Office/Craft Room REVEAL....

Moving into the craft room...... yes I had post-it notes

on everything to help me organize all of the supplies,.

It was a monumental task - but SO worth it!

More boxes and post-it notes!  I think I am a little OC when it comes to organizing!

So...... here is where I started with boxes galore (and trust me - I downsized here as well and donated about half of my cardstock supply, markers,  paints - (so many things that I  either had barely used or had not used at all...) before I packed up what was left. 

I loved this room even when it was a mess because I could always see the potential in it.  Just look at all of those windows (4 regular and 1 double) and space to move around!. I knew from the moment it was designed that creating would be so much fun in here,  It makes me happy just to be in here!

OMG - such pandemonium initially and such excitement when it was all finished.  I wasn't sure the contents of all of those boxes would find a home, but they did! Trust me - I had my doubts MANY times!

The unpacking begins as the post-its directed my efforts and kept me focused!

With the help of Ikea, Stamp n Storage products, and my youngest son's ingenuity (along with the detail oriented and committed contractor and his great crew), I have an amazing space to do all of the things that I love.  I can hardly wait to get some mojo back. I would love to have a list in my head a mile long of things to do.   I just need a good swift kick to get myself in gear again.  soon....

In the meantime, I have been slowly making headway on the organization of my craft room.  I am so glad (and relieved)  that the ideas that started in my head, moved to paper and then took actual form really worked!  In fact, it came out even better than I had dreamed. I love everything about it.  And I may still be moving things around, but that's just part of who I am. I am rarely content to keep things status quo - at least not in my craft area.

To share a little background, this is the fourth or fifth craft room I have put together from scratch.    I have put together a mish-mash of workbench storage, shelving, plastic containers to having an organizational company create a space.  It was great - but with each project I learned a little/usually a LOT more....

All of that design and trial and error came with me to the condo where I designed a space all with IKEA pieces.   I poured over catalogues until the pages were worn, marking what I liked, took several trips to IKEA in San Diego (I could live in that store quite happily!)  and make mock up after mockup - trying to figure out how to make it all work together.  The contractor and his guys were the best, although they were not thrilled when they realized they had to assemble 32 drawers - and that was just for one wall!  Ahhh yes - organization taken to the next level!

I also used products from Stamp'nStorage that are designed for IKEA (they have other products that work for any storage, but they do have some specific pieces that fit in IKEA units) to help keep my paper, markers and ink pads all in neat order.  I am still shifting a few things around but it's done for the most part.  I just need to do a better job of keeping excess paper OFF my computer area.
That is a work in progress!

The two organizers on the upper left are for ink pads. 

The remaining ones are for markers of all kinds

Here is what they look like filled and neat.

Underneath the counter are all of the paper organizers with removable dividers

so the size can be customized based on the amount of cardstock.

I divided my stash by brand and color and made labels

to go on the front edge of each paper divider.

This is the back of the room - pics below show a little more detail.

The work area is to the left and the sewing area and

lots of storage are to the right...

Assorted ribbons are hanging on the left side of the storage unit.

        

Here is a close-up of the upper storage -

I opened one row of doors so you could see the inside -

the cupboards (shown) and double drawers below are

individual inserts that fit into this open "cubed" storage piece!

This cupboard (above) is supporting the

12 cubed piece.   There is printer paper and toner

on the right side and  Silver Bullet Mats,

adhesive, crafting sprays on the left, as you can see.

This is the back corner of the craft room - a view

of the sewing area and great craft storage.

A better picture of the sewing area with most of the supplies

contained within the sewing "desk".

It is so difficult to get photos of this amazing room

because of all of the angles.  It would have made a

disjointed master bedroom - it's much better suited

for crafting, especially with ALL of the wonderful windows!

Just a peek of mini ink storage...

...and glitter all in one place...

...and foil especially for the Silver Bullet!

This bookcase houses my cookbooks (yes I downsized my "collection"! ) and volunteer notebooks. 

The bookcase at the other end has my crafting books and sewing materials (threads, etc).

This area is the front wall of my office (it backs the kitchen)

and holds office supplies in the drawers and printers on the shelves..

This is the front corner with all of the wonderful sunshine - love it!

It's a pleasure to sit here and work on things.  I cannot enjoy the scenery  from this spot,

but I can always sit on the deck if I need an ocean breeze...

A close up of the work area........

New home of my Silver Bullet - front and center!

Hope you enjoyed an overview of my new craft room.  It has been a long time coming, but so worth the wait.

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Officially a Beach Bum! - Photo Overload!

WELCOME to my new home...

There have been a lot of unexpected surprises that came with moving to the condo - and they weren't all about downsizing.  I don't feel like I am missing space at all and I love that I am using the things that I have.  I no longer feel overwhelmed by "stuff" and that is a great feeling. 

It is a totally different lifestyle here. I am still not used to getting on an elevator to get to the underground parking.  There are only two floors so it's not a long ride - it's just something that feels different from the "norm".  But it is getting more comfortable and familiar with time.

I have grown to love it here - I really do.  There is something totally magical about getting up every morning and looking out at the ocean and actually being able to hear it.  I don't think I will ever tire of that. I can instantly be mesmerized by the waves as they crash along the shore.  I marvel at the surfers waiting every so patiently to catch the perfect wave. It is as if a whole fantasy world unfolds almost at my feet.  Amazing..... I am in awe daily.

But when I pull myself out of the hypnotic spell of the ocean, I see that I have somehow managed to create my own magical space within these walls. So here is a little of the reveal. (Refer to this post to see what a dramatic change occurred). I am going to save the craft room/office for its own post because it deserves to be highlighted.

Living Room... (pictures still need to be hung...)

Living Room sunshine...

Yes you can grow fruit inside... (I hope!)...

dwarf lemon and lime trees

A wide open Kitchen...

Another view of the Kitchen...

from the Living Room...

Storage and sunshine galore...

One of my favorite things....

Corner cupboard storage.....

The corner storage swings and pulls out to gain access

to everything - no lost items stuck in the back!...

Dishes in a pull out drawer - so easy!

Why didn't I know about this decades ago?!?

The Dining Area - counter height chairs and table...

Thriving herbs loving the sunshine and sea air...

All set up for grilling on the deck (it is the best!)...

More posts featuring this grill to follow...

Well, that's a quick overview of the remodel of the main areas.  Office/Craft Room to follow soon. Thanks for joining me on this journey and being patient with my long absence. 

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Moving Card Reveal!

While I still had my craft room in one piece (well at least things were still accessible) I decided it would be a good time to design my moving card and get the pieces cut out. Then I could put them together and address them as I had time while unpacking.  I knew the feel I wanted (obviously an ocean theme), but it t took me a while to come up with the right look.  I am really happy with the end result and hope the recipients will as well.

I thought it would reflect the colors of my condo as I was originally leaning toward blues and browns, but the condo has actually taken on more shades of  gray, black and white with pops of blues.  Oh well - I am still happy with the way the card turned out.

I used a starfish pattern that Ducky (Ducky's Designs) used for my birthday card and made a shadow layer so the color would have more dimension.  I have a background stamp (square block with varying patterns) from Stampendous that I use whenever I want a feel of texture and interest.  I actually used it a couple of times.  I stamped it in white ink and covered the card base to give the feel of the ocean, and then used a brown ink over the starfish.  I also ran the starfish through a Cuttlebug embossing folder so it would seem more realistic.  The papers are all from Paper Temptress, of course! 

Love the dimension that comes from the multipurpose cube stamp

Starfish stamped with the same stamp as above

I found the quote by Jacques Cousteau online and it seems to really reflect my feelings.  All of those were cut out using the print and cut method in SCAL.  And they were printed on a marble vellum that I also used on the inside of the card to share the new address.  It takes so little work to create a customized card - just type and cut - love it. And it was so much fun to watch it all come together.

Thanks for going on the journey with me...  Pictures of the finished remodel (minus pictures on the wall - still not quite there!) coming very soon.  I promise.  Just editing them now.  Some of the areas are hard to photograph so working on getting the best pics I can!

In the meantime, this was my last bit of "craftiness" - hard to believe these were made seven months ago.  But looking at these photos does make me want to start looking for some creative mojo again...
baby steps.... :)

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From Pandemonium to Panic to Paradise... A Restrospective Look..

A lot of time has passed since my last post..... so bringing you up to date with a bit of a journal...

November 17, 2015...

Well....... I did it!  I moved TWELVE  days ago.  There is still a small amount of construction going on so the unpacking has been challenging. I  FINALLY worked on the kitchen the end of last week and the bedroom is almost done; the office is about 3/4 there.  I hoped to have it done by now, but some things need to be redone (electrical issues) so it will have to wait to be finished.  But I can see the possibilities!

So here is a sneak peek of moving day -  I have moved from the pandemonium/panic stage, to beginning to see the potential of paradise! :)  So close....  Will have "finished product" pics in a couple of weeks.  I won't be online for a bit, but I promise great pics when I am back. In the meantime.....***

***and that is where I left off....with EVERY intention of posting this to let you know I would be away for a bit but back soon.  Ahhhh - best laid plans.  I had a surgery scheduled for November 18 and the plan was that I would be home in two weeks.  Little did I know that the next THREE months of my life would be spent within the hospital walls.  Yes...three...LONG...difficult...boring at times...frightening at others...months.

View from the entry!

Oh where oh where did the living room go???

         The kitchen being shared with construction crew.  Note no countertop in yet.

         And the blue tape is to open the drawers - waiting for handle installation.

Not the best lighting, but this is a partial view of the office/craft room.  It had wall to wall boxes with overflow going into the hallway!

Feb. 3, 2016

I finally arrived at my "NEW" home the first weekend in February.  I felt like a stranger - totally ungrounded and totally lost!  It was the strangest feeling.  Yes I had lived here for a mere 12 days back in November, and  was so busy during that time trying to unpack from the move, that I never really bonded with my new beach abode.  So three months after the move, I felt totally off balance - physically and emotionally.  There were still boxes to unpack, rooms to organize, and so much to do...and I was overwhelmed.  But thanks to family and friends who gave incredible support on all levels, I somehow progressed through the past three months and made it to this point!  REJOICE!!!

May 15, 2016

So here we are..... six months later...  I have done very little cooking (at least not much that is worth sharing!) and absolutely NO card making.  I just cannot seem to get my creativity back.  It's frustrating as I have designed a wonderful space here at the beach - and it all sits neglected.  I am hoping that the desire returns soon. (and I downsized over 50% of my craft supplies, but it looks like more here because things are spread out and I can see them. What a concept!

I am really going to try to get back to posting and doing the things that I love again. Bear with me please.

In the meantime, I will be catching up on posting the results of the condo remodel.  The end result was worth the wait and all of the frustration that seems to go hand in hand with construction.  It is honestly everything I hoped it would be... and more!  I LOVE IT! 

Just a little tease of the beautiful unretouched view.... finished interior coming soon!

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Condo Chaos Transforming...

It has been so long since I have posted but it hasn't been for lack of things happening.  I don't think I had a real good grasp of just how time consuming this remodel and move would be - it is basically a recipe for a quick trip to insanity!  I am moving in a week.....!  Let me say that again just so it can sink in..... I......AM.......MOVING........ IN...... A.....WEEK!!!  OMG!!  I have a lot still to do!

In all honesty, the condo is coming along great and is further along than these photos, but I promised a progress report, so will save the big reveal until it is all done - and then when I am actually moved in.  They are going to blend right into each other with a little overlap of last minute things, but such is life. The best laid plans never quite fall into place perfectly. That is ok.  I am learning to let it go... well ok - I am trying to let it go!

So I will share some of the photos of the past few weeks - a lot of delivery boxes from Ikea :),  a lot of pandemonium, but a lot of excitement and fun too.  I should take pictures of my current home but I am afraid the health department would be at my door if I did that!  I will try to get a photo of ALL of the boxes once I have them all orderly and ready to go. But in the meantime, here is a preview of the condo in progress...

Boxes and boxes... 

Just part of the office boxes from Ikea...

and more.... (a few weeks ago...)

The movers are scheduled for Nov. 4 - that is the big day. Some of the furniture has arrived and will be delivered next Monday as are a few other things. The appliances are in place, minus one that was damaged in shipping so we are awaiting a replacement *sigh*.  But it's the dryer, so if I have to be without for a little while, that's ok. The condo was painted this weekend and I have not seen it yet, but I hear it is beautiful in shades of gray. The flooring goes down tomorrow and that will really help it look "real".  Still have a LONG list of things to be done before I move, but working on it as best I can.

So here is a little tease of things shaping up.... am beginning to get really excited in spite of all of the hurdles.

New master shower taking shape...(ignore the tools!)

The lighting makes the colors funny, but no good light in there...yet..

love the tile work

Flooring looks much better in person. It really isn't wavy - that's just the pattern 

and angle of the photo!

More tile work....looks like glass up close...

Kitchen cabinets being assembled in the living room!

Cabinets moving into place...

Notice the blue tape handles - sparing no expense! :) 

Another kitchen view...

The trash can table in the nook gives a sense of realism - don't you think??

Yet another view of the kitchen - that is the front of the island.

There will be doors to cover that... and a countertop soon!  

Stacks of Ikea furniture all over the office/craft room - 

nothing is in its place

And more cabinets and drawers for the office/craft room.

This will need it's own post when done :)

And more cabinets and drawers and....

Look at that stack of drawers!! And that is one of two desks...will be my sewing desk 

in a different part of the room!

Highlights this week:

Installation of blinds

Installation of floor

Ceiling fans in place

Pendant lights over the island

Breakfast nook lighting

Bathroom lighting

Granite installation (I hope?)

Office countertops (I hope?)

Closet installation

Remaining cupboards in laundry room and master

Next week:

TV installation (I hope)

Furniture delivery

Front screen installation

New door locks and peep hole (super cool - it magnifies a large image!)

Whatever is left undone from the list above (!)

MOVING DAY!

Yikes - that's a LOT!!!

It will all be worth it - my new mantra!  

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Demo Done - Remodel Progress....

It has been a few weeks of trials and tribulations, decision and indecision, worries and joy, frustration and hope - and so goes the journey of moving and remodeling . It is a collage of colliding emotions and a whirlwind of activity.  Most of the time I am loving it, but I really have to stay focused or it is STOP COLD IN MY TRACKS overwhelming!

No more popcorn ceiling - living room shell!

This has been one of the scariest and most exciting things I have ever done. There are hurdles as there are with any remodel and move, but I just keep pushing forward, determined not to let anyone take the joy away from me!  It is going to be a wonderful home for me and I hope to have lots of company for coffee in the morning and wine or whatever in the evening!  It is so peaceful and beautiful there...

So what's in store this week?? Well the kitchen will take shape with the cupboards and drawers and all of the pieces that will shape its look.  The appliances will be delivered tomorrow as I write this.  I can hardly wait. I think they started the tile in the "new"  master bath today.   I recently ordered all of the parts to "build" the office/craft room and that was delivered today as well!. I have a feeling those boxes are pretty much going to fill the office/craft room.  Can hardly wait to get a picture of it!  I just ordered lighting and ceiling fans and it's moving fast! Also just ordered  the window coverings. Thinking about the remaining mirrors, closet pieces, a few cupboards left - and I am sure a few other things I have not thought of  yet!  Yikes!!

A part of the nook area and kitchen...raw!

Can you picture the brand new kitchen??? 

I am SO excited about the kitchen and the craft room mostly because that is where I spend the bulk of my time.  It's going to be very different from what I have now, which is wonderful.  I will have twice the room in the office/craft room and more storage in both rooms - but all different. So I have to spend time forgetting about how things are now and reinvent it all in the new space. Why is that so hard for me?!?

Not the best lighting...this is the front part of my office/craft room.

This section will be mainly office...

This is part of the back (notice the FIVE windows in this room!)

This will be craft and sewing area...The room is HUGE!

All in all, the condo is taking shape...  I have to pinch myself to realize that I will be moving there in less than 4 weeks (fingers crossed!). How is that happening?  I still have WAY TOO MUCH to do here.  Where are those darned elves when I really need them?!?  I still have the hard rooms left to pack, but they will get done. It is just taking time to weed through everything and get rid of 50%!   I can do this.  My youngest son has been a gem, coming over twice a week, helping fill boxes and move them since I can't lift over 10 lbs (do you realize how little is LESS than 10 lbs?!?) and organizing the packed boxes. What a huge help he has been.  Am blessed with wonderful friends offering decorating ideas and all sorts of help.  Feeling  so very grateful.

Stay tuned for more updates as things are about to change rapidly!  Sometimes I feel like a little kid anticipating Christmas morning.  I don't even care that there is so much work once I move in (remind me after I move that I said that!) - am just so very eager to be there.  It is going to be very different as far as the lifestyle, but I totally believe it is going to be the best time ever!!  Will try to share more often as things come together in different areas ...

Thanks for bearing with me through these long posts!

Here is a slightly different angle of the view....it keeps me motivated to be there!
So much anticipation!

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