A Dent in Disorder

Nearly a week went by without a landline or internet. Our efficient telephone repairman retired and the new one doesn't seem to have a clue. The country's slipping into a quagmire.  Trying to get back on track.

In my quest for a semblance of orderliness in my workroom/studio (which offsets the disorder outside my walls), I commenced on my button shelf: tossed a number of things (what was I thinking by keeping them?), dusted thoroughly and rearranged.

The sack of labels (l.), like my button collection, has been gleaned mostly from the flea market cotton clothes that I bought for years in order to have a complete palette with which to work. Fortunately, labels and buttons require less space than fabric. I use buttons only occasionally, but, this small collection pleases me immensely. Inspiration for the labels has not yet come to me...something pleasant to think about.

On to the thread shelf just below the button shelf...

In the Stacks: Progress Report, 2

Now I remember why this clean-up job got put off for so long; it's just very time-consuming--every evening I iron and fold and iron and fold.

No regrets, though. Look at all those beautiful, orderly stacks!

And I thought it would take more room to squeeze in my new summer acquisitions. 

Nope. With the fabric generally ironed and folded carefully it all fits.

However, when I turn the corner, more disorder awaits me...

In the Stacks: Progress Report

Having to iron every evening to get my fabrics under control, I'm pleased to see that I've made it up to the blues--over half way. I've been tough with myself, giving away or tossing a number of items that I know I will never touch. 

Comparing all those beautiful colors to the browns and beiges on the right, you can see my progress...my heart sings!

In the Stacks

Well, I'm not in the book stacks, but the fabric stacks. Trying to find space for my new fabrics gleaned this summer, I found I had to do some ironing, re-folding, re-stacking, and generally visiting my old fabrics. The current state of the blues and greens leaves something to be desired.

However, the warm colors are looking good: Lights on the top shelf and darks below, then each stack has patterned fabrics, followed by stripes and plaids, with solids on the bottom.

Coming from a family with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, I try to channel it all (this would explain my needle turn appliqué). Looking at the orderly stacks, I feel like singing. And what a wonderful palette--I will always prefer fabric as an artistic medium over paper and paint.