Kristen: New Year, New Organization

As the new year begins, I've decided to get organized...cue the laughter! I've always been a little bit messy. Just an itsy tiny bit disorganized. My teenage/college years were most epic in their lack of cleaning and systems of organizations. Let's recap some of my more recent dirtiness...

 It's because I'm creative! Honestly! So part of my new year will include trying to be more organized. Here are a few things I've already done. Maybe I can save one of my fellow crafter/seamstresses from my most cluttered fate...

Fabric

 Most seamstresses will have a stockpile of some sort, stashed away for the *perfect* project. All of those fabric sales! I've stopped buying fabric unless it is for a specific ensemble, and most of my scraps are going to school for my students' projects. The big plastic drawer is excellent for projects that I will not be doing for at least a month. The smaller bags hold individual projects, complete with thread/pins/needles. They're perfect to bring with me to sewing night or family gatherings (sorry family-I'm not bored, just industrious!).

 Ribbon/Small Bits

I can't take complete credit for this-I found the idea on pinterest! I noticed that my ribbon spools were taking up tons of space, so I wrapped them onto popsicle sticks. My stash went from 4 boxes to 1! The transparent tupperware bins are perfect for storage too, and I have 10 total. Much easier than a pile shoved silently into a corner...

Thread

I bought this wooden thread rack at Joann Fabrics. It is an improvement from the sad tangle of thread with the occasional dangerous pin. I keep out the spools that I use most, though I keep a few cheaper ones out for quick fixes.

Utensils/Paperwork

For all of the little bits that need to be out for convenience. I store scissors, writing tools, pliers, and receipts all in one place. Best of all, it rotates! I found this lovely at Michaels, with one of those deep discount coupons.

 Jewelry Tools

Did you know that I make jewelry too? My etsy shop is here, in case you were wondering...since I like to use as much period accurate beading/material as possible, my stash of beads exploded! I store types of beads in tiny plastic jewelry bags, and then separate based on color. I've been able to keep my sanity, as well as my crafting supplies! I'm a little exhausted by all the cleaning though...

Well, this might be time to take a break...and go work on my master's thesis...

~Kristen

Kristen: Greenfield Prep Day 2

I woke up today completely tired. After reading my list from yesterday, I see why! There's still plenty to do, and with sewing group tonight I had less time to work on preparing for the actual setup. Luckily I plan this stuff in advance! Here's the work I did today...

First I stopped by Target to get a queen sized mattress as well as an iron (though I didn't do any ironing today). It's always a good idea to test these things before the event, and it seems that we only had a hand pump available. It was a useless good cardio activity.

No holes. Check!

Next I moved on to my car. Let's just say that I can be a teensy weensy little itty bit messy sometimes. Over time this stuff just seems to add up. Since every inch of my car is used to pack stuff, I need every crevice emptied. Hence the cleaning.

Before...

After!

Sigh. I am a highly motivated and intelligent individual, but I can't seem to keep things cleaned and organized. A byproduct of my creativity? Wait until you see tomorrow's cleaning post...Anyways, I started packing the kitchenware. I use these foam sleeves to pack the dishes into my wooden box so they won't break. I'm trying to pack light!

I took this idea from Sue Lamkin 

I'll eventually fill the spaces with rags/dishclothes

At sewing group today I learned how to do the cuff and the piping on the waist of the bodice. I also purchased another parasol to recover from the lovely Glenna Jo. So many projects, so little time! I had an extra minute today to stop at the antique store as well. Just a little reward to myself for working so hard!

These are actually a very light, subtle blue

Here is my to do list for tomorrow:

1. Clean out bedroom

2. Go grocery shopping

3. Iron 3 articles of clothing

4. Mix bread to rise

5. Finish washing the blankets

6. Start packing the car

~Kristen

Kristen: Greenfield Prep Day 1

Whew! So when I'm stressed, I write. It's soothing for me. I said that I didn't want to write that much this week...and that has turned into writing every day about what I do to prepare! It's nice to focus on the accomplishments of the day rather than to agonize over what is left. My OCD and anxiety have spoken!

It will get worse. Just wait...

I wanted to get a very good start on my to do list today after a work day full of screaming students! With impending storms, the tent had to go up first. In order to get to the tent, the garage needed to be organized. It is seriously awful great that we are moving soon, so this action had a deeper purpose. Oh yeah, and today decided to be 80 degrees, instead of a comfortable 73. Thanks Michigan!

 Before: an epic pit of despair

After: manageable 

It wasn't necessary to do this thorough of a cleaning, but it did make me feel better about the move next week. Plus I needed to find all of the poles. We laid them all out and started matching them up when it was brought to my attention that the tent fly ridge pole had snapped last year at Wolcott Mill. I do not have any extra ridge poles, so my boyfriend graciously offered to do it while I am at work tomorrow. We set up the tent anyways and have decided on an air mattress. Thank goodness we did this in advance!

The large crack in the middle is not supposed to be there

Since I started unpacking my reenacting gear, I decided to clean out the boxes and start a new load of dishes. Even though the dish ware has been in storage for 6 months, it still needs a good scrubbing. My awesome wooden box was cleaned, and I can't wait to start packing it soon!

Sue L. would note that this is not a temperance house

Next I started a load of reenacting blankets and settled down to finalize the grocery list. I'd like the final dollar amount of this to be under $30, though I know I can go way over that if I'm not paying attention. Here is somewhat of a list:

Breakfasts: Eggs, turkey bacon, toast, granola bars

Lunches: Sandwiches, nuts, fruit, boiled eggs

Dinners: Thick ham, beef stew, cornbread

Desserts: Pie, gingerbread cookies

Finally after all of this work I decided to relax and go to sleep...not! I am making Becky and Carrie garment bags; I started the first one today. It needs more work.

Just a bit of cutting and stitching... 

Warning: project in picture is more work than it appears

Unfortunately I was unable to start ironing because my iron broke! I need to stop after work tomorrow for a double air mattress too. I will bring it to sewing group and finish the week's ironing in one big push. Only 3 more days just like this until Greenfield Village. YAY!

Did you know that you could order these on Amazon? It came in today...

~Kristen