Haleighanna's Hands: Taming the Hoarding Chaos

I recently moved from the Heartland to the West Coast. So, as I am obsessed with my creative life and all the supplies that goes with it, I packed up a lot of boxes of stuff.

I mean a lot of boxes.

My ever-patient husband estimates that about half of our worldly possessions belonged in my studio.

So when I got to Washington, I decided that I would diligently sort and organize my stuff. It took almost a week. But more than the time, it took a lot of hard work and, I am not ashamed to admit it, some tears.

You see I have too much stuff.

This is not all of it.

At one point, I had moved stuff around so that I had trapped myself in the room. I had to move a credenza from one side of the room to the other because the sun from the skylights was going to blind for me for a couple of hours everyday. In tears, I sat in the middle of the floor, and stared at my crap. I was overwhelmed. I was ashamed that I had so much. I was unsure that I had made the right decision to move. But after a cry and a call from a dear friend who told me that she loved me and to get over it, I got up determined to tame the chaos.

I went through everything I own and put all like items together. Then I boxed them up in lovely boxes and labeled things so that I can find them easily. I hid things under tablecloths so that I at least have the illusion of having tamed the chaos. I then surrounded myself with little things that make me happy as well as a lot of my own artwork.

Close your eyes...hear a drum roll...open your eyes!

A new workspace. The tablecloth hides some cubes and plastic containers.

Boxes, jars, and baskets contain some of the chaos.

A lot of my artwork and some pretty baubles.

A reading space (except for mid-day when the sun is blinding). That's right, I said the sun is blinding here in the Portland.

Dollar Store skeleton who just makes me happy.

Under this table is the hiding place for canvases, unfinished boxes, wreath forms, etc.

Yes folks that's the pumpkin from my "Persistence in Spite of Cottage Cheese" post.

A couple of pieces I made and some stuff I love!

 

 

One of the things that I have learned beside the fact that I had enough stuff is that I really don't need all of it to create things. And while I have been to the local craft stores here in the last couple of weeks, it has been to pick up items like E6000. I think it will be a long time before I need to buy some new stuff.

 

Now on to work!

Haleighanna's Hands: Just a Little Link Love of Some of the Most Popular Posts

This week I am sharing my top five posts! It's part of a project called Link Love. So here they are in descending order.

Coffee Paper Wreath Tutorial has been very popular on Pinterest.

Aluminum Tape Box Tutorial

Another decoupage tutorial--Refashioning an ugly canister to something I love.

A DIY to upcycle a frame into a bulletin board.

A post about not giving up on craft experiments.

 

There are other tutorials on the site. Feel free to poke around a bit and comment on what you see.



To learn more about Link Love, click on the badge below:

Haleighanna's Hands Presents Florilegium

Buttons, buttons, buttons!

 

I go to yarn stores...a lot. When I travel, I visit at least one yarn store. I've been to yarn stores in London, New York, Edinburgh, Los Angeles and more. I know it's a little weird to most people (including my ever patient husband), but I enjoy seeing the colors, touching the textures, and adding to my yarn stash.

But, the most fabulous yarn store that I have ever seen is located right in my own hometown. Florilegium is located in Parkville, Missouri across from English Landing Park. Gretchen Nutt, owner and "curator", is one of the coolest, encouraging and kindest people I know. Every customer who walks in there gets exactly what they need, whether it is advice, technical expertise, or just a little solitude. I could go on and on, but I think I'll let the photos do the rest of the talking.

As you walk in, there is a wall of buttons and beads.

Even the lighting is a feast for the eyes.

Drawer after drawer of yarn hanks.

One of the great things about Florilegium is that it is like a mini textile museum.

 

A quiet place to sit and knit or dream.

Gretchen's displays are beautiful and hard to resist.

Silk ribbon anyone?

Did I mention that Florilegium carries yarn?

A lot of yarn?



Florilegium is one of the things I will miss most about Kansas City. The store is an inspiration (as is Gretchen). I may be able to get the same yarn someone near my new home, but I know I won't be able to hear Gretchen's voice telling me how to do a Kitchener stitch or telling me to "never, never give up on your dreams."

To learn more about Florilegium, stop by the store. If you can't drop in, then visit their new website at www.florilegium.com.

Haleighanna's Hands: A Short Update

I made it to Vancouver, Washington, my new home, less than 72 hours ago. It was a long trip from Kansas City to the West Coast, especially with a less than enthusiastic miniature Schnauzer. So, my friend, I hope that you will understand if this blog post is short.

Finally sleeping.

 

The new studio in all its chaotic glory.

Obviously it needs a little work.

Is this hoarding or just being prepared?