Coming Together

This is a case of multiple story threads all coming together, which is a concept I think is so interesting. Tapestries are a great example of how individual threads make something wonderful when woven together properly.

The first thread is Pinterest. I have had so much fun with Pinterest! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has pinned way more things than could ever be tried. Some of those ideas, though, just need to percolate for a while before their time has come. Quite a while ago, I pinned an idea for making two throw pillows out of one king-sized bed pillow. The reason to do it this way is that it would be much less expensive than buying two throw pillow forms at the craft store.

The second thread is the furnishing of my studio. I've been working for months now, searching thrift and antique stores for bargains. I recently bought myself a secondhand rocking chair for the corner of the room I'd reserved for a sitting area. I thought I'd enjoy having a spot to sit and look through my magazines and art books. We set things up so that I would be able to have a TV within view as well. After sitting in it for a while the other day, though, I realized  that it would be much more comfortable with a cushion behind my back. I figured I'd keep my eye open for fabric and make myself a pillow.

The third thread is that the king sized pillows in the shams on our bed have needed to be replaced for a while, but I haven't been annoyed by them enough to get around to it.

The fourth thread is a trip to Hobby Lobby which would be connected to the studio furnishing thread. (Are you confused yet?) I went there thinking I wanted to recover my bulletin board (in the end I decided not to). I noticed some fabric on clearance that I really liked, but I couldn't think of anything to do with it, so I passed it up and headed home. I actually did not buy anything at HL that day - can you believe it?

I kept thinking about that fabric, wanting to come up with something to do with it, and now the threads begin to come together.

It finally dawned on me that I could take one of those old pillows on the bed to experiment with. This was a chance to do something that I'd pinned AND it gave me a legitimate reason to go back and buy some of  that fabric! YES! I also bought replacement pillows for the bed, so I've got plenty of material for some additional pillows.

It turned out to be fairly easy. There was no problem cutting the pillow in half. It was a little difficult to sew the cut edge closed, but once I got past that it was smooth sailing. In no time I had the new cover cut and sewn, and it looks so nice sitting in my chair. The pattern is fun and bright, with colors that work well in here.

Thanks, Pinterest!

Finished Pillow

Pillow Form

Reading Nook

P.S. Thanks, Mom for talking me into buying that lamp!

Immi

The Long Road to Creative Freedom

I've got two art areas in my home. One is in a spare bedroom upstairs. It includes scrapbooking and stamping supplies, along with files of ephemera. My laptop and a sewing machine live in here as well. In order for it to function occasionally as a sleeping space, there is also a futon (sigh). Most of the time the futon is covered with piles of stuff - empty flat space is very dangerous for me! My other art space is down in the laundry room. This is where I do messy work like painting and embossing.

Both spaces have gotten totally out of hand. I've got way too much stuff, and it's reached the point that I have no creative energy because of the mess.  AND, (true confession time), this state exists after multiple attempts to purge. I tend to be a bit of a hoarder, so it's very hard for me to get rid of anything I MIGHT NEED someday. I also tend to buy things on impulse, so I've got supplies I've never used. But something's got to give. I've decided to try having the mindset that I'm moving across the country. I need to evaluate my stash by asking myself if I really want to pack, haul, and unpack it. The weight of it all is like a ball and chain, and I want some freedom to feel light and unfettered! 

So, my Memorial Weekend project has been to make a start at tackling the area in the laundry room. I forgot to take a before picture of this, but I had about a foot square area to work in because of all the things piled up on my work surface. I started with the cabinets above my work table (the table my husband thought would make a good surface for folding laundry - HA!). I had serving pieces up there that I haven't used in years. I'd lugged them all the way from MN to TX in a move several years ago, and then back to MN again. Sheesh. Ahem. In the interests of honesty, I must add that many of my art supplies have made that same journey. You see my dilemma!

The weekend is about over, and although I'm not done, I've made some good progress. I've set aside things that can be donated, and made myself some room to work. I also did a little labeling of supply drawers, which always makes me happy. My "messy studio" is now much more conducive to work. I now feel more energized to tackle the other area, AND I feel more ready to open up to creativity again!

Immi