Finish It {Studio Organization}

This is my FINISH IT pile for the week.

I’m going to be honest. I’m obsessed with finishes.

Projects at work, at home, and in my studio. I think about things I haven’t finished…a lot. I sometimes even torture myself.  But ooooh man. When a quilty or hand stitched project is finished? I feel like I’m on top of the world. The ultimate to do box checked is so satisfying!

But the reality is that life gets in the way. New pretty sparkly shiny projects become a MUST DO. I put projects in bins. I forget about them.

This summer I decided to take a real hard look at my UFOs and WiPs. I didn’t think I had a lot, but was curious about some of my “leftover quilt” bins.

 This weekend, I found a bunch of projects all jammed in several individuals bins. I made lists. Boy, I made lists. I separated into some empty shoe bins the ones I know I will make into projects before the meet the scrap bins. And new labels were made…no confusion on what’s in them.

Then I pulled these two projects that just had a patriotic feel and I had a great desire to work on finishing them this week since Flag Day and 4th of July are right around the corner.

A friend had sent me the vintage placemats a long while back. We never use placemats, so I thought I would applique them. I already have three completely stitched on and am loving it already!!

This needlepoint was tucked up with two other very patriotic needlepoints. Frames are on their way for the other two, but I really wanted to make this bigger one into a pillow. I figured it would be cute in in my large quilt basket.   I couldn’t resist starting the finished binding edge today. 

How am I going to manage my giant bin collection? 

I’ve made some deadlines, hard and soft. I’m not going to get stressed. I used my project planning sheets to make the long laundry list, but I am only going to go month by month in my planning calendar so it’s not too overwhelming for me.

But I can feel the excitement already of getting some finishes done!!!

 

Hawaiian Quilt {Pillow Cover}

 In 2012, I had made a Hawaiian Mini Quilt.  

The details and process were really interesting to me and worth traveling back in time to read about.

 It's been hanging around the studio.  I hung it up.  I used it for a mini quilt for my American Doll Bed.  After making my Heart Pillow, I knew I wanted to convert this to a pillow for my studio too!

 I trimmed it down and just tossed the binding.  Made a hidden zipper backing with some coordinating colored fabric I had in my stash.  The birds seemed to complement it.  I had some pretty green hand dyed fabric I used to do the binding/piping.

 I love that now I can enjoy it in my studio and it plays along with the couch and other pillows.

 And I can enjoy the hand quilting details up close.

I highly recommend converting your mini's if youve run out of space or just feel like they are cluttering up the wall.  They are wonderful for pillows!!

Hau'oli!!

 

Sewing Studio Mini Quilt

My second entry for the

This Spring I decided to work on a Mini quilt.  I was sorta stuck in a commissioned quilt and "large quilts that are still not done" rut.  

I always feel like I need to spice it up.  I trolled my own Pinterest Quilt Inspiration board and landed on this.

This sewing studio block By Charise Creates glared me in the eye.

I adore this block.  I do not necessarily adore my execution!
 I am, however, really happy with my fabric choices.

I chose my fabrics all around the lace fabric from Serenata by Riley Blake.  

I saw the lace in the original block on the dress and knew I had to use my hoarded bundle!

I was really happy with the basic solids that were included in the Serenata FQ bundle I purchased from Knotted Thread!  The gray was perfect for the dressform and the nice stippled color of the beige made for a great background.

This is where I keep it real.  For those who know, me?   I always have to keep it real!

I didn't stay closely to the pattern on the sewing machine and spool.  The original design is actually for freezer paper piecing not foundation, so I had to improv a few things.  

 It's okay. Make fun of my spool and machine.  I say it just gives it more character.

The only fabrics that are not from Seranata line are the quilt on the machine, binding, and backing.  

The binding (and dress belt) is the Orange Tic Tac from Life in the Jungle.

 The backing is a Joann's special that I had no plans for in any near future.  The colors seemed to compliment well enough.

I just loved the notions and tried to get it to look like the tape measure was hanging out of the jar.

The hexagon quilt is a nod to my obsession with English Paper Piecing right now.  If you want to see my other Blogger Festival submission HERE,  you will understand what I am talking about!
  I used the Jungle Hexie Blue!

I started out with just wanting to outline the sewing items, but ended up outlining, and echoing, and echoing, and echoing some more.

I have linked it to the Blogger's Quilt Festival under "doll/mini quilt".

Quilt Stats:
Measures: 14" x 14"
Pattern: Sewing Studio Block by Charise Creates
Fabric: Serenata and Life is a Jungle by Riley Blake
Backing: Sewing notion from Joann Fabrics
Binding: Life is a Jungle Orange Tic Tac
Quilting: Machine quilted on domestic machine by myself.

I'm not quite sure where this happy little mini is going to live, but for now, it is going on my giant clipboard behind my machine!

It already has sent good sewing vibes in my studio.  I have just completed my 16th quilt for the year!

Studio Spotlight

If you are here from Ellison Lane, welcome!

First off, I want to say.  To the quilters that have to take their sewing machine and sewing baskets out of some small linen closet and work on the dining room table?  I've been there.  To the ones that share their space with a guest bed and home "office".  Been there.  To the ones that have to go down to a dark, spooky basement.  Yup. Been there.  To the ones that have had to go to the room that was once an attic and is far away from the family?  Been there!!

In the last 17 years of marriage, I have had to sew where ever I could.  I even remember sitting on a floor with my leg awkwardly pushing the pedal when we were in a temporary apartment waiting.

I am so blessed to have this space now.

When we were about to move again, my only request to my husband that we found a layout where I could have my own space, close to the action.  

The view off our kitchen, which happens to be an open floor concept to the family room.

 First door bathroom.  Second door, studio.  Laundry room straight ahead.

Garage on the left side out to where my longarm "studio" is!

I have a load of pictures for this area...but for another day.

But back to my main area!!

I always get asked about the cabinets.  They are not custom.  We did not have someone build them. We went to Home Depot and Lowes and bought either pre-built or put them together ourselves from boxes.  They were added over time...not all at once.  It actually just started with a few of the lower ones in our last house.

On the right side when I walk in is what I call the work area. 

 Computer, files, printer, phone. Paper.

This side of the room are kitchen counter top height so I can sit on stools or just stand.

My cutting tools and current project file boxes are easy access for when I need to work.

And the TV. 

I can't live without background noise while I am working.  Especially when the boys go back to school.  The silence is deafening and makes me miss them greatly.

I use the upper area to display some of my mini quilts and my American Girl Dolls.

When my husband's grandmother passed away, we were offered some items and both he and I agreed that I would keep her yellow sewing basket.  It still has some great vintage scissors and notions inside.

My favorite area.

How could you not love fabric?!?!?

Yum.  I have mini-bolts on the top shelves and then baskets filled with layer cakes, fat quarter bundles, and charms.

And more yum. Some jelly rolls anyone?

My new Lindstrom 1930s toy sewing machine under the sweet mini quilt from a Name Game Swap.

Portable design wall behind the door.
There are actually two stacked. I pull them out and stand them together for bigger quilts

It currently has no projects right now because I have more tops completed and the other projects are in "cut" stages. 

But Button makes use of it every chance he gets.

The next area is my island.

This is, again, kitchen counter height.

Cutting. Ironing.  Pretty Jars with ribbons and notions.

The island consists of cabinets that made an "L" in my old attic studio in the last house. 

We reconfigured it to make the square.  

I also wanted an overhang area so the boys can sit on stools and work at it for big art and school projects.

 

I hope that someday I can address the counters!

 They, again, were just premade laminate counters we found at Home Depot.

They clean up well, but they are getting a bit "bleh".  I also never got around to painting the island like I wanted to.  Someday.  Quilting gets in the way!

I call this side my sewing area.  

We ordered file cabinets so that it would be lower than the rest of the counters.

My sewing machine stays permenantly on the countertop.

Fat quarters and more ribbon are up above in the cabinet!

I put my embroidery machine away in my closet when it is not in use. 

 I like to keep the counters as uncluttered as possible.

In the center, I have my buttons, patterns, and a plaque with my daughter's name on it. 

The main reason I have been quilting so much the past four years.

More jars.  Can you tell I like jars?  They are in the center to collect binding leftovers for my "someday" full scrappy quilt.  I also store all the leftover triangles I have to use as leaders and enders.

The tall cabinet store some of my scrapbooking supplies.  The other supplies are in my island.

But, generally, scrapbooking only happens on my retreats.

Above is my birdhouse collection. Actually.  It was my grandmothers.  She gave them to me when she had to move into their retirement home.  They didn't have room for them, so I told her I would keep them for her.  I made the birdhouse quilt at the time, but lately, the traditional colors are just not working for me.  I am pretty sure you will see something in the future take it's place.

We are just not going to talk about this very packed 10 foot high closet, are we?
I do love my bin organization for projects though.

And to keep Button busy?

He has a basket of toys to play with!

But mostly, he gets into my stuff.

My sitting area.  

The cover on the chair-and-a-half is for my pugs that keep me company.   They love to set their heads on my shoulder while I do handwork.

And yes, more jars.  My hexie templates, needles, and more buttons.  

I like buttons.

 And last but not least. 

Lighting.  

My dearest husband installed these because without them?

THE REALITY.

I wouldn't be able to sew at night without them.  This is a shot of my honest craft room.  Most of my sewing happens in the wee hours of the night when everyone else is sleeping.

Go to Ellison lane and join in the Studio Spotlight fun.

I am going to hunt for ideas.  I have been feeling  like I need to make my room less "old fashioned" as someone recently said when they saw my room.

***UPDATE:  The studio finally got a facelift.  I couldn't be more thrilled!***
STUDIO MAKEOVER