Thursday 9 January 2014

January blahs


My, my, my, I am finding it *very* hard to get back into the swing of things. The deflating combination of jet lag, dark and dreary January mornings and missing family and friends back in the States has left me less than inspired to get much accomplished today. (I know I’m not alone in the doldrums, so many of us are battling the blahs in Blogland...)

I shall remedy this with a blog post and an evening with the village craft group, which meets at the local community centre once a month. Hopefully I’ll recover my crafty mojo!

I’m still getting my head round organising the house and putting new purchases away, so rather than show you what I’ve been working on, I want to share something very special with you, glimpses of my grandma’s sewing room:

The far wall, with a display of sewing machine music boxes.
My great-grandfather made the little shelves.
Grandma took over a narrow little anteroom of her house decades ago to serve as her sewing room. Mom found the charming sewing-themed wallpaper and transformed a bleak storage room into a cozy nook for Grandma to sew into the wee hours (which she still does to this day, she's a true night owl!).

How sweet is this wallpaper?
She has things just how she wants them, with three machines – an embroidery machine, a serger sewing machine, and her good ol’ Singer that might very well be older than me:


It is built into its own sewing cabinet, with handy-dandy storage cupboards on either side. I want one!

Spools of thread are showcased on the walls on display racks specially built for her by my uncle:

Ah, a work of art in its own right...

Another rack for smaller spools, plus a three-tiered caddy on the table for current project needs.

I was so happy to see the little gifts I’ve made for Grandma dotted around the room – including the sewing-themed cushion, the crochet teacup pincushion and cookie needlecase.

Inspired by Grandma’s room, and fuelled with the desire to sort out life from top to bottom – a common feeling this time of year, methinks – I returned home determined to get all my cluttered cupboards organised and make myself more dedicated craft space.

But jet lag and January blues come and go in waves, so the effort has stalled a little. Never mind. I know not to push myself, just do some quiet crafting and wait for the next burst of energy!

In the meantime, why don’t you link up to the Crochet-A-Long below and show me what you have been working on? I hope to join in next week...

Chrissie x

21 comments:

  1. I love your Grandma's sewing room, the wallpaper is wonderful! :)
    V x

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  2. What a beautiful sewing room! The wallpaper is amazing. So lovely that your Grandma uses and displays the things you have made for her too. I am definately in an organising mood at the moment too...perfect way to beat the Januray blues, that and some crafting of course.
    Marianne xx

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  3. What a lovely sewing space, like you I'm feeling pretty blah with a cold and then the January grey, lets hope we're all feeling tip top again soon.
    Clare xx

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  4. Your Grandma's sewing room is so lovely! That Singer machine will probably still be going in a few decades time - sturdy stuff. It is hard coming home after spending time with friends and family, especially after a time like Christmas isn't it. I hope that you can get back into the swing of things and that you aren't homesick for long. I love the racks for all the reels of thread!! Keep crafting!! xx

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  5. Hi Chrissie
    Wow, such a lovely room and I can see that your lovely craftiness obviously runs in the family.
    I'm sure you'll be back to top speed before you know it,
    Kate x

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  6. It's lovely, Chrissie. Thank you for sharing. I really love looking at other people's crafting spaces. I am sure you will make yourself a beautiful, organized space too.

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  7. That sewing room is so cute. Well if you need cheering up don't look at my wonky blanket again!! Thanks for letting me share it on the link - someone might have a brainwave for me. Jo xx

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  8. I love that sewing room - it is fab!!!

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  9. Aw lovely sewing room what charming wallpaper perfect for the room! how nice to see your Grandma has kept all your little gifts dotted around. xx

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  10. I think creating a space for yourself will help kick those blues right out the door. I know I feel like I have gone to Heaven when I am in my space.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  11. Thats a very precious thing to still have your Grandma! Treasure her But I am sure you do!

    It is the hardest time of the year to cope with jet lag...poor you? Give it time, keep busy it will pass..i do feel for you it was me this time last year..after visiting my Mum in florida...

    Keep smiling thinking of you
    Daisy xxxx

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  12. Lovely little craftroom. It sounds like you have such wonderful craftspeople in your family and you are carrying on the tradition. I hope you are feeling back to fine form soon :-) xx

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  13. I love your grandma's sewing room! I hope you are over your jet lag soon, I think we all have a bit of the January blues at the moment. Never mind... soon be Spring! Julie x

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  14. I love love your grandmas sewing room .I want one right now !!!Poor you I hate jet lag, I hope you will get your mojo back soon.

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  15. Awww, it's a great space Chrissie and I was thrilled to see the singer. I have one of those(in green and with no cupboard) under the stairs. It needs a new belt and it's a bit temperamental but has huge sentimental attachment.
    Thank you for your comment and invite. I've linked my project.
    Jacquie x

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  16. What a sweet little spot! I love that wallpaper! Hope you're over your jet lag soon. Happy New Year Chrissie! xo

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  17. Anonymous5:19 pm GMT

    Thanks for sharing a beautiful work space. And yay ... I managed to link ... For the first time ... Ever!!! Have a wonderful weekend x

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  18. Just catching up with blog land after a long break. What fabulous wallpaper and what an inspiration your gran is! I suffer from the winter blues myself but catching up with everyone's news has really cheered me up - I MAY even do a blog post myself!! Happy New Year xXx

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  19. Oh wow, what a room.That wallpaper...just wonderful. So kitsch! And all those spools of threads ready to go. I like the way it's not over-styled or trendy, but an honest, well-loved craft/work space that is clearly used all the time.

    I always get the urge to deep clean and sort things out in January. It soon passes though... ;-) xx

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  20. Chrissie your grandma's room is just adorable and no wonder you want to get yours sorted too. I think it is that time of the year Chrissie as it is hard to pick up again and get going, my sewing room badly needs a tidy and yet I make all sorts of excuses not to do it - why - I know that when I do it I always feel so much better. Loved your post Chrissie, you always give me inspiration, thank you so much, big hugs to you
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  21. Hi Chrissie, happy new year! your Grandma sounds truly a dedicated crafter! love her room, and those spools! and wall paper. Would love to see more, Heather x

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