Friday, February 26, 2016

The Happiness Project Chapter Two


Following through with "The Happiness Project" which is about marriage.  A great chapter on insights into marriage.  Whether one is married or not there are some quotes that I think are great.  One of my favorites " You can't change anyone else you can only work on yourself."

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Sewing Room Redo

Full Disclosure.  "The Happiness Project" goal was to organize my sewing room.  Now, I have to admit that I started to do what I do each New Year.  I would move things around, with the result that all that I had moved ended up right back in their original position.  I wish I took a before picture but I decided to blog about this after I started into this process.  Now I was a little hesitant to show just how messy this room was but nothing ventured nothing gained!  


This drafting table I got at IKEA many years ago.  The problem is I gathered so much clutter that in order to cut anything on this table I had to either take everything off the table or being a bit lazy just move items to one side.  Not very efficient.


Sorry for the glare!  I cleared off the drafting table surface making a more efficient work space.  I also cleaned up all the hidden clutter underneath the table, giving more leg space.  


I love pictures, quotes and flowers in moderation for inspiration!  The cutting mat I use is Martelli's which I love. Off to the right is a circular cutting mat which is very handy cutting small shapes.  




This is where I sit, sew and press.  Yes, again lots of clutter and the ironing board cover to the right needed sprucing up.


I removed all items from this table but my sewing machine,  keeping in mind my goal of not just moving clutter around.  


At this point it just made sense to clean my sewing machine.



I put only those items that I find essential when I am sewing.  Think in terms of the items you just want to reach for while sewing an item, as opposed to getting up and finding usual items.  


This little Sew Steady Assessory container holds a few must haves for my use. 


I took my Ironing Board Cover off to clean.  



I put three layers of wool blanketing on my Ironing Board for padding.



I used the best trio of products that I know of to soak and clean this Ironing Board Cover.  





Not the best photo but all clean and pristine.  Note the location of my pressing cloth's and pressing tools for easy access.


Cleaned up this bulletin board and have a favourite quote from Mother Teresa.  Another inspiration!



Favourite pressing tools, including products from Stitch Nerd.  I just find it easier to have them right there so again I don't have to get up when I am pressing.


I hung up my three favourite pressing cloth's, made out of respectively silk organza, muslin, and flour cloth.  Now, I found the flour cloth in a remote country store and I believe it was suppose to be used for rolling out dough but I use it here for certain pressing.  



This storage chest area before.


Cleaned up.  I moved the movable storage container to the left and put in drafting and a few measuring tools.  Again, those items I use when at my drafting table and don't want to get up.  The storage chest is organized and I have favourite items of inspiration and music.  Sometimes I listen to books on tape while sewing. 





Dress form went downstairs as well as the rolls of fabric.






I actually placed my Serger and Coverstitch machines in this area.  This way I have all my machines in my Sewing Room.   Spools of threads a bit more organized.



Another angle of sewing area.


Walking into my newly organized, clean sewing room from right to left!



Various drafting tools.