Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Morning accomplishments

I love staying home on a holiday and getting paid for it! Especially when it turns out to be so productive. I went to bed late last night - after 11:00 because I was reading blogs - but still woke up early this morning. This time it wasn't the dog - it was all the birds singing so early. It's been HOT for us, so all the windows were open last night. It was a veritable symphony of bird song that woke me. I thought I could go back to sleep, but my brain started working right away on my goals for the day so gave up and got up before 6:00 a.m.

First I finished the projects I started last evening - shifting stuff around in my sewing rooms in anticipation of getting my new furniture on July 25 when Ikea opens. I wanted to clear enough space so I could add another wide bookshelf.

Here's what I did:
  1. 1. Moved all the kitted "Hussies" (Haven't Started Yets") out of the closet drawers and into four large tubs that I moved upstairs and under the longarm.
  2. 2. Filled the closet drawers with all my cut strips, squares, bricks, etc. - basically all of my scraps.

3.Pulled out the dresser that used to hold cut strips and more hussies, and replaced it with the two rolling drawer stacks that were to the right of the filing cabinet, which opened up wall space for an additional wide bookshelf.

4. Sorted, combined, and cleaned the cubes under the cutting table. I'll have storage under the new cutting table but not nearly as much, so I had to reduce what was there to only what will fit in the drawers of the new table.

I'm not sure what the difference is but the room already feels larger. It's a good feeling! Just over three weeks now until Ikea opens. The doors open at 9:00, but they are having live entertainment in the parking lot starting at 6:00 am! I want to be there early so I have the best chance of finding all the shelves and cutting table in stock. Then I'm taking an entire week's vacation to redo the room. I can hardly wait!

When I finished with all that I sewed the final border on the first orphan top. I really like the blue border on this one. Now they are both up in the longarm room waiting for their turn with Gandalf (my longarm). Now I'm back to sewing mile-a-minute blocks. My next goal is to empty the crumb box and three boxes of strips. I should do well today. We aren't going anywhere because there is too much danger of fire as our neighborhood is nutty for great big expensive noisy fireworks.

22 comments:

Juliann in WA said...

Wow! Great work you are doing. I have been doing some of the same kinds of things around the house - something about summer makes me want to sort and organize.
Happy 4th and stay safe.

Carol said...

WOW! You've gotten tons done today. Organizing always makes me feel great.

Sweet P said...

Great job organizing. I wish Ikea were closer to me than a 2.5 hour drive. What table are you getting for a cutting table?

Gail said...

Boy, you have made great progress!! Look how neat and organized your room is. And...the blue made the perfect border for orphan top.

Tanya said...

I wish you'd come over and organize for me... I just move things and they don't get into any great order.
I really like your orphan block quilts! I wish I had some blocks to make it! It just spells FUN to me.
Sophie is looking sweet!

Silverthimble said...

Those orphan tops turned out wonderfully! I too have been sorting through bins, totes, etc. in an attempt to reduce the amount of "stuff" in my studio. This is proving to be a summer long project. *VBS* You are certainly organized with your space and you have such a great goal to work towards--new furniture from Ikea!

Holly said...

I like the borders on both quilts. Both quilts really look sharp.

Anonymous said...

July 25? 6 a.m.? I'll have coffee and just honk when I come to get you!

sewprimitive karen said...

You're making me nervous for you; sure hope IKEA has everything in stock that you want, esp. with that vacation planned. It sounds like huge fun and can't wait to see photos.

Lily Mulholland said...

Wow you have been productive Patti. Love the blue border on your orphan top - it's perfect!

Nan said...

Love the orphan top - the blue is beautiful!
You have gotten me all excited to re-organize my sewing room, darn it all! I start to work on it, but then put my piles of fabric and what-nots back on the shelves, because my sewing machine starts calling my name! I can't ignore now, can I?

atet said...

Wow -- you got so much done! I wish I had that kind of energy!

Jeanne said...

Ha -- more fantastic organizing -- you're an inspiration to us all!!

Your orphan quilts are AWESOME!!

Jeanne :)

Jan said...

I've been away and haven't checked in for your last few posts...wow! I love your orphan tops, Patti. The blue border, especially, is quite complimentary.

The Chicken Lady said...

Patti, I hope you get this! It looks like it'll just be you, me and CottageMagpie. So, about noonish at Fabric Depot on Sat? We can figure out if we want to grab a quick lunch or not. My "vacation" is going so fast! Hope noon will work, if not, let me know what time WILL. :) Love the organized boxes and the quilt looks splendid! :)

Quilts And Pieces said...

The blue border is perfect on that orphan top! And it is such a fun top, there are so many fun things to see in it! You could never tire of finding something new! I LOVE it!

Jenni said...

Busy busy busy! I bought 'one' new plastic tub,which prompted a total reorganisation of the stash. Delaying tactics I think so I didn't have to do the housework! It sounds like you are very excited about IKEA.

Finn said...

Hi Patti, more adventures in organizing! Wish you were closer and could give me some pointers...but you'd be light years ahead of my slow pace.
Every thing looks wonderful and how exciting to be getting new stuff for your special room. Especially with retirement just a mere 300+ days away! Go Patti! Hugs, Finn

Love the borders, both of them...but the blue is the most special I think..*VBS*

Shelina said...

I love how you decorated your house for the fourth with such quilty goodness. Your organization looks great. You should be proud.

Joanne said...

You're the most organized quilter I have ever seen and I can't believe you're reorganizing! LOL
I much prefer the blue border to the green border on the orphans quilt too. I thought I didn't have any orphans left, but just discovered a whole big bag of them in my very disorganized ufo drawer!

Anonymous said...

I read your blog because I found always things very interesants (I'm not an english speaker :) but I can understand your posts)
I love very much this one. Thank you. Isabel

Molly Mandeville Fryer said...

Great ideas for organization! I will visit your blog again! Great job!