The Closet.
That’s right. Though it wasn’t even that messy, I let this little niche of my creative world go undiscovered. I didn’t open the doors to this part of
my studio for the
virtual studios tour, earlier this month. I had stacks of projects and fabrics on top of the tubs instead of back inside; from whence they came. Due to pending work on an art quilt
[more likely a journal quilt], this particular issue has since been resolved.
.Some will remember I spoke about my ironing board
[though considerably useful in more ways than one] , as the sore point in the studio. When I leave it out it restricts my movement. And I’m constantly dragging it back and forth; in and out of the way. I’ll address the suggestions made during the tour soon. For now, -- if anyone can figure a way to put wheels on this, I’m game to give it a try!
.
Also, when it’s up
[and not really in use], it becomes the favored place for either Lucy or Pearl to preen and nap. When I collapse it down and lean it against the closet doors it becomes a tempting scratching post. They are usually dissuaded from either activity when I opt to use it as a clutter catcher instead.
Okaaay! So it doesn’t always work!
.ANYway, here’s a look
[below] inside my studio closet. Yardage is generally relegated to the shelf. I picked up three lap throw-sized fleece blankets on sale for $1.99 each. I used one as the batting in the log cabin quilt that I finished earlier this year.
.
I have several tubs that I use for my fabric stash. All sorted out by use, i.e., quilting fabrics; fashion fabrics; scraps; holiday fabrics; wool blends etc. The suitcase is currently the home of projects that remain either unfinished, still in the mulling-it-over stage, or are no longer relevant, but I can repurpose the fabrics for something else.
.Due to my health limitations, I need to seriously readdress the use of all of these tubs. I can’t move them about like I used to; they’re simply too heavy. Hence, whenever I return something to that area, it all gets layed out on top of the tubs and not back inside. I need easier access to the fabrics, and was truly inspired by many of the fabric artists and quilters
[of the above-mentioned tour] who store their stashs out in the open; whether in baskets or shelves or bookcases.
.
Note: As I'm still making my way through the tour list, I'll come back and update this post with a few examples and links at a *later date.
*ADDED 10-28: Candied Fabrics,
Cloth to Creation,
.I took a day last week, when I felt like getting out and about, and stopped in a local thrift store to see what I might find. Nothing to use for shelving, but I did leave with a vintage handkerchief and a small beaded bracelet that I may work into a handbag or an art quilt.
.To the left is where I hang certain yardage such as velvets and recently-washed unbleached muslin. These are waiting for various dye baths. There are also a few tops and skirts waiting to be repurposed as well. I bought two tops a few years back and tried on only one of them. Though the inserts and fabrics were nothing but a variation on the same theme
[and pattern], when I got home I found that one sleeve was a good 2-3 inches longer than the other. Needless to say, it still has the ticket on it and waits patiently for my undivided attention.
.
There's one tub that's filled with nothing but recycled/repurposed paper; different colors and textures for future hand made papers. In the full on shot above you can see a tall stack of cup carriers that I’ve saved from numerous trips to Tim Horton’s, for cappuccino. In the previous shot you'll notice a few paper egg cartons; all destined for papermaking.
.To the right are storage units for printer and graphic paper, along with photo mats and small picture frames.
.
At the top are a few bolts of various cording and trims. About 3-4 years back, one of the local
JoAnn Fabric and Crafts stores closed down
[to move into a much larger facility], and I bought seven yards of that 3” burgundy bullion fringe
[which generally runs anywhere from $11-12 a yard], for 90 percent off. Oh yeah! For me, that was the buy of the sale.
.
Let's go back to my
display hutch for a moment. During that same sale
[which lasted a few weeks], I bought a good twenty yards of various fabrics, lots of cards of buttons, and dozens of spools of organdy, satin, and silk ribbons for 70 to 90 percent off.
.A couple of years later,
Hancock Fabrics went out of business, but by then I no longer had the funds for that kind of shopping, as medical bills took priority.
.
Well, that’s it for the extended portion of my tour and this little diatribe. My next post will be a
thank you to
Quilting Arts' [IN THE STUDIO WITH CATE],
Cate Prato, for the very cool door prize.
.....
On a closing note: Anyone need a little flat bottom one of a kind status bag?
.This is my
Garden Lantern Handbag [named for the oriental lanternesque beads that I used.] and it is ju-u-ust about ready for sale. It needs a finishing touch here and there, and then it is done. The surprise is the beadwork and silk ribbon embroidery on the
inside of the bag.
.Time to focus some attention on building up my
Etsy account. I registered for
HeartSong Studios earlier this year, but I don't like some of the things I've heard, recently, about
PayPal, i.e. putting holds on sellers's accounts
[a huge complaint on ebaY], and most recent, putting holds on revolving balances. Okaaay, that's another topic for discussion for another time. But-- if anyone has any input on
Etsy and
PayPal, feel free to leave a comment. I value enduser experience.
.
Thanks for stopping by.
.Blessings
.
Hummmmm.... Who's that napping underneath the overhang?
I wanted to take some time to thank Cate Prato, from Quilting Arts' IN THE STUDIO WITH CATE, for the perfect door prize.
Posts
