There is a fine line between a creative blank and “the project just isn’t going to work.” Shorten up the time between leaving a project and going back to it. Time is not a bowl of round chips you can dip in at will like that Mom on the commercial. Time doesn’t age well so you make a decision and then live with it. Procrastination isn’t always a bad thing. I just discovered a roll of beautiful upholstery fabric in the basement I purchased 40 years ago. I know, that’s really bad. The good thing is I just purchased a Ethan Allen loveseat for the sewing/family room for $275 and the color of the sofa is the perfect match to the fabric. Now I’m looking for a particular chair to use the fabric on.

Keep on blessing others with your excess. It’s an act that comes with a double blessing. You’ll get blessed for giving something away that someone else can use or pass on and you’ll also get blessed with more room (so you can find those extra electrical circuits).

I’ve kept a spot on the kitchen counter where I put things that are destined to leave the house. Every little hole I create by moving something to that spot will eventually add up to SPACE. Let the stuff sit for a brief time in case someone coming through can use it then pack it up for a Goodwill box. Next week someone will get blessed with about 40 yards of blue velvet upholstery fabric (I used up my share a long time ago), a large bag of great fabric pieces, lots of books, a vacuum cleaner, floor scrubber, a couple doors and pieces of plywood, an old TV and heaven only knows what else. I’m taking a tax deduction over having a garage sale. It’s easier, I’m old and am allowed to be a little lazy.

Your creative genes are working just fine from the picture. Don’t be so hard on yourself. ANYTHING a dedicated sewer does is far superior to anything that is out in the market. I recently re-discovered the CQ pieces I had been working on before we started the uproar of a remodeling job (that is still going on). When I put it away all i could see were my mistakes. Looking at it now I was surprised to see how nicely it was done. Now I’m anxious to put the finishing touches to it. Everything eventually works out.

I’m not really one to ask for design decisive input help. But, if I had to, I’d choose the most fitting person depending on what my goals were (money, aesthetics, etc.).

Also, I just took a small metal rectangle that came with some kids’ magnets and taped “Pattern work,” “Cut,” and “Sew” across the top. Then I wrote down all my projects on slips of paper and stuck them on the metal with small magnets (most of which are the kind that are a picture glued to a 1/2″ magnet with a clear glass flattened marble glued on top of the picture). It’s really a to-do list, but easier to manipulate and doesn’t require a computer. It helps me see what I need to work on.

shopping bag… I personally have no shoulders, so bags with 2 handles never stay there. One handle slides down and the whole load shifts to my hip. I prefer bags with one handle that allow you to elbow the load around to your back. The other thing I like is a very light coloured lining. The key to not having a junky “purse” is to clean it out daily. Hard to do if you can’t see what’s in there. I am a great fan of the shopping bag, and refuse all plastic bags. When I shop, I go ahead and place all my items from the shelf right into the bag. Then I know when I have reached my weight limit. I empty the bag and leave it open at the till if anyone wants to make sure I’m not a thief. The next step on my path to environmental enlightenment is to walk the 7 blocks to the grocery store, with said grocery bag. … maybe 2 bags would even the load. hum.