Tidbits from home.. Christmas edition

Life is hectic. My little shop is keeping me super busy. And when I do take a moment to just sort of breathe, I prefer to do it next to my Mr.Wonderful. Between the cold ( they started to salt the roads today!) and baking ( had to do a test run, a new cookie going with us to San Diego) I managed to make our little den festive, and a nice place to hang out.

I purchased the wreath on Etsy, from this seller here, and I am super-duper in love with it!

I have been on the hunt for vintage ornaments for a while now, and have somehow managed to get a pretty big bag full of them, so I will be all set for next year!

I want traditional/kitschy decor in the den ( pictured above) and brighter colors in the main livingroom or what will be the collection room ( work in progress ).

And now, our 2011 tree.

( lost source.. sorry!)

This tree was my inspiration. But since it was not in my budget to go all out, I used what I already had, and just purchased a few more things. Maybe someday, my tree will look just as nice! I took pictures from begining to end, but will only post a few, just so you get the idea of where I strted, and where I ended up.

New additions where those big candy canes, and swirly ornaments ( Target ), glitter snowflakes ( WalMart ) glittery picks, like for wreaths and such ( JoAnn's ) and finally some lime green and turquoise glass ornaments, that I kept on the upper part of the tree, away from the 6 kids ( Michaels ). The only thing I purchased at full price ( which was less the 3.00) where the WalMart snowflakes, everything else was at 60% - 75% off , which was the best part of all.

I have been looking into foam props to add to the tree for next year, but they are crazy expensive, so I will have to make my own. I want some gift boxes, and maybe some gingerbread men. well, I have another 10 months to work on that. For now, this is our very first official Christmas tree, in our very own house ( with a red glittery tree skirt, and a huge train underneath it --- have not taken another picture), and I think I did not do such a bad job of it.

Now, I have to go back to work, so ttyl ( with a picture of my sewing room tree.. eek!)

Welcome, to my sewing room! (major photo dump!)

Very quickly: I was unable to get the curtains done, because last night, as I was working on them, I got electrocuted by my iron (several times!), which was funny, only because, I have a long history of iron malfunctions, but I think the best one thus far, has been, the one, where it caught on fire, and I danced around my other sewing room, like a chicken with my head cut off, while holding it.

But, I digress.

Where I started:

And where I ended up....

I am so happy with the end results.

I now have 2 work tables. This is my main one, the other one has a plastic coated, nesting doll tablecloth fabric, I have had for a very long time, and I now have somewhere to paint!

All my fabrics, have been freshly folded, and as always, organzied by color, and type (Japanese on 2 units -- non & vintage on 1). My long, shelving unit (IKEA) houses craft supplies I use regularly, WIP's, fabric scrap baskets, vintage patterns, and my tv. Tall, free-standing drawer unit, is for my zippers (organized by size). Corner table is for my little doll house, and to take product pictures. Dresser, (which started a very ugly brown, with peeling lacquer) is now a pretty pink, and hold's my shop stock, as well as one of my favorite typewriters. I removed the closet doors (which will be recyled, into shelves for the closet...someday) and have stored more craft supplies (rarely used) as well as extra shop stock, in plastic bins, and drawers inside. Wall behind my sewing desk, has a built in storage cubby, which I used scrap-booking paper to cover up the old wall-paper back-splash (yuck). My cork-board is covering up  the intercom (!!!) that is in this room. And finally, my old bookshelf, I used to have in the livingroom, is now home to my sewing machines, craft books, and Japanese Craft magazines.

One thing that I no longer have in the room, is my computer. I asked Mr.Wonderful, if it was OK to set it up, along side his, in his 'man-cave'. He cheerfuly agreed, and it has been pretty nice, to be together, during our free-times. I really wanted it out of my sewing room, because to me, it is a major distraction.

It was really fun (albeit time consuming) to fix up my sewing room. It gave me a tiny taste, of what I have to look forward to as a home owner now. I already purchased the paint for the laundry room, and cannot wait to give that a makeover as well.

One room down.

And only, nine more to go! 

Starting to feel like home....

hello!

Thought I would quickly pop in, and share some pictures of our new house. These shots are of what is currently my favorite room in the house ( the TV room), not only because, it is somewhat done ( still needs to be painted!), but that fireplace and view to our woods, still has me in awe.

Last picture is of my new sewing room.

Yes.. that is indeed wood paneling...er checkerboard on the walls (and all the walls in the house.. fun!) and let me tell you, I have been working on it since last week. But, tonight I am giving it the last coat of paint (woo!) and will finally be back to my happy sewing self (and with my Etsy shops open) by Monday.

I will post more before and after shots of my new room, as soon as I get a chance.