Thursday, October 8, 2009

My New Place to Create.....

It's "Do It Yourself Day", so here's my latest project. If you're a crafter, you know how much "STUFF", I mean supplies, you can accumulate. I have it packed in every extra drawer. I had plans of taking over my oldest son's room when he left for college. Well my plans are on hold. He received a scholarship to a college in the area and will be living at home for another year. So that file labeled " CRAFT ROOM IDEAS" has been set aside. You know the file, the one with all the wonderful ideas....The chandelier in the center of the room, the big desk to work on, the beautiful memo board to display creative ideas and all the accessories that finish off any dream craft room. I have a vision in my mind. So for now, I'm just going to transform my little corner of the house to hold all my "STUFF". I have a computer armoire that no longer holds the computer. I now have a laptop computer so all I have in it is the printer. There was extra space, so I claimed it , and then transformed it. Here's what I started with....
Here is how the transformation began..
I really didn't like the big black area behind the printer. I knew I wasn't finished. What to do?
I decided to cover a piece of foamcore board with some silk fabric I had in my "stash". It was the perfect color. I just measured the size, cut the foamcore and hot glued the fabric to the back of the board. Then I stuck it behind the printer. It still need something....
I knew that Hobby Lobby gift certificate I got for my birthday would come in handy. Oh ya, and it has a leapord print to boot! I had to hang the frame when my hubby wasn't home. If he heard the hammer pounding he would have asked, "What are you doing NOW?" Then I would have had to tell him that I was pounding a nail into the computer cabinet. I don't think that would have went over very well. So while he was on a trip to Home Depot, I quickly hung the frame. Isn't it just perfect.
Now for the doors of the cabinet....
I made a template by taking newspaper and tracing the shape of the opening. I transferred that onto a thin 1/4" sheet of plywood and cut out the shape with my jig saw. No help from my husband, I love using power tools. After the cutting was complete, I wrapped the board with batting and some of the same silk I used earlier. I added some decorative gimp and covered buttons in the silk.
I tried heavy duty velcro to attach the boards, but it would not hold. So I had a good idea, so I thought.... I would screw the board right into the door. I decided to do this under where two of the buttons were, so that you wouldn't see the screws. I found screws that were not to long so that they would go through the entire door and puncture the front of the door. Everything worked out great until the last screw was going in. I pushed a bit to hard when I was using the power drill, and I heard a crack. The screw went right through the front of the cabinet, cracking the wood. Now this would not go over real well at home. I quickly searched for the business card I had saved for the furniture repair man. Years ago we had some furniture delivered and there was a slight problem. The furniture store sent someone out to fix it. He had done a wonderful job, so I asked for a card and boy was I happy I had it in my business card file. He came out the same day, and it looks like new. Here's some close-ups.... I still need to label the boxes so I can find the items when I need them. I'll share with you what I used for my transformation. Some wallpaper and scrapbooking paper... My favorite gold craft paint. I use this for everything I want to "Glitz UP". The glue adhesive I used. I like this much better than Mod Podge. It's thicker but more expensive. You can get it at Joann Fabrics. Don't forget to use your coupon! I purchased ordinary photo storage boxes from Joann Fabrics. They were on sale 2/$5.00. I bought them in black. I cut the paper to fit the sides and top of the box.
Covered the back of the paper with the adhesive gel.
Added the gold paint to the edges with a sponge.
And more gold paint detail. Can you ever have enough gold gram?
I also found other types of storage boxes marked on clearance at Michaels. They were 80% off!
Added some "Bling" with rhinestones and then found some cute tassels at Hobby Lobby. There were two on one cord, so I cut them apart...
and finished the tassel off with a button and rhinestone. Did I mention how much I love using rhinestones?
Some sheer black ribbon and more buttons embellished this box.
Before and After the rhinestone was added.
More Rhinestones....
A cute little can and a container used to hold wine are now my paint brush and knitting needle storage containers.
Just covered with decorative papers.....
More buttons and rhinestones.
Added some little frames and old photos from our childhood....
This was a photo when I was 10 on Easter morning with my mom and sisters.
I'm in the middle. We always had matching bonnets and capes to wear on Easter.
A pretty wired ribbon and button were used to hang the photos on the memo board. Another Easter photo with my younger sister. I was 5 in this photo.
A close up of the memo board...
The gimp and buttons....
Some treasures I gathered from around the house and used for the top of the cabinet.
Couldn't leave this lampshade just looking like a "Plain Jane". It was crying out for some beads and decorative trims.
The work space isn't as large as I would like it to be, but I love the look and it makes me smile when I am working on a project. Stop back later this week to see the rest of my office. I'd love to share it with you. Do you have a small space you can personalize and make your own? Take a look around your house. Maybe there is just the spot to make your heart sing while you are creating. Stop by Shabby Cottage Studios . Gail was so sweet to post about my purse in the Haute Handbag Magizine that hit the news stands on Oct. 1st. Look at all these interesting places to visit this week. I'll be linking this post to....
"I made it without my Hubby Party" @ Shanty2Chic

Thrifty Thursday

Transformation Thursday

Hooked On Fridays

Metaorphosis Monday

44 comments:

Embellished Bayou said...

Those boxes and containers are fabulous!! Great job, you have really made your little space unique!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous craft closet!!!!

Unknown said...

I am in awe! How chic is that. You must be so proud of yourself. I'll be following you.
Have a blessed day...Tracy

Diann said...

Absolutely fab job all the way around! love all the glitz and glam!!

Sherri said...

LOVE the idea of covering the boxes! I have a bunch of mismatched ones and LOTS of scrapbook paper. I am INSPIRED!

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Wow! I have an armoire where I keep all of my crafting junk also but it needs a makeover like this!!!!! I just throw everything in there and close the doors!!! You did such a fantastic job on this all the way to the fine details!!! I love the way your storage boxes looks....hey, you could even leave the doors open when you can company over! Thanks so much for linking up with us! ~Ashley

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Sherry! This is too darn pretty... how girly and fun! I'm so impressed!
~Whitney

Kristin - The Goat said...

Oh my goodness! That wasn't just a makeover!! You are Fabulous and I want to just go to the craft store and play with beads and rhinestones and tassels and paper and (gloss medium - check! It's on my radar now) and and and and.

Thanks so much. Oh and congrats on getting the cabinet fixed. I would have just lived with it because I wouldn't know what to do. Bravo to you.

Kristin - The Goat

Patricia said...

WOW! This is by far the most amazing makeover I have seen in a long time!
I am so impressed and in awe of you!
Patricia

Old Time Cindy said...

All I can say is WOW!!! :)
Thanks for sharing!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Those boxes are just great!!

tammy said...

It looks fantastic! Please come do mine now.

sharon said...

Sherry, you certainly give a new definition to living artfully!

It's such fun to see what you've been up to! I recall months ago you were hunting for just the right papers to cover your boxes...and you found perfect pieces for the job.

What a wonderful transformation!....OK, I'm depressed and dispondent as I look at my mess.....

Dawn said...

Wow is right! You did a great job.
Dawn

rebekahweckerly@gmail.com said...

What a beautiful spot!!! Lovewhat you have done!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Sherry,
Holy Smokes! You have officially blown my mind with your creativity! I cannot get over how glamourous your workspace looks. Who woulndt want to work there. I can imagine the creativity conductivity coming from that spot! WoW~
What great thrifty Thursday finds! LOve those treasures! Thanks for linking up, friend!
HUGS!
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com

Room to Inspire said...

Wow it looks so great. I love all of the embellishments you added to the boxes - beautiful.

Chelsea

Ally's Corner said...

That is gorgeous!! You great job.

cindy said...

Wow! Fabulous work girl!

Heartfire At Home said...

Wow, what an amazing transformation! You'd never know it was the same space! Beautiful work.

Linda. :)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

You did a beautiful job, Sherry! I love the way you redid those storage boxes ~ it makes them all go together and I will now look at the ones on clearance that may not be so pretty and know that I can change that.

kado! said...

I LOVE this make-over! It looks incredible! I need a spot like that...and that looks that pretty!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, this is just AMAZINGLY NEAT! Love what you did. It's perfection. Great job!

XO,

Sheila... who popped in from Leigh's

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Wow! What a transformation. You turned it into a chic, pleasant place to work. Good job!

Signing Out said...

Wow, this is fabulous! I am working on my office/sewing/craft room, and you have inspired me.

Jane

Sarah said...

WOW, you did a fabulous job! God's blessings on your weekend, Sarah :D

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

What a beautiful workspace!! :) I love the way you embellish things. Stopping by from Julia's party. :)

Tammy@InStitches said...

It looks awesome, I love the way you covered the boxes and put in the memo boards. It's beautiful !

Terry said...

I love what you've done. I have a ho-hum office that needs some pizzaz! Thanks for sharing, you've got me inspired to do something!

KimMalk said...

@ Cheap Chic Home. I really love the papers you found that work together. My favorite is the black with gold designs (it kind of reminds me of fluer de lis (sp?). Anyway, another box cover I've used is photo copying fabric. Thanks for sharing.

JAN said...

That was amazing! I would have never thought to do anything like that. You are so good at taking simple to fabulous!

Moore Minutes said...

Wow, I continued to get more and more impressed the further I read! Beautifully done.

Sam said...

WOW!!!! That is amazing. I cannot wait to go back and see more of your blog. I am hooked!

Stop by and say hi at my new blog. Very new...I would love the visitors. :)

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your did a great job! Everything looks so pretty.

nannykim said...

Wow , so rich looking!!!

spindle cottage is my house blog ;-)

Jessica @ Decor Adventures said...

Amazing! This is straight out of a magazine. It's such a nice project, pretty, organized, I bet you can't wait to get using the space.

K@The Thrifty Teacher said...

What a great place to work from!

Mandy said...

So, so pretty! Love that wallpaper! The boxes look awesome. GREAT job!

Ann said...

You are amazing Sherri!! As a decorator myself I am always looking for a great source for creative and inexpensive ideas. You are definately more "craftier" than I and I learn a lot. Keep em comin!!

Dresser Girl said...

WOW! I am so inspired!

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Great re-do! Those boxes are so creative!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Sherry, Thanks for your message. I am new to blogland and not quite sure how to reply to your question, so I am doing it here. Hope you find this.

To put my name in the bottom rt. corner of my pictures I use a program called Microsoft Digital Image Pro 10. It is a Digital Picture program like Photoshop, BUT much, much easier.

I put the text in the pix and then use the "transparentcy" tool to make it only barely obvious.
I hope that answers your question.
Again, your room is amazing and the attention to detail over-the-top!
Come visit again.
Blessing right back at you!!!
Yvonne

Phillips Family said...

Found your blog through Moms Out Loud...love the transformation! You have inspired me to take our computer cabinet from blah to greatness!

Lindsay said...

Wow! Amazing transformation! I'm impressed.

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