…do I have to?

 

A reader recently asked if I could write something more about organization.  Great methods of organizing your home, etc.  I honestly was scared by the question because I feel like such a failure at organization!  I try, really I do.  There are systems in place that work for a time and then eventually fall into disuse and fail.  When I look around I can honestly say that I have too much stuff.  Clutter is the killer of my organizational mojo. 

So—what is my tip for organizing your house? 

GET RID OF THE CLUTTER! 

Sounds simple, right? 

*can you see my eyes rolling right now?  probably not.*

I am one of those people who wants to try EVERYTHING.  If there is some sort of creative endeaver I have most likely tried it, or fantasized  about trying it. 

 

the non-exhaustive list includes:  painting, sculpting, jewelry, sewing, knitting, crochet, furniture refinishing, scrapbooking (which I do for personal reasons still), soap making (with lye).  Hence, lots of supplies around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On top of that I have tried a couple of mlm type of businesses—let’s not re-visit that too long now.   This has made for a lot of files and folders and such that I have had to shred or recycle.

*I will briefly mention that various positions in church haven’t helped the situation.  

 

 

 

 

 

And the icing on the cake:  I LOVE A GOOD DEAL!  You’re looking at a thrift-store/clearance rack/garage sale junkie here!  I’m always thinking “OOh, I could take ______ and _______, cut them up, glue them back together, paint it and it would be fabulous!”   6 months later ______ and ________ are still in the garage (or workroom) waiting for their miraculous transformation that I have since forgotten about or realized was an unworkable idea to start with. 

Mr. CFO says we need to declutter the house—I know it’s really me he’s talking about.  So…here goes:

I am getting rid of stuff—again.  This will be a HARD look at all my stuff, an HONEST assessment of if I am going to actually do this project or if I am just dreaming again.  Because really I only have so many hours in the day.  I have to save some time for Pinterest, ya know!  LOL! 

I will be having a “DRIVEWAY SALE” next Friday and Saturday 3/23-3/24 (while the weather cooperates)—usually I find that my friends have been looking for things and I have been unintentionally hoarding/storing them for years!  Who knew?

Then, anything that doesn’t sell will be bagged and donated to the vets who are coming the next weekend!

I’m excited to see table tops and closet floors again!

Walled Garden

Originally Walled Garden is done in Pinks & Greens.

You KNOW that I am not about to put that in my house.  No offense to pink & green lovers, it’s just not me.  I chose yellows & grays instead.  Since they have been so popular of late, I thought it would be fun.

 

I LOVE this quilt, it is just so cheerful!  It is backed by a gray w/little yellow polkadot flannel—again, gotta be snuggly!  It literally came our of the dryer as we were starting to open gifts on Christmas—so my son was all over that thing.  I am surprised he didn’t roll himself up in it like a burrito.

On a sidenote—the only thing I would change if I ever made this again, is that I would put a border around the edge.  Those triangles are strip-pieced and the entire edge is on the bias—talk about stretchy!  There was a time towards the end of the quilting process that I was worried I was going to end up with a trapezoid! 

Apple Crisp Quilt

One of the gifts my oldest kids got for Christmas was a quilt for their bed.  (I think all my grammatical skills have flown out the window!)

It wasn’t till a month later that I finally got pictures, and now another month after that I am posting said pictures.  I know—terrible!

First, the pattern is called Apple Crisp.  I believe it was featured in the October 2010 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. 

This is the beautiful warm colorway that was shown.  Of course I messed with it.  This is my version (modeled by Mr. CFO) :

I found a great black natural cotton batting (way fluffy!) that I used.  The backing is a turtle-green flannel, so you know it’s comfy!

Kate circa 1776

Mini Me’s new doll’s name is “Kate”.  Gee—I wonder why. 

Anyhoo, MM is really into the Felicity movie, and that time frame.  When we saw the McCalls pattern set for doll clothes—it was a ‘must-have’ for sure.

We worked on this pattern together, cutting it out, sewing it, ironing it, etc.  Here’s the outcome:

This pattern included a top and then a dress that are separate.  Plus the little pantalets and mobcap. 

Doll Clothes

This Christmas I knew that Mini Me was getting a certain doll she was longing for.  She already had a couple of dolls and so the issue was not so much the number of dolls to play with—it turned into clothes and stuff for the dolls.  I remember my favorite thing to do with dolls as a kid was to get them dressed up.  Mini Me pours over her doll catalogs constantly and I know she was wanting more outfits to help with her creative play. 

What is a mom with a sewing machine to do?  Obviously it was time to get working!

I started out with 3 little ‘fur’ coats.

Then of course we had to have 3 sets of hats/mittens.

Followed by 3 ‘school’ dresses.

A few weeks later I had this fabulous pink & silver remnant that I made a dress and a fancy top out of .  I am still itching to make more…but I need to pace myself.