I Feel Better Now

There's a whole lot goin' on right now chez Margaret -- most of it to do with Christmas preparations and wondering if the hand-stitching on "Trio" will ever be completed.  Wondering, even, why I started it -- the hand stitching, that is.  Oh yeah; for texture -- and yes, I have to admit, it's working.

This morning after breakfast there was no dawdling.  Managed to get several blocks finished for Easy Street's Clue #3.  Then began another small project -- another gift, so no photo.  Re-discovered the wonderful blanket stitch on my Husqvarna Lily 555, and discovered (after almost a decade!) that I can do a beautiful 1/4" seam with a regular foot -- and Stitch #23 from Menu #1!  Who knew?  I no longer have to rely on my 1/4" foot.  Well!  I used it for this gift and like it, so will try it with the rest of the Clue #3 blocks and see how it compares to using the special foot.

Took a break to put two parcels and several Christmas cards in the mail.  One of the parcels was a gift box for my friend D in Calgary; the other was the copy of The Art of Fabric Books for Delores in Toronto, who won the draw from Blog Post 950.  Yay!

Did a bit of sweeping and shovelling on stoop and walk, and after lunch, went back to sewing.  Took a break again at 2:30 p.m. for a good jog -- have to get out when the weather is this nice!  The challenge of running when the weather is warming up is the extra work-out one's legs get from ploughing along in mushy snow.  I kept telling myself it's paying off!!

And then in to catch up on my e-mails...and to enjoy Robert Genn's latest missive, "Studio Dynamics".  His post is the real reason for the title of mine today.  That -- and the link provided by his daughter, Sara.  (A word of caution: it's a Pinterest link...for those who prefer to pass...)

Yep; I feel better now.  And the calendar in my studio is for December -- 2012.  ;-)

Too Nice....

to stay indoors, so I have created for myself a "Summer Studio" beneath one of the flowering cherry trees in my backyard. Here you see all I need to enjoy stitching my latest 'Spirit Series' piece: a tall glass of tonic water and Rose's Lime Cordial, my new-to-me faux wicker settee, a quilted seat coverlet (till I get cushions made), a sunny afternoon, et voila!

Studio Time

I've been working in fits and starts in my studio. There's been some sewing, yes, but it was broken up this week by a mini-reorganization. Harriet's beloved Stettler Fabrics is closing it's doors on January 16th, because Harriet is retiring after over 30 years in business. In addition to deep discounts on all her wares (fabric, thread, books, batting, notions), she's selling off the furniture and fixtures. I've managed to get my hands on her fat quarter display rack, for a very good price. The rack is about 6 feet tall, and includes a base with wheels, 16 storage baskets, and as many long pegs. This first photo is what it looked like, stripped to its base. The white wire

rack is in 3 flat sections, and can be set up without the wheeled base, if you prefer. I want to be able to move it without too much trouble, so I'm using the wheels!

Here's a shot of what it looks like with 2 sides' worth of full baskets. You can see the hooks along the top. I decided not to put baskets on the 3rd side; rather, I have that side backed up against the window. This will change in the summer, when I'll want that window open for ventilation.

I've sorted my fabric into type (batiks, florals, landscapes/nature, silks/fancies, muslin. Within the types I've tried to sort by colour as much as possible. I also have 2 baskets of yarns. All in all, I've eliminated several smaller woven baskets which were decorative, but really rather inefficient. They'll be going to the Thrift Store in Stettler when I'm there mid-month! I've also come across forgotten fabrics which are be ing given away -- some to my friend, B, who's teaching a beginner's sewing class starting next weekend.

I sorted my ribbon basket and bagged them up in categories; the bags now hang on some of the hooks (not visible in the photo).

It feels so good to have this done, and to have the floor space again! Now that these supplies are out in plain view, I'll have them to use at my fingertips. No more digging in piles and coming up empty-handed! This should make my Visioning Project goals easier to achieve, too.