Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Getting Ready Takes Time

It is amazing how a party, albeit a virtual one, can motivate me.


I am so glad that I signed up for Where Bloggers Create at My Desert Cottage because I am forced to clean up my creative space and I am finding projects started, yet never completed.


Last Thursday, I spent a full day in my creative space and reduced the piles of left over fabric by cutting out quilt squares for some baby quilts.


I found forgotten projects piled on top of one another and finished a few.


I didn't finish the baby gifts in time for the baby shower, but they are ready for the baby's birth just a month away and the card has already been mailed off to a blogging friend who is having knee surgery.


The favorite thing I made was a  S U M M E R banner from the last remnants of a drop cloth- quick, easy and free.


I tore the remnants into 4 inch wide strips and made a paper pattern to get the V shape at the bottom.


Not only was the fabric scraps, but so were the letters - you can see that I used what was left after the stickers had been used for other projects.


I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (it dries quickly) and branched out of my primaries by mixing colors to get a purple and orange, but you can see that the purple 'e' is not quite purple - maybe next time I will get it right.


The top edge of each flag was simply folded over and sewn down to create a casing for left over cording.


All that was left to do was to hang the banner on the side fence along with old rusty tools I stole from my parents' garage years ago.


This isn't an area of the yard that is seen by many people, but it makes me smile when I am getting dressed in the morning and look out the window; Lulu likes to hang out in the side yard getting into trouble.


I put together a few "kits" for other projects, but I did not finish organizing my creative space.


The dresser, which serves as a work space, is not camera ready,


and I still have piles of fabric to deal with before the deadline for  Where Bloggers Create.


But, I am finding forgotten supplies, using up what I have and I am realizing that even getting ready for a virtual party takes time.

..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..

I am joining these parties today

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

Coastal Charm - Show and Share

54 comments:

  1. Carol, you are a focused individual. I need to get more organized around here. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. I adore that summer banner. I have to pin it.

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  3. Can't wait to see your space for where blogger's create! Love the banner!

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  4. Love the summer banner! And I think the purple is perfect!

    I'm going to pass on WBC this year; there has been just too much going on this spring for me to get ready... plus my space hasn't really changed all that much.

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  5. I love the Summer banner! It looks great hanging on the fence. My craft room is in despreate need of cleaning. I have just been tossing stuff in the door lately. Hoping to get it cleaned up soon. Maybe I can link up for the Where Bloggers Create party! I'm going to Ikea next week while I'm in Tampa for my conference and am planning to buy the Raskog cart and maybe a cute rug I've had my eye on for my craft room. Hope you're having a great week!

    Blessings, Vicky

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  6. so fun!! love the banner. the humidity has arrived here in VA. the doggie days of the times. so warm. so i know summer is here for sure.

    i love those windows. i bet they allow for excellent breeze. ( :

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  7. Hi Carol,
    I love seeing your creative space. I also love the summer banner. So sweet. Little LuLu what a cutie.
    Have a great week.
    Kris

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  8. Carol, great banner and it looks s good on the fence. I was cleaning out the guest closet and found more material than I thought I had - YEA
    so I sorted it and ended up filling up 3 plastic storage bins - guess you could say I am a material hoarder. Now I need to get the projects going.
    Have a great week. Isn't the weather wonderful - hope it stays this way for the rest of the summer.
    Mary

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  9. Fun post.
    You write so clever. :-)

    I love the banner. Great job!

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  10. I really wanted to join that this year, but my creative space is not stock with kitchen cabinet doors and kitchen stuff. I love your banner, it is so cute.

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  11. You're lucky to have your own craft room space. I bet it's nice to walk in there and have everything at your fingertips. I love the card you made for your friend having surgery. Handmade cards like that end up being keepsakes!

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  12. There's nothing like a deadline for increasing productivity! Love the banner.

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  13. An absolute adorable banner. Thanks for the idea!

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  14. That summer banner is so cute. What a great space you have to work in.

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  15. Oh yes, it does! I started and then got sidelined by not one, but two losses in our family last weekend. Now my focus has changed to working on a family album for remembrance. Time will tell if I can get the art room shaped up in time. I still haven't thrown my hat in the ring.

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  16. Over the years I have seen many of the spaces that bloggers create in through this feature and it was so great to see yours this year, Carol. It's more about what you have and how you use it and I love that! You have great ideas for your fabric and you totally gave me inspiration on the drop cloth banner. I have a ton from a table runner I made years ago. As I don't sew, it's just sat around here!! Thank you so much! :)

    Jane

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  17. Oh- You are a brave woman! I would never DARE show my creative space...someone might have me committed! lol Yours looks pretty darned good to me! I love finding all those unused things that I forget I have...xo Diana

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  18. Carol,
    You always manage to amaze me with your zest for creativity. Your baby quilts will be precious and I know will become heirlooms. You totally rocked the summer banner, I love it!
    Today in Philadelphia it reached 95 and was very humid so I spent the afternoon writing poetry. Productive and creative day but yours always seems to incorporate cheerful fun. You're delightful my friend, give Lulu a kiss for me.
    XO,
    Vera

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  19. Very pretty I love the look of your summer banner.

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  20. I see that LULU GIRL! teeeheee

    Carol, let me just say that I admire you so. You always have something to celebrate, something to create,and you are MY role model of a teacher who though she is retired, does not stop learning and organizing, teaching and reaching for the expression of joy. You have me thinking now about making a banner just for MYSELF. Oh how I love your world! Anita

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  21. I love the summer banner! I actually organized my art studio, and I'm so happy I finally did it!

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  22. Your summer banner is so fresh and it gives me a laid back feeling, kind of like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.

    Your creative space is always ready to go re: projects!

    Poppy

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  23. Hi Carol, Yes, it takes time to ready a space and get organized. I have been doing the same thing and finding started projects that got lost in progress too.

    Love your SUMMER banner. I decided to make one for my creative space but did not start yet. You have inspired me to get that complete. Thank you for the tutorial on yours.

    It won't be long till WBC. See you there.
    Hugs

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  24. I love your summer banner and I just might try making one for my patio area!

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  25. You are so inspiring! I love that banner.

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  26. I love your new summer banner, Carol! You've inspired me to make one to drape across our outdoor swing. We've got the whole family coming to stay in a few weeks and I want the yard to look festive. I envy your fabulous studio!

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  27. It may not be ready but it's darn cute and looks lots better than mine! Are those original letters from a Cricket machine? I'm interested in "the tools of the trade". I want to create but sometimes I feel like there are tools people use I'm not even aware of. I see you have a big paper cutter too? What are your favorite tools to create and what do they allow you to do? I am full of questions today! LOL!

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  28. Hi Carol, the only thing better than being invited into someones home, is being invited into their creative space, yours is wonderful. I have been working on mine. The insulation is up, the walls are up, and the floor is in . . . now I am bringing things over from the old house. I did not know that I had so much stuff! Forty years of collecting paints, pencils, stamps, paper, and more paper . . . it will be so good to have this moving job OVER!
    I love your banner . . . it is perfect . . . including the purple "E".
    I'll be looking forward to the blog party :) I've never done one. Don't know how.
    Have a great week.
    Connie :)

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  29. You've found some wonderful projects hidden away there! Maybe that's what I need to do is sort through my creative space and see what's been left idle for too long. Love the 'Summer' banner ... I have that painted on a piece of driftwood that gets dragged out & plunked in the garden each summer :) Wendy x

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  30. Nothing gets us motivated like a deadline to show photos, right? ;)
    Sounds like you're making lots of progress. Love the banner!
    Susan

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  31. You get so much done! Would you believe we have the same ironing board cover? I can't wait to get back to my artsy doings.

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  32. What a great summer banner!! Love seeing peoples creative space.

    Cynthia

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  33. With a wonderful space like yours I don't think I'd ever leave it, apart from walking the dog on the beach of course.
    I'd love a creative room where I could leave out multiple projects, and then dress it all up for a party.

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  34. Forgot to say great banner, of course I'm slightly obsessed with letters at the moment !!

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  35. hooray for getting a push, to do those things we "have been going to do"!!!!!!!!

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  36. Love, Love, Love your "summer" banner! You have a wonderful place to create, Carol. No wonder so many great creative projects come out of there!!
    Mary Alice

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  37. Your room is just beautiful and I love all your little projects. The summer banner is perfect outdoors with the rusty vintage tools. I think you need to be in the Where Women Create print publication!

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  38. It's great to have a craft room but I think I spend more time cleaning and organizing it rather than crafting. You can't even begin to get started if everything is out and disorganized. Your summer banner is so perfect and cheery for your home. I have some fabric that I'd like to make napkins from but I'll have to learn to sew - been meaning to for ten years now. Hope you have a great week.

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  39. Your summer banner is so beautiful! love it. I want to make one too but i'm bad at sewing. Guess I will need my sis to help me as she's really good doing this stuff.

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  40. Adorable creations! :) I love participating in WBC every year.... it motivates me, too! Can't wait to see your creating space when you're finished. I know it will be even more wonderful!

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  41. You certainly have been productive. Maybe I should go clean up my craft area - maybe that would motivate me. You have made such lovely items. Isn't it nice to get old projects finished up? You inspire me.
    Cindy

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  42. It all looks fantastic Carol! And how amazing to have gotten all of that fabric organized! You are so right... Nothing like a party to get things moving! Love that banner by the way! It is the perfect addition for the fence! You have a great weekend pal! Nicole xo

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  43. Maintaining a creative space, studio, or "Craft Room" as I call it is always a challenge for those of us who would rather be making something new that cleaning something old. I can identify with fining half-finished projects and supplies I totally forgot I had. I do love your Summer banner...looks great on the fence. Kudos!
    Cheryl

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  44. Carol...you make cleaning sound like fun!! Unfortunately, I found out the hard way... The camera picks up dust better than the human eye...not a good thing for someone like me! Looking forward to the virtual party! Happy weekend!

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  45. Yes, the dresser is ready cuz at first landing I said to myself..there is that wonderful blue dresser that I love.

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  46. I am impressed with how organized everything looks Carol! You are sure right though, about a party being a powerful motivator for sprucing up! I'll have to go over and check out this party to glean some inspiration for my next work space!
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  47. Blog parties have always motivated me. To come together and connect with bloggers from all over the world for no other reason than to encourage each other, I'm there! Karen's party is how I was inspired to set up Love (my art table). I remember being SO THRILLED about it, and all because of a virtual gathering. Every time I look at my creative space, I smile, and I'm grateful for blogland. =D
    Love your banner.
    xoxo's

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  48. Carol, thank you for the inspiration. I couldn't resist joining Karen's party again. Thrilled! Looking forward to seeing you there.
    xoxo's

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  49. I signed up to participate in both parties again this year, too, Carol! I need to get in my craft sewing room and get things in order. Although, I have to say it is not as bad this year as last. I've been better! : ) I'm trying to use up my fabric scraps, as well, and love your drop cloth banner. I have some drop cloth left over that would probably just be enough to do a banner like this.

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  50. Great minds think alike! Ha ha! I have started fluffing up my craft space too. Love the banner! A great post.

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