So...as promised, here are some pics of the day Laura and I spent working on my studio. I had been there earlier bringing some totes of my stuff in from the shed where they'd been stored and I decided to snap some pics of my mum's lovely African Violets.

She actually LOVES plants and has the most successful green thumb I've ever seen! She's the sort of person that buys dying plants from the garden center just to save them. She already had a bunch of seed pods out ready for planting this spring.

I had some errands to run in town and some paint to pick up so Laura and I met up at True Value and then she followed me out to studio, which is on my family's ranch. We set to work, Laura painting and me putting together a bookshelf and unpacking totes. I did stop at the thrift store for a quick browsing and found these three items which were PERFECT additions to my decor.



This little typewriter planter was a MUST have! It says, "Now is the time for all good." So appropriate and super cute.
The building was originally an aviary used for birds of all kinds that my parents hand raised for awhile, so there is sheet metal running around the bottom half of the room that they had installed for easy cleaning. I like how it's almost like wainscoting. Laura painted that a lovely light turquoise that I had selected.

Here are some snapshots of bits and pieces of it coming together.

Laura commented that as long as she'd known me she had never known my "style" fully until she saw the items I had in this room. That makes me happy.

I have always thought it important to have a distinctive style, though pinning one down, as I'm sure you're all aware, can be quite hard and is actually a continual process of change and refinement. That said, I am getting there and I feel that this space will better help me keep a certain direction and influence where my creations are concerned.

One immediate goal of mine is to significantly increase my fabric collection. It has much to be desired at the moment.

Laura helped me put this lovely fabric from some pillow cases I found at the thrift store in some embroidery hoops for wall hangings. I really LOVE the way they look.

I love the look of the lace in these bowls. Got it all for a steal. I'm such a bargain hound it's ridiculous sometimes.


I also love putting leaves in these bowls. I have used the leaves in a couple of my paintings and have many more plans for them.

After getting some things done and feeling accomplished enough for the day, Laura and I stopped for a photo walk. And it turns out this location is fraught with photographic possibilities.

These old tin buildings are PERFECT for backdrops and photo shoots. I have told Laura she is welcome to come shoot any of her products out there at ANY time.

And there was a China Berry Tree in the vicinity that I can't wait to photograph more of all year long. I think they're just gorgeous!

I've never known what the plant below is (if anyone knows would you PLEASE tell me?) but I have always thought these berries it produces to be just lovely and the perfect shade of yellow.

After taking some pictures Laura surprised me with the most amazing and personal gift ever! She made this bag for me and hand-embroidered Penny Threads onto it! It's my favorite color orange of course. Do you see what I mean about these tin buildings being excellent backdrops?

This bag is so perfect! I told Laura she should definitely make more and offer them in her shop, VioletBella.

I also LOVE these fabric tags that she attaches to her clothing and such. They are beautiful and simple.

After gushing on and on about this super-duper wonderful bag that she made for me we sat down so she could show me a binder she has full of inspiration and goal setting.

I LOVED what she had to say about everything in there and have decided to do something similar. It's pretty amazing to have someone in your life that you can actually call a role model. She is that for me. What she's doing and how she's doing it...I admire it all. And Laura has done much to help me in that direction. If you know her I'm sure you will agree with me in saying that she's a pretty amazing woman. If you don't know her, go check out her inspiring and beautiful BLOG.
I thank all of you for sitting through this LONG post and looking at all my photos. I am sure that eventually I will tire of posting so many pictures and such, but for now, bear with me. I am really enjoying having the ability to share a peek of my life with all of you.
Ciao for now you wonderful humans!
Renea Hanna
Penny Threads.
P.S. Stay tuned for another photo filled post tomorrow as well as the announcement of the GIVEAWAY WINNER! Drawing takes place tomorrow during the day so y'all keep your fingers crossed and good luck!