I’m excited to join in this year’s edition of the “Spring Clean Your Studio Blog Hop”, hosted Cheryl Sleboda of Muppin. I’m glad to join in, because, as you can see, a cleaning is definitely in order!
I’ve been in mask making mode – so much so, that I have a song from Fiddler on the Roof stuck in my head – albeit with modified words. Do you remember the song, “Match Maker”? It goes, “Match Maker, Match Maker, make me a match. Find me a find, catch me a catch.” I’ve been singing, “Mask Maker, Mask Maker, make me a mask…” all week long. Honestly, though? It feels good to channel my energy into something so needed, and I’m beyond thankful to have been able to both donate and make available masks to anyone needing one.
Needless to say, though…the studio is an explosion:
I’ve got piles of cut fabric, overflowing trash cans full of trimmings and Lego sets (the studio doubles as a homeschool room), elastic pieces spread on every surface, and shredded paper thanks to the new puppy. I’ll forgive the puppy, though – he’s just too darn cute to be upset with!
So, I decided to take some time and clean. CLEAN clean.
I’ve been neatly putting everything away, because – truthfully – I’m honestly a really clean person who doesn’t have a lot of stuff. In fact, stuff honestly stresses me out – I’m notorious for donating things in our house that we haven’t used in the past month or two, only to have my poor husband go looking for it a few weeks later!
A few years ago, I shared on how we designed my quilt studio. I’m blessed to be married not only to an amazingly handsome man, but a talented one, too! He’s a general contractor and, for Christmas one year redesigned our guest room to my now studio. You can read about the design process here. So, this time, I thought I’d share a bit about how I keep the room organized now that it serves a dual purpose: my creative space, and our homeschool space.
We became a homeschool family last year after my family and I spent seven months traveling across the US. It was an amazing experience! We traveled from coast to coast, and saw everything in between on the southern half of the US (we totally want to do it again some day and see the northern half). Naturally, we had to homeschool since we were on the road.
After we got back, my son asked if we could just continue. We talked it over, and figured…why not? So we did. That meant some logistical changes for us – finding space for him and I in our home. Since I spend the majority of my day in the studio, it seemed the natural fit for creating a space just for him.
Don’t you just *love* all the natural light that comes in? This is the brightest room in the house, and definitely my happy space. Now, this side of the room – with the school books, papers, etc. is usually the messier side – but that’s ok. Someday, I know, I’m going to miss having my little guy’s blue desk next to mine, covered in Legos, trucks, and schoolwork.
What works great about this space is I can sit on the “business” side of my large desk, which puts me right next to him to help with schoolwork. Can I tell you how much I love this XL counter space? A ton! Being able to keep the left-hand side for paperwork (both business and home) and the right side for sewing is *wonderful*.
On the sewing side, I always have at least one machine – if not two – running. My serger seems to be out a lot these days as I serge the Milestone Rosary Blankets with it. I also always have one of my two Brother sewing machines out; the smaller one I use as my everyday workhorse, and this larger one (as pictured) is the one I do my embroidery and quilting on. The wide neck makes it perfect for sliding large quilts through – I couldn’t imagine trying to sew up the Good Friday quilt – all 9-feet of it – without this machine!
Visually, I like everything neat and tidy and tucked away. These glass jars were the perfect addition to hold those itty bitty scraps (which are coming in so handy for the Crab Quilt Along) while adding a visual pop of color to the room! Plus, I love how – when you walk into the studio – it just says SEWING HAPPENS HERE, you know? The bits of fabric, the sewing machine, the cutting table…it just makes me so happy!
Now, one thing I *haven’t* gotten under control is my fabric cabinet. I’ve been pulling fabric out left and right to make masks, and pretty much just shoving it back inside. One of these days, when things slow down, I’ll get to it. Until then, it’s out of sight which works just fine for me.
So that’s a bit about my studio – thanks for stopping by! Want to see it in person – or at least a bit more personal? Join me at the Designer’s Quilt Show next week during the Lunch Break sessions; I’ll be taking you on a tour of the studio and you can ask any questions you have. I look forward to seeing you there!
P.S.: before you leave, I invite you to join our newsletter; it goes out twice a month on the 1st and 15th, and includes quilting tips, trends, and upcoming events. You can get a sneak peek into it – and other ways we can connect – here.
Stop by some of the other great stops on the hop!
April 1 – Sam Hunter – https://www.huntersdesignstudio.com/blog
April 2 – Marian Pena – http://www.seamstobesew.com
April 3 – Jennifer Fulton – http://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions
April 4 – Martha Wolf – http://Www.pinwheelprodns.com
April 5 – Jennifer Strauser – http://www.dizzyquilter.com
April 6 – Steph Carton – http://www.theelimonster.com/blog
April 7 – Simone Fisher – http://www.simonequilts.com/blog
April 8 – Kate Colleran – http://www.seamslikeadream.com
April 9 – Carlina Moore – http://www.alwaysexpectmoore.com
April 10 – Jen Frost – https://faithandfabricdesign.com/blog <<<—- WE’RE UP TO HERE!
April 11 – Leanne Parsons – http://www.devotedquilter.com
April 12 – Becca Fenstermaker – http://www.prettypiney.com/blog
April 13 – Sarah Myers – http://www.quilted-diary.com
April 14 – Mitzi Redd – http://www.reddhomestead.com
April 15 – Jeanette Larson – http://www.Jenonthefarm.com
April 16 – Camille Ainsworth – http://www.stitchinthenw.com
April 17 – Becky Philips Jorgenson – http://www.patchworkposse.com
April 18 – Bobbie Gentili – http://www.geekybobbin.com/category/blog
April 19 – Janellea Macbeth – http://www.janelleamacbeth.com/blog/
April 20 – Lisa Ruble – http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com
April 21 – Debra Davis – http://www.tuning-my-heart.com/blog
April 22 – Rona Herman – http://www.Ronatheribbiter.com
April 23 – Sue Griffiths – http://www.duckcreekmountainquilting.com
April 24 – Sarah Ruiz- http://www.saroy.net/
April 25 – Jessica Caldwell – http://www.desertbloomquilting.com/
April 26 – Tammy Silvers – http://tamarinis.typepad.com
April 27 – Ebony Love – http://www.lovebugstudios.com/blog
April 28 – Cheryl Sleboda – http://blog.muppin.com
Oh gosh I can tell your a neat person by what you define as “messy.” Makes me smile to think of how horrified you must have been when you saw my space! What a lovely bright room. It’s a dream! You so deserve it though. You have a great soul.
Yes, someday you’ll miss that little guy and his blue desk. My daughter is a college graduate and just getting into grad school so she’s still at home but oh so looking forward to leaving us I know. That is the way of things but as mothers that doesn’t mean we have to like it! Thanks for sharing your space.
Haha, Jennifer, I promise I’d never judge! I’m a neat freak, for sure – it gives me honest stress when things are a mess. I totally agree…when my little guy leaves and heads to college, I’m going to be heartbroken that his little blue desk will be sitting here empty. Love him so very much!