Book Shelf Color

I was "skype-ing" with my daughter Devan last night and she showed me how she rearranged the books on their shelves according to color. I was impressed and asked her to email a few photos so that I could brag. Here they are! "Fruit Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree"! (when I'm down or bored or ambitious, I organize and then all is right in the world.) Well done Devo!

How to Make Ribbon Storage Posts

Today I worked on cleaning my studio, and that always leads to finding new ways to organize. My ribbon drawer was a mess so I measured the height of the drawer, subtracted 1/2" and cut 1/2" dowels to that height. Then I picked out one ribbon roll from the primary and secondary color groups in both solid and patterned styles (plus black, white, ivory) and traced them onto some scrapbook paper. I cut the circles out and used a glue stick to adhere them to the bottom of each ribbon roll to create a base.

Then I used the glue gun to secure the dowels into the holes of the ribbon roll. This created a solid foundation for the ribbon storage posts.
Here's how a few of them looked. Aren't they pretty?

Then I thought why not use old brushes and pencils for the dowels instead? Later I found some dried out markers that would work well also. Just make sure that they fit inside your drawer or storage box BEFORE you glue everything together. (Oh yes I did! Ugh, thank heavens I only glued in 1 brush before I glued the rest of them into the other ribbon rolls!)
Here are the finished ribbon posts inside their drawer. (I actually filled 2 drawers and made similar ribbon storage posts for my gift wrapping ribbon.)

And the drawer inside the chest...
and Wa-La!

An Outfit for Carma

I bought this little purple top for Carma on clearance for $2. I cut the top in half, added the pink band and pocket, then made a casing for the elastic at the bottom. This is Carma "posing" in her new outfit for me.

When I measured Carma's cute little body last week, I wrote all my measurements on a notepad sheet. I realized that I wanted a more efficient way to record all my glamchildren's measurements and sewing projects. So I drew a front and back of a "unisex" child's body, scanned it and put together this chart to keep in a three ring binder. (below you can see my scribbled notes next to the charts I made.)

Then I thought it would be fun to have a design page...

and a "journal" page to place a photograph of the finished garment.

And then I remembered all the cute little bootie patterns I have, so I thought it would be nice to have a page to record the kids hand and foot outlines.
I think it will be fun in 10 years to look back at the sewing projects I have made, and maybe my future great grandchildren will laugh at the "out of date" or "retro" fabric I am using today. If you think you can use these project sheets, please enjoy. Otherwise, you can join the rest of my family in thinking I went a little tooo far...again. Oh well, I enjoyed myself. Happy Sewing!

A Few More Studio Elements...

So I took two old lamp shade frames and one new one,

added some bling, and made these chandeliers for my studio. I love the sparkly light!

and I couldn't forget to share this fabulous find... I bought this old blue golf bag at a second hand store. It's perfect for storing dowels and paper rolls. Don't you think it's wonderful ?!

My PINK Studio!!!!!!

So I finally got most of my studio put back together after repainting it. It really is this pink! I love being able to see all my "stuff" (plus the fact that I forgot that I even had most of this stuff to make more "stuff" with!)

I made this mannequin head a year ago out of Styrofoam and paper mache. I dolled it up with a paper crown. I found a clock face and rubbed on some letters to say "NOW" is the time. Take time to make art.

My "painting" side of the studio still needs some more organization.

I keep a lot of empty frames and supplies in these old suitcases and trunks.

and I love this quote from Bette Midler- "Cherish forever what makes you unique. "Cuz you're really a yawn if it goes"...

Now it's time to paint and make stuff!

Goodnight Halloween Decorations!

I've had SEVERAL people ask me just where do I store all of my Halloween decorations, so here is a photo. We have a 10 foot ceiling in the garage so I am able to stack all the boxes to the top. What room there is between the boxes and the ceiling, that is where I cram some of the gravestones. I am now at the point that I have no more room, so I will have to start really editing if I get something new and it will have to be FABULOUS! (around the corner, there is a rack and boxes of costumes. That's where my life size skeleton and mummy are. I still don't have a place for the 3" tall gargoyle my girls got me...) UGH!!!!!

My Scrapbooking Organizer

Most people think that this is where we have our TV...

Nope! This is where I keep my scrapbooking supplies. (I should just buy stock in the tape for my label maker) I love to just look at it as much as I actually love using the actual papers and "good crap" that I love even more. So here's to all those scapbookers (or better yet, family record keepers) out there who are just as crazy as me!

My Altered Inspiration Books

I LOVE quotes! and I have been collecting them for years now. So, when browsing the book section at the local thrift store, I came upon this old recipe book. It was Perfect for a Quote organizer! I just dolled up the outside and added new headings to the categories.

Here's my book of inspiration for entertaining and what-not...

and here is one that I glue in all the wonderful ideas I get from each of you about paper dolls and half dolls! (my doll collection of choice, they are easier to find a place for.)

So a huge shout out to all of you bloggers who continue to inspire me, thank you!

72 hour emergency kits

So today I finally put together Mr. Fabulous's and my "72 Hour Kits". I have collected the items and the backpacks long ago and never seemed to get enough gumption to put them altogether. I do have to say that I now have a sense of peace about any upcoming emergency if we have to leave the house for a day or two (knock on wood and heaven forbid)... It is just smart to have the stuff ready. I got a list of what to bring from this site, and here is a list from the Red Cross .

PS Does it bother anyone else that the pack of paper towels is upside down in the photo?! I going to go fix that right now. (I'm so weird even I recognise the fact that I'm weird sometimes!!!)

My Kitchen Pantry

Some days are just not all that exciting. Like today as I reorganized the pantry. One cool thing is the old "Jack Links" beef jerky grocery shelf that I bought at a thrift store. It is kind of hard to see in this photo.

Another cool thing is the old First Aid box that I also got at a thrift store. I did paint the big red cross on it though, and sanded it to make it look older.That's it........

My Vanity...

I finally sort-of finished the vanity that I bought at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I bought the mirror at the used hotel furniture place, and I screwed in some fab. knobs that I hung some vintage jewelry from.

I also bought some chair padding and black velvet and filled some old boxes with it to make some jewelry organizers.

Inside this drawer are some bracelet holders that I made by covering pieces of swimming toy float. After trimming it to fit into the drawers, I covered it with the black velvet. I secured the jewelry with hat pins...

Vintage Store Finds...

Last week I went to some of my favorite "Antique" Stores. I quote the word "Antique" because there are really only a few actual antiques but there is a TON of good "old" stuff. A vendor was going out of business and I happened on her area. There were two piles, one said "Everything $1" and the other pile "Everything $2". One of these crates was in the $1 pile and one was in the $2 pile.(?) I grabbed both and started making my own pile by the cash register. Needless to say, I felt a need to help this vendor get rid of some of their good "old" stuff. I think I'll keep the picnic basket in my kitchen's sitting area to house any projects that are bulky and need more time to create than one sitting. And aren't those big cards great! Gotta LOVE those "Antique" stores!

Is there Life Everafter for Cardboard???

Today, I spent the day altering the space ship that I made for the Space Age party last Saturday. I was wondering "now where can I store this stuff?!!! (actually, I didn't even think about that part till Mr. Fabulous asked the same question when he saw me making all of it...) and then I thought about the grand kids play room... The family before us had a little boy and they painted his room an eggshell blue, and painted the ceiling a very dark royal blue and then glued glow-in-the-dark stars all over. At first I thought about re-painting but that was way down on the priority painting list, so I kept it that way. I had been collecting old globes, so I went with a "world" theme by putting up maps of the earth on the walls. So, there you go.

A few of the robots got a second chance too. We'll see how long they last.......