I have been very busy organizing and sorting, cleaning and tossing, arranging and rearranging. My studio is a complete mess. It is way over crowded with tons of paper ephemera, stones and jewels, necklaces and books, paints and canvases. There is no place to move, no place to breathe. My kids have always been very supportive of my creativity and projects. They would come home every day and say "What did you make today, Momma?" And happily "ohh" and "ahh" in all the right places as I proudly or sometimes not so proudly offered my work up for their perusal.
My husband has been another story. He is a business man. He is a numbers guy. He isn't quite so interested in what I am making but if I can sell it and when. It's just the way he is.
Sunday morning he surprised me with a plan to create a wall of storage in my studio to help me get organized. He had his tape measure and his graft paper. He took his measurements and asked lots of pertinent questions. He was off to the Container Store for hours and he did not stop until late that evening when the entire back wall of my office was filled with shelves and over 60 white mesh drawers. All sitting neatly in a row. All empty and begging for something to store.
Sometimes I feel my husband doesn't "get" me. Sometimes he doesn't. Sunday I sat back and basked in the love as my husband, the numbers guy, created my heart's desire before my very eyes. Things don't always look like I think they should. People don't always act like I wish they would. If I can take a step back and drop my expectations, I am often surprised beyond measure by the kindness and love I may have over looked a moment before. (60 empty drawers! Now that's the kind of love I can work with!)
OH- I can relate to everything you said. My husband is an engineer: Research everything, measure twice (or five times, at least) cut once-- but a few years ago he built me shelves for my rubber stamps-just like the shelves in stamp stores! I have enjoyed them so much!
Husbands . . . they are worth all the angst! LOL
And btw-Your collage Is beautiful!
--Jane
Posted by: Jane | January 27, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Photos, please! Please? Nothing makes me swoon like a wall of organizers.
And aren't helpful men lovely? I bought a bunch of uncut rubber stamps and today Mr. Mom cut little blocks of wood for them. Talk about making me swoon.
Posted by: Mayberry Magpie | January 27, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Wow - 60 unfilled drawers.... that would soooo make me go to pieces trying to decide what goes in each one!!!
and i agree with MM - post a picture!!!
personally, I think there is hardly anything more delicious then chaotic craft clutter - a creative frenzy in action... somehow, to tame it is to tame it.... lol
Jen
:)
Posted by: Jen | January 28, 2009 at 05:37 AM
he does "get" you. isn't that a great feeling those moments in life when someone shows you they get you.
What a lucky woman (and he is a lucky guy)
Funny, I sorted and arranged this weekend. Each time I do sort I get a burst of energy to create more. Seeing all my "stuff" sparks ideas.
Love the collage - love the colors - drawn to the rusty browns and reds. Gorgeous!
Posted by: tami | January 28, 2009 at 07:49 AM
i was thinking the same thing......picture please!!!
we might all have storage envy!!!!! i was just in my art room tonight thinking of ways to create more space and organization....
your collage is very beautiful!
have fun organizing your new drawers!
xo
kim
Posted by: kim beller | January 28, 2009 at 07:43 PM
What a beautiful post, Kathleen! If your husband doesn't totally "get you", it sure sounds like he is trying too. There are times when I know that my husband doesn't get me, either, but you know what? I don't always get him, either.
Enjoy your beautiful drawers! I would love to see a picture.
Big hugs,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | January 29, 2009 at 06:49 PM