Tuesday, August 17, 2010

a room of ones' own





Six months ago I closed my business and pretty much closed the door on my studio for quite awhile as I took care of other things. Four months ago we had the architect's plans for my mom's new "wing" (as we like to call it!) with the hallway to it carved out my studio. So, a smaller studio, but the same dear room and view over the western fields. One month ago, those plans had changed my studio into my mom's new bedroom and I was trying to bravely accept that it would be back to a table in our bedroom (where the paper Bower started some thirteen years ago).


Thank goodness my clever and caring husband came up with the new idea (because it was rather hard to be that brave) of a little studio in part of the garage. We are still working on the design, but it will have the high southern windows that are already there, and new french doors opening onto the gravel driveway and the bank of forsythia bushes and the eastern sky. I am already picturing the potted bay tree that I have always longed for outside it's doors....and I will be right down at ground level as I have longed to be since I first clapped eyes on old English cottages...and I will have a long, thin, funky studio-just down the stairs from my bedroom. So...a room of my own again. I am grateful.


Before all of this building drama started (I am sparing you most of the drama), I had pretty much settled on offering a calendar every year as a certainty....perhaps the planner (that was so close to fruition), as well. But that was as far as I was able to see. Since then, I have thought many different things....from giving up entirely to offering online versions of things to just handmade one-of-a-kind creations (which is calling to my heart the most). Truth be told, tho', it is still hard to find any time in the day to spend in whatever studio I might have.


Even now, I don't know when I will have my new space and I can't seem to settle into the old space as I know I will soon be disassembling it. All this to say...the direction Small Meadow Press will take is uncertain. When my new studio has become a reality, I will see if there is time left in the year and time to be found in my days to bring the calendar into being for the New Year. I would like that so much.





All I know for certain is that I am looking forward to having a room of my own again in the future...I need it more than ever. And in the meantime, we can keep "meeting" in the little rooms I have created here and there in this webby world. Thank you for keeping in touch.




6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such relief to know you will have your room. May construction begin soon and proceed with nary a hitch! You'll need a nice lawn chair with pretty cushions to park next to your potted bay. :-)

Carolyne said...

It is so very good to hear your cheery anticipation of Your Very Own Room again! I wish we were not a continent apart, as I'd love to share a 'laurus nobilis' with you.......I've grown many a topiary and they are so handy to have nearby for the soup pot!
{{hugs}} to you.

Kim Hyland said...

Lesley, I'm so happy to know that Small Meadow Press is not gone but simply "resting". Your products have been so much more than stationary. I have little cards and images framed, sitting on ledges, tucked in books, all over my life, where they are a constant source of reflection and peace. I have even given a few away as letters (it was hard). Blessings to you and prayers that you will find snippets of time to enjoy your gifts.

Anonymous said...

You make me feel so humble - all I can say (having only just stumbled upon your sweet blog) is thankyou for bringing me down to earth to what really matters.

kerrdelune said...

Lesley, I am so looking forward to seeing how this comes together for you. Please keep us posted...

sarah said...

How is it that I didn't leave a comment on this post, for I know I read it at the time and felt for you - both sad and happy for you, although mostly happy because who could not be in the face of one with such a loving spirit? I hope your studio is turning out how you planned, and that soon you will be ensconced there and creating art again.