remember the sewing space spring cleaning challenge?

Yeah, so do I - a vague recollection that I started something I didn't finish.  Yet.

I'm really sorry everyone!  I had dreams of blog buttons and link ups and prizes and then life happened and I didn't follow through.

I want to make it up to you! I did get a great sponsor to sign on and want to schedule our linky party.  I have been making some progress but am not quite finished.

Did you take a before shot? Are you still working on it?

I'm thinking we'll do it mid May.  Are you still in?  Will you forgive me?  :)

Linky issue with sew & tell + an epiphany

So the linky service uses a service and that service's server crashed.  Did you follow that? It's okay, me neither!  So that's why the linky wasn't working for a good part of the day yesterday.  It is now fixed and I've reopened the linky so you can post through Sunday late night!

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In other news...

I've found that if you finish up your half finished projects, your sewing space magically starts to get decluttered.


For instance today I pulled out a hooded towel that I've been meaning to make for a year.  It took 20 minutes.  Why do I put things off??

I finally stitched down these appliques on these onsies that I've had in my to-do pile for TWO years.  Another 20 minutes.  I have got to work on that.  It really does help that my machine has a designated spot and it doesn't move any more.  I just sit down and turn it on!! Love my new table.

 

And just for fun, I think she likes her new towel.

 

Awesome hooded towel tutorial here.

sew & tell 3.24 - a lunchbox placemat

 **The Linky is NOW working!  I've opened it up through late late Sunday night.  :) **

Hi friends!  Are you working on your spring cleaning projects?  I don't want you to be overwhelmed thinking you need an overhaul of your sewing space. Or a complete remodel.

The more I'm working on mine, I'm realizing it's more a matter of putting things away, purging (even big things like desks) and find a system of organizing that works. And making most of the space I have.  Notice I keep saying space, not studio or room. I know most of us sew at our kitchen tables or share our space with a home office! 

So set a goal, take a before picture, and keep working.  I'm planning a better all inclusive post soon.  But the sew & tell link up and prizes won't be up until after the 2nd week in April.  So you have a few weeks to work on it!

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I had a fun sewing date yesterday with my local friends.  I was able to cut and prep some bindings and some placemats for my kids.  Sisterlouwho had a great idea and asked me to make a smaller placemat for her lunch box! And this makes her excited to take her lunch! bonus!  I had her pick out some fabric from my scraps and I whipped this up last night in about 20 minutes.

I'm not going to lie.  I think it's adorable and want to make my own! I can see why mug rugs are all the rage!

That's Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom fabric.  She picked out some flannel for the back (that didn't photograph well) and I used some strips of scrap cotton batting inside.  I just sprayed strips of batting leftover from trimming quilts and then trimmed it down where it overlapped so it wouldn't be bumpy.

I finished it off with a serged edge (like my dish drying mats) for a quick finish.  Maybe when my mom comes (yes, she's coming for a month to keep me company! woo hoo! Sew fest 2012!) I'll have her help me learn how to use bias tape, because I know it would look a little more finished.

Here it is folded up in her lunch box!  Mrlouwho joked that people were going to make fun of her.  I said they'll all be jealous! :)

This finished up at just about 11x14.  Totally portable.

What have you been up to this week?


Your turn to share ~ Show us what you've got finished!
Linky Rules.  Please follow along for a fun party!

1. Please write the post for sew & tell - or add a blurb mentioning sew & tell to a post written since the last sew & tell.  If you are linking to a post with your own tutorial, please make sure it was a finish from this week and that the completed project is shown first.

2. One linky per person. (please put multiple projects in one post.)

3. Link to your specific post.  (See here for permalink instructions - or email me.)

4. Link back here with a link or a button (HTML on my sidebar).

5. Be sure to visit and leave comments on other's posts!

Please put your (blog)name instead of your project name, it helps us get to know each other better!

sewing space spring cleaning! ready for a challenge?

I struggle with keeping my sewing space neat and orderly. Raise your hand if you know what I'm talking about.

Okay, now that we all know we're not alone... (right?)  I'll share an embarrassing picture, again.  I've done this before...

This is my former computer desk that was converted into my sewing desk.  It's too big, too open and too easily cluttered.  Plus it took up TOO much room in my sewing space and blocked the only wall in the room (it's the attached sunroom).  I decided after getting my new (to me) sewing cabinet that I needed to get rid of this desk.  I finally figured out that I need a small sewing desk and a big work table (i.e. my dining room table).

I had a friend who had expressed interest in buying my desk if I ever wanted to sell.  She's far more organized than me and I was happy to let her have it.  Open shelving and my "organizing style", or lack thereof, do not mix!

When I texted her she said she could pick it up the next day!  I had to get busy.  This desk is so alluring when it's all cleaned off!!

And now I have all this free space and room to move!  And a bunch of stuff to figure out where it goes. 

Go take a picture of your sewing space RIGHT now.  In it's current state.  Let's clean up together!  I am working out the details, but we will have a before and after sewing space spring cleaning sew & tell in a few weeks!  And I'm working on prizes, and a button, like I said.  The details. 

Stay tuned!  And really get a good before photo - you'll love seeing the difference a little cleaning up can do!