New Year, New Ideas

I'm still here, for anyone that was wondering.  I customarily use January as my month to assess what worked or did not work in the previous year.  I like to re-organize things and get a fresh start.  

My specialty has always been organization, and my work with the rich and famous gave me endless ways to help people keep track of what they owned.  My designs were always what I liked to call 'living organization'- a true reflection of the person and how they lived.  I had women tell me that they would just sit in the awesome closets I designed and eat lunch, or watch TV.  Or spend hours in Butler's pantries and kitchens marveling at how it all just 'worked so perfectly'.  There were private prayer rooms, secret hidden offices, beauty salons, magnificent libraries.  So, people would always comment how my home must be so perfectly organized. Hmmm.....the cobbler's children have no shoes.

Honestly, it really is not all that bad.  However, I always see room for improvement, and when things really just blow up all around me, I realize it is time to take stock once again.

So, don't hate me for having an awesome husband and son who work hard to make my visions a reality, but let me show you my newest little "me" place in my home:

I was at a bead, button and fiber store in McKinney when I saw the antique wooden spools used to organize the trims, as well as lots of little jars.  I knew right away that it was what I wanted!  So, since last April I have been collecting different sizes of wooden spools as I see a good deal, and hoarding little jars of all shapes and sizes.

This isn't all of them, but you get the gist of it.   I painted wooden lids black, and used black & white scrapbook paper to cover metal lids.  The best thing is- I can see what I have!!  I still have a little way to go with the final design on this- I would like to add a fabric covered tackboard under the upper cabinet, and some art on the wall, but all in all, I am very proud of what I have accomplished so far! 

So, that is some of the work that has gone on behind the scenes.  I have bought some great books with projects that involve spray paint (one of my favorites), and easy methods to dye fabrics.  So, there will be a lot of new fun projects this year- I promise.  

I also wanted to share a couple of things I have for sale up at Artizan's Alley right now.  They are ideas you can easily copy, or change to reflect your own tastes.  The 'Texting Gloves' are certainly not a new idea, but since I only text with my thumbs, I kept the other fingers of the gloves intact.  Why should all of the fingertips get cold??  

I used a little fray check around the edge of the cut off thumb, but if you did this project with polar fleece gloves fraying would not be an issue.

This pair is simply a silk mum disassembled, and 2-3 layers of petals held in place with a button.  A little hot pink trim just adds pizzazz!

I am still working on a way to make the file sharing easy for the embroidery fonts.  I think I have it....just bear with me a little bit longer on that.  

I would love to hear how you have eeked out crafting room in your home.  With space at a premium in so many areas, I would love to see how y'all have overcome challenges.  If you email me a photo of your space, and permission to post it, I would love to be able to share these ideas with everyone!

 

ONLY HOURS LEFT!!

But there is still time to get (another) entry into the Great Giveaway!!

Just comment on any post from August or September, be a follower--And you're IN! Simple huh??  But let's face it....I am not about complicated.

Thought you would like a peek at a new project I am working on:

These chairs are Alabama Channin, but I recently purchased a few sad rejects from the local thrift that are very similar in overall design to these, and of course, the seats were shot (perfect!)......but they were sturdy overall.  I am going to try my hand at refinishing them, and adding webbing and thrifted men's ties to get a similar look as these. 

I totally refurbished the Baker's Rack I bought for the retail space.  It was not in bad shape at all, but by using spray paint for plastic I transformed the top from the fake vinyl butcher block to a more upscale black/white combo for the rack, and I think it certainly reflects my aesthetic much better.

So, as you can see I have been short on the bloggin' but not for lack of enthusiasm.  I have just been working hard behind the scenes :)  

Alrighty....I'll get this up so you have a chance for another entry!  Good luck to all of you!!!

Really Exciting News!

Sorry if it seems I have been MIA...I feel like a bad blogger!  But I have the most exciting news!  A new 'gallery' opened in town- right on Main Street.  I have been wanting to go in for a few weeks, and finally stopped and met with the owner, Joan.  She is a silversmith, and in her past life did community development in Kansas.  She prefers the shop not be called a 'gallery', because that gives it too snooty an aire, but for lack of a better word today that is what I am calling it.

 Here is a look at the cool place she has named 'Artizan's Alley'

Here is a peek at the inside:

 So....here is the really exciting news.....

This is my spot in the gallery!

Yes, this is my little piece of the world!  I am sooo excited!!

So, if I seem distracted.....now you know why.  :)

Of course, there is the big job of readying the space, and selecting which items to display.  I spent the better part of the weekend over Labor Day looking for and acquiring a white Baker's Rack to go with the white commercial grid wall panels I already own.  I missed out on one or two, but found the perfect Baker's Rack on craigslist for a mere pittance, and it is in 'like new' condition!  My sister is planning to share in the space with me, but also has not narrowed down which items to sell.  

Oh- there is also a cute little luncheon area in the shop with the best under $8 menu I have seen in a long time called 'Apron Stringz'.  Joan and her husband also used to do special event catering.  The menu is made up from fresh ingredients and ideas, so if you are ever in Old Town Keller, then be sure to stop in and have a bite to eat, as well.  

So, that is all my news for today!  I do have a couple of great tutorials I am working on, and hope to post one by the end of the week.  

We seem to have gotten past tropical storm Hermine for the time being, although it dumped about 6" of rain in my area.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of those that continue to be affected by the flooding.