Thursday, December 02, 2010

full disclosure

My husband is out of town this week.
I haven't cooked a meal for days.
We've been eating turkey sandwiches and turkey noodle soup from last Saturday. I LOVE leftovers. I'm coasting on that front as long as I can.
I've been doing a LOT of playing, but progress is slow.
Every inch of my sewing room is a mess.
This is what my buffet really looks like most of the time.
I can't focus on a single thing.
So, I just hover and try to decide what to do next.
 Sigh.
I love and hate it all at the same time.

81 comments:

Amanda said...

Your design wall is looking fabulous though. I wish I had that many WIP going on right now.

Shawn said...

You're not alone..... my sewing room never stays really neat for long and that means I'm happy doing what I love. I haven't had to cook for three days because my husband had a tooth extracted, poor guy/lucky me ~wink

Unknown said...

I can't even think straight when my husband isn't home. These nights before Christmas are super duper late for him and I just feel a little off kilter when he's gone. I really have to focus to get anything accomplished....oh my that sounds so silly when I look at it in writing :)

Quiltjane said...

Chaos is the root of all creativity. I am sure something beautiful will come from all your UFO's

Jennifer said...

I'm not going to lie... it makes me smile to see that I'm not the only one with a sewing room that is a mess!

Jennifer :)

PS... it looks like you are working on some great projects!

beth said...

Oh good. You're human!! ;)

Clair said...

Can't believe you put all those pictures up for everyone to see. If you feel like cooking, you could make enchiladas... :) I would make them and invite you over but it is sort of far...

Char said...

I thought I was the only one still eating Thanksgiving leftovers! Your sewing room looks so familiar. LOL

Arnden said...

You are not alone! I never sew in my sewing room because the table is covered in fabric piles and it is in the cold basement. So my dining table looks a lot like your buffet with the sewing machine on one end and computer on the other and all manner of projects in between.

Di~ said...

:) love it, love you!

Terriaw said...

Sounds like I need to come over there for some intervention! I really hate that feeling too of loving and hating everything. It can be paralyzing! I say order a meat-lovers pizza deliver for dinner, and knit a bear or something totally different to ease that pressure.

Katie @SwimBikeQuilt said...

oh to have a sewing room! Good luck breaking out--can't wait to see what the end result is.

Karen said...

Copy. Same thing over here on the other side of the world.

Anonymous said...

Well, you just made me feel better! =) Thanks for being real! You think your sewing room is bad...mine looks similar. I know that I have things to do and yet don't want to do things...but time is pressing down on me, so tomorrow, I'll be getting busy sewing! =)

paulette said...

Ditto!! My Sewing Room is called the Pit for a reason!! But it's my Pit and I love it!!
:o)
Take care!
Paulette

Karen said...

Its OK Amandajean! I think all of us do this once and a while and maybe we really NEED to! Think about it....no cooking, hubby away, etc. Have fun.
Karen

Kimberly said...

You and me both. :)

Gwendolyn said...

Full disclosure, indeed! Thank you!

I have a process: At the beginning of every process I clean the sewing area up just enough so that I can start the next project!

It's never really clean, but usually it can be rendered useful!

Glad to see I'm in good company!

Hands Sew Full said...

It seems we may all be in the same boat! My sewing room is leaking all over the house! There are projects started all over and then finished ones have made their to a box on my kitchen floor!!! YIKES!! I hope you find your focus soon...when you do could you lend it to me? Mine is gone too!

Anita said...

Yep. I can totally relate. When it gets so bad that even moving a pile out of the way doesn't help, then I have to clean up a bit. I did that this morning.... a little cleaning. Now I'm back to making a mess again.

carol said...

You forgot about looking out of the window for awhile. That's what I do when I'm not sure where to start or continue on something. Try it! Your mind wanders to all sorts of even more projects. LOL

Laritza said...

Someone from the weaving list I belong to said not long ago, 'Creativity is NOT pretty' she has a sign hanging from her door.
I am going to make one for my studio.

beanie g said...

Must be going around, I'm in totally the same place right now!

Dana Gaffney said...

Must be the time of year, everyone seems to be doing it. I keep making a couple of quilt blocks just so I don't forget the idea, then move on something else. I finally settled for a while today to quilt a quilt that needs to go in the mail.

JG said...

My sewing/computer room always has everything everywhere. But I can find what I need! It's good to take a break now and then. :) So normal!

Leeanne said...

I don't know about anyone else but I kike food but love to sew and if given the choice between to two you what will win!
So I love left overs too, probably just as well I have a husband and children otherwise I would probably just eat toast!

thea said...

I love your design wall!! Maybe when I grow up I can have one, too!

Live a Colorful Life said...

You're just keepin' it real, and you're not alone. If your sewing area looked nice and tidy, that would mean you were probably off doing something else...

Lisa said...

Sounds and looks familiar. I just can't seem to stay tidy while I sew and I have decided that's okay!! I call it the creative process and just smile and hover and decide what to tackle next. My sewing space is small at approximately 80sq ft, about 8x10. Hubby is a tidy person and the chaos unfortunately drives him bonkers. Fortunately it's in the loft and one does not have to pass through it to get to anywhere else. ~~Lisa

linda said...

OMG!! She's not perfect! ;>)

Michele said...

How can you quilt and not have a mess at some point? Or at all points :) There are so many scraps! I can't get rid of anything until I'm totally done with a quilt. And even then its hard to do!

Nicole said...

Love to see that you are human!
Due to the disaster of my sewing area I think I may have "messed" my way into my husband moving his computer, cameras and guitars into the basement to give me the spare room (I need a plan to reduce the bed but still have it usable!) for the sewing/fabric sprawl - I love the idea of a closet!
How did you make your design wall, if you don't mind sharing....thanks!

Carla said...

You are suffering from QADD....quilters attention deficit disorder. The only relief might come from taking some vitamin M & M. Especially those new coconut ones! Hope that helps!!

PatSloan said...

had over the green blocks and nobody gets hurt.. just saying...

Sarah Craig said...

My sewing room looks just that bad, minus that super design wall!! I am so-o-o-o-o-o jealous!!!! I could either have storage or a design wall, and storage won out.....

Lori said...

Oh man I know that feeling of hovering- trying to figure out waht to do next.

Kim said...

Ummmmm
still looks better than mine right now......but I'm working on making it cleaner.
thanks for sharing that its hard to be creative and perfectly neat all on the same day.......

Happy Sewing...you need a sign that says "bless this mess"

Care said...

Is it the time of year?? I am having the same problem! I have so many projects I really WANT to work on, along with only a couple that I probably SHOULD work on, and yet I just sit in my sewing room staring at the mess.... What does it mean??

Cheryl Arkison said...

That is the truth for all of us! Thanks for the honesty.

Melissa said...

Awesome! Lots of creativity going on there. My mom is visiting for the first time in 4 1/2 years and asked me how on earth I keep my sewing room so clean. I just cracked up and told her it never looks like this but you have to clean when your mom is coming to visit!

Love what I see on your design wall!

A Plain Path said...

My sewing area never stays clean when I'm using it. Your area is a reflection of a creative mind at work. It's admirable!

Emily said...

Yep, pretty much...

peggi said...

This is EXACTLY how I've been feeling for the last month or so. My sewing room is a mess, which isn't unusual, but other people have temporarily dumped their mess on top of mine , and it's quite cramped. I'm able to work but I keep wandering from project to project, never really getting any of them actually done.

Thimbleanna said...

I feel your pain Ms. Crazy! Especially at this time of year. Whatever that is on your wall, it certainly looks interesting. I love the colors!

eva said...

I think a "proper" sewing room comes fully equipped with a love/hate relationship doesn't it???

The Wifeyness said...

It's refreshing to see...mess. (As odd at that sounds!)

I was wondering, where do you buy your fabrics from? You always have the prettiest fabrics. I'm positive they're from some hip online store or something I have yet to discover. And then, also, do you pay $10 & up per yard of fabric?? Or do you know a trick that would lower my out of pocket on such pretty fabrics?

Teresa F. said...

A real sewing room is never tidy. A real sewer never stops. Great work on your design wall. I too have difficulty in doing only one thing at a time.
Hugs
Teresa

Anonymous said...

organized chaos...I LOVE IT!

Kankanka said...

In my house....similarly..... :)))))

Kris said...

I so understand that love/hate thing you have going on.

Lisa H. said...

I'm so happy that my sewing area isn't the only one that looks this way! I love your design wall. Thanks for sharing!

LJ said...

You're describing my mess and photographing my piles. *Hangs head in shame*

Lynn said...

So funny - when I read your post the first thing I thought was "me too". But after reading all the comments I think we must all be in the same boat. But imagine if we didn't do this and weren't creative - hate to think about that.

Lisa said...

My sewing room is a mess too! Time to clean it up and find some buried treasures. Love your design wall. What great inspiration.

Unknown said...

I think we are all like you, when sweeties are away. sometimes, I don't even get dressed, but just make fabric messes and eat right over the sink! lol.

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

I totally feel ya on this! Hovering...I do it all the time. My husband says "why don't you just finish something before you start another one?" what,what,what...he just doesn't understand!lol!

Gabi said...

We Germans call it 'creative chaos' - are you a sister of mine? The most time I can't see the table under the hills of 'things in progress'. I hope you understand my 'German English' :-)

Meg said...

Thank you for sharing this! You're absolutely not alone in this. I have 3 projects I NEED to finish between now and Xmas, and I basically go into my sewing room and just dither. Why should it be so hard to back 2 pillow covers and sash a quilt? Somehow, it just seems impossible--I'd rather just play, or start something new. This discipline stuff is for the birds!

Suzanne said...

We are haivng our carpets cleaned as I type. Yestrday I had to move all of the fabric and stacks of projects out from under my quilt frame. I learned two things:

1. I don't want my frame any more. (I'm not using it and it takes up A LOT of space as furniture.)
2. I want to work more on finishing. I feel a goal for 2011 brewing.

I'm grateful for your pictures of realistic creating. It's not always pretty, is it?

Seamingly Sarah said...

I can completely relate to that feeling. Overwhelmed, but hovering over my pile of potential projects is addictive. Unfortunately my sewing space is the same space we put the Christmas tree. So I've had to hunker down and whittle down my projects to a list of what MUST get done this weekend and then I will clean up and pack up for the month of December. I have 4 out of 7 purses done and one belated wedding gift to go. All else will have to take a vacation for now. I'm actually looking forward to it. It'll help me enjoy Christmas more and put sewing aside for a moment.

Amanda said...

Oh hon- you should see my sewing space. It's our "living room", and my projects have taken over. I'm so happy that my husband is understanding!

Beautiful WIP's!

Carolyn said...

this post is fantastic, girlie. so much creativity bubbling out around there. ;)

Christie describeHappy said...

Gotta love all the possibility exuding from your sewing room!! And mine isn't any better if that makes you feel better. Sometimes it helps me to put all the making of a project in a basket and put that basket out of sight. I know how a cleared off working space can really get the wheels turning sometime. Cheers to a fun and productive weekend!!

leigh said...

I am totally the same. Except that the mess is on my dining table, which makes things messy for everyone, but, oh well. Don't you think Christmas adds a whole other dimension to the chaos? To me it feels like I can't work on fun things until I get the gifts finished, but then it makes the gifts no fun to make. Love and hate.

Teje said...

Hello! I love your desing wall! ...not the wall - yes the wall also because I don't have - but your lovely blocks and patches and wonderful fabrics!
Sunny wishes from Crete! Teje

LuAnn said...

I miss my husband when he travels, but boy it sure is nice to be able to eat whatever you want and do whatever you want. Looks like you are having a fun time!!!

Bee said...

You have made me feel so good! I also think that there is something wrong with me because I am always flitting to this project and that project.

Thanks for sharing:)

Anonymous said...

Just cleaned my space that was looking very similar. It was growing out into the room! But that is part of the creative process...don't fight it...it is what it is.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

If I sent you pictures of my sewing room, you would think yours was spotless. I am in the process of cleaning it, took me over a month to get started because I didn't know where to start it was so bad. Then finally I just said Ok I am going to go in there and reach out and move the first thing that I touch and keep going, once you get started it is easy. After two weeks of working on it almost every night for hours, I have it half way done, which makes me want to get it finished ASAP now. I can't wait to have my room back. So keep your head up high, and just touch something and put it where it belongs, and the rest will follow suit. Oh yeah, I am jealous of that design wall of yours too!!!

Maria said...

Fantastic design wall, didn't notice anything else.

Coffeebean's Dailies said...

You are human! Yay! I just read all of the comments and have been inspired to photograph my mess tomorrow as it is night here in the Middle East now. I will blog about it so I hope you come by. Some of your comments cracked me up! So funny! I have like three new quotes to make up somehow!

I used to work out of the dining room and that actually caused problems for my husband and I. Now, he converted the garage into my sewing room and I LOVE SITTING IN MY CHAOS! He occasionally (did I mention he is a super neat FAAAREEEEK???) walks into my Studio and looks all around. I get such, SUCH satisfaction in playfully kicking him out! It is MY space and I can keep it as I want it! Ha!

My friends give me that judge-y eye though and their spaces are immaculate. They have maids to cater after them and I have finally forgiven myself for not being 'perfect' like them. Hey, if ya come over with a phone call, you get me as I am and I am ALWAYS in my room working!

Thanks for sharing and your design wall is indeed fun and please tell us what you did to get it!! - hugs from Alia in Muscat, Oman!

Peris said...

you are amazing!!!

Kendra said...

I like it that you hover. I stand in my sewing room, staring at my scraps, willing them to turn into a quilt before my eyes - or at least have the idea materialize while I stand there, glaring at the mess. It's nice to have a room that can be turned into something decent when somebody new is stopping by, but the reality most of us live with is nothing like that.

Kim said...

I can soooo relate! It's great that you have the leftovers to carry you through your time of creative mess. :)

ZenMuffin said...

Man! I thought I was the only one who struggled to keep their sewing room in neat, picture perfect, display mode. Glad to know I am in great company :)

Lighthouse Lane Crafts said...

Yes, it looks like a sewing room should. A very happy day for me was when my son left for college and I acquired another craft room!!
See ya Bob, hope you enjoy school. Love Mom. LOL!!!

Karen said...

Don't worry and just enjoy your creativity. Your design wall is wonderful, I could look at that all day!!

Kathie said...

Thank you for making me feel the tiniest bit better about trashing my lounge - i don't have a sewing room, more a sewing cupboard just for storage:(

It's also nice to know that someone who produces such fantastic work has that moment of "what do i do next?"

Sooz said...

I think true art lies between love and hate. You are on the verge of many great things. A good (and hard) place to be. We're there with ya.

Anonymous said...

ha, ha, ha......

at least you can REACH your design wall

mine isn't quite buried, jut has piles of *stuff* in front

and I NEED to excavate the short arm quilting machine, have three quilts due by the end of next week

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

Nice to see someone share something that does NOT looked like it is all peopped for a photo shoot!!! Ha ha ha. Your photos reflects creativity at its best. wonderful. Love the SIZE of your designwall. Mine is about 1/4 the size of yours but works as a wonderful tool. This was a fun post. Like it!