Studio 3: Fabric

I spent a lot of time thinking about how to organize fabric.

Here's what I came up with: Small boxes for tiny scraps, medium boxes for larger cuts, and big boxes for things like old sheets and big or thick pieces. It's working right now, and I'm hoping that being able to see things will help me to use what I have. I'd like to get Mom's fabric stash from Dad's house and add it to mine, but I'm afraid I might have to use some things up before it'll fit...

The small bins are organized by color and fabric. That was Anna's idea. She arranged the boxes and then I put them up on the shelf.

I have ribbons and notions here too, and little room to grow, but not much!

Above the cutting/quilting table I have these great racks from The Container Store. The left side is fabric tools, the right side paper tools.

I especially like having my buttons in jars. That seems like an important part of a sewing room.

Studio 2: Storage

Months ago I got some white storage drawers at an auction. It was wonderful to finally put stuff in them.

This one has paper goodies: wires for the bind-it all, paper, cardboard, trash (packaging that I want to make something out of), Anna art (that I want to make things out of), and bits of paper left over from other things that I've made (that I want to make something else out of).

This other big set of drawers has all sorts of crafty things. Three of the drawers are just labeled "crafty bits". That means little things that I want to make things out of; old crayons, puzzle pieces, nice wooden boxes, etc. I discovered in organizing the room that I like the word "bits".

I also have a drawer for Anna, and (eventually) Katie. It has coloring and project books and paper and crayons for kid projects.

My Studio!

Really, we refer to it as my office or the craft room. But I like the word "studio". Makes me feel like an artist.
Here's the view from the door. Of course there are already projects everywhere.

This is the "office" area. For paying bills, filing, correspondence, life organization, and photo management. This is probably the most important and least "fun" part of the room.

This is the cutting table/quilting table/paper crafting area. The big table is up high so it's comfortable to cut fabric. It has good light, thanks to my desk lamp from Junior High. I can spread out a big blanket and baste it or tie it, and I have a stool for doing sit-down work. (Like maybe catching up on years of scrapbooks?)

This is the sewing area. I need a better chair, hopefully someday one that swivels, so I can put the serger on one side and the sewing machine on the other. When I'm not in the middle of sewing something, Anna works on things at this table.

More details tomorrow. :)

Cookie Plate

This blue glass plate is from my Grandma Madge.

Filling it with cookies makes me happy.

Thanks, Mary!

My sweet sister-in-law gave me this beautiful yellow bowl for Christmas.

I wanted to show you all how gorgeously it catches and holds the sunlight.

Thanks, Mary!

6 year old firecracker

07/04/2011

5 months old!

1st 4th of July

Two little firecrackers

4th of July Photo Shoot!

Homework

One of my favorite Kindergarten papers.

My best bargain yet.

People ask me what the best thing I've ever found at Goodwill is.

It used to be this wallpaper in Katie's room.

But then, just when we needed it, we found this dress.

With a little alteration, it was perfect.

My best bargain yet. $15.99

Name that notion

In cleaning out and organizing my craft room, I've been trying hard to let go of things. I have these two rolls...of something.

I do not know what they are.

Do you?
I can't let them go without at least trying to figure it out.

Sleeping Beauties

Last night we moved Katie to her crib. (sniff)

After I crept in to take her picture, I wanted one of Anna too.

Sweet darling sleepy girls.

Come Down O Love Divine

Fernando Ortega has a new album!

(He's my favorite)

Here's a video about it.

Come Down O Love Divine from fernando ortega on Vimeo.

and if you want to, you can pre-order it here. (Or after July 12, you can buy it at The Family Bookhouse) :)

Yay!

(official) Summer is here!

So how did I do on the Spring list?

1. Organize Craft Room (I never know what to call it-office? studio? sanctuary?)**ALMOST!!**

2. Make Katie Christening Gown.

3. Make Anna Birthday Dress.

4. Start Swimming again.

5. Finish organizing MJL's office.

6. Plant a garden. **gave these both up-on purpose**

7. One small landscaping project.

8. Keep up with photos.

9. Do something Kansas Explorer-y with the girls.

10. Enjoy the three weddings, showers, prom, wedding shopping, two graduations, three birthdays and Easter. Remember that these times are special, and hectic just means there are lots of people to love.

Not too bad.

The Summer List is funny-half summer and half the beginning of the school year. I'd better aim WAY low.

1. Finish organizing craft room!

2. Make Spencer's blanket.

3. Make Finney and Trisha's blanket.

4. Make something pretty with Abby for Lainey.

5. Make Anna Back to School Dress.

6. Anna Hall Photos

7. Anna 8X10's for year.

8. Finish Summer Class.

9. Plymell Spanish Facebook Page

10. Try to choose fun over "work"

Happy Official Summertime!

Bridesmaid practice

This weekend I found a dress and shoes for Chelsea's wedding. yay!

I asked my fantastically fashionable niece Joanna how to learn to walk in heels. She recommended practice and youtube videos. This one made me laugh.

3 years.

No video this year-too busy with sweet kiddos.

I miss her every day.

A song.

Old news

The professional pics from Lainey's wedding just came out, which reminded me that I got a few nice pictures that I never shared.

Bride fixing flower girl's hair.
Pretty Anna.
Anna, attended by bridesmaids.

Anna and Bride. Blurry but sweet.

We had such a fun time-and we're off to another cousin wedding this weekend!

Congrats Finney and Trisha!

4 months update

Last week we took Katie to the Dr. for her 4 month checkup.

13lbs 9 oz

24 1/4 inches.

and sweet.

Katie at the Courthouse

One day last week I took Anna and Katie to see Mom's flowers and benches. Everything is growing beautifully. In a few more years, there should be snowballs on those bushes!

Summer Hair

This summer I went for something a little different.

Blue hair.
I still like pink best,

but I'm having fun with the blue.

And P.S. Matthew's doing well, surgery went fine, should be home today! And on to the very difficult job of not working too hard. Or hard at all. In the middle of summer. And Harvest. Yikes.