My craft/computer/storage room is ready!

 Tadaaaa!

I realize it may not be much to look at in the pictures, but this small space is already being well used for more then just gift wrapping!

The first picture is of the centre closed up; the desk top is folded upwards, and the blind is pulled down.

Now the desk is dropped down, showing behind it a bulletin board and the bottom shelf with the basic office stuff; pencil jar, tape dispenser, box of tissue.  This is how it will be used most of the time I think.

Here the blind is pushed up allowing access to the rest of the storage stuff: gift wrap supplies on the left side; paints, and tins and other stuff on the right side.  The folding step stool I have is the right height to sit on at the desk, and the sturdy steps allow some of us shorter people to reach those shelves.  Dh just laughed when I said I needed it, and it now has a permanent home in my little room.

Here's ds11 getting his gifts ready for Christmas. 

I asked him if he wore his shirt backwards all day.  Just since his class went swimming was the answer.

I'm so proud ;)

Under the stairs project - TODO List

LAST UPDATED DEC 12 2010 - I'm getting close to that celebration drink!

Okay, so the more I thought about my project under the stairs to create a workspace, the more excited I got, and the more potential I saw!  So, my small project got more detailed and I decided to go for the gusto.  The following list is my todos to get it done... so not an exciting read, but check back occasionally and see how far I've gotten.  Please feel free to give me a good kick if I'm not moving along on it!

Trim Floor adhesive under treads
gyprock
Mud Sand Mud Sand Mud Sand Mud Sand
I'm so glad that part is done - minimal cursing even! :D
Little speed bump here; there are a couple spots that need to be remudded. When the primer went on and with the way the light hits it it is an obvious defect.
Install 2x2s with notch
Install shelf supports
Install dowel brackets
Cut 4 shelves
Wash out all the dust
First priming coat:  gyprock, under treads, shelves (spray paint for all those corners?)
Prime everything else
1st coat of paint:  treads, shelves, walls
2nd coat of paint: treads, shelves, walls
install shelves
Touch ups/3rd coat as needed
Prepaint baseboard if possible
Install flooring and baseboard
Touch up baseboard
Paint door jamb & door as needed
Install switch plates
Measure & sew blinds
Trim dowels and paint to match under stairs
Install blinds
Wrapping paper support base - cut, paint, install
Stretchy cord - install
Measure & build desktop
1st coat paint on desktop
2nd coat paint on desktop (undetermined at this point)
Install desktop
Determine if latch is needed & install
Install cork board
Install ribbon dowel
Install jars

Behind desk:
Declutter those last two moving boxes
Install hooks for fishing rods
Restore camping/traveling gear
Trap door - determine ways to support it when open if needed
CELEBRATION DRINK

Under the stairs project

Alrighty, this is my next home project.  Necessity? Not high, but it will be a feel-good thing, and it will make the clutter-catching space under the stairs become a nice welcoming space and should deter major clutter.  In the long run, it will be a great, small & creative use of space.

Before:

This is before I tackle the grand project, but realize it is also an after shot - one week ago this small  space was stuffed with random boxes and totes and pails... it was all pulled out and sorted/decluttered etc. so that at the very least I could get to the trap door for the crawlspace. 

So, I printed out the picture and grabbed a sharpie...



My initial plan was just to corral the gift wrapping supplies.  We don't have an insane amount, but we are well supplied.  If I had my way I would just have a couple rolls of plain paper then with cards and ribbon you can add on to make it festive suitable to the occasion.  Dh grew up with, um, insane amounts of gift wrap supplies, so he likes to have a selection.  This will be a small space to keep it limited so we should both be happy.



After my first sketch I realized though that I could put in my craft paints too.  It is also near my (future)scrapbooking/sewing/crafting area; so it can become an extended part of that.  I also think that because it is all confined in the space under the stairs, when someone is working on a project that needs to sit to dry between steps or something like that then this space allows it to be left undisturbed.

Okay, now you have to turn your head.  I don't know why this pic wouldn't stay in the right direction but I fussed with it long enough so it is what it is.

Just a bit more detailed, with wrapping stuff on one side, and shelves for paint & stuff on the other.  It should be a little easier to understand the first sketch too without the actual picture in the way.

Then the last sketch just simply shows it with the blind down to cover the shelves, and the desk folded up.  The only space being used now is the space under the steps.

Now its your turn... give me more ideas!

What am I missing?

What else should I consider?

What colour of paint?  Its a small enclosed space... but it's to be a creative space... I could really overthink this!

I know I need to measure carefully so I don't hit that light switch when the desk is dropped down.

I'm going to finish the gyprock and paint it all... might use two tones and follow the drop-down line of the desk just because.

That's it... I'm going to make my supplies list so I can get started on this!



" Wouldn't it be nice to savor time rather than saving it?"

This quote is about 1/2 way down a post here Fake Plastic Fish.

It hit home after an evening of updating my daytimer and the family calendar and making sure all the family knows whats coming up only to have 3 emails the next morning with more things to schedule.

" Wouldn't it be nice to savor time rather than saving it?"

Yes. Definitely yes. I'm going to work on this. Even just a little.

savor time

savor .... time....

I can do this. Even just a little bit. Babysteps!

Happy Earth Day!

Doing anything different today?

While I try throughout the year to reduce/reuse/recycle, this past winter I've upped it a notch by focusing on plastic, and trying not to buy any at all.

That is darn near IMPOSSIBLE I tell ya.

The good news is I have greatly reduced the plastic I do buy, and while there are days that I get home and realize that I forgot my challenge, overall I am making a difference.

Could you do it? Even just for one day? Go shopping and bring home no plastic at all? It will really make you think.

This is the blog that got me started. I've been baby stepping since last fall.

This is one article that convinced me. Imaging a new island in the middle of the ocean, increasing in size everyday, made completely from plastic garbage.

Metal, Glass, Wood... natural occuring materials that all break down without harming the ecosystem.

Plastic is forever. It breaks apart, not down. It gets tinier and tinier, and it is eaten by small and large fish and animals. Then humans eat the fish and the animals. Guess where that plastic is now?

Besides using cloth bags, what is one thing you do (or will stop doing) to reduce your plastic consumption?

My latest project... or Why on earth did I agree to another thing when I've already got so much going on, but here it is anyways!

My brother is 26, and single in a bachelor pad, living in the city away from the rest of us. Last summer, my DH thought that it would be a great idea if for Christmas we made a quilt for my brother, where each square would be from different family members.

I should mention here, that when DH said "we should make a quilt" invariably means "me". Not him. Just me. But I knew that. I've been around him long enough to have that understanding.

Still, I thought the idea was great, and since Christmas was six months away, I'd have lots of time to get it done.

WRONG.

But then, it wasn't all under my control.

We (I) got the material cut for squares and sent them out to the family members with just simple decorating instructions: It had to be washable, this is the colour scheme, and get it back to us (me) by November so we (I) can assemble the quilt and mail it to him in time for Christmas. Simple, right?

Well, I got the last few squares back in this month. February. Two months after Christmas. And about three weeks away from when I was leaving town and would be visiting with my brother. Any sane person would tell their family that they delayed it and I'd have to leave it for next Christmas.

But my brother's birthday is coming up around the time we're visiting.

And, well, I'm not just any sane person.

So I started the quilt. Considering it's been over 12 years since I last made one, and I was just doing it from memory - no handy book of step-by-step-directions-no-sirree-not-me-because-I'm-just-nuts-like-that, it's almost done.

And I'm fairly pleased with it!

There are a few errors, but they would only be seen by a serious quilter, like my MIL, who's going to see it tomorrow. The point is, my brother will never know.

I still have to put on the outside border, and the backing, but that's for tomorrow. This is what the quilt looks like otherwise though:

Each square from a different family member, reflecting different memories of my brother.

I love it. It's not perfect, and I love it even more for that.

Clutch Purse

Okay, bare with me here. This post is two-fold: first, I was too lazy to find the cable to connect my camera to download good shots, so instead I played with the web cam, therefor the pics are pretty grainy, but you get the idea. Second, since you get to share in some of my sewing adventures, I thought I'd share some pics.

This is the little clutch purse I made. It is reversible, so one side is more of a casual look, and the other side is more formal. Each side has a wrist strap, so I can keep hold of it while holding a drink in one hand and shaking hands with the other.

Why do you ask? Let's get this straight. I'm not a fashionista, for me this was more about being practical, presentable, try-to-appear-put-together, and keeping things simple. This will mostly be used on trips, many of which are work related, therefor the shaking-hands-while-drinking type meetings. Also, when I travel, I really really really try to pack light - as in carry-on luggage only, so a reversible clutch that takes up very little space will be great. This is just big enough to hold the hotel keys, some cash or a credit card, and if I need to have my cell phone with me, it will just fit in there.

I love the wrist straps. I am such a nervous-nelly about losing my purse.

So this would be the casual side

Lift the flap, flip it inside-out (outside-in?)...

...and here's the formal little black clutch,

with a touch of glam added via the black chain strap.

Yup, lumber girls need their touch of glam!

Tell me what you think!

Just what kind of pouch is this...?

Okay, so in the aftermath of glee from this project that was a great leap forward in battling perfectionism, I decided to attempt another one.

I have a little MP3 player. Mostly I use it at work, but sometimes at home too. I've tried keeping it in a pocket but it often falls out, and I'm not fond of the arm band holder-thingies.

I decided to make my own little pouch for it that I could clip on a belt loop or pin on my shirt.

I had some leftover material from a curtain that would be durable, unobtrusive, easy to work with and *bonus* thread that matched. So I made my pattern plans and got to work.

It was going really well. Instead of just being a plain old rectangle I thought I'd put in a curve. It was easy to do and would like nicer. **Squeak squeak goes the perfectionism wheel**

Then I flipped it inside out (outside out?) I flipped it the right way out to finish it up.

Here's a picture for your entertainment...

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It looked like a condom.

It doesn't help that its a beige-y colour.

At least it's not pink. And I was ironing the fabric so it's not wrinkly.

If I had just left it as a rectangle shape it would have been fine, but no, I had to be fancy and round the bottom.

Just a tad phallic looking eh? Now picture it hanging off your shirt or belt loop... and wonder why everyone is staring. Everyone.

I was doing a really good sewing job on it too. It's indestructible. Isn't that what one would want in a condom? D'oh, I mean MP3 pouch?

So I straightened the end. It took me three tries; partly because of the indestructible aspect, and partly because it was late and I was getting tired.

Laughing hysterically every time I looked at it had nothing to do with it, nope, nothing at all.

Now I've got a tampon sleeve.

I wonder if the boys will want to borrow it?

Cozy Warm Thoughts

Tonight I am proud of me! In one project I was able to combine several little passions of mine, and it feels good. That wasn't my goal when I started out, but sometimes things just come together well. And life is good.

I made my own microwave heating pads. Actually I made several; the cotton flannel was just so cozy soft I couldn't stop. Plus, when DrummerDude (ds11) saw what I was doing he hovered and asked "Can I have one? Can I have one please? Can I have this one? Is it done yet? Can I fill it up? This one's for me okay?"

Stupid hallowe'en candy sugar rush.

I am not an overly skilled sewer, but I can do simple projects. Actually, I have and can do more involved projects, but that takes a greater attention span then I seem to have lately. Oh look, there's a candy bar... oh! I'm back.

Besides, this project is super easy. I looked at several web pages with directions and do's and don'ts, and settled on this one: http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-microwave-heating-pad/.

It started with a pair of pajama pants that I loved, but I had worn holes through. I was all set to declutter them, remembering that they were a gift from dh a few years back, and that I loved them, but they were just not wearable anymore.

Then I stretched out some sore back muscles, and thought of the 'magic bag' my sister had and how nice and warm it was on achy muscles.

Then I looked at my pants again, and ran to the computer to learn what to do.

I'm not a dunce, I didn't need to be told how to sew the bag, but I did learn about all the different fillings you could use, and of course, the common-sense safety precautions were there because even people with common-sense can benefit from being reminded again. Especially common-sense people with short attention spans. Oooo another candy bar... doh!

I settled on rice. When my mom moved she emptied out her cupboards into ours, and she apparently bought rice often because she couldn't find the last bag she had. I had 4 partly used bags of rice. I'm not kidding!

I made one bag, looked at how much usable fabric was left, and made four more. Two little ones that will be in the freezer to be used as a "boo-boo buddy". One long one that sits so nicely over my shoulders and warms my neck. Then 2 rectangles, one medium, and one large. That's the one ds11 adopted.

Normal kids sleep with a teddy bear. My boy is snuggled up to a bag of rice. It's pink. Did I tell you that? Bright pink. I should take a picture.

Anyways, these are the reasons WHY I AM PROUD OF ME:

1) Started, finished and cleaned up a project in one evening .
2) Reduced consumption. I've thought about buying these before, but when I saw them in the stores I couldn't justify the expense. Maybe I should have, because they feel really good.
3) Decluttered something from my dresser that didn't make me smile as much as it used to.
4) Reuse/Recycle. Even when these heating pads are past their useful life, they're still fully compostable.
5) No plastic involved. No fuel used to drive downtown to get something that I've thought about for a long time.
6) Spent no money. The fabric was free. The rice was free. Oh I suppose the power bill will arrive sometime, but if I wasn't on the sewing machine I would have been watching TV, so power was going to be used regardless.
7) Showed my kids that we don't have to buy things all the time, and that I can finish a project.

And lastly (drum roll please ...ratatatatatatatatatatatat...)

8) THEY'RE NOT PERFECT. I'm very proud of this, because once upon-a-time I would have made one, thought "eh, it could work", but would never have been happy about it. I could have made perfect ones like you see in the stores or at the craft fairs, but then I would have taken a LOT longer. I would have bought fabric I didn't like as much. I would have bought the wheat that I would have had to drive to 3 different stores in our little city before finally finding it at a premium price. I probably wouldn't have cleaned up after myself for a couple of days. Heck, I even used two different colours of thread just because that's what was ready to go on the machine.

But I like them. They make me happy. They soothe my achy muscles. And they're warm. Did I mention they're warm? Cozy even?

Move over hunny. I'm in a snuggly mood, and you're in the way.

Ahhhhhh.

Life is good.

That was the brand of pajama pants. My little warm pillow bags say life is good all over them.

They make me smile.

And ds11 fell asleep a little faster tonight.

Life is good.


(if you decide to try making your own, then I recommended reading through the posts and comments following the directions at the above link. There's some really helpful & smart info there, even if you are all common-sense-all-the-time-never-get-sidetracked like me.)