Conquering my dreams

As I entered my sewing room for Friday night SEW-IN, and looked around, the time allotted begged for organization!
And because experience told me to begin with a list, I spent the evening, doing just that and then, rolling up my sleeves for what demanded my attention!

You see, for several weeks, especially as I packed away the holidays, I noticed the mountain creeping taller and taller in my sewing room.  Undone dreams, awesome cottons, quilting magazines, threads, and on and on, it climbed. I could hardly see my sweet Janome behind all the clutter.
Tears of frustration spilled from my eyes often as I browsed through the piles taunting my usual neat surroundings. Quilters often talk about building a "stash", but this was a mess! I realized my only success had been forgetting it by just backing out of my dear room and closing the door behind me.
But oh, how I love to sew!
So with determination, I set to work. First thing I decided to create a page for a project list and try to divide this horrible mountain. I needed to conquer one thing at a time. My PROJECT PAGE shows the 3 chosen categories and a list of dreams already mentally formed with the items already purchased. I vowed that these projects must be completed before I was lured away by any more shopping.

One per project

With my 3 categories and list in hand, I ventured toward my sewing table now, Dreaming hopes began to form knowing I would accomplish more than just looking for items the next time I entered my sewing room!

Including all needed items

I placed each project pattern in a giant sized plastic bag, and labeled it. Then, I gathered and included everything needed for each specific project and placed them in the individual bags. Finally, I placed each bag in a clear plastic crate. This crate was dragged to the closet with the goal of pulling one bag out at a time.

Bins to hold projects

With satisfaction, I glanced around my sewing room. I was proud at how neat and organized it finally looked!  My organization has encouraged me to really sew, rather than spend treasured time hunting for things needed. I no longer have to look for the thread, or shift a pile from one corner to another to make space, or even buy more things and find I didn't need it when I returned home. Now, I can accomplish something when I enter the room and sit at the sewing machine.
A Friday night SEW-IN was well spent. Yesterday, I gladly entered my sewing room and within a couple hours, I was able to make a new pile labeled COMPLETED.
Thanks for the encouragement you gave me through the plans of FRIDAY NIGHT SEW-IN! 

OK...so, I didn't relax!

I know it was Friday sew-in night, but I didn't have a place to sew in! We now have 4 generations living under one roof for several months, and to make that possible, the little family has the main house and we moved to the only space left - the garage. We constructed a beautiful 12 x 11 bedroom in front our parked car area, and then carpeted the second front part of the garage for a sitting room/sewing room. Of course, there are boxes everywhere, a make-shift closet hung using an antique ladder,

and much to sort through and give away...yet, we love the comfort and coziness of seeing our plans fit together. This part of the house is now our favorite little haven!
So, while most of you were sewing up a storm, I was looking for a place to sew in my new garage setting!

I looked at our "stuff" - piles of boxes, gadgets, and tools, and wondered how I could make a homey and pleasant corner! With the help of my Grandmother's antique quilt -  sewn in 1920's and hidden away in her hope chest, I covered clutter. It makes such a pretty wall and hides the storage boxes yet to be sorted! Then I added her rocking chair and sewing box to my corner. My husband's tools are stored in the cabinet, but even that fit the decor!

Now, to make it fair and to participate in the actual Sew-In Night, I sat on my comfy bed and stitched  2 - 8" blocks together. I hope that counts!  I have a long way to go, but I am so happy to have my sewing room set up and ready to create once again! I want my very first attempt at quilting by machine to be the postage stamp quilt! I cannot wait to get started!
Happy "Show n Tell" to all of you! Debi