Missing the Neat Freak Gene

While browsing through lots of lovely craft blogs I always see pictures of amazingly tidy studios that are really well organised and beautifully quirky. I seem to be lacking the gene that the rest of my family inherited to make them neat freaks. When I visit my sisters houses they are the kind of people who apologise for the mess when the place looks immaculate. I on the other hand have a large propensity towards messiness which I fail endlessly at reining in.

The prime example of this at the moment is my studio. A few months ago the lovely Claire-Ann came and did some work experience and did an amazing job sprucing up my work space on her last day. She is one of those people who loves tidying things, so messy me and neat Claire were a match made in heaven that week. For a couple of months I managed to keep things fairly well in order until my large delivery of supplies arrived and then all hell broke loose.

The crazy thing is that there are going to be big changes in my studio in a couple of months. My lovely boyfriend John is moving to Cork for a year to do a masters in archaeology so that means I'll have to move into my studio and rent out our bedroom!!! This means sleeping and working in the same room for a year, nightmare I know! I'm gonna have to pare back lots of my materials and get really organised if I am to survive that year. I know lots of people work around having small work spaces, but I've been spoiled with my beautiful work space for so long it will be hard to change back. Luckily I'm not one of those girls that has lots of clothes and accessories, a small wardrobe and chest of drawers will do fine for my own clothes. I'm far more concerned about maximising my crafting space. I keep telling myself 'it's only 12 months, it's only 12 months'. In other preparations for Johns big move I've started doing the market trip by myself, so I get used to it by the time he is gone. Weirdly I think John is finding this stranger than me. Even though he hated having to wheel down my crazy market trolley for years, now that he's not doing it he says he feels unneeded...men, they're crazy!

Anyhow I thought I would share some pictures of my demented studio in a bid to shame myself into tidying it up....here's hoping it has some effect!

Strawberry Delight

I stumbled upon this how-to earlier today and even though I should be packaging and stapling in preparation for the market I had to take a little break to try it out. I was surprised at how easy it was to make something so adorable!I might whip up a few and put them on the stall. I figure 2 euro is a good price from them, they're quick and easy, but it still covers my costs of the metal ring and materials. I really want to get some small print polka dot material now.

Between the needle cases, button jars and these key rings I think a trip is necessary to the much loved quilt material shop in Limerick. I've never been there but I've heard it's a near spiritual experience for any crafters. I just have to save up a few pennies first, a friend told me she spent 80 quid within a few minutes of getting inside the door. Yikes!

Handmade Knitting Needle Case

Since I was offered the large lot of vintage knitting needles I've had it in the back of my mind to make handmade cases for them. I had a little root around the bundles of my material in my studio, and I found this cute red and white striped poly cotton. After fiddling around with sizes and measurements for a while I figured out a pattern to make this needle holder.

I've included 5 circular needles, two sets of 4 double pointed needles, 2 bodkins and a needle gauge in the set. I think it's a great present for crafty people cos you get your different sized needles with the case. I listed it in my etsy shop the other day, I really hope they are popular because I loved making it and it would be great to have an excuse to go buy lots of pretty fabrics!!

Helper...woohoo

I have a lovely helper in this week doing work experience. Claire is fantastic, and has helped out loads with my endless list of sewing that I've to get through. Today will also be helping me tackle the mess that is my studio. I got a lot of it done already, but the last bit is being stubbourn. Go check out her blog for lots of cute things, and her spiffing new tea cup background...which is totally adorable.

Ps: we don't play on swings all day instead of working , I stole fun picture from her blog.