questions to ask your wardrobe

Im not here at ten at night pretending im one of those organisation blogs that tell you that going through your wardrobe is the best thing you can achieve all year and that youll be an empowered, invigorated, strut your stuff, I-am-woman-hear-me-roar woman afterwards, but...

I havent been okay at getting up in the morning lately and its all because I have nothing that really goes together that I can throw on, that I can comfortably drive the kids to school in without them being embarrassed at drop off and still want to kiss me goodbye in, that I can on the way back from school go to the supermarket in, that I can, on arriving back from the supermarket get back in the car and drive the mr. to the train station in, while looking okay in a sexy ive-just-dropped-you-off-and-youre-gonna-miss-me-all-day kind of way. Ill stop right there. For those of you that dont know me yet im definitely not one of those people that throws things out easily. Im not wasteful and I always re-invent my clothes to the enth degree. I love fabric in all shapes and forms. I dont find it easy to toss stuff out okay?

I use my clothes for patchwork for crying out loud.

Well, tonight I hit the wall. I walked right into my bedroom (which is supposed to be my sanctuary, right?)

and took everything out of my cupboard and placed it nicely on the bed as a last ditch resort. This is me trying to inspire you. Right here. Right now, to do the same.

I have unwittiingly let my clothes get to me.

Here's a pile of stuff that I have asked questions. Questions to ask your wardrobe. What you dont realise is that before this pile qualified to be asked the questions in question, I had already almost halved it.

I didnt start at the beginning. I started in the middle.

First and utmost I threw away the obvious. Things I knew werent doing me any favours.

The clothes that bugged me. The ones that I knew had to go.

Then

I asked it the questions.

MY TRICK was

I kept only the things that passed THREE or more of these questions.

I feel good to go. I feel like I can explore the side that is the real me.

I joined the CFM challenge and its not quite finished yet. Theres still hope for me to finish something before my month is up.

DorothyBills is coming to sew tomorrow and we're gonna sew up a storm.

Somehow my teenager has snuck his 'Formal' hopes into the mix.

Now this is funny.

The before and after of something I really dont want to do.

Happy creative space for tomorrow!

animation friday

For Animation Friday I thought id show you what I plan wearing at home over summer. I have the habit of referring to the 'look' that I find the easiest for me to don in the dark, wee hours of the morning, 'my uniform'. To myself.... in my head. You know, the kind of thing that you dont have to think about and you find yourself searching for in the washing pile because its so easy and simple to wear. The style that works for you. Soooo....here is my summer 'uniform'.

Its easy, light, breezy, feminine, and theres loads of these peasant skirts hanging out at the op-shops since when they were actually in fashion, and I happen to still LOVE them. I feel nice in them. Who said twirling is only meant for little girls?

What do you like wearing around the house that isnt really 'in' anymore? Do tell...

I love heading over to My Poppet to see all the fun.

my creative space

Today I made myself a bandeau smock. 

 I used an old jumper that had shrunk in the wash but didnt look like it was and a piece of wool flannel the same colour left over from last year when I made some warm pants.

Its not as flattering as these dresses I made but its really warm and im thinking 

ill be able to throw it on with just about everything I have. Excuse the fact that I do not know where to place my arms so end up holding my stomach during photos. Probably a left over mannerism from being pregnant on and off for so many years?

 

The jumper is cut on an angle so that it will stay up ( measure chest )

but then fold back over without being too clingy.

The wool is cut out on the bias ( 45 degrees ) and I just cut it slightly a-line, 

then curved the side seams for interest.

I left the hem edges raw as im familiar with this fabric and it wont fray readily.

 

The top folds back over itself

so I stitched halfway along reversing the seams so they wont show on the outside.

I zig-zagged the edge of the jumper

Then put a piece of ribbon I love on for straps.

 I placed them on directly over my bra to make sure bra straps wont be seen because

 im planning on wearing this with only a jacket for evenings.

Im off to see what you all were up to over at Kirsty's as ive been a tad too busy to peek til now.

a good sort

I have one thing on my mind at the moment and that is the need to sort all of my clothes out. And the rest of the family's as well. A change of season is in the air and with the rain that has been promised us over the next few days I always feel cleansed and ready for an adventure into clearing out and freshening things up.

I LOVE RAIN.

Now, I know we have only just moved house. Its not like we have been here long enough to need to spring clean. This isnt what I mean. Its more the feeling of downsizing our clothing and sorting things into summer clothing and winter clothing, in order to be able to store the winter stuff high up and maximise the ready at hand space below. Our cupboards reach the ceiling, you see. But theres no way I want to be foraging around perched high up on a stool just to find a favourite pair of jeans. Believe me, this kind of search happens almost daily. Im pretty slack when it comes to folding and putting away. The boys rooms have no storage at all (and I dont want to buy wardrobes just for this house that I wont need again) so their dressy clothes that need to be hung are going to be in our room as well. This picture above is the only hanging space.

Our old house had double deep wardrobes, thats two layers of hanging that you could step into, and these were in 3 rooms. Plus masses of floor to ceiling shelving as far as the eye could see.

No wonder the clothing situation is on my mind!

I have done a whole stash of sorting already but it doesnt seem enough. In fact it feels as if im only half way.

So far......

I have a huge op-shop box that is on the front porch. Outside is always best, then the risk of it being brought back inside is considerably less. Plus youre halfway to the car. Another bonus.

There is an even larger box of goodies for a friend. Including these wonderful crocheted rugs. I found this box sheer childish fun to fill as I think I know her taste and shes going to ooh and ahh over things that I no longer need. I have a secret desire to see them in a new home. And theres a piece of furniture for her too. Nothing wonderful, but a chest of drawers that will come in handy.

I sorted out my ornaments into colours for each room. This is always a jumping off point for me. Its a simplistic approach that works even when im tired. I like to group all the baskets, then glassware, green ceramics, paintings in a stack in one room so I can see them all together and so on. Im getting away from the subject of clothes though, arent I? Im trying to muster up the courage, I suppose. Especially for one room in particular....

My sewing room is diabolical just as I anticipated. No photo needed here just imagine about ten boxes after the cupboards are full and youll be close.

It is my laundry as well, you see. Dont know how this will work as a space but im definitely gonna give it a good try for a few months. Ill need to be ultra organised to follow through with my creativity. I always feel as if I cant quite get there. Cant get on top of my mending and re-purposing. Thats why im in the predicament that im in with our clothes in the first place. I dont like being wasteful so its hard to get rid of things unless I know they are going to a good home. Well with that final realisation I think ive found my clothing mojo. Im going to start another box. A big one. With a nice friendly 'free to a good home' sign on the front. That can live on the front porch too for a little while.

Hope youre having a nice rainy weekend and the hailstorms dont do too much damage!