Cindy and Deb were here for just a short visit but we accomplished great things! However, most things are unseen… changing up drawers to make the most of what will fit better in them. We combined like items and found drawers better suited to hold ALL items related to each other. They helped me figure out what direction to go in the future a little bit. I think I was kind of stuck in a time warp and I definitely had TOO much stuff for the size of my sewing room.
For the last 16 years I have changed my sewing room many times, but one thing has always been the same…I’ve had tubs and tubs and cabinets and baskets and boxes and filled with all my stuff. I’ve had to dig for things and unpile things to get what I was looking for.
This time, I decided I’d like to have things more simple and streamlined. Here are a few pictures from previous sewing room looks.
Sometimes less makes your sewing more efficient. At least I’m hoping it does!!!
A few of you asked to see the door that was hidden behind the oak bookshelf full of fabrics. While I’m not oppposed to painting it and letting it be seen, at least for now, I’m going to put my white bookshelf in front of it and see how it looks. If I find I have pared things down enough and can get by with one less piece of furniture, I may move it to the slanted corner and try it there.
Here are a few things that we managed to do…
We hung my clock back up but in a nicer, prettier spot. I like how you see it when you walk in the front door and then again as you step into my sewing room.
They helped me sort through some fabrics and I sent some home with Deb. She has a friend who loves to quilt and Deb said she would be thrilled.
Cindy and Mike arranged some things from my house to make a new, slightly updated gallery wall. The two small blue pictures are silhouette pictures from my mother-in-law. They have convex glass and are very delicate looking. I’ve always loved them.
I still have to fill in my nail holes and then repaint those spots…
Cindy gave me the other 2 pictures and a friend gave me the pussy willow print.
I know the gallery wall with the stitchery pictures was more “sewing” related, but I liked this simple, but pretty layout for now.
Kristoffer gave this canvas picture to me some time ago but I just never had the wall space for it…until Deb suggested I put it here!!!
My hubby and I ripped a 2×4 this morning and used it for the trim around my new bookshelf. I like the curved edge of it and then we used another curved piece of trim for the edges of the shelves.
I have primed the edges and hope to get it painted at least two coats tomorrow.
It will hold an enormous amout of fabric and I can’t wait to see all my folded fabrics stacked neatly on the shelves.
Before I painted it, I decided to see what a few fabrics laid on the shelves might look like. I think it’s going to be perfect!!
Their visit wasn’t all work and no play… we had lots of time to catch up on what was everyone was doing, enjoyed a lemon cake I made, fresh strawberries, pizza and even spotted a few baby raccoons up in one of our trees. We don’t know where their mother was, but they were pretty active and one even climbed out and was almost down to the ground… but then Reuben barked and he hightailed it up that tree like lightning! They were as cute as baby kittens!
This will surely give you a Tuesday Smile!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love how things are coming together in your sewing room, Jeanne, and your pretty wall arrangement. I really like the canvas picture Kristoffer gave you, too–so nice, and that really is a good spot for it!
I’m glad you had such a good time with your sisters, too, and had a chance to catch up with each other.
The raccoons are so cute–but I don’t think you’d want to mess with their mama!! 😉
We had a quiet weekend. Today I drove myself to RiteAid to pick up my refills–the first time I’d driven since I fell two weeks ago. It went fine; it’s the standing and walking around that make my back ache! Still, I’m doing better than last week at this time!
Thank you Charlotte,
I’m glad you are recovering…slowly, but steadily!! No more falls allowed!!!
My sewing room gets a little bit closer to being finished each day… I can’t wait!!
Thank you Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Things are coming along beautifully, Jeanne, and I love the newer, fresh look! it was a great idea to paint the furniture white, and the walls gray! Now I am confused, because you mentioned several blogs back, that you were getting new flooring. Is that going to happen soon, or will it have to wait until George is fully recovered? I can’t imagine moving all that furniture around or out of the room to do the floor!
Love, love the two silhouette pictures from your mother-in-law! And the pretty picture that Kristoffer gave you was meant for the room! Everything is just meshing together perfectly, and in no time you will be sewing away in whole new surroundings!
Those baby raccoons are so cute! They look like they are actually posing for a picture! It’s amazing how well they blend in with their surroundings! However, keep them out of the chicken house!
Hi Linda,
Yes, new flooring is coming…and I was hoping we’d get a call today saying it had come in, but I guess not… I can’t imagine how much difference that is going to make.
We were hoping to take the drawers out of all the pieces and move them to the side of the room we weren’t working on at the time, but it might be easier to just set them “temporarily” into the living room. We are really hoping the flooring comes in before George’s surgery!!!
You’re right…it wont be long till I’ll be back in there…like nothing had ever happened… 😁
I didnt see the babies this morning, but I went out to get the mail and 2 were huddled down on the ground by the tree trunk and 2 were still up high near their big hole. I’m sure their mama has met an untimely fate… 😔
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the openness of your sewing room with the back door visible and the window, both bringing in a lot of light. I do not know how or where you might move the bookcase for your fabric, but I would recommend not covering the door unless that space is best for the bookcase and gives added security to prevent anyone coming in that door.
I applaud you for downsizing and taking the time to sort thru your fabric. Now your challenge will be what you find and bring into your room in the future. I even tell myself that finding a good sale does not mean that I need to buy it. I have read that when you bring something new in, something old must go out. So if you have not used fabric for a long time, maybe it is time to let some of it go as you are doing.
I loved the picture collage (sp), the grouping is lovely. When your new flooring is installed your room will be an inspiration not just for you but for us all. Thank you for all the pictures to taken us along on the journey with you.
You are blessed to have two sisters who love you, visit and spend time with you. I find myself a little lonely because both my Father, Mother and Brother (my only sibling) have all gone to heaven.
The picture of the baby raccoons is adorable.
Hi Laureen,
I think I’m going to have to stick to my original plan and put the bookcase in front of the door…at least for now. I have GOT to get things back in order in my house…and can’t justify taking on ANOTHER project doing the door. The trim would have to be replaced and then painted…all taking too much time I don’t have at the moment…maybe in the future I can try moving it over the the slanted wall…
I enjoy it so much when my sisters get to visit…especially at the same time… we have so much fun together… Cindy and Tom followed Deb and Mike home to Springfield, MO, and they are doing things at Deb’s house today…
I’m so sorry you are the last one in your family…I can’t imagine that feeling…
Aren’t those babies the sweetest things?
Thanks Laureen,
Blessings, Jeanne
All kinds of things going on in the sewing room and outdoors as well. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that photo of the door. I think it matches the entry door from the living room doesn’t it? And what a nice view outdoors as well. In my humble opinion, put the bookcase in the old closet, squared up so the the odd angle at the back disappears and try the door for awhile. I love it. 🙂 But, whatever you decide will be wonderful too. The cute decorations are perfect too. I’m sure you are loving your new space with the fresh paint and when the floor is installed, wow won’t it be a showplace. You’ll have to entertain friends for tea in there. 🙂
I guess those cute raccoons don’t bother George’s birds? The ones around here love running across the roof. Sounds like a herd of elephants up there. We’re in the middle of a heatwave, and I can’t wait until the fog rolls in later in the week to cool things down. Looking forward to the next episode. 🙂
Hi Joy,
Like I just told Laureen, I think I’m going to leave the door idea alone for the moment and carry on with my initial plan. I have got to get my room back in order before my hubby has his knee surgery and starting that door project will put me behind… that trim around the door is actually plastic and would have to be replaced and then painted. It just might push my hubby over the edge if I suggested one more change in there. I can do the door another time if I feel like it.
The babies were out there a little while ago, but I just checked again and don’t see them…
It’s hot here today so their fate doesn’t seem very promising…
Thanks for your thoughts Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m wondering if you can’t paint the plastic trim on the door? Then you wouldn’t have to replace it right now. Shouldn’t take an hour at the most from a paint pro like you. And I’m still rooting for moving the big shelving to the old closet because I love the look of the white furniture and the pretty door view from the living room. 🙂 Can’t remember what day George was to have his surgery? Will they allow you to wait there or will you have to stay in the car? And hopefully, he is having outpatient surgery and can head home quickly.
Dear Jeanne, it sounds like you had much fun and got much accomplished. That is the best way to spend time, I think.
I enjoyed seeing photos of the sewing room past. The new one is going to be lovely.
Can you believe that May is marching away swiftly and we were just wishing it here?
Hi Dorothy,
I could probably write a book showcasing the many versions of my sewing room! Seriously, I hope this might be the last one!! (Who am I kidding???) 😉
We had a really nice time visiting and working all at the same time!!
Thanks Dorothy
Blessings, Jeanne
Those little raccoons are so cute!
The sewing room will be a dream when it’s done!
Hi Julia,
Those babies definitely are adorable… it’s a good thing they aren’t kittens…I’d want them all!!!
I guess my new room will become “my” Hen House!!!
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
All looking good, Jeanne. I’m so glad you’ve gotten your room more completed since it appears that hotter weather is here now. Enjoy the fruit of your labors and the memories you and your sisters created in this past weekend.
I saw a raccoon climbing a tree across the road the other day. I went out to “speak” with it about not killing our chickens as we think a raccoon has been getting some of them (heavier duty protection is now in place). I’m not sure if he/she took the hint. Seeing the little baby raccoons in your picture made me smile….yes, they are so cute.
Blessings.
Hi Becky,
I still can’t believe all that has happened in my sewing room…I certainly never planned it this way, but I have to admit, it’s pretty exciting…
The babies were out there earlier, but I don’t see them now. I’m sure something happened to their mama for her to have abandoned them…
Thanks Becky….I like how you said you went out “to speak” to that raccoon… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
The baby raccoons are adorable. They look so sweet peeking out of their tree. We have them in the backyard or on the porch sometimes as well as opossums. The wonderful thing about opossums, if you don’t know, is that they CANNOT have rabies. their body temperature is too low. They also love ticks, so they are super to have in your yard.
Your sewing room is really on its way to being complete. It will be relaxing and fun room to create in.
I’m sure your sisters and you had a lovely weekend together.
Hi Laura
I didn’t know that about opposums…but I hardly ever see them in our yard…however our neighbors have guineas who love to go around scavenging for ticks.
I’m dreaming of what it will actually be like to create in my new seeing room. I think it will be wonderful!!
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Glad you had a nice time with family and your sewing room looks really nice. I too like the light from the door being uncovered but I realize this is your sewing room and it’s up to what you want and the space you need.
The picture grouping and Kristopher’s picture look nice and serene on the gray walls. The white trim and gray walls are so refreshing. I’m sure you will love the room when you are done.
The White book shelf will be nice for your fabrics. The various colors are enticing and seem to pop with the white background.
After having darker wood trim and furniture for so long in our house, I love our gray furniture with white trim and white furniture. I liked the wood look back in the 80’s, but I go for the lighter white look now- it’s such an uplift to visually see.
Great work, Jeanne!
Hi Paula,
The door will have to be hidden at least for now…maybe I can tackle that project another day… right now the goal is to get my room put back together as quickly as possible.
I’m like you, really loving the lighter look of my trim and my overall new, lighter walls.
I can hardly wait to get everything all moved back in there as soon as my flooring comes in…
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a wonderful visit you had with your sisters. And you sure got a lot accomplished. The Pennsylvania Dutch have a saying “many hands make light the work”. Definitely true. And the most mundane tasks can be more pleasurable when shared. As for reducing your fabric stash, how could you choose?
I love the wall grouping. The silhouette pictures have always been some of my favorites. We had some in our family but I’m not sure exactly what happened to them. I was in Texas when most of my family passed away and couldn’t make it up north so I didn’t get to help with clearing things out. Most of my family prefers divesting themselves of whatever they don’t need. I’m the only one who loves the family heirlooms. The silhouette pictures probably went to Goodwill. The picture Kristoffer gave you is wonderful and in the perfect spot.
I love, love, love the door! I would have to find a way to keep it available. I could see myself with a little bistro set outside the door so I could take a sewing break and have a cuppa every now and then on a nice day.
At first I thought the racoons was a picture. Too cute, and, excluding the havoc they can wreak, how wonderful you get to share their lives.
Had a wonderful Memorial Day with our son and family. They were here all day and we shared two meals. Hubby made his favorite ribs for supper. He’s over the moon since he got his pellet grill. Hope everyone had a nice Memorial weekend.
Hi Barbara,
Letting go of some fabrics was probably the hardest…I may or may not have shed a few tears…
I should take a closeup picture of my silhouette pictures…they sre so pretty. It’s not that I didn’t like my counted crossstitch pictures, but I wanted something new to go up there…
The baby raccoons seem to have ventured away. I saw them this morning and 2 were up in the tree and 2 were huddled on the ground by the tree trunk… now I can’t find them…
I’m glad you had a nice weekend…us too!!
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your “new” sewing room is going to be amazing.. You did a lot of hard work.
Glad you had a good weekend with your family.
Hi Judi Kaye,
I think it’s going to be amazing in my new room too…I never dreamed it could look so pretty!
Thanks Judi,
Blessings, Jeanne