slowly sewing

Since the studio has been ready for working in, there's been a nice little groove of sewing, more slowly than before. Something I didn't predict, but that I'm quite happy about. It feels much more thoughtful and mindful. Because I can *see* everything, I already seem to spend a lot more time in the planning/thinking stage of making things. Like this:

Yeah. I'm wearing a hole in the floor in that spot, I'm sure. Just standing. Looking at it all. Planning. And thinking. No longer just grabbing whatever happens to be on the top of the pile becuase digging around for something better would be too overwhelming a task. I can actually spread things out, match them up, put them back when they're not right, and on and on. Ah...I do hope this lasts (my new mantra: I will pick up my mess after a project. I will pick up my mess after a project.)

Oh, and see that cute shiney head on the left? He's the other contributing factor to the productivity slow-down. With this newly mixed up space, there's comfortable room for two (he's on my laptop getting his daily You Tube fix). Nighttime sewing is much more fun with someone at the other end of the table making me laugh, and yes, slowing me down. So yeah, maybe there's a little less sewing, but there's a lot more fun. I'll take it.

Comments

[oldflowers4me]

your world is a beautiful place. hop skip and jump. love jo.

[Mama Urchin]

And I bet he can reach anything that's really high too!

[shanna]

love that you have evening studio vistors of the adult sort! i love when c comes and sits while i work. slower, but oh so sweet!

[tiffany m jewell]

i love your studio and the photo of the two of you side by side! so very lovely!

[brandie]

who would have thought that a newly renovated crafting space would bring you two closer together?? :)
i am totally coveting your craft space. must see it soon!

[heather]

i can't express just how much i adore that photo of you and steve, so sweet. but even if you hadn't arranged that second space, i bet once in a while he'd pull up a lawn chair and some coffee, cheering you on during those late night sewing runs. ;)

and... do i spy a new skirt or a little dress for miss a clipped to your shelves?

[erin]

what an ideal situation! i find that i don't sew at night so much anymore because my little space is up on the third floor away from everyone else. i am a wee bit jealous of your space for two!

[Jess H.]

Look at all that fabric. Man I can't imagine! I love the fact that you and Steve can sit there together enjoying each other's company. That always makes things funner. Of course, I certainly have gathered that having fun has never really been a problem in your family.

[kristin]

sweet.

[laura]

this whole post is just too sweet, from the hairdo, to the little couple at the end.

[ellen]

I love how the room has such a nice warm glow about it at night. It looks like a lovely space to spend time together.

[Kristy]

Laughing,sewing and little bitty vintage dresses!It doesn't get any better does it?

[katharine]

It really is nice to have a little company isn't it. When my dh and I haven't had much time together but there is work to do I save up all the hand work for the evenings so I can do it in the livingroom.
It really makes a difference.
By the way, I love the studio. It really turned out fantastic.

[Meredith]

Oh I love that you two can hang out together at night! Love it! I miss my hubby when I am sewing or crafting and he is downstairs. Great idea! I can't wait to see what you dream up!

[betsy]

I love that second photo of you and Steve. There's something about sharing the evening hours with your partner after a long day of taking care of the babes -- chatting comfortably back and forth while creating and working on projects, taking tea (or whiskey) breaks in front of the fire, reveling in the simplicity and comfort of simply *being* with the person who knows you best. xo

[Julie g-c]

I like that we both have shiny heads to love...although mine is not ready to give it all up yet...but he's getting there! The studio looks amazing.

[Judi]

So funny that you have your new mantra........ that's my downfall too. I never, ever fold up leftover fabric either. My Mom comes over probably twice a year to fold my scraps....... she loves it! Sucker!

I hope you realize that you & your family aren't the only ones enjoying your new space. We are too....... thank you!

[Julie]

So sweet to hear your nighttime sewing room is filled with fun and laughter - that's the best! Love the summer dress you posted about below!

[Nelly]

I agree with Judi above. You make me feel like sewing, again. Love your hair. I 'll try it myself.

[Alison Love]

its great that you can be in there together! your progress gave me the inspiration yesterday to finally start cleaning up my workspace. thanks!

[paper.string.cloth]

Your Studio is looking gorgeous..... as, in fact, are you two working away side by side (or not working, as the case may be!)

I also love that every blog I visit lately seems to have some little snippet of those yellow Ikea quilt covers being put to another use...... mine are on the bed right now, but the spare pillowcases have already been utilised in a patchwork and a little dress! hee hee! Yours make fabulous curtains!

Cheers! Leah xx

[Andrea]

I love seeing your wall o' fabric. It reminds me a great deal of a similar wall in my studio. I have the same need to see it all before I make my final choice too!
I've been reading your blog for about a year now, and I always find it inspiring. Puts a smile on my face, and makes me feel like, 'of course I have time to make something when I get home from work. If you can find the time, I can find the time.' And so I'd like to invite you to have a look at my site, and see what I've been making. We have a similar sensibility I think. I'm a fibre artist/performance artist/textile designer that live in Montreal, Canada. I'm sorry to post this on your comments, as I would love to e-mail you directly, but I'm not sure how. Anyhow, come have a look at www.andreavanderkooij.com. thanks.

[Melissa]

love the studio set up and how many hours of sleep do you get on average?

[Tiffanie]

Awww, that's so sweet.

[julie]

I like your new mantra, but sometimes with kidlets...the mess just has to wait. So, don't be too hardcore. Plus, you are so kind to share your space with a guy. He must be worth it.

[Emma]

The pictures of your work space have driven me out of lurking to comment: I am sooooo jealous of your room, it looks fantastic and the perfect place to create.

[Clau]

this is so lovely!

[Diane]

Happy distractions, Amanda ... LOVE IT!!! Oh this is how its meant to work. Someone not ahead and not behind, but BESIDE you adding to your journey ... life experience. You have shiny bald guy, and I have a tall, dark mexican that I call my "IT Guy".

Oh happy for you happy for you both!

[Michelle]

You have a lovely creative space, but even more wonderful is the great personal photographer! Was it Calvin?

[Grace]

Gosh. I love this. So, so much. That last photo of the two of you side by side is just awesome. I love that your new space is allowing the two of you to be together at night. Lovely.

[Katharine]

oh! That last photo made me feel all warm and smiley. How nice to have such good company.

[Michelle]

I love the family portrait.

[kristy]

I'm feeling warm and tingly. It looks just about perfectly perfect. Yay!

[Jessica]

How cozy!!!! I love it that you and your husband are working on the same table!

[tracy]

oh you have me inspired to get my room in gear. (love the idea of sitting side-by-side in the lamplight!)

[abbyjane]

A very belated congratulations on your new and simply lovely space! There is nothing I like more than starting a new creative project on a newly cleaned desk with the things I love all around me. Enjoy, enjoy!

[Heather Bailey]

Love these photos. Were they taken with a timer?

[Lora]

Looks like a great room to create in. and having someone along side of you to make you slow down and enjoy things by laughing is wonderful :)

[BellaKarma]

Hi Amanda,

I'm peeking in via Alicia's link to you...and I'm so glad I did! I'll definitely be visiting your blog often!

By the way, I share your sentiments on unschooling. I always get a bit giddy when I find someone who "gets it."

[meg]

i have also made a recent commitment to myself to clean up after every project.
and john is almost always surfing you-tube while i'm crafting...

[Jane]

The photo of you and Steve together is just wonderful. My husband and I sometimes share the sofa with our laptops on our knees!
Sweet times..

[NessieNoodle]

this is great.
I especially appreciate the "I will put things back" aspect of it all.
I read in a magazine (yoga journal) the other week about how picking up IS part of the crafting/cooking/whatever I am doing process. This insite has helped be so much better about it all.

[charlotte]

nice to catch up here, you have been so busy! love the pic of you two side by side, grooving on the peace and quiet....and the earlier post on the lawn chair thing. true love, for sure! xoC

[theflyingmum]

Sounds like a heckuva good deal to me!

[joy]

I love that you are spending time together in your studio. I'm jealous. I can't wait to have my own space that maybe my husband will like so much he'll bring his macbook in and hang out too.. Thanks for posting!

[Debby]

You can never spend enough time with your one and only true love. And I will admit you will enjoy spending more and more time with him every year. (Have been at this for 27 years and still can't spend enough time with Mr. V.)

[Paisley]

I love how the open shelving is working in terms of being able to hang stuff on the edges either for display, inspiration or evaluation.

[eireann]

yes, I love being able to work with a comfortable other in the room.

and I love the moments in front of a huge amount of fabric, saying 'hmmmmmm, what's next? and out of what?'

happy working!

[ilse]

Now this is funny. A similar moment but at the other side off the world. Me and my husband are also sitting next to each other, he on his computer, and me sewing ! funny, maybe a tiny different, my husband is on my right side.
Its so much more fun with two, !!

[sarah]

I love that last pic of you and Steve. Sweetness. It's so nice to have a friend like that isn't it? Made all the more better when he's your hubby too!