Confession Time!

I’m a messy creative!

When people come to visit they usually comment on how uncluttered our home is.  There’s a place for everything, and most of the time, everything in it’s place.  My husband, Steve and I hate clutter.  We take pride in our home as we’ve worked hard to renovate it. Keeping it clean and tidy makes our life so much easier. ( I wish my daughter used the same strategy in her bedroom and bathroom but it’s her space so I won’t give in to the urge to clean her sanctuary.)

Which brings us to my craft space…I read somewhere a clear space creates a clear mind and increases creativity. My stamp sets, embossing folders and dies are painstakingly stored in alphabetical order. Ribbons are grouped by colour spectrum in their beautiful fabric ribbon boxes. The Washi tape carousel is a tidy riot of artfully arranged colour – just begging to be used! The punches stand to attention in related shapes and themes. My cardstock and designer series paper is neatly arranged within easy reach.  A little trolley stocked with scissors, adhesives and tools stands tucked in the corner ready to be wheeled into place when I start creating. Sounds pretty organized so far, doesn’t it? Not messy at all.

Then there is my table… Like most people I TRY to start with a clear crafting space… Note I did use the word “TRY”.

As I write this blog post, my laptop is perched precariously on a stack of card stock the corner of my 10 person craft table. There is literally no spare space. not even an inch. There is not even a chance of being able to see the table cloth – it might be black but I really don’t know.

On my table I have three huge brown boxes, two of retired stamps and one box of retired ribbons and embellishments waiting to be priced and photographed for sale.  There’s a basket of card kits waiting to be packed. Business books, blog samples, Christmas kits, tools and paper are strewn across the table.  I see a glimpse of my sketch book where I jot down ideas, my planner, and of course, my annual catalogue.  Trim, ink pads, stamp sets, a stampin’ trimmer, watercolour pencils, punches and sponge daubers complete the menagerie. Somewhere amidst the sea of supplies is my iPhone and iPad  – I really need to find those soon.  If that isn’t enough, the mess cascades onto the chairs – customer orders wait to be collected.

To add another dimension to the mess, the floor under my chair is a sea of scraps.  Because I’ve been prepping for classes, my cute little Stampin’ Up! bin is overflowing with tiny off cuts. It’s got to the point that our dog, Delphi has given up nudging the scraps off her bed next to the table before she lies down. She just lies on top of the scraps.  I’ve just noticed that her beautiful white wool coat is now host to sequins, ribbon scraps, dimensional backing and emerald envy card stock scraps. No doubt these treasures will find their way into random corners of our home later when she gets up and decides to shake off the stress of her day.

Some days, I think that once craft supplies find their way onto my craft table, they begin to conspire like the marauding Turks of the Ottoman Empire.  Instead of banding together to take over Asia, Europe and North Africa, these seemingly harmless items want to take over our home. Is conquering my craft space, the first step in world domination?

Did I mention my craft space is actually our dining room which is part of an open plan layout? Luckily, we have stools at our Kitchen Bench and a grand outdoor table so we have somewhere to eat. I swear that when my beloved walks past our dining table he diverts his eyes so he can’t see the mess.

Surprisingly (and thankfully) this chaotic mess will be spotless before my next class.

Comment below and tell me are you a tidy or a messy creative? I’d hate to think I’m the only one who’s creativity brings out their messy side!

P.S. If you want to know more about me, read my previous Chrissy Facts #1 post.