I want to SEW!

But instead I have to tackle this mess. First, let me say that I know how fortunate I am to have not one but two sewing spaces in this house and that I am certainly spoiled by an abundance of sewing riches. But that being said, I am really struggling with the organization of these spaces. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that life has required many moves over the past few years and in each place, even in a rental in China, one requirement was a space where I could sew. So that has meant setting up and organizing a sewing room/rooms 5 times In the last 4 years. I had been in a previous space for 15 years that I had outgrown so when we purchased our house 3 years ago, thinking it was our final destination, I was thrilled to have a huge 3 room suite that I had organized in a way that worked perfectly for my needs. Once again, life intervened and hence another move,and this time my space is smaller, on 2 different floors and lacking in the great closets I had before. This means a total change in how my space is organized and it is proving to be quite a challenge.

So here is my main floor sewing room after 2 days of unpacking and some organizing. Obviously I have a long way to go! This room needs to accommodate sewing, cutting, ironing, designing and current project storage. To accomplish this I need space for sewing machine(s), cutting table, rulers, design table (where I also prep all my appliqué), a design wall, a free standing light box, a copy machine and storage for lots of thread, notions, paper, patterns and more. And I would like it to be inviting as well as functional. I have spent a lot of time moving tables around trying to come up with the best use of space and hope I have finally figured out something. It is a little different than my previous arrangements so I am hoping it works. Sadly I am not able to fit in a much needed bookcase unless I give up project storage so it looks like some books will need to go upstairs.

So if you are still reading, I have a question. This time I put my cutting table directly behind my sewing chair and set up a small ironing board next to my sewing chair. I have a larger ironing station across the room for ironing large things. I added an IKEA table at the end of my sewing table that is light enough to be moved around as necessary. So, what sewing arrangement works for you? Any suggestions for how I can improve this set up would be appreciated!

A little progress in the bedroom

I have been busy working on more unpacking so not much sewing to show but I did finish a few more hexagons for the "This Goes With That" project. They will someday be assembled into a quilt for my new master bedroom. I just love how this room is coming together. It is much larger than we need but is just so pretty and calming with the blue and white pots against the aqua walls. Still need to get some stuff put away here but it is well on it's way. My poor DH has been hanging pictures and shelves all day and there are many more to go. I think he will be happy to have a break tomorrow, that is if he considers assembling my cutting table a break. ;)

New beginnings

No quilting news in this one but instead an update on my move. Our stuff arrived here in Florida on Monday in not one but 2 moving trucks. We filled one whole semi and overflowed into another. Lets just blame it on all the DH's garage equipment and not the huge number of boxes of fabric and other quilt related items. ;)

Anyway I just thought I would post a few pictures of the kitchen and main living space in a sorta before and after kinda way. Hopefully no matter what is going on in your life, you will at least be happy that you aren't unpacking this mess. First up, filled with boxes and then after 2 1/2 days of unpacking. By myself, as DH is happily back to work. Obviously things are not yet properly arranged but at least I am starting to see my vision for this house come to life. I do enjoy unpacking and decorating but man I am exhausted. This better be the last move for a long time!!!

Race to the finish

Since the movers arrive on Monday and my longarm machine will soon be readied for our move I have been hurrying to finish my "Butterflies are Free" quilt. I am hoping to hang this one in my new home to set the decorating tone of our main living space so I really want it finished. In spare moments I was able to finish the appliqué on Monday and then assembled it yesterday. It is now on the machine being quilted and I am just taking a little break to post these photos.

I laid it out on my sofa with a piece of fabric that I am considering for reupholstering my sofa. Final decisions won't be made until we are in our new home but I am leaning towards this aqua color instead of repeating the green like I originally planned. Hmmm, I think maybe it is time for a change and it still looks good with the butterflies and would look nice with the green,black and white that I was already considering. Looking forward to some decorating fun!

Clearing the house and a quick peek

I've been cleaning out for the last week and took 6 car loads to Goodwill, a carload to the electronics recycling center, a load of books to the library used book sale and today filled a friends car with old quilting books and fabric for her church guild that makes charity quilts. So after a year of decisions and life changes this move is starting to feel real. The house has been photographed for the listing, after the real estate told me all the quilts had to come off the walls so the house would not look "old lady". I just had to laugh about that one.

I had another chuckle when I stopped by a local "Antique" mall the day after my Goodwill deliveries and saw an item I had taken to Goodwill the day before being set up for sale by a dealer. And clearly I don't need more stuff but I just wanted to see if I could find a piece or two of green transferware for my new house while I had the chance. Anyway, I hope she does well selling the trunk from Cost Plus World Market as an antique!

I haven't had much time for blogging or sewing but while sitting some repairs were being done in the house I was able to complete this little block. It is for a surprise quilt so I can't say more just in case the recipient happens to see this. So here is a quick peek.

Time is Flying

I am back in Georgia awaiting the arrival of a real estate agent to begin the listing process of our home here. I am surprised at how sad this is making me but I am leaving behind some wonderful quilting friends, a great quilt guild and most of all my son, daughter in law and precious grandson who turns one year old on Feb. 22. Though the move has been discussed and planned for almost a year, I now find that time is just moving too fast. I will probably be somewhat absent from my blog over the next few weeks as the packing begins, but I will try to keep up with reading when I can.

Not sure if I have shown this quilt before but it currently hangs in my kitchen and I am not sure I will have a place for it in my new home so I wanted to record it. I made it several years ago and can't remember the name. Since I still enjoy seeing this one I have a feeling it will find a place somewhere even if it is in my sewing room.

Whig Rose finished!

Ok, this is the final post about this quilt but I did want to show it finished. Not sure why there is a white spot in the middle of it but let me assure you it must just be the lighting cause in person it looks great. I feel bad bragging but I am just so proud to have this one finished. Oh and before anyone comments that the corners aren't perfectly matched, that is actually the look I intended. I wanted this quilt to have the look of the original and I love that the corners aren't perfect! It delights me that when you first look at it you might think it is an antique.