Ten in 2012 Update: The Studio Makeover

Everyone’s talking about it. How accountability is key to reaching your goals. That’s why I shared my New Year’s Resolutions with you in January, and why I’m here now to update you (and me!) on how I’m doing.

1. Beautify My Studio. DONE! Yes, it took a few weeks, and one very focused day with my man, moving furniture and sorting piles and vacuuming, But the Studio has got an overhaul. The only way I actually achieved this goal was ’cause I scheduled regular work time in the studio in my daily docket.

I moved my work table across the room. It’s so much better here, I don’t know why I didn’t put it here in the first place.

Oh, yeah — now I remember — because the desk was there. But now the desk is here. And we got rid of the shelves above the desk. They just weren’t working for me. And my man obliged me by screwing this old window to the wall. I found it in the closet in the studio when we moved in and always thought it would make a nice white board.  It does, and I love it. The desk looks less industrial and more artsy.

We also brought in a cozy chair from the living room. (I rearranged that room, too, and this didn’t fit anymore!) This chair really helps the room – brings a nice, soft presence to a room that is otherwise all business. And lately, when one of us is on the computer, the other tends to hang out in the chair. It’s companionable.

The other thing that softened the room was I finally finished the curtains. Wow, did that every help. I got this cloth for a $1 a yard back in the good old days of $1/yard fabric at Walmart. I loved how it went with the vintage carpet and wallpaper in this room. I just wasn’t getting the curtains sewn.I hate sewing curtains. So monotonous. Finally, I made myself do a panel a day. Edge and iron and hem, took 20 min. By day four, two of the windows were done and I had momentum. I finished the whole room that day. Yeah!

Another great improvement is I created a sewing corner. Ironing board, sewing machine, and Edwina the dress form all in one place. That’s it over there on the right. I’ve found it very convenient for creating and production, but the best part?

It’s not as accessible for the kids. The iron is safe in the corner, the trash can is less visible, and they just seem to be leaving it alone. Yeah! (Sorry, I’m just a little excited about my new space)

I also worked hard to make my storage more visually appealing. I folded a bunch of cloth to all the same size and kind of color sorted it.

I also chose some other bits of beauty to ‘display’ on these open shelves – stuff that had been in boxes, but now makes me smile every time I see it – and I can see this shelf all the way from my dining room! I don’t have plans to weave this wool any time in the next 5 years. But it’s going to give me joy until then! (or I’m throwing it out!)

Speaking of throwing out — I did a lot of that. It was hard because I don’t have a habit of keeping junk around — most of the stuff I got rid of had some value and I’d had it for at least 7 years. I had to ask myself some hard questions. I actually asked for help on facebook, and ya’ll had some great  suggestions for questions to ask…

1. Do I REALLY love this {cut of cloth, color of yarn, unfinished project}? (Diane’s wisdom)
2. Am I keeping this because I like it, or because I THINK I should like it? {whose dream is this?}
3. Why did God give me this? Was it for me to bless someone else?
4. Am I trusting God to provide what I need in the future or is this hoarding out of fear?
5. Is it reasonable to replace this if I need it in the future? (thanks, Sara!)
6. Does this make me happy when I see it or does it make me groan? (loved this one, Ruth!)

It was so fun to discuss the idea of cleaning out with you — it really helped me as I sorted. My favorite tip came from an older woman I truly respect –

“When I have hoed out in the past this has worked out VERY well 4 me. Every item that was brought out, I prayed & asked God what to do with it , keep, toss, or find it a new home!!! I never even missed one thing I got rid of when I did it like that!!! God knows what our hearts desire is, He knows what we will need in our the future seasons & once again even our desires, & He is more than able to amply supply ALL!!!!”

Thanks for your encouragement and joining me on this journey! And if you have a room, closet, or corner that needs reviving, I’d encourage you to go for it! Organize for just 20 min. a day, scheduling it in your Daily Docket. Within a month you could be enjoying the delicious breathing room I am this month…