It's been an odd couple of weeks. I've finished a few projects, but I've also been in cleaning, organizing and planning mode. Maybe it's due to the start of school, or the change in weather, but I've felt the need to get ready. Ready for what? I'm not exactly sure, but slowing down and getting my ducks in a row the past few weeks has renewed my excitement and given me energy for upcoming projects and ideas. For a while there I was worried I was headed into a bear-like hibernation for winter. Okay, it was more fear than worry.
My studio got messy over the summer — piles here, there and everywhere. Patterns strewn about, fabric in disarray, heaps of embroidery floss unhappily taking up desk space. Every day this week, I've taken time to clean, straighten, de-clutter, organize, file and throw out a crazy amount of stuff. I consolidated bins. I wound embroidery floss around paper bobbins, and now they're cute in their little boxes. I filed my patterns in binders with plastic sleeves. There are three binders — one has purchased patterns, one has free patterns and the third has my designs.
I looked at the studio tour that was on the blog over the summer and was horrified by the clutter. And it was on DwellingGawker. I packed random things up, and they're now in the basement or packed away in these suitcases. There are fewer baskets on the floor — no piles, no disarray. I'm ready.
Stacks of newly purchased fabric are eager to be attended to. Needles are sharp. Rotary cutters have new blades. There's room for the Sizzix Big Shot Pro that my husband encouraged me to buy, possibly because I tend to swear at my rulers, but more likely because he's a nice, supportive guy. And Overstock.com had a really good deal.
In addition to all the cleaning, I've been reading — actually reading, and more than one sentence at a time. I'm enjoying books that don't even rhyme or have a catchy verse. Yes, they have pictures, and I'm greedily eyeing them all up.
I still need to finish putting the flat file together that was a birthday present (in February), but the light box on a stack of cardboard boxes isn't bothering me at the moment. The best part about all this? I'm now excited about fall. I'm ready to design and make things, and let the studio turn into a wonderfully creative mess. Six sewing projects are lined up on top of this cabinet!
Colton's fortune cookie yesterday summed it up: "Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos." Definitely applies to a two-year-old boy, don't you think?
Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway for 1, 2, 3 Quilt here!
xo Karin
