All the stuff

My words for this year are “catalog” and “organization”—Nothing romantic about that, is there? 

Combined with the annual "I need to hibernate" feeling, January comes with mixed blessings.

People who know me are aware of my ability to apply logic, reasoning and sequencing when processing a way to do or complete a task, assignment or project. It was probably one of my top skill sets in my career. That sort of goes out the window when I’m quilting…when I say “Quilting is my crack,” it’s the truth. I go into that euphoric state, even if it’s for only an hour or so, and feel like I’ve had a boost to my psyche. It’s why it was hard for me to work from home; I worked in my studio and wanted to forget about work and fondle the fabric. 

I have maintained the status quo with regard to my UFOs; my mindset has transitioned to wanting to finish things that I start, and that's not what I'm known for, and I have thought a bit about that over the last year while working on the Tattoo Quilt; I had precious little time to devote to it due to workload and other things. Between doubling my commute to the office after we moved into our new home and the challenges of working longer than I probably should have served to cut back on the amount of time I could spend on any project. But I persevered and was grateful for any time working on the Tattoo Quilt, and you can tell that I was definitely living in the moment when I was in it.

In other words, the rooms that serve as my studios became a hot mess. I allowed things (not just fabrics and the like) to heap into piles and take up valuable real estate in the sewing studio. ALL of the fabrics used in the Tattoo Quilt were piled up in the cutting studio. I knew it was happening and kept telling myself I would get it cleaned up when I retired. Now that I have relaxed and decompressed for over a month since retirement began and knowing that a winter storm was looming, I committed to the deed. Snow day photos: 

I focused on the sewing studio, and started sifting through paper early last week. Not project paper, but bills and stuff. I wasn’t too worried about those piles because it was all in the same room and I knew I could find something if necessary. Thank goodness, it wasn’t. I pitched more into the recycle bin than I retained. I have a fabulous scanner, but I also need to find a good shredder. Everything I keep will be scanned and put in our cloud.

Now that the computer equipment from the office has been returned, I want to determine the best way to organize the furniture in the sewing studio. The room is supposed to be 11’ x 11’, but it’s a tiny bit smaller. This room has my large table (4’ x 6’) on casters that has a cut-out with electric lift where The Beaut, my Bernina 790 Plus, resides. Two years ago I purchased a rolling standing desk for the space, and now I have set up my tablet and monitor on it. The printer has been moved into this room and is residing on top of a rolling file cabinet, but it may move to the bottom of the standing desk. I see more FPP in my future and while walking from the other computer in our bedroom to the cutting room on the opposite side of the house wasn't a strain, I still would appreciate the time savings of having it right here. The Luminaire is residing in its luggage in the cutting studio, but I told Hubs last night that she’s going on the sewing table this week. 

The wall behind the sewing machine will have my TV mounted to it soon

The ScanNCut has been moved to the sewing table; 
it took up too much space on the cutting table.

The conversations with Hubster regarding the setup of the suspension and lighting system continue and I know that will have to wait until he retires at the end of June, and after our planned trip this summer. This week we also discussed the modification of the sewing table to accommodate both The Beaut and the Luminaire (her name will be announced soon). Knowing I’ll have to wait a bit before any of it happens is a little bit of a buzzkill, but I completely appreciate where his head is right now—especially after he gave me so much help, grace and understanding last year while I struggled with work. 

I can breathe in the cutting room now

I tackled the cutting room by putting up ALL of the fabric that had been dragged out while piecing the Tattoo Quilt, as well as other yardage acquisitions during the last year (there were plenty). And even though I bought another 10 yards last week (it was on sale) -- I honestly think I can make do with what I have for at least this calendar year, unless I want a special backing.

I recently learned of the My Quilts journaling and tracking app created by Kiley Ferons of Kiley’s Quilt Room. I have already uploaded over 40 projects in various stages to it and hope it helps me track progress. If you sign up, you can check out my stuff--my username is @shari.sherman. 

And now, here is what I worked on in 2024; bandanas for the puptarts and all of our granddogs and grandcats (hey, I had to do it)--I cut their names out of heat transfer vinyl on the ScanNCut. Isn't that bone buttonhole adorable?

The Tattoo Quilt flimsy:

This photo was taken before the mess was cleaned up

I have just two months to complete the Tattoo Quilt. It is now a Flimsy and the backing is done. I have pulled the fabrics that will be the binding. I also need to create the label. I'll be heading to Northwest Arkansas to quilt it and have a good long weekend with Katrina. 

Onward and upward—go make!