One other notable, big project going on here in my studio is a bit of a studio overhaul.

And I will admit, it’s a big job, but it needs to be done. My trusty sidekick Anna is really good at this kind of thing, and she actually seems to like it (strange girl), which works out well for me.

She’s a Huge Help for this type of project, and I trust her organizational mindset. It is much better than mine!

This is a watercolor rendition of the entrance to my studio, from my niece Bridget, who paints local historical buildings, events, people, homes, scenes, and so forth, on location. It was my birthday card – I love it!

When I moved my workplace into its very own space just down the road from my house a few years back, I did not set the space up in a forward-thinking way. Workflow, storage, and efficiency were not really forefront in my head.

At that point, I just knew I needed space, and this is the most reasonable way I could procure some.

My studio is a residential duplex that I rent, within eyesight of my house. It’s awfully conveniently located, allowing me to work within easy reach of home.

Although the place is somewhat plain and even rather ho-hum in a dated way, it is clean and tight. It has a grand large window in the front room that lets in a good amount of natural light and gives me a lovely view of the neighbor’s garden and my bird feeders.

It’s not a Pinterest-Perfect place, no doubt, but it works for me right now, and I consider it a huge blessing. While I was initially thinking of it as a short-term spot, given the current economic situation, I’m happy to have it and I plan to make the most of it for as long as necessary.

In recent years, as I’ve developed more kits and brought in favorite products for you, I’ve amassed packaging, shipping supplies, and kitting supplies.

Right now, a good portion of this has been shifted into the main room so that we can establish some spacious and sturdy shelving in the supply and shipping room (the front bedroom of the duplex).

I’ve had things stacked on tables and under tables all over the studio.

I’ve kept prepared products in tubs, on tables, under tables, and even in the middle of the floor so that sometimes, there’s barely a walking path.

In the photo above, we’ve condensed the whole room into half the room, so that we have half a room to work in as we reorganize.

There’s nothing quite like a gloriously empty corner!

Even the area under my computer desk is stacked with custom kit boxes.

I cannot wait to get them on a proper shelf!

Product postcards are stacked behind my sewing machine. Good thing I only sew small things. Still – to have in them in their own sensible spot? Yay!

Pretty much every corner of the studio has been taken up with supplies, tools, machinery, printers, technical equipment, and on and on.

Very soon, though – Glory Hallelujah! – we will have a series of shelving set up in the supply and shipping room, onto which we will be able to fit everything in an organized and sensible way.

This will prepare the way for some beautiful new books coming in, some kits coming out soon, and other delectables that should appear on my doorstep shortly.

I really cannot wait to have everything organized and sorted and in its very own labeled spot. It’ll be a very satisfying job once it’s finished!

In the meantime, the only stitching going on is anything I can work on at home. Everything else is in a state of slight upheaval until this project is completed.

It’s an adventure – and to make it even more adventuresome, Murphy’s inexorable Law kicked in: I’m typing this on the hottest day so far this year. It will be 105 today – ugh – and yes, it’s the day the air conditioning is being serviced. So no AC. Yay.

We sure know how to have fun in Kansas!

Wherever you are, stay cool … and stitch!