and many even more unusual places.

When Jane got married for a while she lived in a tiny one bedroom flat where there was little space  for much crafting. She took up cake decorating, as this could be achieved in a small space on her kitchen side. After 2 years had passed her and her Hb moved into their very own  house where she had 3 whole bedrooms. For nearly 5 years she had her own room to craft in and set out her sewing, knitting and other crafts. She had a ball. She made curtain and blinds, lampshades and all sorts of other items. It was crafting paradise.

In 1986 the first of the 2 miracles occurred, her Darling Daughter was born and the craft room became the nursery. Jane was so busy with this bundle of joy that her crafting was not missed too much, she still managed her cake decorating and knitting.

February 1989 arrived and so did miracle number 2, her Precious Son. Darling Daughter moved into bedroom 3 as Precious Son now needed the nursery. And so the house was full! With 2 little miracles Jane had many, many happy years of making and doing with her own children. Her own projects (except the annual birthday cakes of course) were again put on hold.

Time passed and both children grew up, Darling Daughter moved into her own home and Precious Son although still living at home, came and went (as all 22 year old son's do!). He came more often than he went as he did still rather like having clean washing and a nice comfy bedroom to sleep in. Jane also took up a new craft, silver smithing and jewellery making - and still there was no permanent space for Jane's Making and Doing as people often came to stay in the spare bedroom. Jane's crafts were carried out on the dining room table much to the dismay of Patient Husband. Many a day he would come home from work on one of Jane's non work (paid work of course!)days and find every surface in the dining room covered with crafting items. He would smile, make a small gap on the table where he could place his dinner plate, and sit down to eat amongst the beads, wires, glues and papers. He never, ever complained.

The years raced by and in July  2010 Jane and Darling Daughter were at the Hampton Court Flower show admiring all the greenhouses, sheds and other lovely buildings when an idea emerged. There was an old shed at the end of the garden which once housed the pet guinea pigs. Those dear souls had long gone up to the great lawn in the sky. Why not take the old shed down and put up a small studio for Jane's crafting? And so began the studio project overseen by Patient Husband.

It took nearly a year to sort out, design, find a good shed manufacturer and all the rest but just look what appeared at the end of her garden this week........*SQUEAL*

Jane's brand new purpose built studio. It has 2 opening windows, a glazed door, a little veranda outside where she can sit in the shade or shelter from the rain. (There will be much drinking of tea here).

Inside there is an area by the window where her workbench will be set. She can craft away looking out to her little garden to her heart's content. At the moment there is no power or shelving but this is all in progress.She also plans some blinds and flooring.It will be a perfect workspace and no more will Patient Husband have to share his dinner with all things crafty.

So after over 40 years of making and doing Jane has finally got a space of her own. How lucky is she and how very kind her dear Patient Husband  is to have organised it for her..................he may even be invited down for tea ;0)

And the moral of this story......Good things come to those who wait (even if it does take 40 years and 2 little miracles in the making).

And the final seal of approval.....

Well hello Mr Billy, do come on in.........................please wipe those paws....

Bye for now, it's a Bank Holiday weekend, enjoy it if you also have one :0)

Jane ( a very, very happy girl...and a very, very big thank you M)
x