This 'N That

I've been wasting way too much time lately looking for 'things' in my sewing studio so I decided it was time to organize.

First were the wire shelves. I consolidated fabrics and batting. I organized the stencils into containers by size so I can find them easier. They may not look organized but they are much much better than they were. I need to label the fabric tubs so I can see which tub is which color but I know where the blue tubs are, all 3 of them. Labeling will happen this week.

Next were the white cubbies. The left side cubbie hold scrappy long term projects. The projects on the top of the cubbie are projects for this year, Garden Party, Fire Island Hosta Queen, the blue embroidered blocks and Tree of Life. (Here is a link to a blog that shows a finished Tree of Life quilt, this is an old kit from the 60's.)

The right cubbie holds supplies. Before the reorganization, they were intermixed with the scrappy projects. On the top are trays that I use when I prep projects. I used to prep more than one project at a time, that is why I have so many trays. The middle box is odd sized strips that are left from trimming. I have a scrappy strip project started that they'll be used in. (It needs to be moved to the left cubbie.) The right box/basket is EPP pieces. They will be reorganized into one of the empty blue boxes in the cubbie.

I never shopped often at JoAnn Fabrics but of course I stopped in when they actually dropped their prices during the foreclosure sale. I bought several cotton batts (should have bought more!) and a couple storage boxes. One of the boxes was for the Tree of Life  project. The storage boxes had a top divided tray that I didn't need for the 2nd project. I repurposed it to the right side of my sewing machine cabinet. That side was always a mess of clutter.

I don't know if the tray will stay this organized but it will certainly be better than it was. My mother bought that pin dish ash tray for me when I purchased my first sewing machine. It's a perfect pin dish, I'm still using it after 52 years.

What is especially nice about reorganizing is I have found 'things' I've been looking for. I found the decorative stitch card for my Elna. It and the Elna manual are safely stored in the bottom drawer of my sewing cabinet. The spools of lace that were stored there will be donated to the craft department at the relief sale.

I also found the Dancing Star blocks that I've been searching for ever since we moved here, almost 3 years ago!

For now they're displayed on the display wall while I decide if I want to finish this quilt. I think the blocks are very pretty but I have no enthusiasm to finish it. I'll mull it over until I need to use the display wall for something else. They'll probably end up being donated to the sewing box at the relief sale. This is where a lot of UFQ's end up.

Dancing Stars is a free pattern from Amy's Creative Side.

While I was organizing, I decide to wind bobbins so when I start sewing, time won't be wasted in winding bobbins.

The basic colors are covered. I always keep a few black, dark gray and blue just in case I need those colors.  

Next I need to tackle the bookshelves.

Last year I made an anniversary quilt for our oldest son and DIL so it would be ready when it was anniversary time.

I mailed the quilt last month and it arrived on the day of their anniversary. They texted a picture and to say thank you but since it was l0l* that day, they wouldn't be using it for a while. Totally understandable!

It was so nice to have this quilt completed and ready to send ahead of time.

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Wednesday Wait Loss, FM Mavericks, Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, TGIFF!, Finished or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Beauty Pageant, Patchwork & Quilts