Organized & Chaotic - BALANCE

I've been spending some time in my "create room" organizing and contemplating some cleaning.  To be honest, as there are frequently too many exciting ideas going on in my brain, I do have a tendancy to BOUNCE from one area to another.  In some respects it might look live I've gotten nothing accomplished, but in reality positive change has occurred. 

On this particular morn, I was able to get one PART of my room organized.  The featured goal was to take my collection of beads and better separate them into artistic categories - mostly by color of the bead, but in some instances it was by type of bead.  The bins were labled utilizing my favorite organization tool aka the labeler.  It is the most brilliant gift I've received.  I remember when opening it a few years ago at Christmas, I thought I would NEVER use it.  But on the contrary it is frequently humming with this new label or that new lable.  Check out the results.   Who wouldn't want to come creating in this space and start creating?

Well, if you think it is too organized and that it might stifle your creativity, never fear I have an unorganized section of the room just for you.  I'd like to say that I'll start sorting through this space later today, but the reality of that opportunity is pretty small.  I'd rather work on the new necklace on my bead board as well as get ready for date night to the movies with my husband. 

For those who are curious as to what the "heap" of stuff looks like in the other part of the room.  Have no fear as I snapped this photo to show one of my many next organizational projects.  This is the zone where I primarily work on quilting projects. This kitchen cabinet has lots of counter top space that is at the perfect height for cutting and staging quilting projects.   

(note:  The stack of canvasses in the corner is for a future create night with my 2% group.  I'll have to make sure to snap pictures of our works of art.  They are going to be awesome!)

Well, enough organizing for one day, time to go CREATE some pretties.

K

 

Retreat!

I spent the weekend on my annual quilting pilgrimage with my mom and friends at Prairie Point Junction's Quilting on the Prairie Retreat in Cozad, USA.  It was a great 3 day weekend of family, friends and fabric! 

The really cool part is that I was able to nearly finish four outstanding UFO's from my collection.  A couple of them have been deemed "NuFO's" (pronounced new-fo's) which means that I've had the fabric, but hadn't started the project until now.  My husband coined the new vocabulary term, it's free for use.

I'd love to show you pictures of the projects.  But I can't.  I know that doesn't seem fair.  And, I'll be honest, I'd really like to show you, but they are future gifts so, to post the pictures would spoil the future suprises.  (assuming the gift recipients read my blog).  I promise to take pictures when the quilts are done and post them when the time is appropriate.

The good news is that two quilt tops and backs are ready to be sent out for quilting.  And, the other two only need the borders and backings.  That means the gift giving might happen sooner vs. later.   I can sum up the weekend by saying I ate way too many yummy treats given to me by my dear friend Gwen, the weekend was ful of producivity and I am INSPIRED to keep sewing, sewing, sewing.

And, on that note, I do have something that I can show you.  Here is the fabric for one of my next projects - I love shopping at PPJ!  These lovely statck of fabric in limey greens and soft sea blues come from a variety of different groupings.  It is going to be fun to mix & match the various prints for my "Hugs and Kisses" designed by Jaybird Quilts. 

I now get the pleasure of cutting this into lots and lots of 2 1/2" strips to sew into strip sets of three to then cut with a Lazy Angler Ruler.   (high-level sumary of my project process)  The finished design is shown below, though mine will have a few more rows & columns as I am planning on making a queen size quilt for our bedroom.

Signing off to start cutting . . .

Happy Creating

K 

Cleaning up . . .

Cleaning up my blog.

Deleting old links.

Cleaning up my sewing room has been fun, but I don't know that I'd really call it cleaning as much as moving things from here to there.  It has been fun as I am finding projects to complete that haven't been seen in some time.  How long before something becomes vintage?  Oh well, I'm inspired to sort, cut, stack and plan for my annual quilt retreat escape with my mother to Cozad, NE.  The retreat is sponosored by my BFF's quilt shop - Prairie Point Junction.  This year's theme, for me, is to work on UFO's.  One just happens to be a project that I started at last years retreat.   It's a gift.  Hopefully the recipient still likes those colors.

Back to sorting, cutting, stacking and planning.

What doesn't fit?

These pictures are pretty self explanatory . . .

Big dog, little pillow = funny

Little cat, little pillow = just right!