first of all, my new home & studio:
after months of looking at homes in the country i suddenly felt like there was still a season in my life where i need to be in the city. This studio & loft is on historic Commercial Street, here in Springfield.Here is a photo I found of the street in 1952 (found it on the Library website).
I am so excited about this move because it is still very close to downtown, but it has a completely different atmosphere. There is a chocolate factory, so many beautiful thrift stores and our favorite coffee is just across the street! It is very charming and in some ways feels a little bit more "undiscovered", which is always exciting to me. It's a very good fit for this season in my life.
Big Momma's is our favorite. Some of our friends work there and Lyle, the owner, is so so sooo cute and friendly! We LOVE Lyle!
if you live in Springfield, be sure and support this business. their food is great too!
here is another photo from behind my building…
the building was originally Evan's Drugstore and has been used in recent years as photography & design studios. The loft (photos will come next month, right now we are doing some painting and remodeling) is much larger than my current loft and has a beautiful studio space and a separate room for shipping items and things that aren't as inspiring, but still very functional. So, this month is devoted to choosing paint colors and creating a new work environment that is inspiring and refreshing!
The downstairs space will be used for some creative adventures as well. Jeremy's new studio & something else that I will announce at a later date.
oooh! and look at my beautiful next door neighbor building…. 
I love it so much. I want to use this color in certain areas of my home. so retro!
Well, thank you for letting me tell you all about the new space. I can't wait to share more as the months go by… this fall season is going to be so much fun.
On to other things…..
Rachel's art journal pages have been inspiring me lately. I love art journals so much, so i decided to sign up for her next class! It's been a few years since i played the part of a student, so i am excited! it should be a great creative challenge.
ooooh… and possibly the cutest thing i have ever purchased on etsy?
my new favorite t-shirt. it's so thin and comfortable. i love the print.
i love etsy.
and, i just had to share this….my friend, holly, made the cutest project with one of my embroidery patterns…. it's lovely!
Well, I am going to get back to work now. I have a few more packages to ship (the enddddd! at least for now. I am so excited for everyone to receive their kits and have a chance to play with them). This weekend should be devoted to organizing & creating (i am working on a new scrapbook project!).
One last thing… Jeremy's new album is done!!!
i haven't talked much about this yet, but for the past few months Jeremy has been writing a new album and it has been amazing to be a little bit involved in the process. He recently made the choice to release this upcoming album completely independently. Here is a quote from a blog that he wrote on Myspace, "I've always been a very obsessive person when it comes to my music. It was hard at times to leave things in the hands of other people working in another state. Being unsigned seems to feel more natural for me at this point in my career. This site will be dedicated to bringing you along with me in the process of making a completely independent album." I am so inspired by this. It's been a wonderful experience. I will share updates, now and then, until his fall release date! Thank you so much to everyone who has written him kind messages and listened to his music. I am glad that our worlds can connect in that way. Have a wonderful weekend! Elsie
45 Comments
i’m curious–you live in springfield?–is that ohio???–if so, i live in columbus–wow-eeee–let me know
So much wonderful goodness!!! You are so inspiring! I just made a scrapbook page using your Roxie ribbons (they made up the background)! I’m lovin’ it! Love your new shirt! I am such a fan/addict (however you want to look at it!) of etsy! I can’t wait to get my new kit!!! And I can’t freakin’ wait to see pictures of what you do with your new loft!!! I’m wanting to totally redecorate my home and hope to get some great ideas (which I know I will!) from you!!! Thank you so much for sharing yourself!!! You add happiness to my day! 🙂 And that coffee shop looks so inviting that it makes me wanna take a li’l road trip from Southern Illinois just to get a cup of coffee and meet that sweet-looking man!!!! Have a wonderfully inspiring weekend!!!
xoxo -j
i am so jealous of where you live! i can’t wait till you’re done decorating so that you can share with us what your loft looks like!
Cool! WOuld love to see the inside!
I’m very happy for you and … jalous. ;)) You must be so excited with all the things (new studio which’s waiting to be decorated, Jeremy’s album, scrapbook project) ,ahhhh … I’d like to be in your situation.
Otherwise, maybe I’ll go to your city; it’s beaceuse of —> Big Momma’s coffee bar, mniam, yami (you say it in English?)
YAY! That is exciting news about your new place…I cant wait to see what you do with it. You always choose such awesome colors.
Your taking the Journal Class? That’s exciting. I really liked the first class.
Did you get a chance to see in the Love, Elsie photostream what I made with the Zoe line? (I know the fabric paper isnt Zoe) If not you can also see it via my blog…. http://photography4me.blogspot.com
Have a Great Weekend yourself!!
those are fantastic photos elsie! i’m soooo happy for you with your new studio! enjoy it!! 😀
those are some great photos elsie!! i’m sooooo happy for you with your new studio! enjoy it!!:D
Your weekend sounds divine! The new place looks like fun too. I can’t wait to see what it looks like on the inside. 🙂
i am sooo excited for you!! i wish i had my own place to decorate & make pretty 🙂 Looks like you made a great choice.
i bought Jeremy’s current album, it arrived today & has been on repeat since. i was worried, being in England that i would have to import it but there were loads of sites that were stocking it right here!! Go Mr Larson!! Already anticipating the new album, have loved the new stuff on myspace so far. 🙂
OMG your new place is such a Diamond in the rough which is exciting to me! I’m glad you found someplace to create and feel inspired and be able to be comfortable in the life you already have!
Also, i LOVE that shirt. very nice.
Inspiration comes to me in so many forms… :]
I’m so glad you found someplace amazing! What a diamond in the rough! I’m please that you were about to find someplace with enough elbow room to create, feel inspired, and still feel comfortable in the lifestyle you already have!
plus that shirt is adorable. *LOVE*
inspiration comes to me in SO many ways… :]
p.s. i’m an idiot i think i just commented twice. lol. WOW its been a long day. haha
the building/studio looks awesome!…i have always wanted to live in the upstairs of an old building…one of the local towns has the coolest buildings, a photo shoot is on the to do list!…have fun decorating your new place & making it your home!…
your space sounds wonderful! (so does your coffee shop…) i cant wait to see what you’re doing with your space.
as for the retro aqua (???) ish color you mentioned, my mom painted her kitchen cabinets and walls this color a couple years ago with everything pink for accents. she was kinda sorta going for that 50s vibe. it worked. the best part (and a way to encorperate the color with out covering ever single surface you can with it llike my mom) is her turquoise fiestaware. maybe an option. the sea mist color is nice too but getting harder to find.
So I believe the only time I’ve been to Springfield was last January for a photoshoot…and thats the exact spot I did the shoot at. 🙂 I’m happy for you, dearie.
wow, Missouri looks like such a cool place, that street sounds like it has a lot of heritage, which is awesome! I’d love to travel there one day. I’m happy for you that you found a place you’ll be happy in! Your contentment with life right now, is really an encouragement, thank you.
Also… I just love your embroidery patterns, and I have so much fun with them, thanks so much for showing that photo! 😉 That truly made my day!!
Congrats on Jeremy’s new album!! It will be a pleasure to hear when it’s released!
take care girl!
xoxo, holly
ps… the tee is so fabulous!
I am so excited to see what you do with your new space!! 🙂 It’s going to be magic 🙂
I love the building Elsie! My dad used to buy and renovate old buildings just like this when I was growing up…lots of fond memories of living in what others thought of as “strange” places!
Good luck with all that this season brings to you and most of all, enjoy!
so when will the oh so inspiring ms. LC be moving into said new studio????
Elsie it’s amazing how much people read into things! Can’t wait to join you in
Rachel’s class…it should be fun huh?
Karen xo
So excited for you and this new phase. The “new” space looks great and I’m sure it will look just awesome once you’re done with it. I CAN’T wait for the album release. Oh I’m so glad he’s already done with the next album. I think I’ve worn this one into my brain. Thanks for keeping us up to date with all of Mr. Larson’s projects. I’m such a fan. Can’t wait to get my new journal kit, stalking the mailman. That coffee house looks extra cozy….
HI Elsie, Like everyone else I am jealous of all the things you do.
I live in a small outback village in New South Wales (Australia) and have just started my own blog space
http://emma-outback.blogspot.com
to get my ideas out there to other people as no one in a two kilometre radius does anything like I do so I turn to the net, I am only beginning but you have to start somewhere.
I would love for you to have a look at what I do, if you ever get a chance in your very busy life.
Keep up the great work and ideas. I love keeping up with all that you do.
Aussie Emma Outback
HI Elsie, Like everyone else i am jealous of what you do and where you live.
I am 24 years old and live in a outback village in New South Wales (Australia) and no one in a two kilometre radius does anything like I do so I turn to the net for inspiration. I have just started my own blog space to get my ideas out there
http://emma-outback.blogspot.com
I am only just starting out but would love to have some feed back from you if you have time to look at my work.
Keep up the great work. Can’t wait to see the new studio (so jealous but I have the great outback as my view so I think I win on that one.)
Thanks again for all the inspiration
Aussie Emma Outback
Ooof – I want your new place. Ignore I live in the UK and can’t afford to move out though yeah? I don’t even care what it looks like on the inside. The building, the street, surrounding buildings – even the back – love it. Yet another reason to be jealous of Elsie. In a completely happy, healthy none obsessive way of course…
In another note – you mention you have a thing you don’t want to talk about until later and suddenly your getting married and pregnant? How does it feel to be a celeb?! Bless. Looking forward to see the inside pics and getting my Alice kit – my all time fave story/film. Yum x
Love your new building! We also just moved into a undiscoverd loft/studio and are loving it!When your an artist and you find this perfect space its like magic.Theres a window ledge in the ally way of our building that we use to collect magical things found there.I’m still in the prosses of painting but have finished my studio just recently.
Check us out at zoaart.blogspot.com.
It looks so fabulous, Elsie! How exciting!
Your new loft/studio looks amazing! Can’t wait to see what you do to the inside.
Yeah for Elsie!! I’m so inspired by your unending enthusiasm for every season of change..congrats on all this amazing new stuff in your life..might we see pictures with pretty pale blue walls in the background? (the first thing I thought about the back view of your new place):)
oh, can’t wait to see your new place. and hear your exciting news.
I can’t wait to see what you do with your new loft! Congrats and good luck in your new home 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Your new place looks so great Elsie! You will be very happy there….especially with coffee just over the street!
You have probably already seen this, but Emily from Black Apple set up a little posting/packaging area on her website and it is so cute.
I thought of you when I looked at it. Maybe something you could do. You like cubby houses.
http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/
Just scroll down to her post “Fort Apple”
Els, I got my Neverland kit yesterday, but didn’t open it until today. I am in love! I can’t wait to dig in and play. And the prints of the owls are awesome…bonus since I love owls.:)
Hi Elsie! Congratulations on your new home/studio. I can totally relate to the excitement of getting a new place. We have just recently moved to a new home and I got my very own studio! Well, I wish you and Mr. Larson the best of the best on your future plans as individuals and as a couple!
Also, I wanted to ask you if you kept your scrapbooks chronologically or by theme?
Thank You Elsie! Thank you for sharing your talents, your charisma with us, and for being such an inspiring soul…Thank You!
Ana
Hi Elsie ! So happy to see you in entrARTISTEmagazine here in France, love the interview with the large pictures and your layout on the cover ! Congrats xxx
your new place sounds exciting can’t wait to see how you decorate it !
Your new place looks like a cool place to live!!! Can’t wait to see the nexto photos. I like so much home decor and your ideas are always so inspiring!!!!
😉
Elsie–love it. I remember that building, and it was such a neat place. Commercial Street has evolved so much, I remember when it was more active as a child, then when it went into a bad decline–I’m glad to see it’s reviving! Enjoy your new space.
Oh Elsie, what a lovely building. The color is wonderful and the way the next door buildings window colors match it is just delightful. I can’t wait to see the wonderful things you will do with the inside. And your favorite coffee shop across the street, heavenly!! One day I hope to visit a little shop in that downstairs filled with some of your and Jeremy’s wonderful creations.
For every thing there is a season! You are living a wonderful, loving and inspirational life. What more could one ask for, thank your for sharing yours with me through this blog. Tah Tah!!
Tess
Elsie, I am so excited for you! I am sure you will make your new place a creative and happy place! I also live in Missouri and love it! The small towns are actually what make this a wonderful place to live!
I can’t wait to see pic’s of your new place:)
Hi Elsie,
What you do is so *inspiring*…
Love it.
***Orion***
Hey, my dentist used to be upstairs in your neighbor building! I wish I could say seeing that building brought back good memories of my old hometown. . . but, well he wasn’t a great dentist! 😉
Congratulations on your new place!!! I can’t wait to see the pics once you get everything “stylized”! 🙂
I love it elsie! I cannot wait to see what you do with it.
-Very anxiously awaiting a peek at the inside. 🙂
Hey, i totally love your blog! i hope you and your friend make another “cribs”esque video for the new place!
I like that saying, thanks!
Thanks for posting this. Very nice recap of some of the key points in my talk. I hope you and your readers find it useful! Thanks again