Wednesday, May 13, 2015

The Quilt POD?



The "pre-move" has started in the Quilt Cave.  The basement formerly full of fun and fabric has turned into the pit of Hell...all that careful sorting and storage has to come apart, come up stairs (ugh), and get carefully packed in this 8'x16'x8' POD.


Yes, it all has to come up the 'stairs of death,' (or 'death valley" as I have named the stairwell).  I am definitely getting my heart rate up to the target zone this week...I wish that I had counted all the trips thus far.  

Steve has been in Philadelphia following his Mom's passing, so it has been a lonely experience.  Thank goodness for friends with strong, good-looking young sons to help with the really heavy stuff (thanks, Mitch!!).


We have an unfinished basement, and after slowly lining the walls with Home Depot plastic shelving over the past 20 years and placing inexpensive rug remnants on the floor, the Quilt Cave has evolved into my favorite, cozy place to be, despite the lack of posh amenities!

Tornado warning??  No problem...  Laundry to do??  No problem... Family room full of teenagers??  No problem...  Hiding out in hopes that Steve will start dinner??  No problem...

I kept my fabric sorted so that I could access it easily.




It is all coming down...



It was all sorted by type, color, theme, etc...



My books used to be at my fingertips, sorted by subject...


Now the books are in small boxes (still too heavy...)...and the shelving is hanging out in the garage until I place it in the POD.


I still have my sewing machine set up...I hope to sew and work on patterns in the weeks to come before we are ready to leave the state.


I used to have all my patterns and handouts in second-hand file cabinets in organized hanging file folders...



Now all those hanging file folders are in boxes.  Just as heavy as books, by the way...

I have ongoing projects and larger scraps and strips in Art Bin boxes (thank you JoAnn's weekly coupons!).



Now those are stacked in boxes, ready to go on the truck.  U-Haul makes a 15"x15"x tall box in which those stack very neatly...(those are my Dad's ties in the box on top...).


My primary sewing area centered around an antique sewing bureau designed and hand-built by Steve's Grandfather Arthur for his Grandmother.  My little busy tool drawers sat on it.  I had plastic drawers underneath storing my larger tools.  








Now, all that is packed up, empty, and ready to heave up the steps...



There are boxes piled everywhere...even the piano is not safe...


And the garage is the staging area...







Each quarter section is like a puzzle...here's the first one...


I have got to get a move on...it is being picked up on Friday!  Do you think I will make it?!?

In stitches...and sweating like a beast,
Teresa   :o)

28 comments:

  1. New beginnings are a lot of work, but hopefully they will turn out to be pleasant memories. You will enjoy the house once it is all set up to your liking. Good Luck. Chris

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  2. Ohmygosh--watch your back (and everything else!!) ! What an amazingly organized room you had. I hope your new place will offer you another cozy nest....hugs, Julierose

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  3. Oh my, you have just taken a huge load of guilt off my shoulders. I thought I had a lot of stuff. This is a massive undertaking.
    Alabama is in my part of the country and will be a big change from Michigan. I hope you will soon be settled in your new home.

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  4. I think I have 1/99 (is that a number?) of what you have and don't look forward to moving it. You are as organized in the packing as in your storage and soon it will all be lovely in your new home. Gentle hugs

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  5. I'm saving this post to show my hubby. He thinks I have a lot of stuff...Ha! You're so organized. Just put a listing at the LQS...".Free fabric for helping box up and pack my fabric." Those quilters will have you packed up by midnight tonight! Take it easy better to be late than to over due it and be down.

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  6. Your stuff is amazingly organized. I think I would find it upsetting to have my stuff in disorder.
    Remember, they say moving is a great stressor in life. Be kind to yourself and each other

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  7. If anyone can do it, you can! You are uber organized! Best of luck with the move. Take care of yourself, and hubby too.

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  8. Oh my gosh! We moved 9 years ago.. .and I don't ever want to pack up my studio again. But you are super organized!!! Good luck with the move.

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  9. Oh My! You have quite a job to do! I wish you the best of luck! I have never seen so much fabric and stuff since I've been to JoAnns last. LOL. You have great organization though so that probably helps a ton! Good luck with the move. Is your new space going to be large also? I sure hope so! LOL. You'll have to show us pics when you get settled back in.

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  10. well one good thing about all that organizing is when you get to your destination and get the shelves back up your fabric and patterns and everything is already organized into boxes!!

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  11. i wish you all the best in your new home,good luck,hugs,susi

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  12. You never realize how much stuff you have until you have to pack it up and move it! Prayers the move goes well.

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  13. Phew you've been hard at it! All the best with the move. Friday? You'll be ready I'm sure.

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  14. Seeing you disassemble your studio is awe inspiring. Your organization is awesome. Glad you are getting help.

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  15. Oh Lordy girl, what a big job! and your sewing area was set up so beautifully as well a cozy looking. You are doing a fabulous job of packing that pod. Hope it all fits and get their safely.

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  16. Pod is working out perfect for you. Hire-bribe neighborhood kids to make those leg-aching trips up the former quilt cave stairs.

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  17. Been there, done that. Good luck!

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  18. My word! I have never seen such organization. Good for you! I know it is a monumental task, but your organization certainly made it easier. Best of luck with all your moving!

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  19. You are SO organized! I am veryimpressed! Good luck you have one day to go!

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  20. Your photos are going to be SUCH a resource as you unpack the POD into your new home . . . and with things sorted into boxes, it really will be easier to re-establish your stuff at the other end. Sending hugs for endurance!

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  21. I am in awe of your organization. Even though this looks like a huge undertaking, your level of organization should make the unpacking and setting up of the new studio so much easier. Good luck!
    from Annie, just down the road in Midland, MI

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  22. Gosh what a task - I hope the move goes well!

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  23. The fact that you've had everything so wonderfully organized is really helping you out right now....and when you get to Alabama. Hang in there Teresa! You can do it!!

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  24. Teresa, why am I not surprised that you are handing the move like a pro! Unlike me, you will be able to find things easily! You are doing great. You can do it.

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  25. Oh no... I feel so sad about the dismantling of the quilt cave :(
    I know you will recreate it bigger and better than before, but still it is the end of an era.
    You will always remember all the wonderful projects you created there.
    Hope everything travels safely to the new home!

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  26. Teresa, thanks for letting us see your beautiful organized studio. Hope that the one at the other end is just as fine. I'm looking forward to your next entries when you get the time. Good luck on your trip.....arden

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  27. I hope that your nest in your new home is just as much a special place for you! It looks like the moving of your studio is lots of work but you are well equipped for the challenge!

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  28. Teresa, at least you can almost move right in when you get to your new "cave". I've been telling people for about 10 years now that I can't move, I'll have to burn it down. :)
    Take care and enjoy the process-I'll bet you're finding things you forgot you had.

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