Motivation

So, perhaps if I blog about the sad, sorry state of my office/craft room, I will do something about it.
Promise you will help shame me into cleaning out and organizing it? Really? That's sweet.
This is what I do: I have nice, organized drawers and bins. And completely overwhelmed counters and floors. Go figure. My kitchen is the same way. I have a hard time keeping the counters cleaned (read: my counters are never cleaned off) but my knife drawer? Those babies are on a rubberized mat so they don't bang around, neatly organized so they never touch. Although I do need to get rid of a couple because gah! Clutter in my drawer!
So pictures, to help you shame me. Um, just going to take those with photo booth because I'm scared of losing my camera if I bring it down. So they are not great, and there won't be many but oh well.
These are untouched in all their terrible messiness. Prepare yourselves.
First is the sewing/dying computer table. I have my sewing machine and serger on this table. Along with some towels I'm doing something with, gift bags that need to be put away, and various and assorted papers that are hanging out with the dying computer. Nice. To the left you see part of the fabric stash and bins of toys because for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to put them there. Note: not a good idea. You can also see the doorway into the Man Cave, with the little tv. Those white doors are to the utility area, which needs to not be blocked. Right now? Blocked.Then we have the west wall. I have my scrapbooking and school stuff along this wall and it's pretty bad. Note the nice dark walls and maroon carpet. Maroon carpet that is. Never. Clean. Because of all it's maroon carpetness. And last? Some of the East Wall, which shows some of my stash and part of the built in table where my computer sits. Yes, the top of the table is painted maroon. Because this room is not dark enough (did I mention the light fixture? That it's a wall mounted bathroom fixture that sits above the maroon table? Oh, and did I also mention the lack of windows in this room? Yep, those are issues that will be dealt with later when B puts in real lighting on the ceiling).
0Well, that's it. Be a little kind, but if I don't get moving on this and post improvements within the next month, stop with the kindness!
Let the cleaning fun begin!

Yeah

So I'm not a very good blogger right now, obviously.
I have been a bit busy, I guess.
I made these last week:and put them up for sale (look on the right).
I'm thinking about putting together kits for people to make their own. What do you think?

• • •

Anyway, I did clean my office. There will be no pictures, however. It's so dark and dreary in here that any after pictures would look like before pictures, if that makes sense. I call it my dungeon for a reason. There are plans to paint in here and put in new lighting (to replace the single bathroom fixture that's hanging on the far wall), so maybe I'll post before and afters once that is done.
In about three years.

• • •

I got these books last week and I'm in heaven.

Have to say, I really love Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. It's a really beautiful book. I already have several projects planned out of there. And I love InStitches, too. It has beautiful projects — there are several office/household projects I can't wait to try.
I'm expecting these two next week:

Decided to buy the Simple Gifts book to join this flickr group. It just sounds fun.
I think I've already blogged these, but I bought these two last year:

Love, love, love Amy Karol's blog and her book is as fun to read. I want to live in her house. Or make mine look like hers (that would probably be easier and less scary for Amy, don't you think?) Lotta Jansdotter's book has a lot of modern touches and there are several projects I'd probably never make (door stop? don't really have a problem with doors closing on me around here) but I like the aesthetics of the book.
So I've got plenty of inspiration hanging around.
Just need to get going.
And warning to family and friends? You'll probably be getting handmade items this year for birthdays. Unless I know you want a store-bought item. Just let me know in advance, k?

Pencil Lines #23

Gotta love Pencil Lines sketches - they give you so many ideas! Here's my latest:
Never thought I'd ever scrapbook a page with a picture of a Furby on it, but there you go. I'm having scanner issues - it doesn't do very well when there's thick embellishments. It makes the color look funny. Any tips?

We're looking for a new house right now - possibly making an offer this week on a house with a great craft space. I'm excited to set up the room how I want. I'm only disappointed with one thing: the room has nice maroon carpet, so I'm going to have to wait a while before I get my orange craft room. I want laminate flooring (great for office chairs with casters) and a nice, non-nauseating orange on the walls. Torchlight 6374 from Sherwin Williams is about the color I want. I'd have to see it in person to be sure.
I'm just excited to start making the space work for me. Someday.

Creative space

I love looking at other people's creative space: their studios, offices, dining rooms ... people who love to create find their own way of organizing their supplies. I realized I was coveting other people's space - I have lived in an apartment for 6 months and I really miss my house and it's large office space. I want color on the walls and permanent shelving, but that's not going to happen for a while. I decided to post pictures of where I create, even if it's not the ideal for me right now - it still works! And I can always dream about the ultimate studio ...
An explanation of a few decorative things:

• Big 'J' - early attempt at altering letters
• Flower collage by my sister, Goobie
• Picture in frame from Dani. It says, "Home, the spot of earth supremely blest a dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest. — Robert Montgomery" Given to me when we moved.
• 'Joy' - It's what I feel on a daily basis when I'm with my highly entertaining kids.
• The jars of ribbon were an idea I stole from my sister, Dani. They are very functional as well as cute!

My desk space is never clean. I always feel guilty when I see perfectly organized craft areas in magazines. But then I comfort myself knowing they must have spent hours cleaning before the photos were taken. I obviously didn't take any time to clean before these pictures were taken. This is my space all natural, baby. I'm not cleaning for nobody. And I'm okay with that.