Spacement! (Where the Magic Happens)

As some of you may know, I have been living at home (again) since June! My very, very first, original plan was to be here for 2 weeks. Haha. Then it changed to a couple months so that I could go to Vermont. THEN, I was broke, had to save money for Paris, broke again, and ultimately decided to stay here through the holidays plus a few months until restaurants would be hiring again in the spring. It’s been quite an interesting 7 months.

When I first got home I set my sewing gear up in the dining room and attempted to work there. I really, really hate open spaces. I know that is weird to most people (especially if you watch HGTV. EVERYONE wants “open concept” housing. No thanks!). I need doors I can close and walls on every side of me. The dining room had 3 walls and no door. Terrible. It’s hard for me to feel open, creatively, if I think I can be interrupted at any minute. Which is why I also work most at night. Maybe this is weird, but whatevs, it’s how I operate.

So, I knew that if I was going to be here for an addition 5 months I would need a private space to work or I’d go crazy. The basement is unfinished but large and full of junk. That’s where I came in! I picked a corner that was originally filled mostly with my crap from highschool, wrapping paper, approximately 5000 boxes, and, I discovered, lots of old electronics.

May I present: Exhibits A–I

Is that not crazy! And that wasn’t all of it! The other thing I learned was that my dad does not like to throw away boxes of any kind. So, millions of empty boxes. Now I know I have hoarder tendencies, and knowing is half the battle I kid. Anyway, we got a corner of the basement cleared out and set to work “decorating” it and making it a functional work space for me. Fun! My mom sewed me some curtains and one “wall” was created with polka dot shower curtains. I also share the space with my parents’ stocked-for-the-end-of-the-world-as-long-as-stoves-still-work-after-the-apocalypse meat freezer, which is a strange companion for a vegetarian, but we have learned to live in peaceful harmony.

Wine and reading corner

Chair where I spent most of November and December doing Nanowrimo and Gallo wine training. It is like sitting in a bucket, and I may have permanently injured my back, but that’s what the wine is for!

Meat locker and ironing board

Moving left is the iron, the ice chest full o’ meat, and a high desk where I usually put my computer so I can listen to shows while I sew.

Stiffy at the sewing table

Moving around is a great long table with enough room to cut and sew, and it juts out from the wall I have covered in batting so that fabric sticks to it and I can use it as a design wall. I love this. I need a wall like this wherever I move, because it’s great to store quilts in progress and also to rearrange and see what looks best. Sneak peak of spiderweb quilt up on the wall now, plus a row of stars for another quilt. Also, Stiffy was set up in the chair by Mattie, plotting my death by scissors.

Fabric corner!

And finally, the best part, by somewhat organized (to my eyes only, I’m sure), fabric corner! I love making stacks for future projects and just looking though it like every day. I love fabric so much! Always finding inspiration there.

So there you have it! My temporary work space in the basement…spacement, obviously. It isnt going to win any Pinterest design awards, but it is very functional and I’ve gotten a lot done since I’ve set it up. Very grateful for this space and I will miss it when I move. Although it is freezing cold down here right now! I hope to find a space in Nashville that is this size, but maybe with a tad more sunshine