Monthly Archives: April 2012

Working on my attic craft space

Working on my attic craft space
Working on my attic craft space

I got to the Container Store last week, and the undershelf baskets I bought there fit great. The one in this photo holds a box that once held nailpolish and manicure tools. It now holds beading needles.
 The pink box holds beads and jewelry components. I hope to move them to clear containers where I can see them eventually.
The small white shelves were brown when I found them at an antique shop years ago. I bet I had them 5 years before I painted them white and mounted them on the wall. I got them after reading a tip about scouring antique and thrift shops for items that could be repurposed for craft storage. Because of the proximity of the stereo, I had used them to store cassette tapes. I found a better box for the tapes this week, and I hope to fill this one like it’s partner:
I assembled the double storage cube from Foremost, turned it on end and added it to a row of others. The brown cases on the bottom hold cross-stitch and crazy quilting supplies. The brown one on the right also held cassettes till I took the divider out of the bottom and lined it with felt. The pink cases on top hold
thread, seed beads and jewelry tools. I love that I can pick them up and head to the couch downstairs or out to the porch or anywhere I want! 
The little picture rail shelf below is from Ikea. I like it better than the ones from Michaels because it’s more substantial, and it attached to the wall more securely. It was only $9.99, but doesn’t come with hardware. I found 2 screws and an anchor all by myself. I used my studfinder (what a great tool!) and put one of the screws in a stud and used the anchor to secure the other end in the drywall. I’m getting pretty proficient with the drill, too! I plan on buying some more of these “Ribba” shelves, but of course, they’re not available online. That means a trip out to Ikea (storage Disneyland) in Charlotte some time!
 I’m not a very “pink” girl, but I’ve repurposed alot of furniture from my daughter’s old room. This pretty music box is hers:

This sign, though, is all mine!

Yesterday’s Purchase

Yesterday’s Purchase
Yesterday’s Purchase

Michaels had a coupon for 40% off Martha Stewart regularly priced scrapbooking items. I chose these pretty paper cosmos stickers. Back at Christmas, I had added 3-D poinsettia stickers to envelopes that held checks and gift cards.

 I was really pleased with the way they looked. (Note to self: The leftover red ones are stored with Christmas gift tags.) I’ll add the cosmos to Mother’s Day and birthday cards.



Goodies in the Mail!

Goodies in the Mail!
Goodies in the Mail!

I love to order stuff online. When my package comes, it’s just like Christmas. I have called my UPS man Santa. These patterns are a recent purchase from Paradise Publications:

Here, of course, is the crocheted jewelry pattern I had to have>

Then, I had to have one of their gorgeous crocheted doll costume patterns:

I don’t collect dolls, and I don’t have a granddaughter, so I may never make this, but I chose the simplest pattern I saw:

This is the “1904 St.Louis World’s Fair Frock” pattern. It’s made mostly of ribbon. Maybe, someday!

And the dear hearts at Paradise Publications tossed this pattern in for free, as a thank you:

I’m not the bejeweled camisole type normally, but you never know! Excuse me while I laugh my head off! Maybe Mama would like one!

Storage Cubes

Storage Cubes
Storage Cubes

I got my storage cubes for the attic craft space assembled. Two of them are these open cubes I turned on end and left the backing off. That way they “frame” my speakers and I don’t have to cut holes for the wires. They are by Foremost and I ordered them from Staples. I like this brand because they are light enough in the carton for me to carry them upstairs, they are easy to assemble, and the particleboard is soft enough to drive a screw in with a normal screwdriver if the drill battery is dead. The drill sure speeds things up, though.
Unless I’ve mismeasured, the Container Store has shelf baskets that should fit nicely above the speakers. I hope I can get by there this week!

It Beats Dyeing Easter Eggs!

It Beats Dyeing Easter Eggs!
It Beats Dyeing Easter Eggs!

I decided to tackle a little organizing as my Saturday before Easter project. This is the right corner adjacent to my new desk in the bonus room over the garage. I’ve been calling it my craft space, but actually, much to my husband’s dismay, I have craft spaces all over our house. This one is going to be my jewelry making and scrapbooking space.

I found some shallow shelves at Michaels in Winston. The Park Road, Charlotte, store doesn’t have them. This is my husband’s torpedo level and my new favorite tool.

I wound up with this:

The container holders are Jetmax, and I found them at Tuesday Morning about a year ago. This is all very white. I will photograph it again when I get those shelves and containers filled. And, of course, that table won’t be bare for long!