Craft Room Tour

My life is full of clutter.  I HATE clutter.  No matter how much I dislike clutter, I can't seem to eliminate it from my life.  Anyone else have this problem?  Sure you do.  Very few people don't have issues with clutter in some part of their lives.

I've been ignoring living with the clutter in our home for the past couple of years.  I'd much rather do what has to be done, play with the kids and then curl up with a good (or even bad) book.  Much easier on me than trying to sort through all our stuff.  'Bout as helpful as an ostrich burying its head in the sand, right?

Okay.  No more excuses.

• I'm feeling better and getting my energy back.
• Neighborhood garage sale in T minus 19 days.
• Little Man has turned 2 and there no more little Wises coming along.
• My life will be much simpler and nicer once I do this.

My craft room seemed the perfect place to start - since my husband kept making not so subtle comments about how much better he thought all my stuff would be moved to the basement.  I can't really blame him with the room in a constant state of chaos.

So, here is where it all started.

Actually, I believe this is after I had already gotten started.  I didn't like this.

Configuration 2 didn't work much better.

I moved our dining room table into the room instead of having everything spread through 2 rooms.  The table is a great space for me to lay out material for pattern placement and cutting.  It was just too much visually right against the basement railing. 

Configuration 3 started the creative juices flowing and I was able to get everything functional and looking nice at the same time.

Having the dining room table in the room is amazing!

I 'needed' a space devoted to the actual sewing process in the room, too.

This desk is a relic left over from my husband's college days.  This picture was taken after I had moved our massive computer.  It's a large surface to work on: plenty of room for both machines to remain set up and a place to sit and work on my laptop.

Putting the shelf above the desk has allowed me to use some of the vertical space in the room.  Bobbins, my Sidewinder, a radio and some odds and ends are housed up there.

I moved the desk down the wall a few inches to make room for some storage.  The drawers are holding thread, scissors, pins, fabrics and the little bit of felt I have.  The little cubby on the desk has a plastic bin in it holding my patterns.

The bookshelves are now organized and de-cluttered, as well, holding sewing books, magazines, my tools and the rest of my fabric stash.

The last area is the first a person sees when walking in the front door.  It should work well for ironing, but I'm not sure if I'll keep it like this.  (Pay no attention to the mess in the background.)

I'm loving the new space!  It's organized.  It's inviting.  It's calling my name.  Best of all?  No one else has stuff in the room.  This space is mine all mine.  Now to get a project going.

*New* Barstools

One (of many) really nice thing about our current location is the subdivision yard sale that happens every spring and fall.  At the last spring sale, I was able to get 3 barstools for our kitchen.  All they required was a quick wipe down on the wood and a change in seat material.  

 The cushion fabric is some I had left over from the stairway window.  I like the material, but it's not really practical for barstools kids are using.  Next time, I think I'll use oil cloth or maybe even vinyl.  It's been fun having them at the kitchen island while I'm cooking, though.

Blinds!!

Very excited to share our latest big purchase for our home.

Okay.  So it may not be all that exciting, but it is an improvement.

A little dark, but you get the idea.

Just like any other homeowner, we are constantly wanting to make our home a wonderful place in which to live.  We have a little added pressure of making sure all home improvements add value and aren't too individual.  Even thought we are very content in our current location, there is always the potential for movement.  (Something that is always in the back of our minds.)

Today my husband has taken the day off for another project I've been nagging him to do.  Hoping to share that with you all soon!

Kitchen Confession

I'm in the mood to repaint my kitchen.  I love the color, but right now it just looks like a dark hole. *sigh*

Dark walls, dark cabinets and dark furniture.  I need something lighter.  

I think a kitchen full of white cabinets is beautiful and open looking.  

Via pauladeenmagazine.com

There's no way I'm going to repaint our current cabinets, even if Kevin were to jump on board with the idea.

So the walls it is.  Now to go through the agony of picking out just the right color.  Any suggestions?

Lamp Revamp

I had some beaded trim left over from my window project.  I couldn't stand so much of it going unused at the price I paid.  (If you are reading this, Kevin, ignore that last sentence.  It was cheap, cheap, CHEAP.)

I decided to add a little to my living room lamp.

Before

After

 The base and shade were both purchased from Wal-mart.  The beaded fringe is from Joann's.  Such a simple project.  Sad to say, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the finished project.  (Typical Me.)  To alleviate my fears of completely ruining the lamp shade, I stitched the fringe around the bottom instead of gluing.  Now with just a snip it can be removed.   I like it, though, so it will be staying.   It was nice to actually knock a project out in one evening this time.

Hawaiian Theme Birthday Party: Decorations Part 2

After having the 'grass hut' look accomplished, we needed to add a little color.  Along with colorful plates, napkins and table clothes, I made these to hang around the room.

So EASY!  I just happened to find the idea one day on Disney's Family Fun site.  All you need are some paper plates and a stapler.  (I used dessert size plates for these.)

I also had a pineapple out.  Very original, right?  But, it did add to the atmosphere and it was very yummy to eat afterward.  

I had really wanted to make a couple of palm trees for the party, too.  Since rain was in the forecast, I didn't want to spend all the time and effort on them and then have them ruined.  Here's a cool tutorial for palm trees.  Of course, there was no rain that day, so my concerns were pointless.  Maybe I'll get a chance to make them one of these days for something else.

Hawaiian Theme Birthday Party: Decorations Part 1

The decorations for the party were very easy and inexpensive AND I got to be a little crafty.  This all adds up to fun for me.

First off, the we needed to get a little 'grass hut roof' look going.

We've been hanging on to paper bags from the grocery store for who knows how long.  I was about to throw them all out and declutter a little when I got an idea.

What you need:

Paper bags (grocery size)
rotary cutter
rotary mat
rotary ruler
scissors

First, use your scissors to cut the bottom off the paper bag.

After you have that done, lay the bag out flat on your rotary mat.  (You know- get those little sides that are folded in, folded out.)

Fold the bag in half with the top meeting the bottom.

Now, line the bag up with some lines on your mat and start cutting.  I decided to cut every 1/2 inch.  You could definitely go smaller than this, but it's completely up to you.

Here are some tips:  It's also easier if you start on the left side and move right while cutting (if you are right handed).  A good guide for the cutting to stop is the crease line just a couple of inches from the folded edge of the bag.  (See it in the picture above?)  Also, make sure you push down hard enough to cut all 4 layers of the bag with your rotary cutter.  If not, you'll have to go back with scissors.

After you have all your cuts, lay your bag out flat.

Cut along the fold you have right down the middle.  I also cut one end open to cover twice as much area.

Now all you have to do is hang them up around your party area.

Have I Shown You This?

I don't remember, but I couldn't find it - so, I guess not.  Like how my reasoning works?

At one point I had quite the issue of furniture placement in our living room.  Link here.

This is how things were arranged right after I finished painting.  The top picture is my attempt to make my husband happy.  Making sure the huge recliner was positioned just right to view the television was a must.  As well as the ability to recline fully for those days when he wants to watch sports through his eyelids.
Instead of getting rid of the recliner altogether, I moved things around.  Again.

The love seat is once again along the stair wall.  And Super Hubby's chair is in a spot that meets all of the above criteria and yet doesn't feel awkward in the room.

Still working on that end table situation.

Decorating My Home: Stairway Window

This blank boring window has been taunting me since we moved in.

It's a very visible window.  You can see it  from the kitchen, living room and every time you walk up the stairs (duh!).  I've had such a hard time figuring out what I wanted to do with it.

Last week (while Kevin was gone), I decided to just pick something out and get it done.  2 years is a long time to have something on a 'to-do' list!

I finished some window treatments over the weekend and then Most-Wonderful-Husband-In-The-World put it up for me Monday night.

He had an audience while hanging them.
A small casualty while hanging.  The 60" 1x3 board that the curtain is stapled to decided not to stay put while he was reattaching the L brackets.  (Looks like we will be replacing the 'temporary' accordion blind sooner than later.)

 A little closer view.  Like the beaded fringe?

A little color on that big, white, empty wall is nice.  I must say, I'm VERY pleased with the finished results!

Making Progress

I hope you all had a wonderful family filled Thanksgiving weekend.  Our time was spent with Kevin's side of the family this year.  It was such a fun time and the kids loved getting to play with their cousins they haven't seen in about 15 (?) months.  Of course it was crazy with 8 adults and 9 kids, but it was a great, albeit short, visit.

As for the progress part of my post?

I've been able to get the craft/office room emptied and move the furniture around a bit.  It's amazing how much really useful stuff was in the room (do you feel the sarcasm?).  I'm slowly getting things sorted and put back into place. Very much hoping to have this room situated by tonight - at the very latest tomorrow.  We are having company Friday evening and my parents are coming for a visit this weekend, so the pressure is on!

Accents

I'm trying to get our living room functional.  You know.... a couple of end tables for setting a drink on, some lamps for reading and looking at magazines in the evening and just an overall cozy atmosphere.  I'm not having much luck.

Scale.  UGH!  Scale is not my friend right now.  I'm playing nice and giving in to my husband's request that his recliner be included in the seating.  This thing is massive.  However, he is happy - and that's what really matters, right?  (Yeah, I'm still trying to convince myself on that one, too.)

What do you think?

Something like this.......

Or this?

In the top picture the 'table' is too small.  (Plus, it's baskets turned upside down and stacked.)  In the second picture the table seems too big.  Or does it look better here?

No.  It's just not wide enough here.  I should just put it back where it was in the kitchen.

And the lamp!  I thought this would be perfect when looking at it in the store, but now I'm not sure about that either.  Maybe I should go with a floor lamp instead.

Hmmmm......... Any suggestions?  

Living Room Layer 1 Reveal

Here it is!!

Yep.  I'm uber excited about this one!

Quick reminder what we started with.....

Flat, contractor beige.  Unexciting and uninspiring.

Now.  Here is the new and improved living space.  {squeal!}

I am loving the colour!!  (Had to upgrade it with a 'u', I'm so pleased!)  I'd be willing to paint the whole house in this color.  Is it a huge difference? No.  But, it is a warmer, cozier color in the space.

Want another view?  I thought so.

Oh, our poor saggy, baggy couches.  :(

I have one last little corner to paint, but I need help moving the cabinet that resides there.  Once that is done, I'll start working on Layer 1-B.  For a hint on what that might be, look at the before picture.  Hmmm.  (finger tapping chin and snotty smirk in place.)

Some wonderful friends have kids #3 and #4 with them at the zoo today.  I'm fighting the urge to just sit back and rest.  I really ought to finish the laundry.  OH!  I know.  Time to sew!

**Paint color is Gobi Desert by Behr

Pick A Color, Any Color

I feel as if I've been keeping the paint sample section of Home Depot in business lately.  Who would have thought that picking out a beige would be such an ordeal?  Wanna see?

Yep.  Great conversation piece when people come over.  I've had all the usual problems - too dark, too light, too green, too pink, too yellow.  And there are those times I stand holding the paint chip up to the paint I just put on the wall sure it wasn't the same color.  (Surely I wouldn't pick out something that awful!)  Then I have to figure in the fireplace and the curtains.  

Colors have been up on the living room walls for several months.  I think my ever patient husband is coming to the end of his rope.  Over the weekend I got to do some shopping all by myself and actually took the time to really look at the different paint chips instead of just doing a 'hit and run' on the displays.  And, I came home with 3 new colors.  You should have seen the look on Kevin's face!  BUT, we finally have a winner.  See the square above the light switch?  That's it!  Gobi Desert by Behr.

Now to find a good painter to fix the nail pops and hit the 20 ft walls in the entry and stairs.  There is NO way you'll find me on a ladder up that high.

Little Girls' Finished Room

I posted my start to this room last week.  I actually got it finished on Thursday, but completely ran out of time to post since I had to pack for a weekend trip.  Better late than never, right?

I didn't want another pink room.  When you have girls it is sometimes hard to convince them that there are other colors in the world besides varying shades of pink.  This time I just didn't ask and made the decision on my own.  Bibbidi Bobbidi Blue (a Disney color by Behr) is now on the walls.  (I could make some cheesy comments on magic and such, but I'll refrain.)  I've had the purple curtains for a couple of months and I'm really liking them in the room.

All the dots on the walls are bug/butterfly wall decals.  Really cute, removable and reusable.  I put them on the walls, on the door.....

and even on the light switch.

The look on her face when she saw the room completed was great!  Made it worth all the effort.  

One of these days I might put pictures up.  All the bugs are above the reach of little girls, too, so some grass painted around the room in places might be cute or a tree painted in one corner.  I think I'll move on to the next room and do some more thinking on the embellishments.

Keeping Busy

There's no shortage of projects ideas for me.  My problem lies in trying to decide and priorities which projects to do.

Here is my most recent endeavor.  I've had the paint for about a year.  Sad, I know.  Still, first coat up today and, hopefully, the second tomorrow.  (Or late tonight.)  I'm trying to have it done to surprise child #3 when she returns home next week.

Message Board

After doing THE window valence, this was such a fun and easy project to do.  I've needed something to help me keep dates and appointments organized for so long.  Usually, I just have everything tucked around the inside and outside of my calendar frame.

I found this beauty (heavy sarcasm) when I was in Goodwill the other day.  For $3, I couldn't pass it up.

Especially, when I could cover it with a little material and ribbon and turn it into this!

This should help me stay organized, right?