I have a problem with collecting trash. I admit it. Bubble, wrap, envelopes from bills, any plastics that look interesting and corrugated cardboard. In the crafting world, we call it 'upcycling.' All of these items conjure so many ideas of what project they could be used for! 

(or projects for which they might be used! if you are with the grammar police) 

As I stare at a piece of cardboard that has ripped, colorful images flash before my eyes.....

Think of the things this could create with paint, ink, paper, fabric! I can't bear to toss it in the recycling bin. So, my "studio" is chock full of "supplies." 

All these quotes made me remember a great blog. If you haven't been there, you should visit: http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/

As we were unpacking the rods for hanging quilts, I found great "supplies"!! Long and wide pieces of brown kraft paper, styrofoam, and rubber!! Even some really great boxes! 

(I also have a problem with bags and boxes. Containers in general....)

 

I had them neatly set in a pile to put away in a moment. 

I left the room. I returned to the room and my pile was gone! What?! Had there been a break-in? Were other upcycling people stalking me and raiding my stash? 
"Where did my things go?!" I asked Jesse. 
"What things?" he replied. 
"My squishy things! From the curtain rods!" I said. 
"I threw them away," he replies with the resigned look of a man who knows his wife is about to root around in the rubbish. 

Settling into the Sunshine State

We have been in Florida for about 2 months and I love it. There have been a few negatives that we didn't see coming ($950 to register both cars and get FL driver's licenses?!). But, the weather is lovely, the quilters are friendly, and I get to be a quilter and artist full time again! I also get to see palm trees every day. I have no idea why they have such an effect on me, but one look at a palm and my stress melts away.

One of my goals in my new life is to be a better blogger. In the past, I had a blog, but I didn't post for more than 2 years so it was removed. Lost forever in cyberspace.
I am hoping that blogging will help structure my time and keep me creative. I tend to work in circles (undiagnosed ADD?), so a to do list and a schedule aid me in being productive. I already have a list of blog topics!! How is THAT for being on target?

 

 
My studio is starting to come together, although I seem to have more stuff than places to put it all...Jesse has been working hard completing all the tool related projects. He installed some amazing fluroescent lights that are super bright!!

 He installed rods in the ceiling to hang quilts from.

It is beginning to look like a studio more than a garage! I have the longarm up and running! I have quilted one quilt for my local shop and am working on one for my first Florida customer! Woo hoo! I completed 3 medium sized quilts and 3 minis for a local show. Here is one of them. This is a quilt that I constructed on a retreat several years ago with scraps. Got it quilted for the show!

Check back soon! I am hoping to blog almost every day, so there should be something new soon!