Favourite Things
iPhone photography: Studio reflections in the window
Welcome to another peek into the studio. I’m having so much fun showing you my creative space that it’s going to be an ongoing feature, and so there’ll be lots more to come!
We all have little rituals and favourite thing that inspire us and keep us going. Here are three of the things that bring a lot of joy and inspiration to my working days. Fresh flowers, a simple note/sketchbook and this amazing birthday present, a one-of-a-kind BookBook hardback leather case for my MacBook Pro. And yes, there are still a few boxes and paint buckets in the corner behind my laptop!
What are some of your favourite things that put a smile on your face when you work?
iPhone photography: Laptop and tulips
iPhone photography: BookBook hardback leather case for MacBook Pro
Tags: accessories, inspiration, studio
the top photo is beautiful. But snow? is that really snow?! Please tell me that was taken a few months ago…
Do you sit right at the table by the window when you work? So much sunlight and a beautiful water view between the buildings must do their part to keep you inspired.
That laptop case is incredible!
Amy, it’s true that I took that reflection photo at Easter! Still, not that long ago! But blissfully the snow has melted now.
This is what we like to call “the conference room”. In reality it’s more of a storage room (great cupboards for art supplies, computer gear and so on) and lunch room that doubles up for meetings on the occasion that anyone actually appears at the studio! Most of my connections with clients are done over the phone, e-mail and chat.
Soon more about the rest of the space! And yes, that laptop case is amazing!
The laptop case you have is adorable! I have never seen one of those before and frankly it is quite striking. Every piece of work you do makes me smile and wish I was as talented as you :)
Hey Megs, I’m not half the poet you are! :) And you should see me making a mess of any crafting project!
You are such a neat worker and I love how everything looks so cool and modern. Great lamp!!! I love getting peeks of your studio! And YAY, you are going to be flying too! Can’t wait! I have to say for me I love to be surrounded by all the trees in our yard/neighborhood and the beautiful mountain while I create.
Dana, how wonderful to have a yard and neighbourhood that inspires! For me too, nature is a huge inspiration. Thanks for your compliment on the lamp! I feel it has an asian feel, perhaps a bit Japanese…
I love that top photo! When we lived in the cottage, spotting wildlife from the window always put a smile on my face (though it was quite distracting too!). From my new desk, I have a view of a ferris wheel that I find strangely mesmerizing. I have to be careful not to stare at it too much!
Michele, I can imagine how mesmerising a ferris wheel must be! And the sounds from it too… Repetitive and with variations… And yes, reflections can be very fun and also imaginative.
Fresh flowers are always awesome; I forget sometimes to bring them indoors with me. Your photo is lovely and says it all.
I love your Book Book and would be just as exited as you to get one. Never heard of them; I went to their website—who can resist such beautiful cleverness.
I have to agree with Dana; I believe our green, green yard puts the biggest smile I’m my face while I work. It’s always in plain view no matter which room I’m working in.
Hello Dale! I think it’s wonderful that you’ve got beautiful surroundings to gather inspiration from! Nature is a strong inspiration for me too. And I agree, the BookBook is a remarkable thing! I really love how it brings together modern technology with old technology (bookmaking) and the idea of learning! Putting the computer into a tradition of human knowledge and work.
I LOVE the view of your studio window. Such a lovely shot! Oh my how i adore your bookbook laptop case is adorable! Gives me an inspiration to really work hard and well for the cases im making! Oh and those gorgeous flowers…just lovely! Flowers always seem to brighten my days alot! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to yoU!
Jacqueline, I know your cases are going to be absolutely beautiful and practical too and I’m so incredibly excited about your project! A case that you use daily, for something you really need and love, perhaps it’s your laptop or your glasses, brings so much joy to your day. It becomes part of your day!
Yes, flowers are so inspiring, aren’t they?!
Hello Kate,
Beautiful pictures, I love the Muji notebook. My office is filled with Muji notebooks. The flowers offer a tone of freshness and inspiration.
A very inspirational workplace!!
Do you listen to music while working?
Hi Stephane, wow, a fellow Muji fan! I do love the simplicity of their paper products and pens! And the price is good too, which is great, or else I keep saving and saving and saving – for that “perfect time” that never appears!
Sometimes I listen to the radio, sometimes I listen to music, but most of the time I listen to the silence… As strange as this may sound, it dates back to when I was a musician and I found I needed to turn off music to find music… These days when I work with images, I also feel I need to turn off imagery while I work… Go out find inspiration, and when I’m in a working turn it off.
That laptop case is amazing – I so want a macbook now! Your wookspace looks so serene and calm, tidy and peaceful. I wish I could be like that but inspiration for me is a big pile of mess and me sitting in the middle of it all – even when I start out tidy, by the end it looks like a tornado struck! I love to visit your space though and share some of that calm – thanks for letting us have a look! :D
Mousy Brown, yes, I’m so lucky to have this BookBook case! It brings such a human touch and puts modern computing in a beautiful context!
I do love how different everyone’s work space looks, somehow the space itself seems to get charged with creativity, regardless of how it looks?!
Woops – that should of course say workspace! I think wookspace it a bit more what I have!!!!
Laughing! Yes, I understand! :)
that “book book” thing looks so neat- i may have to get one of those too!
love your photographs- i’m just now beginning to try using my camera and so i love looking at creative inspiring shots like yours.
glad to be taking the flying lessons with you!
Thank you for your kindness about my photos, kerri! And the BookBook is a wonderful companion! I’m looking forward to taking flying lessons with you!
Hello! Just stopping by from Kelly Rae’s Flying Lessons class. Looking forward to getting started!
take care,
Miriam xoxo
(Australia)
Blog – http://miriamkaye.typepad.com
Hello Miriam, thanks for visiting! I’m really excited about the flying lessons and can’t wait for them to begin!!
Kate – what a great photo – with the reflection. Im totally fascinated with reflections, the way they seem to layer the reality we are observing – very cool.
Thanks, Kadira, and I agree, you can get some surprising and sometimes almost painterly photos from reflections!
Hi, Kate! Just loving this BEAUTIFUL window looking into your world. :o) Happy Weekend, my friend ((HUGS))
Hope you had a great weekend, Tracy! xo
Dearest Kate, came here to wish you a wonderful weekend! Love to you!
The same to you, Jacqueline! :)
thought I recognised your name and realise I follow you on twitter – I have to get to grips sometimes with creative/blog names and real names!
Thanks for the visit and yes, I too am looking forward to the class and soaking up all I can learn. I wish I had a studio to get reflections in :0 maybe one day I will fly in that direction :)
Amelia.x
Hello Amelia, yes I get confused sometimes too, with blogs and names… So glad to have found you on Twitter too!
Your website has such a nice, quiet, elegant feel. I, too, like to create in silence. It helps me to hear the music inside me.
Looking forward to being in Kelly’s class with you.
suzannaleigh.blogspot.com
Thank you, Suzanna! I’m heading off to take a peek at your blog!
I, too, am loving that mac book case. I’m on the look-out for something creative for my iPad these days. Lately, my iPad makes me smile at work. It’s full of crafty stuff (DVDS, podcasts, pictures), and lets me find a quick crafty release when I’m at my day job.
Deb, I’m so excited that you got the iPad as an early adopter! Isn’t it amazing how fast it runs!? I just love the feeling of the iPhone and iPad, how human they are! :)
Did you notice that Twelve South are working on a BookBook case for the iPad too? You can sign up to be notified when it’s ready! You might also talk to Jacqueline, she makes the most adorable, colourful iPad and iPhone covers! Here’s her link: http://jqlinesocuteithurts.typepad.com/
Dear Kate, thank you for sharing photos of your studio! I love the first photo. What a clever way to show the interior of the studio as well as the outside view via reflection! I love your laptop cover, the notebook and the flowers. How inspiring! I don’t have an iphone yet (am waiting for my phone contract to expire in October), but can’t wait! :)
Hello Wini, so glad you’ll be getting an iPhone, it’s so much more than a phone and I think you’ll love how it can work as a portable sketchbook! xo