I should have made a list...

There are all sorts of things I want to remember to include here but I didn't make a list. I could have but well, I forgot. I suppose I could have put that on the list -- Make a List.

I've always been a list-maker but I need to start keeping on-going lists of things I need TO DO. Maybe I should make that Teux Deux. Did you read about that a few weeks ago on The Pioneer Woman? It's an app for iPhones and other smartphones, though I gather there are some things that only the iPhone app will do.

There are two versions of the app -- the free Lite version and the $2.99 (Heavy?) version. Because I don't think Apple has enough of my money, and because I wanted to support a little start-up at the same time, I went for the fully-caffeinated version. I've had it for almost two weeks now and I love it.

Whew! I had a busy day on Monday. What I have really liked about Teux Deux is that I can add things to the list while online and it syncs the information to my phone. I need that kind of help. I've talked a few friends into trying it and they're liking it as well. And since it seems like nobody goes anywhere anymore without their phone, its easy to keep updated as you think of things.

But back to my list for today... Oh. My. Gosh. Did you see all the amazing, gorgeous, creative, innovative and absolutely wonderful Full House quilts, pillows and table-toppers? I think most of the ladies ought to be happy that I don't know where their house is because if I did know, their "house" would be living at my house. Permanently. Sinta and Sherri did an amazing job with the parades. If you haven't seen them -- Sherri's Full House parade and Sinta's Full House parade. Now they're on to I.S.T.H... at least that's what I'm calling it.

Next on my list is the brilliant ~ and indefatigable ~ Pat Sloan. Did you know that Pat has teamed up with Michele at the Quilting Gallery to create The Learning Center. Each month of this year, Pat will have a series of posts on a variety of subjects:

• March – Back to Basics
• April – Piecing, Pressing, Thread
• May – Appliqué Techniques
• June – Tools, etc. – What’s new from Spring Quilt Market
• July – Foundation Paper Piecing and English Paper Piecing
• August – Embroidery/Stitchery
• September – Borders, Batting and Basting
• October – Quilting
• November – Tools, etc. – What’s new from Fall Quilt Market
• December – Finishing Techniques

February's topic is Studio Organization and a few weeks ago, Pat conned badgered roped asked me to participate. The hilarious part is that Pat actually thinks I'm organized. It's all a sham. A huge con that I've managed to perpetuate for several years... until now. I'm not going to pretend to be super-organized with a really cute, incredibly well-organized work space. If nothing else, that wouldn't be me, and it definitely wouldn't suit me for the way that I like to work. Ironically, that's the secret to being "organized" -- figuring out what it means to you! What works best for you?

Pat's first post -- Organization 101 a la Pat Sloan -- can be found here.

When I re-did my workroom a few years ago, I did several of the things on Pat's list. (Imagine how organized I would be if I'd had Pat's list two years ago!) The biggest thing was moving everything out and going through it. Box by box, bin by bin, and yes... bag by bag. It took forever and I gave away a lot of stuff that I knew I would never use in my lifetime. Repeat... A LOT of stuff. If I had one "tip" for anyone organizing or re-doing their space, it would be this -- let it go.

Be honest with yourself -- if you don't think you're ever going to use it, let it go to someone who will use it. There are guilds and charity sewing groups that will happily take whatever you have and put it to good use. If you don't want to take the time to sell them on eBay, books and magazines can go to your guild library, or your local library. Ditto for rulers and tools that you'll never use. If you have scraps and strips and "leftovers" from quilts that you're saving for that "just in case"... let those go too. They clutter up your space and seriously, it starts to weigh you down. At least, that's how I felt.

Most importantly, don't feel guilty about it. And try to avoid the need to measure all the yardage for a "stash report" because then you'll be compelled to start figuring out the dollar value of what you're getting rid of. Just do it.

But don't worry... you'll still have WAY more stuff than you have room for, and that you'll ever use. Or maybe that's just me.

The other advantage is that as you go through boxes, you're going to find some really funny stuff. I've been trying to clean out some boxes in storage. While I've found several wonderful old quilt books that I knew were there, I found a few that I had forgotten about.

I got these when I was first learning to quilt at The Great American Cover-Up on Parker Road in Plano, Texas. The books are a lot of fun from a historical perspective but the information is a little... well, outdated. And there weren't a lot of pictures in the book -- a few black and white diagrams and lots of text.

What else? Work on my Blueberry Crumb project is "progressing", which is a nice way of saying I made some progress on it but not very much. As for the "publication", it's destined for a book but I'll try to sneak you a peek before it goes off for that. While work on that will continue this week, I've pulled out a couple of charm packs to start work on a new Schnibble quilt for Spring Market. I am trying to pretend otherwise but that is now about three months away.

Oooh... do you remember the picture of that beautiful watch from Pinterest? I found it! Or rather, I found the shop that has it for sale. No, I'm not buying it. I love the watch. Really, I do. But I don't love it $70,000.00 worth. That's right. Seventy. Thousand. Dollars. The bat won't be necessary.

The last thing I wanted to mention... back in April of 2010, in a post about something else, I mentioned the Olde World Quilt Shoppe in Cave Creek, Arizona. In telling you about the shop, I suggested that if you had a handsome son, you might want to bring him by the shop to meet Jordan, the beautiful daughter of Dee, the shop's owner.

Someone you might know had the same idea -- Renee Plains of Libery Star Designs. Renee has a son -- three of them, actually -- and she thought Jordan and Jake might make a lovely couple.

Neither Jordan or Jake thought much of the idea when Renee brought Jake to the shop to meet Jordan.

But Renee's a pretty smart lady.

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They were married on Saturday.

Congratulations Renee!

And Jordan and Jake. And Dee and Scott -- Jordan's parents.

Until next time, I'm off. I've got a full Teux Deux list for this Monday too.

 

Comments

[Kd]

Thank you, Carrie for setting such a good example for the rest of us. Your wisdom and advice are much appreciated! I can't wait to see what you come up with for Pat's Studio Organization. I want to see pictures, pictures, pictures! Love you girl!

[Nicole]

What a well timed link to Pat's organizational tips! My sewing studio cabinets arrive in a couple of weeks and I am going to start unpacking all those boxes!

[Mary]

I lived in Richardson TX for a couple of years and Great American Cover-Up was near downtown. They must have moved. My jaw dropped when I saw that shop name! I'll check the how to organize list but I think my definition is close to yours. At the top of my list - out of sight, out of mind. I have to keep things in sight so I finish them.

[Archie the wonder dog]

Love the look of the phone app - I need a smart phone!! And I've really enjoyed seeing all your houses popping up on blogs, it's a wonderful pattern that I will make...one day! Good luck with the new Schnibble and Blueberry Crumb!

[Renee]

love you Carrie and your blog - you are always so witty, such a clever writer . . . and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those newlyweds! thank goodness I was at least "smart" enough to set the stage! LOL
xoxx, R

[Nancy]

Sigh....I just love happy endings...Congratulations to Jordan and Jake! Thank you Carrie for another fun filled delightful post. You know those old quilt books. I bought a batch of magazines off ebay when I first started quilting 4 years ago, and amongst the mountain of mags were about 8 very old quilting books. Being a bit of a simpleton and really despising templates, I set them aside. Not sure what I'll do with them, perhaps take them to the Goodwill. Any thoughts? Big Hugs...

[Michele]

Thanks for the organizing tips and inspiration. I like the phrase, "When in doubt, throw it out." But quilt magazines are my problem. Lots of them. And I keep getting more. Sigh.

[Lisa D.]

I have severe iPhone envy! But what a great love story! Thanks for sharing.

[Sinta]

YOu are just a plethora of information! I have been so behind on... well, everything... you are my new guru! Thanks for sharing the tidbits and the cute little love story taboot!
And, oh, yeah, weren't all of those Full House quilts cute... every single gosh darn one of them!!! That pattern was awesome Carrie. xxoo

[Linda P]

Sure enjoyed the Full House parade of quilts!!! I did get mine done, just not quilted - life does get in the way some times. How wonderful Full House looks in every line.
Congratulations to Jordan & Jake - they do make a cute couple!!
Ya gotta love that Pat Sloan- she tries her best to get us organized and working!!!

Seems I made a long post before on last blog post and who knows - I did ask a question and checked back........ LOL- I probably forgot to type the code - oh well. I will think of what it was and ask again another time.

[ina]

Wow, they even got married! ;p The watch? Amazing how much money some people have. I'd be afraid to wear it.

[Mishka]

Carrie,
Thanks for the awesome post about the learning center. Can't wait to show off your guest post later this week. I'm seriously jealous of your creative, organized space.
Michele