making messes

Some people complain that art blogs give a false impression that everything is beautiful and rosy.  Since it is never hard to find the ugly side of life (our airwaves and newspapers are full of it) I like to think of beautiful blogs as a little balancing act.  I will admit that well-crafted blogs can give the impression that the blogette has her act together (perhaps more than is warranted) which could intimidate others from even trying to join in the fun.  Well, I’m here to tell you that, in my world anyway, I have messes.  Sometimes big messes. 

I recently had to have an intervention with my sewing room.  It had reached the point where I just couldn’t function anymore.  During my journal cover project I attempted to access my storage box of blue quilting cottons and caused a fabric landslide.  I couldn’t get into my closet.  So, for the past two weeks I have been regaining control.   I sorted through boxes, cabinets, drawers and shelves.  I attempted to organize like items into some recognizable storage system.  While “filing” my huge supply of ribbon I thought, “how did I end up with 5 spools of white ¼” satin ribbon?” and I realized the answer was that it was often easier to drive to Michael’s and buy a new spool than to locate the ones I already owned. 

You know how things get worse before they get better in projects like this?  Well, my room sat for about 3 days in that “worse” stage; I was overwhelmed with the task before me.  But then slowly I started concentrating on one area at a time.  All of the things that had ended up in the room that didn’t belong there were carried off and eventually I started to see the end.  I also took the time to hang my bulletin and magnet board which I use for notes and inspiration – they had not been put up since I moved into my house in 2006.  Now when I look around my nice clean space I am filled with enthusiasm for new projects and can’t wait to make another mess – a creative mess.