Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I had a birthday.

My birthday was Saturday.

All week long, leading up to Saturday, my husband kept asking me what I wanted him to get me for my birthday.  I kept thinking, and thinking, and wondering why I couldn't think of a single significant thing.


Then, on Wednesday when I stepped out into the sewing garage, I realized it had become more "garage" than "sewing studio".  And the mess was driving all of my creativity away.  I was at a breaking point.  I admitted to him that the only thing I wanted for my birthday was a sewing room makeover.

I should be totally embarrassed to post these next pictures, but they will make his "gift" to me that much more dramatic...

Here is where I used to go to sew:



Our garage is detached from our house.  Since we live in a former model home, the garage was the design studio (please notice the design feature signs that were plastered all over the walls.  They've ben a constant source of inspiration, as you can imagine, NOT!).  It's completely finished, with hardwood floors and everything.  It's a dreamy space to have to sew in, but I do have to share the space with the normal stuff that a family of six puts in their garage:


I tried to split the space down the middle, having the sewing stuff on the left, and the garage on the right.


Before I show you what my husband gave me for my birthday, you should know that organizing and cleaning run deep in the marrow of his bones.  It's impressive.  And intimidating.

Happy Birthday to me:




He re-folded fabric.  Re-stacked piles.  Emptied old boxes of notions, and created bigger and better boxes.  


Added a hanging bar and hooks for all things scissors, brilliant!


Though it may be hard to believe, all of my thread had previously just been thrown inside of a tupperware box.  Seriously.  Darin put it all in rainbow order even.


A new "task board" to keep myself organized and on track. A tack board that will eventually house fabric inspiration, after I'm done looking at my homemade birthday cards.  As you can see, my kids have already given me a few "tasks" already!


And he even hung my favorite fabric streamers and felt hearts!  


Now the garage fits neatly behind the "wall" that he created out of the Ikea "Expedit" shelving system. 


He kicked me out of the space starting on Thursday (though we started "demolition" on Wednesday!).  I didn't get to step back in until Saturday morning.  I think he finally crawled into bed sometime around 3am on Saturday!  I have never loved a birthday gift so much in all my life!  He had a great time doing it.  He paid attention to every detail.  Even still, I'm not sure if he'll ever really understand how much this gift meant to me in that deepest, downest, inner most part of my soul.  I was, and still am, so overwhelmed and grateful.

Since I was kicked out for two days, I moved my sewing machine and accessories to my dining room table to keep myself occupied while I wasn't allowed to peek out the window!  In that time I was able to finish the quilt!!




And still had time to sew up a little "create" bunting to hang in my new Sewing Studio.


Finally found a good project to cut into my Denyse Schmidt "Hope Valley" fabrics, which have been sitting on the shelf since January 1, 2011.

Hopefully this is just the beginning of things I "create" that come out of my new and improved sewing space.  

It's like a breath of fresh air.

Thank you so much Darin!!

XOX

15 comments:

Brenda said...

wow! I would love a gift like that. lucky you! and Happy Birthday!

Liz said...

Incredible. What an amazing gift. Can I come over to sew???

Maybe Darin should become a professional organizer.

The quilt is stunning. I love the back and the personalized embroidery. Priceless.

I'm also slightly jealous of your *create* banner. I've been thinking of making one for months. I might have to follow in your footsteps yet again.

Happy Birthday dear friend. Do you realize I've known you for the last 16 birthdays you've had. Doesn't that sound like a long time?!

Liz said...

P.S. - I love your yellow gingham shirt. I think I might have it in blue.

Unknown said...

Amazing! Oh goodness- I could SO use one of those, too!

Ie Li said...

Darin, that is totally impressive. Good job.

Annee, I want to come sew with you again in your new and improved sewing garage.

Taylor and Chelsea Cotter said...

I don't know if this was a present for you or for Darin? I know he loved every minute of getting to organize and color code everything! Glad you had a great bday!

ashley said...

Annee, the new and improved sewing garage is so amazing! Totally impressed, if not a little jealous. I love the quilt, gray is such a wonderful color, no? Miss you.

Alyssa Lark said...

I'm just saying that Steve would be very impressed as well.... like father like son. Glad you had a good bday! And the quilt is awesome. Did you FM quilt it yourself?

Sarah Moran said...

I love your new space, you totally deserve it! What an amazing husband you have; way to go Darin and happy birthday Annee!

Flori said...

For some reason, this made me tear up...what a really thoughtful, sweet gift from your husband. The new space looks great and I can't wait to see what wonderful things you create there!

P.S. WHERE did that shirt come from? It is so very cute.

Annee said...

I love that the sewing studio makeover elicited comments from "the little sisters"! They more than anyone can imagine just how perfectly suited to Darin this birthday gift was! The funniest part now is how often he's stopping by the studio, making sure I'm keeping everything clean and organized :)

Alyssa, I did FMQ the baby pinwheel quilt. It's not my favorite thing to do, but the baby size is a lot less scary than the bigger quilts! You can do it too!

Ashley, you should move back here! Or better yet, let's both move to Colorado in a few years :)

Liz, we've known each other like forever! Here's to a million more years! Please come to the South and sew with me. Nothing would bring me more happiness!!

Flori, sweet comment. Thank you. The shirt is from Old Navy! I think I bought it for myself on the first day of school back in August! It was my "I got everyone off to school without any hitches" gift to myself :) Maybe you can still find one at an Old Navy near you?!

Allison said...

Whoa. I'm forwarding this post to Ted.

Doug said...

WOW! What a totally awesome gift. I bet it's a thrill just walking in there. It really looks so great. Your quilt turned out beautifully as well.

Doug said...

Sorry, It's Sarah not Doug :) But I did make sure to tell Doug about the makeover. Maybe he'll get some ideas. ha ha!

KevandChels said...

darin and kevin share that organizing quality. so useful in a husband:) happy birthday.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...