Floor Sighting

Slowly getting things sorted out in my studio. Found all kinds of interesting things including an uncashed paycheck (don't ask.)

I'm trying to make decisions about where things go. And I'd like to decide once and not have to revisit my decisions. Thus I'm taking my time.

First photo is old kitchen cabinets in my studio. Place for TV and DVD player. Blank wall space, too.

My desk which I love, love, love. I can sit here and just stare at the trees. It's big enough to spread out all the parts of a large project and reference materials. And have room leftover for other things.

My new short bookcases need organizing, but that's not a high priority. I've already identified multiple copies of two books.

My closet needs sorting. I really should write a list of all my WIPs. Kind of scary contemplating that.

Fun!

Spent a few hours reorganizing the stash. Unlike some, I don't have an entire room to devote to this and if I don't occasionally take a stab at putting things back where they belong it devolves into total chaos.

The threads are now all back where they belong. The projects - both in progress and kitted - are all together and some are sorted by category. The crewel work is all in one place. The canvases are together, but in multiple places. That's the fault of the stretchers bars. The three big pieces in progress are together, but not with anything else. But I'm confident I could find whatever I am looking for - at least for right now.

Still need to comb through the Elfa bins. The top two drawers of each unit have become a sort of catch all. And I'm determined to organize them. And quick look through the fabric drawers wouldn't hurt. And patterns and magazines are another thing entirely. So are books.

What I need is some add-on here to count my projects in several categories. Does anyone know of one? When I google search all I find are hit counters for tracking visitors.

To begin:

My headstart are divulging my stash:

My list of perforated paper Santa kits yet to be stitched:

From the Willmaur Corporation - Heirloom Santas:
the Baker Santa and the Equine Santa

From the Janlynn Collector's Series -
Kodiak Santa, Aleutian Santa, Yukon Santa, and Kris Kringle

Bucilla - Needles 'N Hoops - Noel Santa

Mill Hill - Starlight Santas - the Southern Cross Santa
Medieval Santas - Avignon Santa
Appalachian Santa - Smoky Mt. and Blue Ridge Santas
Rocky Mt. Santa - Beartooth, Teton, and Pike's Peak

That's 14 perforated paper Santas. I have one in progress somewhere. One stitched, but not finished, and five on the tree.

More Room - Less Stuff

We live in a townhouse. A townhouse built in 1974. It was pretty progressive for its time. Three floors, open stairwell (stair with treads, no risers, which the cats adore!), 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. But not a lot of useful storage space. My last house had two huge storage closets, a pantry, a garage, and a storage shed. Can you tell I miss them?

Now you would think that this should be enough space for a family of four. And in reality it is. But I do have some horrid pack rat tendencies that I come by genetically. In the 20 years we moved around courtesy of the US Army, I managed to tame my tendencies. I'd have a massive "we're moving, time to get rid of the unnecessary stuff" garage sale, donate, and throw out adventure.

I've continued to donate and sell since moving here. Freecycle, craigslist, and the Salvation Army are my friends.

But somehow it seems like there's always just a little bit too much stuff. Right now I'm fighting the battle of soon to move out college kids who might need X, Y, or Z when setting up their first apartments. My children have the same pack rat tendencies. My husband - not so much - but his complications are paperwork that he never looks at again, magazines, and electronics.

I did make my way through the laundry/storage room yesterday. I can see the floor! And there's room to dance. But there's more to do in there as we're going to purchase a larger tool chest and ditch the two smaller things we have. And then I can move the washer and dryer and finish painting the walls. Not too much to accomplish.

Someone is coming to take away the kegerator, with luck, this week. That will help when it comes to reorganizing the bar. (It came with the house. Both the bar and the kegerator.) Not that I don't like beer. I do. But the two of us don't need a keg at a time.

I may call the Salvation Army today for a pick up. I've got two IKEA chairs that no one on craigslist seems to want to purchase, along with a student desk and a nightstand.

Then I can continue organizing my stitching and crafts supplies.