I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Sunday 20 October 2013

Too much craft stuff!!



Hello all.  I hope you're all having a restful, playful Sunday.  I've been unpacking.

I'm afraid I may have to concede my brother's point as he surveyed my craft boxes awaiting removal to the new (much smaller) rented property: "There's too much craft stuff," he said.













Well, having spent the last 24 hours trying to organise it all onto shelves, into cupboards and around my other "real life" work materials... I'm almost ready to accept that he's right!

But I'm pretty much there, and I thought I'd quickly share with you the new crafty space I'm inhabiting.









And at the same time, I wanted to show you some drawers I redecorated one evening a couple of weeks ago when I just couldn't face any more sorting and packing without a little crafty break.









I have a number of the Ikea Moppe drawer sets around, and generally I'm perfectly happy with the wooden finish.




But I adopted two ex-kitchen sets in the recent move, and not only were they already painted blue, but they also had a coat of kitchen grease which proved impossible to shift.










The only solution was to cover them... so out came the Tim Holtz papers, and this is what I ended up with.

Very happy with my altered storage!















And let me show you where they are now living...







I'm so excited, and very lucky, to have a room pretty much entirely dedicated to crafting - though, to tell the truth, my former room, which was a combined bedroom, living room and workspace did end up pretty much entirely dedicated to crafting in any case.






This was 8am Saturday morning... chaos, I think you'll agree, and so many piles of boxes - aaagh!









And here are some "before and afters" from 8am Saturday morning to 2.30pm Sunday afternoon.  (Remember you can click for a larger view.)





From the doorway... 






Across the room...










The desk...














... now ready for action, once I've recovered!

Can't wait to play in my new space, but there's still work to do in the rest of the house yet, sadly.






And the drawers look right at home I think. 

I just hope the shelves don't collapse under the groaning weight of accumulated craft stuff, Shakespeare papers, scripts and objects waiting to be altered!





Some of you have asked in the past whether I display my finished pieces at all.  Well, many of them sit in boxes, I'm afraid, or have headed out into the world.  But I adopted this glass display case in the recent move, and that will now be home to some selected creations.

They're waiting in the boxes on the top until I get my second wind, so I'll show you them in position another time, if you're interested.

I'll love you and leave you for now and, as things get more settled, I hope to get back to visiting you all more regularly again.  Happy crafting all!

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
Walt Disney


66 comments:

scrappymo! said...

Good luck with the last of the unpacking..looks like you are well on your way!

I am drooling over those lovely drawers.

Evil Edna said...

wow well done that was really speedy. Love the drawers.EE

Monique said...

Wow, that looks great. Moving can be very satisfying...though getting to that point is such a hassle. You did it very speedy though =)
Love your storage drawers! Good luck getting the rest done!
xx Monique

Yvonne Garner said...

How exciting! Recently went through my own art room from head to toe. Grueling while going through it but so enjoyable once you're finished. Thanks for sharing!

ria gall said...

oh my gosh I want those covered draws they look so arty. You have worked really hard on getting your new crafting space sorted and everything in the right place. you will have hours of fun crafting in your new space enjoy the journey
Ria

froebelsternchen said...

that looks so great .. how exciting- good luck with the rest of organizing...

xxx
Susi

Maggie said...

I'm exhausted just looking at the photo's lol; you have done really well in a short space of time love the draws. Have been "sorting" my craft room over the last 2 weeks and definitely have too much stash......but love it all!!
Good luck in your new home

MaggieH

Redanne said...

Well done Alison!! You did a fantastic job sorting your room and it looks so well organised now. Your window is lovely and will give you so much light to work with. Love your new 'adopted' cabinet too, your art will look beautiful in there. Hugs, Anne x

Julia said...

Well done you, the storage drawers and your new craft room look fabulous. I would like to wish you the very best of luck in your new home, enjoy Alison x

Elly said...

Some things sound very familiar (:o)I'm glad so see you command the chaos. I'm a huge fan of moppe, too. Sometimes it's very realxing to simply decoupage some paper and the result is always stunning! xoxo

Annie said...

Oh Alison..........at least you are almost there and what a fabulous space you ow have with lots of wonderful storage. Love the altered drawers...very chic !!

Take care and a huge hug

Annie x

Mrs.B said...

You've don a great job with the unpacking and organising Alison, and in such a short time. Think you might give yourself a short coffee break now. Look forward to the next pics showing you 'new' display cabinet showcasing your gorgeous creations.
Avril xx

Rita said...

My goodness Alison, you must be so tired. Your room is stunning after your makeover and just needs you to sit in it now and start some new pieces. Take time to Breathe my friend. Hugs Rita xxxx

Terry said...

My daughter thinks we need to downsize our living area and I fear where would I house all my craft stuff??? Before I started stamping, I did decorative painting and sewing, so I have supplies for all three hobbies! Take your time organizing and arranging all that crafty goodness!

Helen said...

I've got loads of those Ikea boxes too, all still plain... love how you've organised the room so far, and I look forward to seeing more when you have time to spare. I think you've done very well given the time it took, you must have worked like a trojan!

Michelle said...

You have been a VERY busy lady! I love what you did with those Tim Holtz papers. That is so cool!! It looks like your new room will give you a wonderful area to create. All of your hard work is paying off! Looks fabulous!

Kath Stewart said...

wow you've been a really busy bee Alison and your new crafty space is looking fantastico...love your Ikea storage given the TH make-over...now I wish I hadn't thrown mine in the skip...hugs kath xxx

Clare Lloyd said...

looking good and well done for all the sorting out!x

Aquarius said...

You can never have too much craft stuff - what I keep telling myself anyway LOL!! Your space is looking good.

sally said...

Love the drawers! What a busy w/e you have had, it will all be worth the effort too :-)

Sally

Amanda said...

Looking great Alison and it is so satisfying to get things sorted. I just couldn't contemplate packing and unpacking all my crafty stash, so well done you and your drawers are fab!!
Love
Amanda X

Chrissy said...

Well done Alison!! that was done very quickly and wow! have you got some stuff..love the glass cabinet and love your altered drawers. Such a fabuous craftroom..

luv CHRISSYxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wooow, Alison what a great box , I love it, and what a great hobbyroom I think you will made the most beautiful artworks ever!!! It all looks very wonderfull , please let us see your glas display case when the selected creations are inside!!!

Greetings
Maria

Claudia N. said...

This looks great, Alison,

as there's obviously an end to all the stuff moving, shifting and rearranging in sight! Yay!

And wow - I thought that I had a lot of stuff...LOL. I sometimes wonder how long it might take me to use up all my stuff if I didn't buy anything else... which definitely has to remain pure fiction...*giggle.

Love your new crafting space! Very cool!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Elizabeth said...

I wish you love and happiness in your new home and lots of fun in that wonderful craft room :) Elizabeth xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Amazing looking set of drawers Alison!!! And wow, what an amazing lot of work you have done!!! The new space looks amazing, I bet you will be feeling so proud and happy! (Now you'll just need to remember where you've put it all lol , been there, done that). Enjoy a well deserved rest and good luck with the rest of the house!

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, oh you made a great studio of this new room of yours!
Looking so cozy, and filled with beautiful collections of craft materials. OH my! you have so much I can tell from your photoes- I hope you have soon finished unpacking the rest of your home, so you can start creating. The little drawers are wonderful, with the T.H. papers.- and looks beautiful in your new room. Have fun, playing !!
xo, Dorthe

Silvia(Barnie) said...

So fantastic. Lucky you :) Your new room looks wonderful. Love your decorated drawers, such a great idea.

Hettie said...

What a transformation you have made Alison! Wow! Do you fancy doing my kitchen for me?
Love how you have decorated your boxes. I must get my butt into gear and do mine!
Hugs
xx

House of Bears said...

Happy new house. It looks like you've settled in to the most important room quickly. Who cares about the rest of the house! We love your altered storage, it would fit nicely in with ours. :)

Julie Lee said...

Those boxes look lovely. I particularly love that Tim Holtz butterfly design and - of course - it's just right for you being Butterfly! Your new crafty space looks great. How hard you've worked sorting everything out and then blogging about it. You are phenomenal, Alison. I love the cabinet too. Please post when everything is finished and the cabinet displaying your lovely work, as I'd love to see. My thoughts are with you as you settle in. Julie Ann xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Your Ikea boxes look so great with Tim Holtz on it Alison...so creative! And your room ...how did you manage to find space for all the materials?? It looks so cosy now and what a great creative stuff to play with :-)))

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love your decorated wooden boxes Alison, lovely vintage feel. You craft room is fantastic, wonderful space to create . Tracy x

toni said...

Hi Alison well done on getting to grips with your craft room! How lovely to have your table in front of the window. I'm sorry for the lack of visits recently but I seem to have been very busy one way or another, anyway I would like to wish you much happiness in your new home! I'd love to send you a card if you wish to send me you addy. I love the way you have decorated your boxes I have some of those and feel quite inspired looking at yours. Don't work too hard save some energy for crafting! Love Toni xx

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you're getting straight and especially getting your craft space back into action ! Love the drawers, have some of these myself and have given them similar treatment. Sue C x

Anonymous said...

I so want to move in!
My wee crafting room (a converted cupboard with a sloping ceiling) is incredibly small - although I always say that I am lucky to have a designated space with a door to close off all the chaos but when I see you with your co-ordinated storage it looks sheer bliss.
Alison, you will have many happy hours in this space .... enjoy!
Wishes
Lynne

Brenda Brown said...

Lovely to see your new crafting space and what a great job you made of it in such a short time. Be happy in your new home, looking forward to seeing what you create there.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Marci said...

Congratulations on the move. The display cabinet is beautiful, would love to see how you set it up. You are one organizing whirlwind! The Ikea drawers are lovely..

barbarayaya62 said...

Wonderful work Alison! Well done! love your craft room! BArbarayaya

Anonymous said...

Too much craft stuff?? No such thing!!!! :)
Your craft room looks wonderful & I love your altered storage boxes, they really look great. Good luck with the rest of the unpacking & organising.

chrissie said...

Well done for being so organised so quickly Alison. Love the boxes you decorated you made then truly your own with the style.

Nice idea to have the very special cabinet for chosen pieces.

Hope you soon settle in all of you

Love Chrissie x

Andrea Small said...

Oh how I love before-and-afters :-). My favourite bit of the Railway Children was when they set to to make the new house like home. Or perhaps I made that bit up?

Splendid work to make a gorgeous space - well done you. And a display cabinet!!! Huzza!!!

Hope you can get some rest now...

Andrea x

Deborah said...

Well done on getting the most important room in the house done so quickly, Alison :-)Seriously, it looks really fab - and I love those altered drawers.

Cestina said...

Woyaya!

Amazing what you have done in the time, remembering there are a number of rooms in our new home, all of which have craved for attention.

But looking around, I see we have nearly got there!

And I am so happy that amazing cabinet lives on in our lives :-)
xx

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

There is no such thing as too much crafty stash lol. Your new space looks fabulous and your collection of Fresco paints makes me very jealous! xxx

Julia S-W said...

Loving the drawers Alison! I have a set exactly the same, now I have some inspiration for them! Your work space looks fab to me - hope I can get mine sorted as quickly at the weekend - I'm sure it didn't feel quick to you but you must have secret Wonder Woman costume hidden somewhere. . . I don't know how you do it all!!
Juliaxx

May said...

Whoop Whoop, A crafty room...Looking good Alison..Love the make over of the drawers....Have fun! Hugs May x x x

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Butterfly, those 2 drawers are gorgeous, I looooooved looking at everything,you have done a fantastic job on organizing it all and a LOT of work, I love organizing, when It's all done your craft room will be perfect, now too much crafting stuff NEVER, LOL, The glass cabinet is a worthy place for all you amazing creations, can't wait to see it full, hope you have a wee rest after all that work, and we will see you when you have some time, have fun... Big hugs my friend...

brenda said...

As all you lovely blogging friends left such kind massages last week saying you were fine with copy and pastes while I am not up to a lot of typing, I am popping in to say hello and take a peek at your lovely work.

B x

Anonymous said...

Oh golly! I know how you feel Alison! I've definitely got far too much stash!
Anyway, your drawers look fabulous. (That does sound a bit wrong! But, you know what I mean!)
Hugs,
Alison xx

Netty said...

Loving your altered drawers, they are so perfect for you. Wow for someone who hasn't long been crafting you have a shops worth there...lol Annette x

Bärbel said...

Eine wunderbare Papierauswahl haben Sie zur Gestaltung und Veredlung der Schubladenboxen verwendet. Wenn der Raum fertig eingerichtet ist, wird er perfekt sein!

Sandy said...

Wow - makes my head swim just to think about it -- your drawers look wonderful!
Sandy

Cocofolies said...

Oh Alison, thank you very much for sharing with us you new crafty room in a nice space (love the windows and the view !), and all your magical stuff very well organized like that in my opinion, and in a so quick time wow ! (I could never have done all that in such a short period of time...:) Love the drawers, your idea was perfect !! Good luck for the remaining but you can already restart to craft, that's the most important ! Hugs, Coco xx

Kelly said...

I adore your drawers they are gorgeous!! I can take those off your hands for you if you have no room for them! lol I love how you organized your crafting space and actually got all that in there, wow!! That was a task. I also love the glass case, gorgeous piece. It will be fun to see it filled with your fabulous creations.
Take care, craft,
Hugs Kelly

Lucy Edmondson said...

Looks like you are going to have a very workable space and I love your decorated units. I have some of those Moppe drawers and I find the bottom largest one is the perfect size for my Distress Ink Pads. Glad you have a display unit. It will be ideal. Look forward to seeing more photos. Good luck with the rest of the house,

Lucy x

Gio said...

Your new space will be wonderful Alison, and it will inspire you more than ever beautiful creations, and these have already their space to be displayed.
Last time I moved I was scared about the number of boxes containing craft stuff...not good for moving...

Your new drawers are stunning, way better than leave them plain!

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow I can't believe you managed to sort it all out in a weekend. Your arty space looks amazing now and it was great to make the pictures bigger to nosy around and look at all your stash lol. Maybe if you have some time on Wednesdays you could join in woyww and share your desk. I really love those drawers that you decorated, gorgeous. Hugs :-) Kezzy xxxxxx

Kasia said...

Oh Alison, your room is fabulous! (Love the window!) You have done really hard work, but, wow, It looks great! The drawer sets are amazing! They look stunning :)
Love the idea with the display case :) Oh, and I see album and notebook with butterflies (hooray! I am so happy you like it! :) oh my, this means a lot to me ... I am touched :)

Nan G said...

Love the newly altered storage drawers. And wow! Speedy Gonzalez with the unpacking and organizing the new space. OK fess up, where did you get that huge craft mat? Is it two joined together? ..... Enjoy your new home. Hugs

Cathy L. Calamas said...

The thought of having to move my craft room virtually paralyzes me. Really love your made over drawers. They are spectacular with the TH papers!!

Marjie Kemper said...

My heart skips a beat at the thought of a crafty move, but you sure are on a roll! Love what you did with the Tim papers and I can totally understand how at that moment, the simple act of covering wood with beautiful papers must've been a welcome relief of being craft and efficient all at once. Looking forward to seeing more!

Mary Elizabeth said...

I wish I could say that this post inspired me to do more organizing in my own craft room ... but alas, I'm afraid not. I do love that you have your priorities straight ... craft room gets set up and organized before the rest of the house :) -- Mary Elizabeth

Anna-Karin said...

I am glad you are starting to settle in! Your new space look nice and I love those drawers. With some will (and a certain acceptance of chaos) a lot of crafty stuff can fit into a small space (you should see my study).

Kjersti said...

Your room looks fabulous Alison, love it! You have done a great job here, every little thing it´s place:) Love the window at your work desk, must be wonderful to have the daylight right in!
Wish you luck with your crafting room and look forward to see more of your creative work!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Margaret said...

Oh my goodness! I think I need you to come help me!! I can't believe you accomplished so much in such a short span of time! So excited for you!!