Thursday, February 12, 2009

A craft area redo and a vet update

A few years ago, I installed some wire shelves in our hallway. It was a recess in the wall which housed the furnace at one time. Since then, it was a place to store our towels, sheets, and extra blankets. Now that I was finally finished with the bathroom, I had a better place for all of these. Yesterday afternoon I decided to make my former linen closet into a crafting storage area.
Over the past few months, I have realized that I had crafting supplies scattered from one end of the house to the other. Everytime I wanted to start a project, I had to hunt down my supplies. Sometimes I would give up and just go buy whatever I needed. We can't afford to do that anymore so I was on a mission . . . to find all of my crafting supplies and get them organized!
I our bedroom, I had 3 (yes 3!) of those plastic storage things on wheels. Each one had 3 drawers in it and it was the home for the bulk of my stuff. The rest was scattered in the dining room (which is where the sewing machine was), beside the recliner (I had a basket there with things that I work on while watchin TV), and in various drawers.
I pulled EVERYTHING into the living room. Fabric, buttons, paint, sanders, candles, floral stuff, all of it! Needless to say it was a MESS! I didn't want to go buy more plastic bins so I took the drawers out of the ones in my bedroom. This eliminated a lot from my bedroom and I didn't have to spend any money!
It took several hours but I got it finished. I know it doesn't look like a lot but it is all packed in there! Everything except my fabric. I have it stored in a cabinet in the dining room.
Living in a small house means that you don't have the storage that you would like. I have had to find creative ways to store things so they aren't just lying out for everyone to see.
I have so much stuffing and batting that I needed a place to "hide" it. This was my solution . . .

Can't even tell it's in there, huh? It works great because I don't have those big bulky bags showing! Since I became organized - I have started on 3 more projects. I am not a one at a time type gal! I'll try to show you those projects later.
I think one day I am going to do a post and show off my hiding places! I have things hidden everywhere since there is not room to store them!

We took our English Bulldog, Cane, to the vet yesterday. He loves going because he gets to visit other dogs. We got to sit near the scale so he thought that everyone was coming to see him as they were going to weigh their animals. We knew he had an ear infection because of the way that he was acting. Turns out, he has a bacterial ear infection, skin allergy, and Entropion in one eye. Entropion is an inward rolling of the eyelid edges. He said it is a painful condition because the hair on the lid constantly scratches against the cornea.
They gave us meds for the ear infection and he got an allergy shot for his skin. We also got a cream to put in his eye to help with the discomfort but he has to have surgery. We were not expecting that at all!
The vet said that other than the eye, Cane was very healthy. At least we got that good news! So we hope to have his surgery scheduled in the next few weeks.
Right now, he is in the recliner snoring louder than my husband! Makes it hard to watch TV when they are both dozing! I think the curtains are gonna pull off the windows! I am gonna record it one day!
I hope everyone has a great day!

Nicole

15 friends had to say:

Artsy Fartsy Junkin Finds said...

Girl you have been busy again!! Glad puppy is ok. Yes I am up early again, I know. Me and Beth are headed up junkin in Hendersonville for the day! Can't wait to find some more goodies, have a great day, Janna

Black Sheep Lisa said...

Nicole, i am trying to get my supplies organized too in between all the other projects i have going, lOl! Your closet looks great. Sorry to hear Cane has to have surgery, but at least he will not be in pain. That is sweet, he thought all the dogs were coming to see him.

basketsnprims said...

Nicole,
What a great area for your crafting supplies & a wonderful place for your stuffing. I really need to get organized, too, but like Lisa, I've always got something else going on. How cute your doggy is, thinking they were all visiting him. Have a wonderful day.
Pam

Janene said...

I think you have done a great job organizing your crafty items! You will be amazed at how much more efficently you will able to find things!
I am looking forward to the post showing your nifty hiding places!
Have a great weekend!

Beth in NC said...

Thank you for the follow Nicole! I am going to follow you as well so that I can keep in touch.

Have a blessed day!
Beth

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Hi Nicole,
I need to do just what you did...I have stuff all over too, especially in the diningroom:0 I like how you hid the stuffing in the barrel neat idea.
Rondell

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Don't you just love getting organized? Since I created my little space, I am so much more productive too. Love that closet. Oh how I would love to rummage through those bins! LOL

Sorry about Cane! Poor thing. At least, he can still relax which is a good thing.

Smiles,
Lea

Michele said...

Hi Nicole ~ So sorry to hear about Cane...poor little guy!

What good places to hide things...I'll have to do some searching to see if I can find any!

Hugz,
Michele

A Bit of Colour said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! It seems we have lots in common with the old house thing. I still do not have a place for all my crafting supplies. I am running allover the basement mostly looking for them. I wish that I had a spare closet like you do. That is a really great idea. By the way; love your banner.
Blessings

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

I think your craft storage is awesome and you did a great job!
Sorry to hear about Cane's eye. I hope the surgery goes well and isn't that expensive!

Mandy said...

I can completely relate to storage problems! We live in a small house too and I'm constantly looking for a place to store things! You did a great job getting all your supplies in one place.

Mandy

Shauna said...

I am new here! What a great blog :)

Tanielle said...

I just recently organized my craft room. It feels great. You do super cute stuff, I love it!

Molly Mandeville Fryer said...

Oh Nicole--Cane is just precious. We have had two E. Bulldogs. We still have Louise. We lost Roscoe a few months ago. I have never had a more loving unique pet. I know what you mean about the snoring. I am so use to it, I just couldn't live without it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nicole,
Isn't it a good feeling when things get organized. Great place to hide your stuffing!!
Thanks so much for your comment on my last post...it means alot to me. Sorry to hear that you also lost your job. I agree that things will get better and I know that we will be a closer family because of all of this.
hugs, Cindy