Sewing Through the Chaos

You wouldn't think that moving one child into a new room would be that big of a deal.  But it has been.  Moving Paige from the triplet's room into the room I used as my studio has created a Mount Vesuvius of endless jobs and an eruption of messy piles throughout my house.  The process is kinda like a maze of falling dominoes...This thing can't be moved until that thing is painted. That thing can't be painted until this thing is relocated.  This thing can't be relocated until that thing is cleaned out.  That thing can't be cleaned out until...You get the picture.   Through it all, I continue to sew.  I've mostly been working on wallets for the Cora Paige Playground project.  These wallets have sold.

 

These two wallets were just listed in my You Go Girl shop yesterday.

 

Creating in the chaos reminds me of why I love to sew: 

1. It is tidy and predictable.  There are straight cuts whipped out by my rotary cutter and even stitches punched out by my sewing machine.  (It's sounds kinda violent with all that punching and whipping. It's really not, though.  It's empowering.  Tah-wan-dah!!)

2. It is orderly.  Sewing has a definite start point and a definite finish with a result you can see.  (Look!  I did that.  Me.  I finished something.  You go girl!!)

3. It is beauty.  Soft, smooth, clean, colorful fabrics mixing and matching to create a slice of loveliness.  (Excuse me for a moment while I go pet some of my fabrics.  There is therapy in this, people.)

I started seriously sewing  when the triplets were very small.  I had a five-year-old, a two year old, and three babies. Here's a visual, if you need it (December 1998).

I think I was looking for predictable, yet creative, order back then.  As you can imagine, I had to run a pretty tight ship on a set schedule, but the rule was to expect the unexpected.  And the unexpected happened often.  Believe me.  Having a space in my life that was predictable and creative was important.  Still is.  I need to create.  It calms me.

After moving a piano, relocating a computer, settling a chaise lounge into a new spot , painting walls, and sorting and moving the mountains of treasure in my studio, I am set up in my new space.  I want it to be fabitty-fab-fab shabby chic (on a budget, of course).  Right now it is mostly shabby.  I'm working on the chic part.  I'll post a picture when I'm done.  I'm so thankful that Mr. Handsome and the girls recognize how important is to me to have a space to call my own.  It's been a lot of work to carve out this space, but totally worth it.

Next up is moving Paige into her new room.  I'm a bit wary to start sorting through her piles of treasure.  Just to be safe, if I haven't posted by this time next week, send search-and-rescue under her bed to find me!

Toodles,

Cassie

Comments

[Maria]

One of my girls had that Gymboree outfit with the pink corduroy jumper!

I totally get what you mean about sewing. I once had a kings size quilt cut out and in a big shoe box. My mom thought I was nuts. That one little part of my life was in order. One night, as I walked over to my sewing machine, I dropped the box. Oh, well!

[Marie]

I am loving the 10 year old picture-you all look fab!

Eventually, I will lose my sewing room to one of my girls when they get older and can no longer tolerate, so I'll just read what works for you...it's so nice to have friends to trial and error for me! :) Please share pics, I would love to see what you come up with!

[Terriaw]

Wow, you are a crazy busy woman! I bet it will be nice to get everyone settled again. I love your list of why you sew, and agree with each point.

[randi]

I had no idea that you had triplets! Wow!

I have five kids, but they are spaced out over 13 years. I can only imagine that you were very busy when everyone was small!

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

I agree creative therapy is so necessary! I'll be looking for you here soon :)

[Robyn]

Hi Cassie,
I love listening to the way you tell things.
you make me feel so normal..I know I've said that before.
Good luck with chaos and moving and peace thereafter!! Wooohoo!!
Robyn xx

[Suzanne]

You are such a breath of fresh air ... from the fabrics you choose, to the way you combine them, to the comical explanation of what can make many of us maniacal(?). You go girl ... keep inspiring us!
Suzanne

[Lisa]

Love the family picture - the girls look so sweet in their matching outfits!! Your wallets are gorgoeus - you always manage to pull together such great fabric combinations.

[Thimbleanna]

Man, oh man, did you two have your hands full! Hope you get everything moved, cleaned, sorted, etc. soon so you can have some me time!!!

[Gumbo Lily]

You were cute-as-a-button then and still every bit as cute now! You were and ARE a busy mom.

Jody