A place for everything and everything in it's place

I'm not sure what's happened to me, I have always thought of myself as a bit of a messy person but I am becoming increasingly aware that I must have changed. Since setting up as a freelance designer seven years ago I have noticed that I am far neater and like things to be tidied away and I even like things to be clean! A far cry from my student digs where I didn't hoover for one whole year!!

I am a bit worried that I might be turning into a neat freak. I have recently moved into my new studio which is palatial in comparison to my old box room, but it has somehow turned me into the world's tidiest person. I have bought some new storage to help me keep things nice and neat. The first piece is an old printer tray that I bought for my coloured threads, initially I had just put the spools into the gaps any old how, but looking at them every day was driving me nuts so I have now rearranged them by colour and I feel so much better about them (am I nuts).

As I have a large range of products in my shop, many of which are screen printed, I needed somewhere to keep half finished products (things that have been printed or stitched but not yet assembled). I found this set of drawers last week in IKEA - yes I braved IKEA during half term and discovered the wonder that is Småll land, I left Eva happily playing for 50 minutes so I could go on the serious business of storage hunting.

I found these beauties:

They are perfect for my needs, lots of shallow drawers and space on top for my printer, they were very heavy though so I had to ask for help in getting them to the car. The only small problem I had was that my husband (a furniture designer) hates them, but I think he is warming to the idea slightly now as I have somewhere to keep half finished projects and orders.

I love them, I don't even have every drawer full at the moment which is great, as I can grow into them!

A great place to store finished....

and half finished products...

The white liners of the drawers are also a good place to photograph small items.

I am just getting all my makes ready for a Craft and Vintage Fair at Wicksteed park taking place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday 11-5 if you are in the area pop by and say Hi, my lovely friend Kelly has said she will come along to help me out (not sure that she knows what she is letting herself in for)!!

New work space

I moved into my new workspace back in June but have been far too busy sewing and designing to write about it. I had every intention of writing a bit before the summer was out the last few days have started to feel this way, so before my thoughts are turning to cosifying and chutney making I am going to share a few pics.

A small selection of my buttons, these ones are organised into pretty colour co-ordinated Jamie Oliver jars that were pilfered from my sister's kitchen (thank you Juju)

A bit about my new space

Just to clarify when I say 'new work space', I haven't had anything built or moved into a studio (yet) I have just moved some room around at home and now taken over the dining room, I used to have a studio off-site that I worked in but having a toddler at home now it's more conducive so work from home.

We painted the new space a bright white to keep it clean and fresh and hopefully help me keep it tidy, I also didn't want to be influenced by the colour of the walls (sounds daft but it's true). It's a lovely bright room now, with a big roof light and doors to the balcony overlooking the garden, it's been really lovely working here over the last few weeks and it's going to be great watching the seasons change from my desk.

I'm also pleased to report I have only seen one very small mouse (those who have known me for a while, will remember I had a similar set up in my old house with my work space next to the patio doors, only to discover we had what can only be described as a colony of rats living in the garden!!!! We moved not long after this discovery).

I've had a bit of time to sort out some of my workspace to get it looking something like how I want it to look and function. I don't want it to be cluttered as that just stresses me when I have lots of orders to work on, it's needs to be clean, tidy and everything needs a home! Although I like the chaotic artistic look, I just can't live with it for very long if I need to be productive.

My Corner Stash

The footstool was from the Sue Ryder shop in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, it was a new item but still a bargain.

My pretty pen pot from A Most Marvellous Place to Shop in Northampton

Big Button Coaster, from SqaurePear Furniture at Notonthehighstreet.com

That's all for now, I'll add some more as and when I get sorted. I'm also going to be having a huge de-stash of things that I no longer need or use, that are just taking up valuable space, so stay in touch to find out details. Enjoy your bank holiday!