Organized Chaos

Hello everyone;
Last week I learned if you make your own desk you can tear it apart and re-purpose it and nobody says anything to you for doing it.  So here it is

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 I love my new desk; it is more organized takes up a smaller footprint in the room and is easily accessible at any time.In fact this is why my blog book got made.




While looking for inspiration I came across The Shabby Nest and found her tutorials well what great idea’s for a blog book. This book helps keep you on schedule with you blog postings plus when you have or find something you want to blog about you put it on your list. You also have an area for idea’s for you blog. So below is mine.

 My book has three sections, a calendar for dates each month, my ideas, and a section for “What I do” which is for things I have made or are in progress so I can add updates and info on the progress of those items along the way. I have never had any type of organization for this blog now I feel I am headed in at least the right direction.  I am one of those people who if it is not written down it doesn't get done. Now I do not have any excuse. (Smiles) 

p.s below is an inspiration page I have added to my blog book it is a work in progress.

 

Start of my inspiration page in my book

I also wanted to share with you the pictures of the book I made for my little granddaughter.  I call it her little “stash book” it is made out colored paper bags.  

It has pockets for her to “stash” things in like notes, pictures, or remembrances from places she has visited.  I included a space for school stuff  and a shopping section with its own pull out shopping list.

She and her family travel quite a bit so she can put little things that she picks up along 
the way then she have a mini type of scrap book later on to remember her travels.  I am starting the one for her younger brother so he will have his own I will put up picks of his soon.

  

  

Sorry I have been gone so long.
Things have been crazy busy with finishing school, the holidays, my state exam and externship. However yesterday for the first time in forever one of my best friends and I went and painted pottery. What a fun afternoon.
I learned alot about painting pottery, like how long it takes to fire at 1800 degrees and how it takes 16-17 hours to cool down. We learned that none of the colors that you paint the piece with look anything like they will once they are fired.
My friend free handed the nautilus shell on her bowl, the owner of the shop printed out the picture and my friend drew the shell just like it was the easiest thing to do. I can't draw that well so I took the easy way and did a free hand design all in rich Tuscan colors. We spent 3+ hours drawing, painting and just enjoying the afternoon something we have not been able to do since my schooling started. Oh by the way I have finished my class work, taken and passed my state exam and will be finished with my externship hours in about 10 days then it will be graduation woohoo!
Because the studio was so pleasant and friendly I am putting up a link to her site so all my local friends will be able to check them out as well. They offer "Girls Night Out", Couples Night and much more it is the
 "Art from the Heart Cafe" www.artfromtheheartcafe.com

Well all it is the holiday season and the reason is giving....

I received this message from my daughter this morning who is in the Army currently down range and I think that there are way to many soldiers that maybe be going through the same type of thing. Our tradition each year is to take a family who does not have much and give them more for Christmas. So I think that the brave men and women should be our focus!

"If you get a chance, can you possibly send some stuff to my friend ? He's in the same unit I am.

I've told you about my buddy his wife isn't sending him anything, she's too busy.

I am not asking you to send him a lot... just a little something to let him know that someone was thinking of him on this Christmas holiday"

So I am thinking that Christmas cards, magazines, food treats (that won't melt in shipping) could be sent to alot of these young men and women who will not be with their families. 

If you would like to send something in this soldier's name contact me at tynacaldwell@gmail.com by just clicking on the link and I will send you the information.

Thank you all very much!

Remember the reason for the Season!

Hello Everyone,
Sorry I have been away so long. I got inspired to get some serious work done for my art center. Watching videos, reading blogs, finding solutions to space problems that we have here was the challenge but I think I have it figured out for me at least.
First, off I built my own art desk, I copied part of an that I saw on the Internet and the best part is I had most of the materials here I just had to give it some thought. So here is the picture of that project.

My Art Desk

I have not decided whether to paint the top or make it an inspirational top with pictures of all the things I love.
Since I am unsure of what to do I will just wait and see what I think in a week or two.
As you can see I used two closet organizers (brown shelves at each end) and a thick piece of plywood. Using that "new tool" that I talked about earlier I was even able to counter sink the  screw heads making for a smooth surface.

Next is my supply area, I have made boxes to sort my scrapbook papers in. I have 

started my binder for ephemera and my stamps (using trading card pages). I also started a project file so when I see things that I know I will want to make pages out of sooner than others I have them easily accessible to me so I do not have to spend my time looking around to find things before I can start. For me that is the biggest frustration is spending 45 minutes getting everything together and spend 30 minutes on the project. When you have a small home you can't always leave everything out so you must be organized. We utilize every bit of our space and most times it is duel purposed.  So here is my supply area: 

Supply Area

Keep in mind this area is not complete but it is a great start for me. The hardest thing for me is to not allow myself to be derailed, with everything else in life. It is easier for me to do for everyone else other than myself.

Believe it or not having a craft area is a lot of work especially when you want to know what you have before you go out and buy something you may not need. I have even seen people who catalog every marker, every stamp and anything else of importance to them. I never knew there was that much work involved but, once it is done it is easier to keep up with I am sure. Just remember do not spend all your time organizing remember the reason you set your area up and that was to do ART!

Hello all
It is Saturday before Thanksgiving; the shopping for dinner is done. So I afforded myself a little time to build something that my husband has not had time to do with school and work.  So here it is. I made a set of desk shelves to help with the clutter that always seems to end up on my desk.  I have not built anything in at least 100 years so not to bad I don't guess? However I must say I had a little help from my son who decided that Dad's way is always better. I think he understands now that people do things differently and things must be done in a way that the person who is building them can use their strengths best to suit them.
p.s. the new tool was not of any help on this project :(

 

Here are my new shelves


I think the next endeavor will be a new headboard for his bed. What he has now is just make shift and I don't like it. We will see how time permits through the upcoming weeks. I must get back to my art journaling also as I have several projects to finish before the Christmas holiday is upon us.

Speaking of Christmas we are having somewhat of an old fashion Christmas. I am making some items by hand and making sure that everyone remembers what the true meaning of Christmas is about.
Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas they would like to share for other people?
It would be interesting to see what other people would do.
Let's keep it easy, friendly and in the true spirit of Christmas. That would be fun don't you think?

I'll start....
One year I made the children Quillows and they carried them around for years.
I have included a link on what a Quillow is, (it is just a blanket with a pillow pocket on one side). Great for families with kids who travel to Grandma's house for the holiday.
What is a Quillow is youtube explanation of what they are.
This one is how to fold a quillow
How to fold a Quillow is youtube instructions how to fold a quillow
There are instructions all over the Internet on how to make them and that depends on how fancy you would like to get.

I know some people that crochet well enough they could just add a pocket size piece and make a crocheted quillow.

Making things can be a great stress reliever, and gives you a great sense of accomplishment, at least it does for me. I am on a path of rediscovery remembering how talented and creative I used to be. Well I never really stopped I just told myself I did not have time any more. So I felt like I could not remember what creativity was and how it seemed to come so naturally years ago. Well I am slowly but surely finding it piece by piece learning how not to be afraid to try something new or something old for that matter and remembering no one will dislike me because I made a mistake. Besides who would really know except me, myself & I. If I don't like it I don't have to tell anyone else about it now do I? :) Hide it with paint, start over or pretend it never happened is my motto.

We are here to enjoy ourselves right? Looking forward to new posts with new ideas.

                                Happy crafting, enjoy what you do!