I'm Putting It All Out There!

9/29/2013

I've decided to let you all inside my dirty little world, and to share the one thing we gals never dare to share....the thing we hide from our family and friends, and sometimes even from ourselves... our MESSES!!

I realized Sunday morning that I have gotten into a monthly routine. It begins with trashing my entire house for 25 days and ends with me spending the first few days after a show trying to un-bury my dining table, floors, chairs.. you name it. Only to start over again as soon as I get it cleaned. If there is one thing I hate doing it's starting a new mess on top of last months old one... Imagine!! Trying to be creative in such chaos! Ok, so yeah I work in that chaos all month long, but at least it's THIS MONTHS chaos!

Laundry room mess!! Counters get cleaned for one day only!

There are a couple of reasons for sharing this ugliness with you all; the first one being that I hope to find some fellow chaos makers that will let me know I'm normal! Another reason is to let you see how badly i need a studio space, and hope you follow along as we attempt get one in the works! Yes, I do have the little shed but that's full of furniture to be painted. And while warm I still have the garage to build in. Its the sewing, crafting, gluing, upholstering and wiring that have no where to go but the kitchen table and living room floor. I have long ago run out of space inside my vintage suitcase collection for my fabrics, and no longer want to open a half dozen cases trying to find the one piece I need. The first photo (at the top) is actually a chair in my living room that now houses all my new fabrics. It's time for a studio/craft room/sewing room. It's time to take over a room where I can shut the door on my mess and not be embarrassed to have my friends over!
(the photo above is my living room floor after working this week on some chairs, lights and who knows what else)

My family room isn't safe from the mess either!

Proof that I DID clean the table for the day!

So here it is! The future "studio". It's currently our ex-office. (hopefully you read in a previous post about my moving Chris out of this room and into his new space). But the old mess of paperwork and things that have no where to go remains. I can't wait to empty that closet and fill it with creative goodies!!

To Be Continued......

11 Comments

Who Am I?

I've tried it all...hair stylist/faux painter/stay at home mom/jewelry artist/late in life college student/retail shop owner/design consultant/home stager. Through it all my favorite things to do have been sharing DIY ideas, thrifting, and making something out of nothing.
Combine some of those and you get the perfect storm; Owning, renovating, styling and hosting in an airbnb! Chris and I put our own touches to the structure, then I thrift and build most of what I need to create a unique and special environment for guests to enjoy. Being an Airbnb host is so fulfilling for me!

Evelyn Lenix

9/29/2013 08:45:48 am

I to work in chaos.I also have to clean before starting something new.I hate making a mess in a mess.

Becky

9/29/2013 09:07:09 am

Evelyn, Exactly! There is something the helps a new creative chain of thought happen if you start with a clean slate.

MS. Gerry

9/29/2013 09:27:32 am

I totally understand, When one mess is cleaned up another one is created. I wanna work place to go too. Live in a small bungalow style home so space is very limited.:)

9/29/2013 09:39:08 am

Everyone needs a little space! :)

Tracy Lynn

9/29/2013 09:29:58 am

you are soooo not alone... our house is old... really old, so the basement is NOT an option, a few years back we moved my studio back home... it has been an ongoing dance of , do a project, make a mess, put partially done project in the parlor, have people over, make dinner, clean up dinner, look for the fabric .paint lace.snaps .ruler.pens.tape.glue... oh no band needs MORE cookies, don't forget the volunteer work you are doing this week, wash uniforms, do household laundry, get part of original project out, stop!, start another one , kid 1 needs supplies, kid 2 needs a project done, husband is doing his OWN projects, make things for shop, tag items, weed flower beds... sleep... really I need sleep??... find the papers your kid needed signed... look UNDER the box of paints.. call your boss back, go to work.... start over again...

oh and YES a clean work table is the BEST way to start a new creative process... you are NOT crazy, and you are definitely NOT alone!

9/29/2013 09:42:00 am

Tracy, that sounds so familiar! I at least have only our messes to worry about now with the kids grown and gone, but I had always dreamed that would mean less mess, not more! haha Glad to know you are all out there with the same issues. :)

Amy Cseh link

9/29/2013 09:59:34 am

My husband recently gave me full reign of the the barn workshop that sat unused. I have all of my tools, paints and junk in there now and it's great to be able to go out there are make a mess and then leave it out there. I do have to "clean" up each time I go out there to start working though. Must be a trait of a junker/creative soul:) maybe...or I'm just messy.

9/29/2013 10:49:49 am

Amy I'm so jealous of your barn! I think "messy" is still okay :)

Linda Neff

9/29/2013 11:09:40 am

Such beauty comes out of your chaos! I can have a mess in no time flat and am not being the least bit creative. I think you are the normal one!

9/29/2013 11:32:54 am

Linda! You are so sweet!

Cindy link

9/30/2013 11:05:41 am

You are so not alone! I keep taking more space and it doesnt get any neater! The projects just get bigger. I also have to do a cleaning before I start the next phase. You sound normal to me!!