Studio Shots

Last Saturday, I spent 7, yes really, 7 hours cleaning up my studio. It was so piled up that I was getting stressed just walking in there- needless to say, I was having a hard time getting anything constructive done. You may wonder how it took 7 hours to clean it up- there was the painting desk, the computer desk, the sewing table, the cutting table, plus 2 countertops that are dedicated to my “piles”- works in progress, books I have been referring to, sketches, generally stuff that I just don’t know what to do with so it just goes in the pile. Then of course, there was the floor- piles of fabric for projects that I have been working on, some projects that are long finished, projects that I am just thinking about. I did come up with this idea for a project that I am still working on- instead of leaving the fabric on the floor, I put it in this tiered basket. When I bought the basket, I didn’t know what I was going to do with it, I just liked it. Now it is coming in handy, don’t you think? So after I finally got it done, it actually looked something like the photos that I put on my website. I kept saying, "Oh I feel so much better," it was probably better than therapy! I think the family thought I was just kind of weird (they’re used to that...) But really, my head feels clearer, I am able to concentrate. In fact, Saturday evening and Sunday I just kept walking in there to look at it. Now I have to work, I kind of don’t want to pull things out and make a mess again! I definitely am more relaxed and focused when my surroundings are neat and organized, which goes against the stereotype of the chaotic, disorganized, flaky artist-type. I am a neat freak, I like everything in it’s place. Go figure. Actually, I think that being detail oriented has a lot to do with it- I notice little things that then make their way into my art, but noticing every little thing means that I notice everything little thing, especially if it’s not the way it’s supposed to be.

I took a couple of photos once I got it cleaned up- ‘cause it will probably be awhile until it looks this good again.I have something in mind for this fabric and floss and ribbon. I’m planning on making something with my Christmas Bird pattern that is on my free patterns page. So much fabric, so little time.... Oh, I wish I had a few elves- Do you think Santa could spare a few for me? Maybe I should put them on my Christmas list?