Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Side tables

Task: Paint side tables and add doily accent

The final (!) craft room spruce up for now was to paint the side tables. They are Ikea tables, and came (thankfully) unfinished. I used spray paint to paint them, and added a doily decal purchased on etsy (the seller also sent a bird decal, which was immediately placed on the art wall!)

I'll let you guess whether or not the pretty, delicate tea candle holders were bought before or after Hank. I hope I am not the only mom who was so naive as to think her child will be the one who wouldn't touch/destroy everything. Yeah - these won't be out much, as most days the craft room looks like this

(he says his version of the ABCs as a countdown to do all his stunts)

Thank you for allowing me to share the process of getting my craft room completed with you!

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Favorite of the day: Some of our staff attended a function where these towels were provided as napkins, and attendees were invited to take the towels with them. I almost died from the cuteness. They did not offer to share their bounty.

Shopping update: Thursday - I intentionally went to the mall to go to JoAnn's for a return only, Macy's to drop off cosmetic cases for recycling at Origins only, and Target to drop off an old cell phone for recycling only. No browsing, no purchases. I did have lunch at the mall. I bought 3 items at the grocery store for the church rummage sale the next day. Friday - dropped off snacks for the church rummage sale - no shopping, or even browsing.

Working on: A baby gift

Desk shot

Just a filler post until I can complete my last craft room update for now (I think I'll hold off on the ironing board cover, but thanks so much for the suggestions!)

Here is a shot of my entire desk. Granted, admittedly, I had to move a few projects in progress out of the way to get this shot of the bulletin board, sewing machine cover, cubbies, and curio shelf, but completing those projects is a #1 priority for me so that the desk can look this way all the time.

One silly project was done with the sole purpose of using four crocheted pieces that came with a flower loom kit I purchased years ago. If I didn't find something to do with them during my craft room spruce up, they would have been out the door to Goodwill. So, I strung them together with ribbon and made a cozy of sorts for a Mason jar used to store my knitting needles.

I also wanted to show you these cute jelly jars I picked up thrifting during an Arizona trip. They had tags on them that that indicated they may have spent some time in an antique store, and were marked at $30 each. At Savers they were 99 cents each, and I think it was a half off day or something on top of that. Perhaps both of the stores were incorrect in their pricing, but I'm glad I found the jars where I did.

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Favorite of the day: Great snack ideas

Shopping update: Bought lunch today, a mai tai, and looked in a gift store.

Working on: *Hopefully* my last craft room update! Just waiting for some (pre-ordered) decals to arrive!

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Curio shelf

Tasks: Find and paint curio shelf

Just one or two more posts related to the craft room, and I will be done with this space for now.

This is formerly a spice rack turned curio shelf. Although thrift stores across the country are probably chock full of these, I had to buy mine off etsy. I painted it white, and now it holds special treasures, mainly from you guys!

So the project I am debating - should I recover our ironing board?

I know the answer is yes, since it is a big old white eye sore as is. I found THE cutest patchwork cover at Marshalls awhile back, but it was standard size, and not designed for the big behemoth Costco sized ironing board. Now I kinda have patchwork stuck in my head, but that seems like a lot of work for an ironing board cover, and perhaps some of the fabrics would bleed if you were steaming items? The biggest piece of fabric I have on hand (since I'm not shopping this week) is a sheet, which could be cute. I'm nervous to try this tutorial, since I would ruin the cover, and if it doesn't turn out I would have nothing.

What should I do?

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Favorite of the day: Nothing to report

Shopping update: I dropped off a bag at Goodwill, and admittedly did browse. No purchases. I also picked up glasses I had already paid for.

Working on: End tables

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Sewing machine cover

Task: New sewing machine cover

This post could also be called "Ode to Thrifty Goodness." It has previously been stated how well Rebecca had me pegged in our swap way back when. But here is proof how much I love everything she sent as part of that package. It is three {gulp} years later (where does the time go?), and I still need to have her pin cushion, stamped stationery, a little birdie teacup close at hand.

I also loved the pillowcase she sent as part of that swap so much that I salvaged it from our old laundry room with the intent to make a new sewing machine cover. I finished the new cover last night. I used my old one as a pattern, and also added a pocket to hold the power cord, and embellished the cover with one of my grandma's doilies. A little unexpected problem, in that the power cord weighted down the back, and pulled the cover down with it. A quick fix included a strap that fits under the machine and is held on the front by velcro. It is now more secure to store the foot pedal under the cover with the loop in place, so it serves a dual purpose.

Completing the cover, I also cleaned out my machine. Umm - scary. I know some people do this after every project, but I can't tell you how long it had been since my machine had been cleaned out. It's like a brand new machine now, and much quieter.

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Favorite of the day: I'm going to say this is a tad overboard for a baby shower. But, I like a lot of the ideas for parties in general, and the colors are gorgeous.

Shopping update: Only groceries today, and that's it for the week. BT did buy a composting bin he says is for me. I had nothing to do with this act of consumerism ;)

Working on: Curio shelf

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Guest accommodations

Tasks: Finish correspondence kit, find two postcards of Long Beach

(couch pulled out into bed)

Despite my joking about not wanting guests to stay too long, I have done a lot of (dorky) things to make visitors feel comfortable in this tiny space. I tried to follow Martha's tips for hosting guests to the greatest extent feasible. I mean, this woman has whole houses she can offer her guests. Mine get shoebox accommodations and share a postage stamp sized bathroom with us.

My most favorite thing in the room is this wardrobe from Ikea. Coincidentally, it is BT's least favorite item, as he feels it takes up too much real estate. I just love that it can hold special items clipped on the front

(two vintage postcards of Long Beach and cards artists sent with the prints I purchased)

and on the back, guests can hang their clothes and store shoes. There also is a robe

and slippers for guests, as well as their bath towels.

The metal rack is meant to take with them to the shower, as we have a stall shower, and it is a pain to bend over to pick up your stuff.

One of my initial ideas for the room was for it to have a local theme. I didn't go too far with that, other than purchasing this vintage AAA map showing the route from Long Beach to San Pedro

(hard to get a good angle with the wardrobe in the way. Did I just say that?)

and buying a couple of post cards showing old beach scenes.

Also on the back of the wardrobe is a correspondence kit housed in an Anthro "wall pocket" purchased on clearance years ago.

Here are the contents of the kit

(notepad, envelopes, pens, stamps, post cards, cards with California poppies, a guide to outdoor activities in Los Angeles, hiking guide for Orange County, a bird guide, and a local map)

'Cause when people come to Long Beach, it's a really big deal, and they want to write all their friends to tell them about it. Joking.

Finally, in the first picture you will note a tissue box, clock, candy (in the small basket), and a carafe of water.

I was really excited to finish this aspect of the room, and made a special trip to the drug store just to buy post cards, a notepad, and pens for my correspondence kit. That day, I watched The Story of Stuff, and felt like a big old consumer whore (though it's not entirely my fault - we're programmed to feel we need to shop all the time. Just watch the movie!) This movie really messed with my head. I always felt I was ok because I wasn't buying tons of clothes or high priced accessories - expensive things I don't need. But, I buy a lot of cheap stuff I don't *need* either. I go shopping every single day, even if it is just to spend a few dollars on pens and post cards (that, let's face it, nobody is every going to use).

Next week I am going to try my darnedest to not go to a single store other than the grocery store (and no cheating there buying "fun" stuff there.) I'll let you know how that goes!

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Favorite of the day: In the interest of getting away from coveting "stuff," I'm going to say nothing.

Working on: A practical sewing machine cover (keep dust out to minimize maintenance) made from materials I already have.

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Art wall

Tasks: Hang frames, buy art to fill 'em

Pleeease tell me I am not the only nerd to buy the frames first and then look for art to fill them? I only had a couple of the prints shown here to start with, and then bought some random frames with the hopes that I would find the right pieces to fill them. Luckily I did - lots of prints from favorite bloggers, and a few fun etsy finds filled the rest. You probably recognize a few of the artists shown here, but let me know if you are interested in a particular print, and I can get you the source. The doilies mounted on embroidery hoops were made by my grandma.

This is the second wall with the high bookshelf. The teeny tiny couch folds out into a teeny tiny bed for guests (isn't their an old adage about not making your guests too comfortable so they don't stay too long?) Since this is earthquake country, we always offer to take down the books if they make the folks sleeping underneath them uncomfortable. But no - guests cannot sit on the couch because there are too many pillows, something BT makes fun of me for daily. Barkcloth pillows here, "barf cover" here.

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Favorite of the day: Patchwork bug!

Working on: Sewing machine cover. Which, I've found, is difficult - making something for your machine while you are using it.

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Handicraft wall

Task: Make the *official Felt Mouse banner" into a wall hanging

This is the handicraft wall (as opposed to the art wall, which will be coming up shortly). You may recall the thrifted balsa wood piece, Shanna's adorable doll quilt, the silhouette of the lady knitting, and Hank's silhouette. But you have to go way way back in the archives to find the official Felt Mouse banner.

Not sure what even inspired me to make that, but since I held onto it, I had to do something with it. I sewed on loops and used a stick from a hanging calendar dishtowel to hang it.

One more quick fix on this wall. The nail holding the doll quilt* was kind of distracting, so I glued a button onto it. Easy peasy.

*I think the idea for hanging something with a pants hanger, and then having a curtain ring on the hook for additional display opportunities, was from Matthew Mead in a Country Home mag. I miss Country Home, don't you?

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Favorite of the day: Nada

Working on: Catching up on Thursday's shows via hulu

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Windows

Task: Shorten shade pulls

Most of these tasks aren't complicated or awe-inspiring, but just those nagging little things that have kept me from feeling this room is complete. The blinds had very long pulls that were becoming a toddler play favorite, so they had to be taken up a bit.

This pic also allows you to see the bookshelf BT built for me that goes across two walls of the room. I stacked the books for a different look. Cone here.

(I do apologize for the horrible quality of my photos as of late. My point and shoot is broken, and a new one was supposedly on the way via an Amazon seller. Imagine my surprise in opening the box to find a GPS car dash mount instead. So a few more days of bad pictures until their error is corrected. Have you ever been shipped the wrong item? Very frustrating.)

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Favorite of the day: Papel picado invitations

Working on: Sewing machine cover...? May be too tired.

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Cubbies

Task: Find, fill, and label boxes for cubbies

I suppose it is a reflection on our different upbringings, that BT - who did not attend day care - does not use "cubby" as part of his regular vocabulary. This was a source of frustration in building out the closet, as I originally wanted a few cubbies, and BT would tell me he did not know what those were.

To me, cubbies are defined as small partitioned storage areas. In school, they were used to house snacks, jackets, and a change of clothes. In my craft room, they house thread, embroidery floss, buttons, needles, labels, scissors (for paper), jewelry fittings, small projects, and snaps

I never knew I had so many snaps.

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Favorite of the day: Kangaroos!

Working on: Sewing machine cover

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: Supply closet

Tasks: Straighten craft supply bins and hem curtains

We've come a long way, baby. Once, all my craft supplies fit in a few plastic totes. Then, in a narrow hall closet. Now, the craft supplies have multiplied to the point of needing a bedroom closet, floor to ceiling, two bins high and two deep, to house them.

If everything wasn't so neatly organized, I suspect BT would have called Hoarders by now. Although, he is an enabler, building all these nice shelves for me. I think I mentioned it before but didn't show you how we utilize every bit of space in our closets. This shelf is one level higher than where you would normally have a shelf in a bedroom closet, and allows for one more level of storage. He built a narrow shelf at this height in all of our closets.

It was good to go through the bins and have the opportunity to sort and organize everything. Sadly, I only got rid of a few things. It is so hard to let this stuff go - thinking that some day I will have time to complete all the projects I have planned out in my head. If you want to see what the crazy lady keeps in all these boxes, click here.

I also trimmed about 5 inches off the curtains. Clock here.

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Favorite of the day: Sausage! (via JustJenn)

Working on: Oh, wait - there's more stuff to store.

Craft Room Spring Cleaning: File box

Task: File papers in new file box

Lest you despise me for having a whole room dedicated to craft, I must add that this room is also our guest room, and contains the remnants of our office. Oh, and the room is a scant 7 1/2 feet by 10 feet. So yeah - not so much a craft room as a multipurpose closet.

Previously our files were stored in a filing cabinet. It no longer fit at the new house, so another solution was needed. I used a filing bin from Target and some pretty folders also purchased there. Sadly they did not come with enough labels to cover all the folders, so I am a little bugged that they do not all look the same. Que sera.

This bin sits beneath the work basket. I still have plenty of room under my desk, though, so I don't need to move it each time I sit here to sew. Which is nice, as most activities in this room require a constant shuffling and reshuffling of items to achieve a certain task.

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Favorite of the day: Would I hate myself later for using my entire pillowcase stash to make these?

Working on: Hemming some curtains

Thanks sew much!

Those of you who *know* Mary Ann (in the blogging sense) know how generous she is. This girl doesn't miss a holiday or birthday, plus she sends out various goodies to her blog friends throughout the year just because.

She was my inspiration for the month of giving, so I needed to say "thank you" in a big way to this super person. I found a smoking deal on a fully loaded vintage sewing basket on Ebay. I have never seen so many iconic classic sewing-related items in one lot and in such good shape.

Two that stood out even just viewing the listing were the needle card

which basically had all its needles

and this card of snaps was unused!

The pinking shears were still in their beautiful canary yellow trimmed box.

The sewing patterns were a thrift store purchase from my stash, and, despite the ugly grease pencil marks, I thought Mary Ann could use them in her collage work.

There were plenty of buttons in the basket. Some were put in a bunny

and these yummy butterscotch looking ones were made into a stretchy bracelet

Despite the good condition of most of the items, there was a ratty old measuring tape in the basket. Rather than throw it away, I made it into a stylish brooch

Quite a few zippers were in the basket, obviously salvaged from other clothing items. I wrapped them around a Styrofoam ball similar to the fabric wrapped one I made for Christmas to use as a decorative element in her craft room

I also took a few coordinating prints from the box of scraps Mary Ann sent recently and made a pin cushion

topped with more vintage buttons and button topped pins.

Also included in the basket was thread on wooden spools (from the auction), a stationery set inspired by vintage patterns, and a chocolate Owl from Walmart.

The basket was wrapped in another piece of fabric from Mary Ann's box of scraps.

As mentioned, in giving this gift, I wanted to say thank you in a big way. I had a few false starts with things that didn't feel quite right for the recipient. This ended up being one of my favorite gifts that I have ever put together! Thank you so much, friend, for everything.

Remember to check out Mary Ann's project to assist a blogger in need.

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Favorite of the day: Definitely in the top 10 coolest stores of all time.

Working on: Craft room organization

From the Work Basket: April

Whaaat? Do your eyes deceive you?

Nope - it's a Work Basket project completed well before the end of the month. Hip hip hooray!

This is a very rad cubby/bulletin board combo in my craft room that I am excited to finish up (just need to find baskets/boxes for the cubbies). I made the bulletin board part out of 4 separate homasote pieces of wrapped in batting and covered in neutral fabrics. The doily was made by my grandma, and you will be seeing a few more in my completed room.

I have been on fire this month getting stuff done in this room. Some things are actual projects for the room from a list, and when I post about those I will note them as such. Other things are just random little projects littering my craft table that I am working on just to get out of the way to clear space. I can't wait to show you more!

Remaining work basket projects (in no particular order):

- Quilt for my mom

- Sandwich wrap

- Carpet bag

- Tunic

- Hooded towel repair

- Vest for Hank

- Men's shirt refashion

- Skirt

Completed projects:

- January: Baby pants

- February: Baby quilt (using BT's baby blanket)

- March: Apron repair

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Favorite of the day: Please read more about Healing Maggie Grace here.

Working on: Sock creatures (I told you - random)

Seriously - what's with the aprons?

I had not made an apron in months, if not years, and here I have posted about four aprons (including today's) in the last several weeks.

This gift needed something of the handmade variety to tie it all together, and in the end an apron fit the bill. I have had the blue and green utensils for a couple of years now (purchased from Dollar Tree). They were held onto as a possible kidlet gift, but took up a considerable amount of space in the bin where my gift items are stored. They had to go 'cause I need more space!

This gift is for a one-year-old, so a little young to think about cooking. But, it's not too long after that, I've found, that they start wanting to hang around in the kitchen and "help" in any way possible (turns out Hank has a penchant for scrubbing the kitchen floor with a dishrag - score!)

The only fabric I had on hand that was boyish and matched the color palette is a favorite Painting Red Rhinos airplane print I've had just about forever. I cringed a little cutting into it, but know the apron is going to a family that will appreciate it.

The apron style is loosely built on the pattern by Sew Liberated. I didn't even read the pattern, but saw the velcro wrap around band and thought it would be perfect for a toddler chef.

To tie in the airplane theme a little bit, I also used an airplane graphic on the bag of sugar cookie mix included in the gift basket (bowl?) The recipe using the mix was written in a kid-friendly manner and included graphics.

I do have an idea for one more apron, but I think I will hold off for a little bit, lest you think this has become the apron blog.

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Favorite of the day: Besides being a clever idea, these are beautifully presented.

Working on: Busy beaver in the craft room