Progress on my sewing/textile/fiber room is coming along. It's been a slow-go for several reasons. One is the time of year. The garden still needs tending and is starting to produce too, so "food first."
The other reason is trying to figure out where everything will go. I didn't realize how many boxes of yarns, fibers, and equipment I had. I feel like I'm trying to put 20 pounds of potatoes into a 5 pound sack. Even so, I'm glad I didn't succumb to purge madness. Everything is so expensive nowadays, that I don't have to worry about buying much for the rest of my life!
Yesterday, I found several more boxes of weaving yarns and spinning fibers. They've been boxed away in the front bedroom, which has served as our other storage/catch-all room. I was rather dismayed to find that mice had made themselves at home in one of the boxes!
I think this is partly because we keep the room closed and the cats don't have access. More activity and the presence of humans and prowling cats would be an excellent deterrent.
So progress is being made, albeit slowly. One of these days I'll have everything in place and give you a grand tour!
23 comments:
Release the cats! I have no sympathy for mice. I will be very interested in your organizing solutions for the stash.
What a lovely, comfy corner to escape to. It must have been like Christmas morning, opening all the stored items. So sorry about the vermin damage. Reminds me of our big move when everything was in storage for a short period. Mice got into a rubbermaid bin of clothes and chewed the hem of a favourite top...only it. Why???
Lookin' good!
Looks great!
tpals, the cats now have full access! The problem is in winter, we close off this room to hoard the heat from the woodstove. That may have to change. Also, we need to find how they're getting in. The HVAC vents, perhaps? As I'm getting boxes unpacked I'm moving what's left to the center of the room so we can assess the walls and possible mouse access.
I'm not sure I'm coming up with anything original for organizing. I'm in constant think-mode about it helps to get everything out where I can see it. It's cluttered looking for the moment, but gradually a light bulb goes off and something finds a home. :)
Rosalea, it is like Christmas! And those mice, what a nuisance. They get into places you'd think they couldn't. The other damage I found was in the dresser in the room. They'd gotten into a drawer and shredded a beautiful lace dresser scarf my daughter had crocheted. It was a heartbreak to have to throw that away.
Daisy, thanks! Since that picture I've gotten things on the walls, which is fun. Makes it feel more like "my space."
Kristina, thank you! It's such a relief to finally get things remodeled and organized. I know you know what I mean!
It already looks so inviting. I look forward to seeing the whole reveal. I'm sure you will have everything organized very well.
Thanks for the update. Today I'd like to crawl into your first picture, snuggle into the chair, put my feet up and not move for the indefinite future! As you well know, this time of year there's not much time to spend indoors! But, oh, those dang mice. It can be a battle. :o(
I was wondering where the kitties were! Let them in and they'll solve that issue for you. Glad you're going to have a sewing space soon. Now to get through the garden stuff so you can enjoy it.
If all your interesting homestead areas, this is the one I'd love to prowl about and explore, and pepper you with questions!
Your room looks so inviting! Sorry about the mouse damage, and I hope you and the cats eliminate the problem. It's the pointless damage from mice that annoys me the most. I can sort of understand them chewing holes in my nice "emergency socks" - handknit of course - kept in my truck when I was working in the woods. But chewing the industrial-strength extension cord in my barn so badly that I don't know if I can safely repair it? WHY????? This has been my most frustrating year ever for mouse damage - and dirt - in my workshop. I wish I could line the whole thing with metal cabinets, completely enclosed.
Deb, thanks! It's coming along, slow but sure. :)
Mama Pea, it's a wonderfully comfy chair! And you're right, not much time for it this time of year. Except when it's a blazingly hot afternoon. Then I have an excuse!
Sue, I'm definitely looking forward to using this room. And yes, it was a mistake keeping the cats out of this room. We've never had a problem with mice in the 14 years we've lived here until now!
Quinn, yes, chewing through electrical wiring is a huge concern! I think Dan has finally blocked all the entrances to the walls of our house, but they still find a way.
After my dad stopped living in the old farmhouse, I was shocked at how much damage mice did in relatively short amount of time until I got everything out that I wanted. Had we left it a couple years that way, there would have been nothing left.
I think I saw my grand Mother sewing once!!! Good job!!
Ed, it's amazing how something so small can be so destructive. At least our damage wasn't structural.
PP, lovely! Thanks!
That is a handsome, efficient room! I like it. May I suggest a "cat door" for the cats to gain access, but allow the door to be closed during the winter. Cats may enjoy a secret room to allow cat proceedings, meetings and things cats do not do while in our presence.
Kevin, that is a good idea. A very good idea. Thank you!
Oh, your sewing room is already wonderful. Looks so cozy and comfortable. I'm sure you will find a place for everything. We have a way of making things fit. :) Darn little mice!
Leigh, the cost of material is no joke. When I bought fabric and thread in December (which is cut, but still needs to be sewn) I was shocked at the total bill.
I think everyone needs a workroom or workspace separate from living quarters. It is as much a mental separation as it is a physical one.
The cat door sounds like sheer brilliance.
Henny, thanks! I didn't realize how many boxes of yarns and fibers I had, they've been out of sight for so long. Still trying to figure out what to do with them!
TB, I remember when making your own clothes was what poor folks did because they couldn't afford to buy new. Now it costs more to make them! How things have changed.
Good point about the mental space. One thing I like, is being able to walk away from a project and leave it as is; not having to pick everything up and put it all away because we need the space for something else. That's so disruptive of creative energy.
Wow! I agree with all said and will add to it how wonderful it will be to have a space you can drop and leave , close the door, and return to continue your project just where you left it!
My first fiber room was in our move after retirement in Shasta county on Ash Creek. You may remember that it had a Murphy Bed and served as a guest room also. But guests leave and so do fish and in/out laws. Up would go the bed and the rest is history. That door will become your new best friend. LOL!
Goatldi, sounds like a great set-up. Thinking about cleaning up in the middle of something is a big deterrent for me! I've got a nice worktable now too, so I think I'll do well!
Boud, my apologies for seemingly ignoring you. Blogger put your comment in the spam folder (which it's been doing to my comments too - on my own blog!)
I'm actually thinking about re-publishing my fiber blog, which I took offline a couple of years ago after having so much content stolen. But this room means I can start doing things I love again, and I love to share. I've learned some ways to protect blog content, but it's slow because I have to update each post individually. It's taking time!
Post a Comment