Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Simply Easier
My focus on back to basics is well under way. It's refreshing to look
at my home with a new perspective. While I go about my normal
routines, I take a few extra minutes to find ways to simplify.
If possible, I make changes immediately. More extensive ideas are put
on my list to implement later.
This
shelf was stored in my hall closet for a couple of years. I love it
but didn't have a good place for it. Now it hangs above the dryer in
my laundry room, holding blue Ball jars filled with laundry products.
It's pretty, it's handy, and I don't have ugly plastic jugs on the
dryer. Those are now hidden in the cabinets over the sink. Clear
space for folding clothes, and it only took about ten minutes!
Speaking
of clothes and shoes, I've been purging them as well. Two large bags
are already gone and I have three more
ready to haul to Goodwill. Fewer clothes means less closet clutter
and time saved figuring out what to wear. And I don't need
so many dresses or high heels any more.
The
emphasis is currently on our bedroom since new carpet is on the horizon.
We'll have to move everything; a real incentive to pare down what
comes back into the room.
The
process of streamlining is satisfying, so I'm in no particular hurry.
Looking for ways to reduce clutter, finding hidden treasures,
organizing and decorating are fun for me. Making life easier along
the way is an added benefit.
Useful Notion
“Simplicity is making the journey of this life
with just baggage enough.”
~ Charles Warner
Callie Cat watching the goings on in my sewing room during the fabric sort last week |
Labels:
clutter,
decorating,
focus,
organizing,
simplify
Monday, January 13, 2014
Fabric Scrap Organization
I've
got bins of fabric scraps that I've been saving since 1969. (Yeah,
some have moved with me eight times). Don't get me wrong, I use
them, but I probably add more than I use. It would be interesting to
know just how many yards of fabric I have bought in 50 years of
sewing. And I wonder how many times I've sorted through and touched
each piece of material. That would probably boggle the mind!
My fabric storage system works well for yardage. It's easy to find the pieces when I need them. You can link to that article here. Scraps are another matter. As you can see, right now I just toss leftovers into plastic bins sorted by color. It's hard to dig through them, and I have to iron each scrunched up piece before cutting, which delays my project.
I
have a new plan to simplify how I store and use my scraps. First, I
tackled this project one bin at a time to keep from making a big
mess. As I sorted, I tossed anything I know I won't use or pieces
too tiny to quilt. I ironed the fabric, then cut off the odd shaped
edges. Then I folded the larger pieces (half yards and fat quarters)
into uniform sizes and stacked them neatly back into their color
coded bins and baskets.
The leftover edges and small pieces are sorted by size, for use in colorful scrap quilts. I rotary cut useable strips; 1 ½” to 4 ½” wide, and stacked them carefully into labeled shoe boxes on a rolling cart. I can stash it under my cutting table when I'm done.
The leftover edges and small pieces are sorted by size, for use in colorful scrap quilts. I rotary cut useable strips; 1 ½” to 4 ½” wide, and stacked them carefully into labeled shoe boxes on a rolling cart. I can stash it under my cutting table when I'm done.
This
initial sorting/cutting process took a couple of days, but now I have
a simple method of managing my leftover fabric scraps. Immediately
after any sewing project is finished I will cut the pieces, fold and
store them.
The result: I'll have strips and pieces ready at my fingertips
for stitching quick scrappy quilts anytime. A rainy
day activity all set up and ready to sew!
To continue my simplify theme, I
pulled out a few pieces of fabric yardage and listed them for sale in
my Useful Remnants Etsy shop. I added vintage patterns and a modern mini quilt
that I made yesterday from some of my newly sorted scraps.
Useful Notion: "The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace." - Peace Pilgrim
Useful Notion: "The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace." - Peace Pilgrim
Monday, January 6, 2014
Simplify!
That's my theme for January.
Sim-pli-fy:
to make easier to do or understand
a: to reduce to basic essentials
b:
to streamline
c:
to clarify
There are a lot of areas to work on, and I've already started. Home, shopping, food, clothing, hobbies, habits and goals are all under review. I'm hoping that simplifying life will lead to harmony, joy, peacefulness, fun, and a beautiful 2014.
Useful Notion: There is beauty in simplicity.
Life
is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. --Confucius
Our
life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify. --Henry David
Thoreau
** BRRRR! it's COLD here on the ridge this morning! Three degrees at 6 am.
Labels:
focus,
hope,
motivation,
opportunity,
patience,
refresh,
relaxation,
renew,
simplicity,
simplify
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