Our Work Spaces

As you know, I worked on organizing my craft area last week. And this weekend, my husband organized our office. So, I thought I would share our miniscule compact and efficient work spaces. 

 

I made this sewing machine cover last week, and I was feeling so good about myself as I clicked away on my camera, so that I could show you the step-by-step. Then I tried fitting (squeezing) it over the machine... I guess that teaches me to not think more highly of my sewing skills than I ought. After growling at the fabric (did you know that it helps, to growl?), I ripped it down the center, and added the ruffled strip of pink. Though it wasn't intentional, I think it actually looks cuter that way. Oh, and notice the blue colander? That is my catch-all bowl - I got the idea for this use from Christy at Bon Bon Boutique.

Glass jars make junk look cute, no?

I have highlighted a couple of other storage units that my husband has made us here and here. This unit was another custom design. We worked together to come up with the shelving layout, and then I watched him work in the garage as he built it (my job is to provide a steady supply of Gatorade). 

The large storage boxes on top are from Target (on clearance, of course), and I added the ribbon to tie it in with the rest of the space. They are currently storing fabric scraps. 

 

And finally, our "office." Formerly a coat closet...

My husband installed the shelving (the shelves actually go higher than the picture shows; at least we have a tall "office"), and wired it so it has lights, phone and electric outlets, and stores our wireless modem. Can you believe at one point we actually housed a desk-top computer in there as well? Luckily we now have laptops, so we don't have to cram our legs in there anymore! 

We all know that necessity breeds creativity. It forces you to rethink your resources, and utilize what you do have in the most effective way. How do you work with tight areas? Do you have a small space that you have been able to squeeze every inch out of? I would love to see your miniscule compact and efficient spaces! Email me (kristin@graceviolet.com) your pictures or links, and I will dedicate a post to showing just how creative you are with your space. 

  

It's not all my fault...

I have been trying to organize my craft area, I really have. But, you see, I have these two little people who have other ideas.

I did make some progress, though. And when I am finished, I will be sure to snap a picture to prove it. Because we know it won't stay that way long.

This magnetic board is a project I completed last night, and I hung it above my desk. I just took a cheap frame that I already had, and decoupaged paper on a sheet of metal that was cut to fit in the frame. Don't you love that print? It is actually wrapping paper, and when I saw the roll, I had to have it, even though I had no clue how I would use it (besides wrapping, of course). It was perfect for this memory board. 

Finally, I wanted to mention these shirts that Julie made for her kids:

Aren't those adorable?! She based her design off of my tutorial, but I think hers turned out better! See, I said it would have been cuter on a more vibrant colored shirt.

Weekly Menu

A few months ago I made this little erasable menu to hang on our refrigerator to help me organize the week's meals. While I don't always follow it strictly, it does remind me that we do have food in the pantry (so I won't have the excuse to eat out).

I had some vinyl left over from a previous craft, so I cut it into a 6x6" square, then cut coordinating scrapbook paper as the backing. To attach the pieces together, I used eyelets on each corner. 

Also, in case you are wondering about Wednesday's meal... Ever since Napoleon Dynamite, I just can't reference quesadillas without pronoucing the "L" and adding "dang." I hope you don't think less of me.

P.S. I must also confess that I can quote many lines from Nacho Libre. You must surely think less of me now. I will try to make up for it.

Dave Ramsey, you're crampin' my style!

This is my wallet.



Cute, huh? So in vogue.

As you can tell we are on the "cash system," which is great for our budget, but not for my style. I decided it was time to fix that. And because I have searched the world over for another option, and have come up empty handed, I am going to transform what I've already got.

I got out my oilcloth again (I am amazed at how easy it is to work with!), and traced around my "wallet."

Then I simply cut it out, smaller than my markings, so that I could slide the oilcloth under the red edging that was already on the envelope. I was sure to stay very close to the edge while sewing, so that it would catch the oilcloth underneath. I didn't even have to change the needle on my machine, it went through the oilcloth and plastic without any problems.

So much better. Now I won't be ashamed when I am checking out at the grocery store and have to dig through my cash!

Idea Journal

Magazines and catalogs are a great source of inspiration for me. Whether it is a faucet, storage solution, or an entire home, I love seeing how other people do things. But you can only have so many magazines laying around at once. Eventually all of my dog-eared pages full of great ideas are no longer a usable resource, and I end up tossing them. 

I needed a convenient place to organize all of that great inspiration, and came up with my "Dream Home Journal."

I simply used a notebook with blank pages inside, decorated it with scrap booking paper and embellishments (I was so happy to find this door knob embellishment, since I am collecting home ideas) and added tabs for all of the categories. Now when I come across a great idea that I would like to implement in the future, I cut it out and place it in the right section.

While I use this for home inspiration, I would love to have more books filled with sewing and crafting ideas as well. Do you have any creative ideas for "idea storage?"

Children's Art Organization

I hate piles. I hate clutter. I hate disorganization. Yet, it seems that all of the arts and crafts my kids make at home, Bible class, and pre-school lend themselves to just piling up. A few years ago, I saw a great tip by Martha Stewart (I think), and have been using this "system" ever since.

All that you need is a presentation folder with clear sleeves inside. I decorated the outside with scrapbooking paper.


Then I simply insert the "masterpieces" in each sleeve. My girls regularly ask to look through their books, to admire their work. I have found that this method allows us to enjoy their little creations in an easily accessible way.

The difficult part is paring it all down. This is by no means everything that they have ever created. I would have to devote an entire closet to storing scribbled pieces of paper if I kept everything. Generally, I keep "firsts" (first coloring page, first finger painting, first time to write their name, etc), and then anything else that I have an emotional attachment to. The rest gets displayed on the refrigerator for a few days, and then discreetly "thrown in the bin" (I've been caught in the act of throwing away a coloring page by my 5-year-old, and an emotional break-down ensued; I've learned to be more sly in my de-cluttering efforts).

So far, one binder has gotten me through ages 2-5, and from then on I plan on using one binder per grade. 

Martha Stewart has a few more creative ideas for storing children's art:

Create an art collage, and frame it to hang in the child's room or even a family room.

Roll them up in mailing tubes.

Make a portfolio.

How have you stored your children's art? I would love to know!