I’ve been itching to clean things up around here. Here, meaning the blog, and here, meaning the cottage. I have a lot of stuff. And I love it all. I’m a collector. But sometimes I just have to go through everything and decide what I need to toss or store and what I truly want out on display. Since I’m limited right now as to my time at home, the only area I can really attack is the studio. It took me all of an hour today to put many things away in boxes to be stored and to neaten things up a bit. Keep in mind that when I left for Hartford, there were stacks of boxes on the sewing table, stuff on the chair and lots of stuff on the floor.
All of the boxes I use to ship items from the shop have been put under the sewing table. Hmmm. I’m thinking about changing the skirt on the table sometime in the future.
Many of the things I had on top of the sewing table have been put into storage. If you look to the right, you’ll see I took most everything off my inspiration/mood board. It was way too cluttered. And to the left you’ll see I’ve added a photo of my mom when she was a teenager.
Isn’t she pretty? I used to have that dress when I was young. I wish I knew what happened to it.
I cleaned off most of the mantel/shelf. There’s much less there now. (Sorry for the grainy photos, it’s very rainy here today and I’m leaving for Hartford tomorrow. So I just went ahead and took them anyway.)
Bye bye clutter on the top of the bookshelf.
I also cleaned off the top of the cabinet. Do you ever get the urge to purge? I want to tackle the bedroom next and my everything-but-the-kitchen-sink closet, otherwise known as my craft closet. Not only does it house work stuff, craft stuff, and all sorts of other stuff, it is now holding some of my husband’s clothes. It’s bursting at the seams.
I’ve been cleaning up the blog as well, starting with my new banner. I’ve changed my post divider. I’ve eliminated some of the things on the sidebar – that seems to be a never-ending battle. I also made a new blog button. The old one just didn’t suit Mockingbird Hill Cottage’s current incarnation. The new button is so simple it might even be boring. However, does anyone use blog buttons anymore? It used to be a big thing, but now I really don’t see them that much. Maybe they’ve gone the way of the dinosaur? I’d be happy to get rid of my button altogether. What do you think?
I’m off to Hartford this morning. The next 9 days will be full of afternoon and evening rehearsals and performances. This is when I have to adjust my sleep cycle. I’m usually in bed by 11 at the very latest and now I won’t even be done with rehearsal by 11. The older I get, the harder it gets to change my sleep schedule!
Happy Wednesday.
Everything looks very nice. Your mom was beautiful!
S
xo
Spring cleaning must be in the air. I am also sorting out things. Your mother was lovely!
Seeing Lambchop made me smile! I get the urge to clean and purge often and since I have so much stuff it’s a good thing I do! Love your little nook and your Mom’s photo. Someone made me a blog button but I don’t use them and don’t care about having one really. Oh well…I like your simplifying! Hope you have a good week in Hartford! Hugs, Linda
That photo of your mom is so pretty~ what a treasure. I love organizing and space clearing– it always shifts the energy of the room in a good way, doesn’t it? Sounds like you are on a roll!
Hugs,
Jill
I’ve been fighting a losing attle with clearing out and simplifying. A lot of stuff is sentimental and I don’t have the heart to throw them out or give them away. I do have to clean up my blog though. Good idea!
I like it, and a good spring cleaning is a great feeling isn’t it?
The photo of your Mom is lovely.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
You inspire me. How you can take such a small place and make it so organized and beautiful. Your mother was beautiful……a good tribute for Mothers Day coming up.
Love your space.
I love your little creative space. I often feel the need to purge. Sometimes I follow through, most often not because it is just so overwhelming. The older I get, the more I do believe that less is definitely more. :) Best wishes as you travel for work. Tammy
I love your work station!!!
Love that photo of your mom! Yes, I often get the urge to clean things out. I did a giant purge at the beginning of the year and ended up hauling a ton of stuff to a local charity. It felt fantastic! The day before yesterday I finally cleaned up my craft room, and then yesterday I did some more. Oh, the endorphin rush! :-D Jennifer
I am too tired to purge anything. Thanks for chatting with me yesterday.
Love you,
Mere
I meant to comment on your new header, Claudia. I love the whimsy behind it! From a distance I could have sworn the picture of your mom was Katherine Hepburn, but I think it is her hairstyle that gave me that impression. She is beautiful in that picture. I have one of my mother at 17 that I just cherish. Keeping it simple is a good way to go through life, less complications. Hope your next 9 days going very well and that you adjust to the new sleep schedule. Ann
Great pictures! You look a lot like your lovely mom. And you have a Lambchop puppet!
I love the new header. I never had a button as I did not see the point to them. One more item off my list. I have a new header too. I cannot clean while CC is here because we somehow become room mates and wreck the house. Then add a puppy and really it is horrible. But we are happy.
I love your little studio. It looks very nice. I understand the need to purge. I need to do that.
I love the header photo! It is so cute. I’ve never used blog buttons, but I also need to clean up my blog.
Love that sewing nook. Skylights make everything so much nicer, don’t they! Also, haven’t seen LambChop for years. He is so cute!!
What a pretty mama you had!
…You look very much like youe beautiful Mom.
Lamb Chop! I just love Lamb Chop.
The photograph of your mom caught my eye, first thing. She’s beautiful. And I agree, you look like her.
You’ve inspired me to clean up my desk/craft/sewing area. I’m sitting here reading blogs, thinking I need to do something. Thank you for the kick in the bootie:)
you look so much like your beautiful mother!!
Yes, I too have the urge to purge! Your studio is cozy and pretty. Your mom is beautiful. I can definitely see a resemblance to you and your mom. Since my mom passed away 2 years ago, I have many photos of her scattered around my house. Speaking of moms, how is your mom doing?
well you know how I feel about organizing <3
You look so much like your Mom..two gorgeous gals..
xx
z
I need to do some purging and reorganizing very soon. We are expecting lots of company in July for our 40th anniversary. I don’t know where everyone will sleep! I will not let myself get stressed! Your mother was so pretty! What a lovely tribute to your mom! She looks perfect on your desk!~Hugs, Patti
I love your sweet little office space. I am feeling the urge to purge, too. I had already decided to tackle my bedroom closet today. Hopefully I don’t get lost in there :)
That’s such a wonderful work, area, Claudia. I love the natural light overhead! I try, try to clear out things and some days I can be pretty ruthless (for me) but it’s a never ending battle. It seems as soon as I make headway, I collect more “stuff”. *sigh* I applaud you for DOING it. You’ve inspired me to try to do more this summer. We’ll see….
Doesn’t it feel good to organize and clean a bit – if only we had more time. Of course we would if we weren’t doing more fun things, lol!!
Your mom’s pic is beautiful – I wish you still had the dress too Claudia!
Mary X
This is still just a darling space! Love the soft colors. The blog changes look real good! Break a leg!
Beautiful picture of your mom. You look like her.
I get the urge to purge often – problem is when I start I end up just moving stuff around because I like my stuff and never want to get rid of anything!