Getting Organised...

Well, having moved my sewing room around for the umpteenth time (I swear, one day it will be perfect), I feel I am making progress.  I loved the inspiration pics sarai and caitlin provided at colette. And they've given me a kick up the proverbial to get organised.

This is what I am contending with:

I have cleared 3 bags of fabric from my stash which I have come to realise I WILL NEVER USE so that's gone to the local hospice shop, there was another boxful of fabric that I bought a very long time ago, and again, due to storage and having way too much fabric already, i decided to flog on ebay. 

You would think that this would mean lots of clear space - empty drawers to fill with stuff I will actually get round to using.  But, no, this is not the case at all, my 6 drawer chest is still full to bursting, albeit, busting in a very neat way.  1 entire long drawer is filled with unfinished projects (or works in progress, as I like to call them - sounds more positive anyways!), and the others are filled with my other 'useful fabrics' i.e. those that haven't been designated to the charity or sale pile.

My plan, along with all my other plans, is to actually finish some of these projects - i've got cushion panels cut, bunting flags ready to go, various hangers (birds, dogs hearts etc) almost done, pegbags pinned and a quilt top that needs some attention.  For various reasons, like children, housework and sewing for people that need things doing and will pay me, I have neglected my making pile for sometime.  I have a lot of ideas (not all of them good, admittedly) and get a bit caried away and then realise that my drawers are full, so to speak.

I think it's a sewing version of my eyes are bigger than my belly - perhaps my ideas are bigger than my time schedule (doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it!).

So anyway, I AM going to get organised.  I AM going to spruce up my sewing room.  Starting with this very uninspiring wall pictured here:

My plan is to paint the room white, but I'm going to have to do it a bit at a time.  It doesn't get a lot of natural light so I figured this would be the best way to maximise it.  I'm going to put some shelves above the radiator and make it feel a bit more purposeful.  My sewing room (when I'm not sewing and sometimes when I am) becomes a bit of a dumping ground for the pushchair, schoolbags, and any other crap that doesn't really have a home! 

I will let you know how I get on...I could be some time!

Possible possibilities...

Well, today was meant to be a work day (my baskets of 'to-do's' are piled high) but somehow I have managed to only do one and a half jobs - namely, replace a zipper in a pair of jeans and handsew a replacement zip into a leather handbag (this has been with me longer than I'd like, as it keeps outwitting me - some jobs are just like that!) which remains unfinished.  I blame the start of a cold for this dip in motivation, but it does irritate me...

Anyway, this year I am hoping to get a bit of balance back in the sewing stakes - I spend a lot of time sewing for other people and barely any for myself (kids and home included!), there are loads of little projects that I would like to complete this year and if I can make a dent in my 'made-to-measure wardrobe wish list' (more on that in another post) then I will be very happy indeed.  I'm definitely a glass half full kind of girl, and aim quite high with my lists and what can actually be achieved.  My other half is far more realistic, sometimes too much so - my theory is if I can think something is possible then there may be the possibility of it happening, whereas if you don't even think about it then there's no chance of realising what may be possible - not sure that really makes sense - apologies!

Today my eldest turned 7, and as part of his birthday present I made him this cushion:

He was more impressed than I expected! It may seem a bit of an odd present (he did get other stuff - knitted pyjamas, hotwater bottle and a crocheted hat - I'm joking, poor child, though I did think about it just to see the look on his face!) but there is a reason - it's to stop all my other cushions getting trashed when he and his step-brother embark on an impromptu duffing up with cushions session as 7 year olds are wont to do. Beasts! It could also be useful as extra seating, or used as the 'naughty cushion' (as opposed to naughty step!) - the options are endless.  It's a basic cushion cover made from denim (hardwearing for boys - essential) with a zip along the bottom seam and his initial in gingham, satin stitched on the front.  I'm planning on doing another for aforementioned step-son when his birthday comes around - and they will look lovely and matchy-matchy on their beds!

What do you think about handmade gifts - are you pleased to receive them or secretly mortified?

Have a lovely weekend!

Tentative steps into the world of blogging...

Well, this is my first ever blog post and I am so excited, though admittedly a bit nervous!

My main reason for starting to blog is to have a record of what I have achieved so that I can look back at some point and go 'ooh, did i do that?'. 

But it's not all selfish record keeping (honest!), I also like to share things like sewing related knowledge, photos etc and have found so much inspiration from the crafting blogosphere that I kinda just want to see how it all goes.

I think keeping a blog requires a certain amount of discipline, and god, do i need that - give me a deadline and i am so productive but give me forever and it's always, 'later, i can do that later'.  So it will be good for me and if anyone wants to read it then fair play and thanks very much!