Where Bloggers Create 2013

So my creative space is getting there. It's still not decorated, but I can create and function in this space so that is all that is really necessary. The rest is just frosting right?

We moved here last October after some remodeling work, so while everything is "finished" I have still been in rearranging mode until I get everything just right. Then I will finish my decoration. I just rearranged the furniture again a few weeks ago, so this deadline was perfect for me to get everything put back together and out of the spare bedroom.

I have a "paper station" where my father-in-law built a table and shelving into the closet to my specifications. I have had problems storing 12x12 paper in the past. It always overhung my shelving so it was always a source of contention for me. He also ran electricity into the closet so that I can use the Cricut right there where the paper is located. This is my "dry" station. No glues, paints, inks, water, etc are allowed in this area. I also store all of my photos and other electronics on the upper shelving.

Then we go to the Stamp/Fabric/Jewelry storage area. My father-in-law also built this storage unit to my design. He built the base and used some of my existing shelving for the top unit. In the canvas bins is my extensive stamp collection (I sold Stampin Up for several years). Plus my ribbon collection (3 of the bins). My sewing machine is located here as well as all of the related sewing supplies. I also have my jewelry making located here. All of my beads, chains, and tools are in this area. I still have yet to get my workbench in the garage and have my power tools for my jewelry set up (fall project after we are below 100* again).  I like to have different workstations for different types of work.

 

Then lastly my "wet" area is two Ikea Expidit small bookcases with a glass top table. This is perfect for my inks, sprays, paints, glues, and anything else messy. It cleans up very nicely and has lots of storage. I also have this great metal cabinet that stores my supplies and ephemera, bling, embellishments, and all manners of fun stuff. I found this cabinet at a garage sale one day and it was an ugly mauve/brown color and full of junk from someones workshop. My friend, Blanca, and I loaded it up in her van and toted it home. Needless to say my husband was less than happy that I brought home more junk and another project to do. He make me store it outside and on several occasions he threatened to haul it to the dump. After all I had only spent $20 on it. But I prevailed and kept it away from him. I painted it with black chalkboard paint. After I moved it in and set it up, he admitted to me that was probably the best piece of storage for me and my needs! Ha!

 

Enjoy my space and don't forget to join the bloghop over at MyDesertCottage.com.

House Update...

Here's an update on the house remodel...Just a few sneak peeks for my family and friends who can't come visit for a while. As you can see, we added quite a bit of molding, wainscoted the entire main rooms, painted, removed the arched doorways, removed the upper cabinets in the kitchen and rebuilt staggered ones, and painted the basic oak lowers white and the island an espresso color. We currently have more done than this, but I need to get the photo's taken and uploaded before I can post. I'm in the middle of packing up our house to move into this one in 1-2 weeks (hopefully).

New House-During Demolition Phase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here is the house after we have done most of the demo work, or should I say hubby's dad did most of the demo work! He's excited to have a project to work on again. Most of the drastic changes happened in the master bathroom. We removed all the fixtures, built a wall with a pocket door for the toilet, removed the tub and linen to make room for a 2 person walk in shower. We also removed the wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom so that we could fit in our nightstands as well as the new vanity we purchased. It really opened up the room and makes it feel much more spacious.

You can see my babies, Baxie and Bayle, are interested with what is going on too. We like to get them used to new places first before we move if we can. This way they are more comfortable in the new house because they have been there before.

We still have so demo to do in the kitchen the the cabinets, but we are getting the rest ready. Doors are being hung, trim going up, tile work will begin soon, we have our painter lined up, and cabinet doors being built.  We have new toilets, vanities, and bath hardware that have already arrived, along with new doors, trim, and hardwood flooring. I had a family emergency, so I went back home to Washington State to help out. I am here for a month, so between my husband and I we are trying to remotely pick out lighting, paint, bath fixtures, faucets, fans, etc. This makes for some interesting emails back and forth. I can't wait to see it myself when I get home.

New House-Office, Guest and Art Studio

So I saved my favorite room for the end. My Art Studio. It overlooks the front yard, lots of natural light, and close to the garage where all my metal work will be done. I can't wait to organize it! There is also a guest bathroom and the main bathroom on this end of the house. Here is where my family or friends can stay when they visit us. Any preference on paint colors? I will try to not make it as girly as it is now. For some reason, our male friends aren't as comfortable in a shabby-chic room with a side of Peter Rabbit as I was hoping. I have to store my collectibles somewhere! Speak now or forever hold your peace.

And I can't forget about my husband's office, which is very important since he works from the house. It overlooks the front porch so he can see if the FedEx or UPS man is dropping off an e-Bay purchase for him. He travels frequently, and when he is bored, he shops. I have a love/hate relationship with his shopping. I'm fortunate in the sense that he does most of the grocery shopping, Costco runs, and other misc shopping errands. But man I'm short on closet space! I can truly say he has more closet space than I do. He will deny it with his dying breath and saying I'm exaggerating. But I say the proof is in the pudding.

New House-Backyard

Here's the backyard. There are some roses and tomatoes planted in the raised bed. The grass will eventually have to go because my husband renigged on lawn duty years ago. When we first moved to AZ 10 years ago, he told me that if I wanted a lawn, I would have to deal with it all myself. Lawns are not as easy here as they were in Washington. There you just have to move every week and maybe water a few times in the summer. Easy-Peasy. In Arizona, you have to plant Winter grass and Summer grass, fertilize, scalp, water every day, AND move. Quite a bit more to deal with. I'm hoping that there will be enough room for a small pool. The puppies and I love to hang out in the water and cool off.