Monday, January 7, 2013

Tidying Up!

My sewing studio was starting to look like a war zone again so I decided that today was the time to bite the bullet...pardon the pun...and start to reorganize and tidy up!

Late last spring, our neighbor was having a garage sale and when I saw this shelf, I thought it would be a perfect addition to my studio.  Well it sat in our workshop waiting to be brought indoors since then, gathering dust and fly poop!  

This morning I asked Mr. Painted Quilt if he could bring it indoors because it was going to be a necessary element in my tidying up process.  I forgot to take some before pictures but I do have some after shots of what my studio looks like now.

Starting with the "new" shelf...minus the dust and fly poop of course...here is my CLEAN studio.  

Most of the fabric that is folded on this shelf has been purchased in the last month or so and was just piled on or near my cutting table just waiting to be put away.



Next are several photos of my sewing corner.  The table in the center of the room in the photo below is my cutting table.





This was my Mom's Featherweight which I use from time to time when I have a lot of chain piecing to do.



The Hoosier is a great place for storage...



and next to it is a part of my scissor and pin cushion collection.  I use the pine desk for storage as well.



Lastly is the bookcase that houses my books and patterns and next to it are stacked crates holding more fabric.



Everything is neat and tidy once again making it so much more conducive to being creative and productive.



In my last post I mentioned that Darlene was designing a mystery quilt for our guild and decided that she would open it up to everyone by posting the instructions on her blog once a month after our meetings which you can read about HERE.  

A bunch of friends got together at the library on Saturday to work on various projects.  I worked on the mystery quilt and managed to get all the snowballs done.  Yesterday I pieced together and completed the center medallion so my homework is done.  The sad part is that I will now have to wait until next month for Part 2.



I used only Civil War and antique reproduction fabric scraps that I won on Cyndi's blog a little while ago.  Cyndi owns a shop called Busy Thimble in Litchfield, Maine and she specializes primarily in these types of fabrics which just happen to be my favorites too!

We just started the mystery quilt so there's lots of time to join us!



When we woke up this morning, it was snowing lightly and was a bit on the cold side.  After their breakfast, you know what Frankie and Ollie were up to...



Why snuggling by the fire, of course!


45 comments:

Anne-Marie said...

I get a warm 'n' fuzzy feelin' when I'm all cleared away and tidy again....just doesn't last for long enough...hahaa! All of my fabric stash is stored in a large cream-washed chest of drawers (for bolts) and sets of wicker baskets for fat quarters etc....my sewing room is in our loft, which also is a guest bedroom for when grandkids stay over, so everything else is kept in clear storage boxes under the bed...love it!
I loved seeing your Mom's Featherweight....I was blessed to find two, ten years ago, which I use almost every day...I also got one for my youngest daughter who has her own little quilt-making business....family heirlooms, now!

Janet O. said...

Your sewing room cleans up well. : ) I need a little more storage in mine to get some things up off the floor. Wish my neighbor would have a yard sell with some cool shelves.
I love snowballs--cute medallion center for the mystery quilt.

celkalee said...

You did so good! It was my intention today as well, there are Christmas decorations, fabric, guild paperwork etc, etc all over every flat surface. I have picked up a bug unfortunately so it is on hold today, maybe tomorrow, you have inspired me!

Cindy said...

Beautiful space, Kaaren. It says "warm, cozy, sewing, quilting, clean, neat and (most of all) LOVE"

Angie said...

Your studio is such a cozy place---it would be so fun to hang out there and play. :)

WoolenSails said...

I love your sewing space and how you mixed in antiques and used them for storage and decoration.

Debbie

gracie said...

Love your sewing studio...and of course gotta love Ollie and Frankie!

Jane S. said...

I smile every time I see a picture of Ollie and Frankie cuddled up in front of the fire. It's so darn cute!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Your sewing space is so cozy and comfortable Kaaren!!

Lesley said...

You have the tidiest sewing room I have ever seen! And how did you get along without that new-to-you garage sale find? Yay you...it looks so inviting, and your quilted treasures around the room are all so wonderful. Love your snowball centre for the mystery quilt...gorgeous!

Allie said...

Your studio looks wonderful! I can't get creative in a mess, I clean my whole room up after every project, lol. Your snowballs look great, love the fabrics. Frankie and Ollie are so adorable!!!

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Love your shelf Kaaren.

Your mystery quilt looks great. I have all of my snowballs done and just have to sew them all together.
Hopefully in the next couple of days it will be done.
Janet

Darlene D said...

Kaaren the shelf looks great! I was so inspired by your studio the day I visited! So many little nooks and crannies and what nots, quilters heaven!

Susannah said...

Oh, Kaaren, You seem so happy and into so many projects! I am so happy for you.....live it up, girl! You deserve to!

Susannah

Cyndi said...

Love the photos of your sewing room!! Mine would never photograph so well! I have a Hoosier just like yours except the pullout table is cream with a green edge....shelves and rolltop are the same.....unfortunately mine must stay in the kitchen for 2 reasons....I need it there and no room for it in my sewing room!! Your little snowball quilt you made with fabrics from my Giveaway is just darling!!

GerryART said...

Cozy plus efficient!

If only I could . . .

hugs

Jocelyn said...

I love all of your antiques in your sewing room. Nothing like having a space where you can feel comfortable to sew for hours.

Anonymous said...

Nice and tidy! Now go make a mess!!! :-)

Actually doesn't it feel liberating? I've been doing alot of cleaning up and clearing out of scraps and fabrics I won't use anymore...they just aren't me and I've lugged them from house to house. Tired of it....life is so short...I'm making quilts that I'm excited about!

Pam in IL said...

You have such a nice sunny sewing studio. What is that thing on the end of your cutting table? I've never seen anything like that before.

I'm afraid to leave my fabrics on open shelves because my sewing room gets so dusty and I'm worried my fabrics would get dirty. It sure would be nice to be able to see them all like you can.

Janet said...

How lovely to see your special place where you create, it looks lovely. I adore the school desk. Going good on your wee quilt, I'll be waiting to see the next month's addition.

Verna G said...

LOve your sewing room! I also cleaned mine this week. I also use a Hoosier to store things in.
You have a very healthy looking stash! When you see a fabric you love, how much do you buy? I'm never sure what is a reasonable amount. I don't make a lot of large things but mostly laptop or smaller.


Maryjo said...

Your room is gorgeous! Maybe you would consider coming to Iowa and doing mine? Happy quilting....and thanks for the motivation! Your area is darling!

Darlene said...

Biting the bullet to clear out the war zone is such a great idea. I need to do the same.

Everytime you tidy up your sewing room I want to go visit just to mess it up. LOL

Looks fabulous time to play!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

I find tidying up gives me energy, ideas and motivation. I usually find something which has been lost.

Frankie and Ollie have a wonderful relationship--glad they have each other

Nanna said...

your sewing room looks fantastic!now that you'e done can you come help me? lol!the fur babies are adorable!
Helen

Karen said...

I think it is wonderful that you have your mother's featherweight. No one in my family ever had one that I know of.

Kris said...

Great studio, Kaaren - so comfortable and inviting!! I got new shelves for some of my fabric today and I hope they are up by spring!! ;-)

Sandi said...

Your room looks lovely with the sun streaming in. So nice and organized. On my list of things to do.

I just finished making 18 trees for an online exchange today. Looking forward to seeing what I get back and then creat a fun quilt.

Your pets sure don't like each other, I think you might have to take them to obedience classes!

May Britt said...

You have a lovely sewingroom. And your fabrics are so nice folded. But I guess when you start a new project it will be different :)

Siobhán said...

Your sewing room looks great, Kaaren! I need to reorganize things again. I don't have a dedicated space, but rather use my daughter's room when she's off at grad school. Everything has to be portable so she has her room back when she's home. I've bought fabric that needs to be organized. LOVE the snowball top! Very pretty.

Happy new year to you, Mr. PQ, Frankie & Ollie!

Ali said...

What a fabulous workspace. I had a peek at your quilts hanging on the wall. Lots of lovely fabric to make more. Have a lovely week.
Ali x

moosecraft said...

Your studio is fabulous! Everything in it's place and a whole bunch of light! Love all the furniture and the wide planked floor too! What a relaxing place to create! Frankie and Ollie have the life! :-)

Connie said...

Every thing look good, so much room! Frankie and ollie is so cute together. Have fun sewing and your your block of tne month..

Deb said...

Love your sewing room and all the light, wish I had that much "natural" light in my room - it's mainly artificial! Frankie and Ollie are just SO CUTE, and isn't it neat that they're the best of friends now.

Janet said...

Wow, the shelf looks great. The whole room looks very inviteable (is there such a word?) Well, I would love to be sewing in it.
Does Cyndi have a web store?
Happy stitching.
Janet

Erika said...

Hello Kaaren, I love it to have a sneak peak in other Artists studio. It looks so cosy and heartful. Really a place to create! Sending hugs - Erika

Pat said...

A very cozy place to create! Love it.

kathyinozarks said...

your studio looks awesome. I need to do the same, my room is getting to small for all the things I have in there-and then when I do a project everything turns into a major mess-so I really need to do the same.
Happy New Year I love the civil war fabrics too Barbara Brackman on her civil war blog is hosting a bom Dixie Diary-which I have decided to make along with her blog Kathy

Ter'e said...

You smartie pants!!!!! The studio looks fab!!!! I should take pix of my hooking room, just so you can have a big laugh. You can barely walk in there.

Still reading along. Still down with bronchitis. It's a rare occasion I come upstrs to the computer.

Will get caught up soon. xoxoxoxo
P.S. Ollie is so freaking cute!

Unknown said...

Hi, beautiful sewing room:-)
A big hug from Italy, Emanuela

sue bennett said...

Love your sewing room and the shelf is perfect. Ollie and Frankie are just so sweet together. We have not had snow but today it is pouring the rain..

Patty C. said...

Love the Quilted piece on the Featherweight

Carin said...

What a wonderful sewingroom !!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour! It is always nice to see other creative people's spaces! I love all the wooden cabinets and such!

Seams So Right said...

Your such an inspiration to all of us and a beautiful sewing room. Stay warm and enjoy the outside beauty.