Decluttering the Sewing Studio

I have been busy working on my sewing studio today.  Over the last year it has become a dumping ground for clutter....so much so that I haven't even been able to get into to actually sew!  It is going to be a slow process to clear it, but today I managed to sort out several bags of fabrics and they are now in four plastic boxes.  I have some things to go to the charity shop - if I don't pluck up the courage to do a car boot sale on Saturday.  Things like a double vintage tea trolley, an oak sewing box with drawer, some kids toys, a wicker dolls pram (without wheels - I had hoped to do this up but I am never going to!).  Plus a huge bag of rubbish.  I will do some more work on it tomorrow.

Late afternoon once I had had enough of the decluttering I thought I would continue to do some more work on the front garden.  I have taken before and progress pictures but won't reveal until I have finished.

I did however find the name label for my yellow rose:

It is Korresia by Mattocks 

Nostalgia.

While doing the garden I discovered that three of the potted plants badly need re-potting.  The wooden barrels have rotted and the hebe has broken its pottery pot.  Hopefully will pop out tomorrow to get those.

I also want to move the guinea pig double hutch as where it is would be the ideal place for my new climbing rose that we bought yesterday.  So lots of replanning and organisation needs to be done.

Right, off to walk the dogs.  Have a lovely evening!

Wonderful Sunny Saturday

Fabulous weather we are having and not before time if you ask me!

The last couple of days have been clearing and sorting my sewing studio.  I've put up three curtain rails and hung two lots of curtains, just need one for the door now.  I've had everything out in the garden and have been doing a complete reorganisation and sort through.  Trouble is although I have managed to get rid of some stuff...I still can't get everything back in properly.  Plus my back gives out on me after I have done some work, and it is not much fun trying to declutter and tidy while in pain, it takes the pleasure out of it completely!

The garden is still producing.  We are finally getting some produce that we really should have had during the summer months, but I am not complaining, no siree!  

Salad leaves.

Carrots, beans, tomatoes and a parsnip that was pulled up by mistake.

My husband has been busy treating and painting my studio.

It is looking lovely now.  I better get cracking and finish the inside now!

Oh and I forgot to blog about this yesterday.

My FRIENDS swap is winging its way to Australia

Snoozing is one of Rough Collie's favourite pastimes. Well that and digging gi-humungous  holes in the garden!

Can't remember if I've put these two following photos in my blog yet?  I could go back and look, but can't be 'bothered' so humour me if you've already seen them.

Over the Moon & Thank you

Coming home last night I was struck how wonderful the moon looked. Not a full moon unfortunately...I missed that the other day. I went for a run in the morning and looked up and there it was in front of me in all its full glory, but by the time I got back the clouds had hidden it from me and my camera.

So not wanting to miss the opportunity last night, there I was in the garden tripod and camera in hand, hat, scarf, gloves and warm coat, 'shooting the moon'.

Doesn't it look amazing?

Coming back from my run this morning I thought I would have another go at taking a picture of the moon.

So far away...

Thank you all for your amazing comments and encouragement on my new studio. Yes I am really thrilled with it, but I am sure you have all guessed that. I just need to find my mojo, not sure where I have put him (why him I wonder?) so I can get cracking on all my swaps I have signed up for...realising that December is only just round the corner...next week! Yikes how did that happen?

In answer to some questions my studio was built by Herts Garden Buildings. This is the second building we have had built by them...the first was several years ago now and is my husband's office. They have worked out so much cheaper, and perhaps better than an extension and of course without any of the inconvenience and disruption.

Right lets see if I can finish my advent swap today...

Still got some tidying and sorting out of music teaching books. Fortunately the box files arrived last night so I can pack them up.

Oh and that will do for a list, if I can achieve those two things I will be happy.

Have a great day all, wrap up warm if you go out.

My New Studio!

What do we have here, but a Blue gravy jug...now couldn't leave that languishing on the shelf in the CS now could I. This will be put to regular use over the winter...actually I think I am going to make it the custard jug...blue and yellow...yup, that sounds good.

So are you ready for my grand reveal? You are? Oh okay then here we go. I am sure I will still do lots more sorting and organising and changing around, but this is how it is as of this afternoon.

Fairy lights round my mirror.

So what do you think?

Great isn't it? I feel ever so spoiled and delighted at having my own space and my very own special retreat.

How has the rest of the house got on today? Hmm, well we won't talk about that, except to say why is it that things never quite fit into the spaces? They are always just that wincey bit too big!

Oh no, how did this get in here? Dang it, why doesn't my right arm hang properly? My 'new to me' dress. I love it and despite it being cold today I was determined to wear it. No the glass mirrors haven't been cleaned yet, they have been languishing behind a book case for years...The spider webs are gone though!

Of course in the course of moving and changing the dressers needed changing around as well.

This one hasn't moved...it is fixed and used to hold my jars of buttons etc... Now it is displaying some of my 'treasures'.

My 'Blue' dresser. The bottom shelf is reserved for changing the seasons. Already started preparing for the December decorations.

My little dark dresser has been moved to the opposite side of the room which gives us more space for the dining room table.

So still work to do on the lounge, but slowly getting there.

Progress update.

Thank you for all your great comments on my photos, thumb and progress on the studio. Lots done yesterday, so much in fact that I was so exhausted that I was in bed by 8.30pm! Of course being me I am not one to do things by halves. Oh no, not just moving my gear into my new studio, but reorganising the lounge AND bedroom!

I was up at 6am, went for my jog, started the drier...we had a wee incident the night before after I let the bath water out...the utility room/conservatory flooded as the drain was blocked! So more extensive testing of our new washing machine. Boy has she been working hard since she was installed Saturday afternoon. I then hung our large blanket and new feather duvet, which hubby's father had bought, but never used, on the line to air and got cracking with the moving business! Back and forth, back and forth armed with books, fabric, sewing machines, the whole works. During this process I decided to move the dressers in the lounge to the opposite sides. Of course this involved emptying them of all the china etc... Yup, not one to do things by halves.

Not finished yet... Have taken pictures which I will show you - certainly the one of the lounge in all it's turmoil will give you a laugh...but need to wait until I have the after photos as well.

Well must be off, need to get a few things done before DS1 gets up...his fifth day at work today in his new job. Must say it is good to see him eating better! ;-)

Hopefully will get it all finished today...

Not even the rain stopped play...

On a cold, wet and windy November morning much activity was underway...

Down goes the base...

A back wall...

The first window... oh the excitement builds...

Taking shape...

The second window...

A doorway...always a good idea...

The roof starts to go on...

That's better in this weather the whole roof is required...

Even better a door!

Can't forget the window boxes...

Ta da! Will be even better once DS2 decides he no longer needs his trampolene.

The electrics go in today, the shed is lined next Thursday, then the electrician comes back to put the fronts on all the switches and power points. Hubby is going to varnish the interior for me and then voila! I can start to move in. Aren't I a lucky girl?!

Yesterday I also received a lovely totally unexpected surprise in the post...

This lovely cross stitched heart which will be perfect to hang up in my new studio.

Thank you so much Sue, it really is lovely.