writing studio

A Fall Tour of My Writing Cottage. Plus Announcement of Its Change in Name.

I’m always so inspired by the fall season! So I shot a video of my writing cottage all decked out for fall on the outside. But on the inside, I take you around my 10 x 12 space and share an update of how it continues to evolve and support my creative endeavors, along with something I’ve been contemplating for some time. And that is, a change in the name from calling it my Writing Cottage to….well, you’ll just have to give a listen to find out. Enjoy the tour!

xo,

Barbara

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Creative Change Happening in My Writing Cottage

Change isn’t always easy. But with change, if we allow ourselves to be with it, more often than not, new opportunities are able to flow with more ease into our lives. Recently, on my Facebook page, I shared a photo of a new chair I purchased for my writing cottage (photo below). Someone commented that something was missing. She was referring to Gidget.

The comment tugged at my heart. I replied that Gidget is still here as I feel her in my heart and I always will. But, yes, there are days I sure do miss the physical presence of that sweet little peanut. It’s five months today since she’s been gone. Since 2009 when my writing cottage was first built, for most of those years, a dachshund kept me company here in my cozy little room that sits off the corner of my deck.

Now I’m alone and I’m okay with that for now. Perhaps someday another dog will share this space with me. But for the time being, I’m content.

I’ve been enjoying making some changes in my writing cottage. Such as the decoupage piece I collaged with photos of birch trees and birds onto a long piece of plywood I painted gray (unsplash.com is a great site for copyright-free images). It hangs over the southeast window and here’s a close-up shot of it:

I was actually trying to find material to make a window covering that had a design of birch trees and birds and colors that would match my new chair. But I couldn’t find anything. Instead, I bought a solid color material I’ll make the window covering from and opted to make this art piece to capture what I was looking for in a material.

Over the summer the birds were such a comfort to me since Gidget has been gone. So I’m honoring that gift they gave me by incorporating them into my space. Plus the birch tree, known as the “Lady of the Woods” is my favorite tree. 

Earlier in spring, I put my over-sized floral wicker chair out on the curb and said: “free for the hauling.” It didn’t take long before it was gone. I enjoyed that chair, but I always had this niggle in my brain that it really was too big for this 10 x 12 space.

In Septemeber, I was gifted some money and took the opportunity to purchase this chair. It was worth the wait!

I realized that not only have greens and blues been inching their way into my home with the furniture we had bought last summer for our living room but now in my writing cottage, too. I’m loving it! They are such soothing and calming colors to me.

So small bits of change are happening around me. But change is good and when combined with sparking one’s creativity, well, it feels really good to be in this flow.

Wishing you a creative and cozy weekend!

XO,

Barbara

Has It Really Been Ten Years? Life in My Writing Cottage.

My favorite photo – in the fall. Be still my heart.

Celebrating ten years of this beautiful space which has held and nurtured my heart, helping me expand and evolve.

Every time I walk through the Victorian style screen door of this 10 x 12 quaint space that sits off the corner of my deck, it feels like a warm embrace from Spirit, supporting me in what matters to my heart.

It was a thrill a few years ago when the term “she shed” and what became a trend that took off like a rocket in the media and I was interviewed about my space on a morning show out of Australia. I was also featured on Today.com and ABC.com, but best of all was the interview a local news station did. While I didn’t have the landscaping as I do now in the photo, and my deck accessories have become a bit more simplified, I absolutely loved this interview from the summer of 2015.

Little did I know this would be a trend, as I was a wee bit ahead of my time. And my little cottage in my little corner of the world has certainly seen its changes inside and out. My writing cottage was a labor of love constructed by my husband, John, and my selling of a car I loved, to help pay for the materials. All to support my love of writing which has now expanded to my love of supporting others through my oracle readings and guidance sessions.

Two children’s books, two memoirs, and a third memoir in the works I’ve written within this space.  And countless women I’ve connected with around the world within this space via the internet whether to talk about writing, animals, oracle cards, workshops, and so much more…oh, what fun it has been!

So in celebration, I share this, my favorite photo of my sweet writing cottage in the fall.  Most of all, I hope it inspires you to follow those niggles and nudges within your heart of what is calling you!

XO,

Barbara

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