Craft space Update

Well, my craft space is in a position to be photographed, finally, and so here is the update:
I have a new rug, a new paint job and three fantastic new bowls.
The Hubster did the painting, awesome, and he picked out the rug.
I put up some shelves today, and now my buttons can all be displayed in their color-coded glory.
Also, Chloe has a new home where she can act as crafting fairy.
I have yet to put up any curtains, so the room gets a lot of light, which I like, but I have to hide to dress myself and taking pictures is somewhat difficult.
Baby steps, I guess, is the name of the game...
Have a terrific weekend,
Jess

O.K. here is a reality check

This is the craft table after some days of, shall we call it creativity?

Finished? maybe evolving is a better term

O.K. I should admit that I am never finished with a project.

Since the "I finished everything" post, I have painted the bench in the craft room and found a place for only about half of the stash, and made a cushion for the newly painted bench.

I also made a second curtain for our two-windowed room.

We have had one curtain for about 3 months, and it feels good to have the windows match.

I made the curtains and the bench seat cover from a twin-sized duvet cover set that I got in the as-is section at IKEA.

There is the perfect amount of fabric.

I used the duvet cover itself for the curtains, I cut off the seams, finished the edges and added a rod pocket.

Pillowcases from IKEA are one long piece of fabric folded in half and sewn up the sides, so I had plenty of fabric for the seat cover.

I even had enough to bind the edges.

I used flannel on the underside so the cushion wouldn't slip around and I am very happy with the results.

I guess I have to make a pledge now that I will stop calling any project finished.

I also should take the time to iron, forgive the wrinkles...

Have a productive Monday,

Jess

Things I've Learned Today

I have had a productive and instructive day.

I went to the Craftstravaganza this morning.

The first thing that I learned today is that the Fine Arts Building in the State Fairgrounds has little or no heat.

On a normal visit to the Fine Arts Building that would not be an issue as it would be late August during the State Fair.

Today, however, the snow was snowing and the wind was blowing.

Our low temperature today was 30 degrees.

The vendors had on their winter coats and hats.

I was at Craftstravaganza to teach some free knitting classes.

I wore my fingerless mittens and a neck-warmer.

Despite the cold, I had a great time and I even got to teach 6 Girl Scouts who were out on a group outing to see the crafts.

Then I came home and I spent some quality time with the Hug-a-Bugs and cut out some patterns, at which time I learned my second lesson of the day.

31 is not 21.

I can't spend hours on the floor cutting out patterns to sew without really feeling it in my back.

Wow. I feel old.

The rest of the lessons of the day were much more fun.

I learned that there is enough paint in those Ralph Lauren paint swatch pouches to cover a radiator seat, with 2 coats.

I learned that my pin-cushion, which is about 50 years old, was ready for retirement.

So I pulled out my Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts book and whipped up a new one.

Here it is before I fully loaded it up with pins.

I also learned that I really missed sewing.

I have been without a sewing space during the craft room redo, and as a result I haven't done any sewing for 2 or 3 weeks.

Tonight, I made my Younger Hug-a-Bug some shorts.

I bought the fabric at Crafty Planet, which is the second best fabric store in the Twin Cities.

As you well know, nothing can replace Treadle Yard Goods in my esteem, but Crafty Planet does have a superior selection of Japanese printed fabric.

Now we just have to wait until the snow all melts and we get some sun and warm.

I am getting sleepy,

Have a good night,

Jess.

Finished!

My dear Mom just left.
We spent the last 2 hours assembling my craft space and I am so excited about it!

I made the decision to store my fabric and yarn in the closet, so organizing that is the next thing on the list.

Here is a reminder of the space as it had been.

I took out the largest piece of furniture and I also took out 4 other pieces.
The room is so light and open now.
I can not wait to start sewing again!

Here's to actually finishing something!

Jess

new project

My latest project is rehabilitating my crafty space.

This house is our first house.

We bought it in kind of a hurry.

I was 8 30/31 months pregnant and a friend called and told us about an inexpensive house in her neighborhood.

We looked at it, decided to buy it, next morning my water broke, no labor, my friend brought over the papers, we signed and went to the hospital to greet the Elder Hug-a-Bug.

Since we have never been in this house without tiny and small children, we have been either too tired, or didn't want the mess of fixing the many things that made this house so inexpensive.

I did try to give the sewing room an overhaul last fall.
I bought a new storage buffet and cleaned up, swept under the radiator and everything.

However the gaping holes in the ceiling, and the plaster patches all over the wall detracted from the overall effect.


While I was moving everything out of the crafty area and the upstairs "attic" ie closet off my bedroom, I found a disturbing number of projects that have been in storage for 1-5 years.

I was able to gather up 5 tall garbage bags of unfinished projects, never begun projects and fabric that had come from other people decreasing their stashes, along with buttons and knitting books for baby projects that the kids are too big for now.
I donated all of that to the mission sewing/knitting group at the church where I grew up and work. I hope there is something that they can use.

This project has consumed my waking thoughts.
I have to fix the holes, pick a new color for the walls, re-organize my space.
I am thinking about splitting the space in two and having a crafty area for the kids in here too.
We shall see what happens with that...

Have a great Wednesday!
Jess