Saturday, April 12, 2014

Back to "normal"

My quilt for the Winter 2014 issue of Primitive Quilts & Projects magazine was sent off to their offices in West Virginia last Thursday.  

 Yay, hurray, hallelujah, eureka and a BIG woo hoo!  

 I made the deadline with a little time to spare and I know how important that is in the publishing industry.  Now I can relax again.

When I finish a project, especially one of this size and importance, I have to put it to bed.  I've spent the last couple of days tidying, cleaning, dusting, reorganizing and purging my studio.  Most people wouldn't call that relaxing but it's a cathartic way of unwinding for me.    

 This is my "BIG Bernie" corner now with my new Bernina 750QE dream machine.
Things were literally upside down and topsy-turvy while I was working on the magazine quilt.  I know I'm more anal than most and find it very difficult to be creative and work in messy surroundings.

 This is my "Little Bernie" corner with my beloved Bernina 1080QE.  What a workhorse she's been over the years and she's NEVER EVER had a problem or caused me grief. 
My studio isn't large, perhaps 12' x 14' with one small closet that we had built just after we moved in.  Stored inside are about 10 clear plastic bins full of fabric but I like my "go to" fabric out in the open where I can see it at a glance and be able to shop from my stash with ease.
I had Mr. Painted Quilt bring a three-tiered plastic shelving unit that wasn't being used in from the barn and had to move things around in order to make room for it.  

 The middle or blue shelf has four tiers of fabric neatly stacked next to each other behind the box that my iron came in. 
The loud colors aren't the greatest in terms of matching the decor but they serve the purpose for now until I find something better to replace it with. 

 Ideally I'd love a little antique cabinet with drawers and shelves so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for the perfect piece.

 So now I can relax and admire how nice and clean and tidy everything looks...until I start in on my next project...which will be tomorrow...when it will all start again.

 Spring has finally arrived in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.  All the snow is gone, the grass is greening slightly, the croci are in bloom, the tulips have broken ground and the robins are back. Oh, and the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. 

 I know this is our little piece of heaven on earth!
Happy stitching!

 
on

21 comments:

  1. gracieApril 12, 2014 at 3:11 PM

    I feel the same way after a project. Clean and organize for the next project. Your room looks great.

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  2. BevApril 12, 2014 at 4:02 PM

    Congratulations on having a magazine quilt article! That is just such an achievement! I admire you and your awewome talent so much! Can't wait to see it! XOXO

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  3. Janet O.April 12, 2014 at 4:13 PM

    Good for you, to get your project completed ahead of schedule. Must feel so good. Can't wait to see what you created this time!
    The studio looks wonderful. I love it when I get things back in order. Why don't they stay that way? : )
    I think it is cute that you have a Big Bernie corner and a Little Bernie corner. Sounds like they are in a boxing ring and about to come out fighting.

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  4. KarenApril 12, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    Oh how I love to see fabric and supplies stored in antique cabinets. I don't have any myself. I have too much stash fabric and would need bunches of them. But I envy people who have such neat looking sewing areas and a couple antique cabinets with everything arranged by color and some antique sewing tools displayed. That sort of thing.

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  5. Needled MomApril 12, 2014 at 4:40 PM

    It's always such a great feeling to get a fresh start. Enjoy.

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  6. Darlene DApril 12, 2014 at 4:41 PM

    Looks great! As for the snow being gone, wish I could say the same for our yard. It'll be at least another week before we see the last of it, and possibly more.

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  7. DianeApril 12, 2014 at 5:10 PM

    I actually like to celebrate the finish of a project by cleaning, sorting and re-storing all the stuff that gets pulled out in the process. Your quilt room looks so inviting, like one could wander around for quite a while and not possibly take it all in! Congratulations on the magazine, they are wonderful folks to work with!

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  8. SusannahApril 12, 2014 at 5:42 PM

    After visiting Nova Scotia a few years ago...yes, it is a piece of Heaven. Your quilting room is gorgeous. I can not sew in a mess either. It must be neat and tidy to start another project. Glad your snow is all gone. Today it was 75 here in the Finger Lakes of New York. Unusual!

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  9. onlymehereApril 12, 2014 at 5:49 PM

    I have to have a tidy area to be creative in too or I just can't sew. I'll be anxiously looking forward to this new quilt coming out that you've been working on. Thank heavens for spring and the absence of snow!

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  10. Deb G. in VAApril 12, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    Congrats on being published in PQP! How do you like your Bernina 750QE? I have been thinking of purchasing one. I currently have a Bernina 1230 that still runs well, but I would like to get a stitch regulator so I can free motion quilt.

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  11. WoolenSailsApril 12, 2014 at 10:27 PM

    I do that too, but usually after a few projects and at the point where I can't find anything or move, lol. I am loving this weather, so nice to get outside again.

    Debbie

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  12. CladdaughquiltingApril 12, 2014 at 11:52 PM

    Love your sewing room and really love your stash! Thanks for the tour. Waiting anxiously for your project to be published!

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  13. margaretApril 13, 2014 at 2:53 AM

    do not forget to share a pic of your quilt when it gets published please. What a wonderful room you have to work in and so neat and tidy for now anyway!

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  14. LaurenceApril 13, 2014 at 7:03 AM

    Congratulations for your publication quilt in magazine !
    I love your sewing room, so country and tidy.
    My sewing room isn't tidy. I never take it in picture. I would be ashamed ! ;)
    Good sunday

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  15. Kathy ... aka NanaApril 13, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    Congratulations on meeting the deadline ... with time to spare. Now I just have to wait until the winter issue shows up in my mailbox. ;-)

    I'm the same way after I've finished a quilt ... maybe even more so because my sewing room is small (12x12) ... and one wall is almost all windows, another is almost all doors (entrance and closet), and the third wall has entrance door clearance and a day bed. So when I sew, have stuff all over the place! ;-)

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  16. Chloe2April 13, 2014 at 4:16 PM

    Hi and Congratulations! You must be so excited having one of your quilts in that wonderful magazine. I can't wait to get the next one. Always something in each magazine that is a have-to make it. Enjoy your day.

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  17. JudymcApril 13, 2014 at 10:29 PM

    I can't sew in a messy room, either. Unfortunately, my idea of recharging after a project is to relax on the couch with my hand piecing! I need to get things in order after an exhibit at my guild's quilt show last week. Your beautiful, clean sewing room is inspiring me to face the mess!

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  18. sndy1April 14, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Thanks for showing us your sewing room. Looks like an awesome space to spend time. How do you like your 750QE? I have been thinking of taking the plunge and buying one but the price is a deterrent. Would love to hear your thoughts.

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  19. SueApril 14, 2014 at 11:46 AM

    I would love to have a sewing room, I use the dining room, family says NO to conversion at this time. How nice and orderly you are.

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  20. Lynn - JnL4GodApril 15, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Kaaren I am with you all the way it is very relaxing to me to know my creative space is organized. I can clutter it up while in the heat of getting things done - but there comes a point where I have to have that fresh open space.
    :) Eager to see you project in the magazine.

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  21. AnonymousApril 16, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    Congrats on getting your project finished and sent off - can't wait to see what it is! How do you get your fabrics folded so neatly? I really admire your tidy quilting room. Mine looks like a whirlwind went through it, oops! I have some fat quarter and smaller pieces folded and stored into plastic bins, but struggle with how to fold and display the larger pieces - 1/2 yard cuts and above.

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