Yesterday I took a few hours to sort fabric that had accumulated on every flat surface in my art room. I calculated that even if I sewed every day for the rest of my life I would never use it all. Handling and refolding each piece rekindled my love for it, though -- the color, the weight, the texture, the finish, the weave...sigh. Admitting you have a problem is the first step. There are just too many kinds of cloth out there!!
I am proud that I managed to actually throw out fabric yesterday, though. Stuff that I just know would not make it into one of my artworks or even a doggie bed. It seemed wasteful, but keeping it around so that it could be brought to school (filling my small supply closet there) or given away just seemed too risky. Out it went. Out also went many little UFO's (Unfinished Objects) that have lingered in storage containers, waiting for attention. "Fish or cut bait" was the theme yesterday, and a lot of bait was cut. It felt great to establish "a little" order to my space so that I can now mess it up again by working. But what to make with such treasures? My fabric cup truly runneth over.
This vacation I am on "purging mode" where every space in my home feels too overcrowded and disorganized. Linen and kitchen cabinets, junk drawers, and bookcases are crammed to the limit. It is time to investigate and toss. God help my trash men this week and next. I am operating on the theory that a better organized space is easier to maintain, but I know that within weeks my environment will return to a collage of misplacement. Like shoveling sand against the tide, mayhem will again ensue. It is the nature of my creative and visual personality. New ideas are percolating as I organize...and I feel lucky to live in my own art supply store!
What will you make today?