Craft Room Organization

Jayne over at The Kelly House always talks about how old home renovation is a lot like  nesting dolls. You start a project and find another and another as you go. I couldn’t agree more. We’re ready to remove the doll wallpaper border from the parlor walls but before we start, 10 million other things need to be done. So, I’ve been working on getting some things organized around here and I’m starting to feel like I’m in the middle of a game of whack-a-mole. I’m tired and needed a break so I thought I’d show you some of my progress so far.

When you live in an old house you have a shortage of storage space, it comes with the territory. There is no such thing as a walk-in closet. The attic in this house is only accessible by a tiny hole in the ceiling of a bedroom closet and the basement is too damp to store anything in. If you suffer from IMBATUTS (I might be able to use that someday) syndrome like I do, it’s a real issue. Living in an old house without visitors noticing that you are a hoarder is impossible. So I have to force myself to purge and organize occasionally.

There is this awkward little room at the top of the back stairs that really is more of a large hallway than a room as it leads to all the other rooms. It’s one of those spaces that decorators despise because it is impossible to arrange any furniture in. It has been the dumping station for my knitting, spinning and paper crafting supplies for quite some time. I used to be a scrapbooking and rubber stamping demonstrator and I have an entire room full of supplies. I’ve vowed to simplify and reduce the amount to only what I can fit in a desk and a few shelves. That method of self-imposed space limitation has worked for my quilting supplies so I figured I’d try to apply it to all areas of my life.

I’m not going to show you any before photos because it would be far too embarrassing. Let me just say there was a plethora of shopping bags and stacks of stuff everywhere. To say it was not pleasing to the eye would be an understatement. I decided the room needed a makeover but I didn’t want to spend any money. Or very little money if I could help it. Here is the 360 degree tour.

The only new thing in the room are the cheap inexpensive cube shelves and baskets from Target (the French pronunciation) to store knitting and spinning supplies. Every thing else in the room has been dragged from other parts of the house.

Ethel volunteered to pose so you can get a sense of depth perception. Wasn’t that nice of her? The old trunk stores fleeces ready to card.

While it looks like there is a lot of light shining in that window, this is the darkest room in the house.  I had long drapes before but switched them out for this simple valance, which I happened to already have. It’s still dark in here but I can watch the sheep grazing easier.

I still have some artwork to put up and I think I still need some sheepy accessories, but I’m pleased with my progress. At least I don’t feel like I need to pull my hair out when I walk through here.

Now that this room is finished I have to clean the room where all that stuff I took out of here went, and so on and so on for three more rooms.

All because I wanted to strip some wallpaper in the opposite end of the house.

Sweet Miss Daisy

“Cookies! We want cookies!” shouted Daisy and Luke.

“I don’t see any cookies. Where are the cookies? Did you forget them?” asked Daisy.

“We’re all out off cookies,” I responded.

“Listen here, {bleep}!. Bring me some {bleepety, bleep} cookies!” she demanded.

(blink, blink)

Well then, looks like I need to take the reality TV privileges away from Sweet Miss Daisy!

Dear Aunt Martha,

I know you think I might give my chickens a little too much attention and that I might have gone a little overboard on their fancy coop. I know they are “ just chickens” like you suggested.

I just wanted to point out that just because they received a Christmas cabbage…

and just because Old One-Eyed Calico Jack and his ladies got special treats too…

and just because I made the kid clear their outdoor runs so they can enjoy some outdoor recess…

doesn’t mean they’re spoiled. I know they are just chickens.  I’m sure everyone treats their chickens this way.

Gifts They Can’t Return…Mwha, ha, ha

I can finally reveal my homemade Christmas gifts. The recipients look thrilled don’t they?

“Great…my Mom knit this for me. Not only do I have to pretend that I like it, I just know she’s going to post this on her blog for the whole world to see.”

I made this Purdue hat for my step-dad to replace the 32 year old one he still insists on wearing. I measured the old hat and everything to duplicate it perfectly, yet this one still turned out too big. I am convinced his head shrank since Thanksgiving.

It Was A White Christmas

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend as much as I did.

My Perfectly Imperfect Socks

I did it. I survived the algebra lesson and finally finished knitting my first pair of socks.

They are too short, have a few serious flaws and are a little twisted. In other words they fit me perfectly, don’t you think?

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are

“Come on out and get some fresh air,” I said. “It’s just a little snow.”

“How do we know it won’t kill us,” she asked?

“It’s only snow, it won’t hurt you. Look, other birds have been out in it and you don’t see any dead birds laying around do you,” I asked?

She then turned and screamed “It’s a flesh eating virus! Run! Hide!”

Something tells me it’s going to be a long winter.

Hugs. Did You Know You Could Mail Them?

My Sister-In-Law, Cathy, is battling cancer. She has been having a rough time of it lately and really needed a hug, only she lives over 2000 miles away. So I knit her a prayer shawl, boxed it up and sent it on it’s way.

Now she can wrap herself up in a hug any time she needs it. Love you, Cathy.

I Know You Thought I Was Joking…

but she really does want an I-pad for Christmas.

They’ve Got… Personality

Sophia. My beautiful Sophia. Head sheep in charge. The most affectionate of the flock. Would stand and be petted for hours on end.

Small but mighty Shirley. She takes a licking but keeps on ticking. While the other girls head butt her and each other she sneaks in and gobbles up all the corn. Enjoys a quick scratch on the chin if there is food involved.

Rose. What is there to say about Rose? She’s always true to her character. Perhaps not the brightest of the bunch, but makes up for it with lovability.

Laverne. Shirley’s sidekick. Distant but warming up now that she has discovered the joy of cookies. Would like affection but doesn’t want to fight the other girls for it. Willing to stand in the shadows.

Dorothy. Sophia’s sidekick. Scared of her own shadow. Doesn’t want to be touched, but likes her cookies. Loves to kick up her heals and act goofy. Often seen bouncing across the pasture.

Blanche. Cookie monster. Love machine. Has no concept of personal space. Very independent. Would like to take on Sophia as Head Sheep in Charge someday

Like children, they are all as different as can be yet I love them all the same.

Dear Santa,

I am writing on behalf of the critters here on Front Porch Indiana Farm. I can personally attest that they have all been relatively good this year. I would recommend that most of their Christmas wishes be granted. Some, I’m not so sure about.

Of course, as usual, the dogs just want bones.

The sheep, however, would like some nice fuzzy legwarmers. Seems they have been watching What Not to Wear and believe the legwarmers will help balance their figures.

The chickens would like some snow shoes. Preferably something of a flip-flop nature that they can slip on and off at the door. Old One-Eyed Calico Jack also asked for a map to Florida, but I’m not suggesting that as a good idea. Nothing good could come of it.

The goats were very specific in requesting one-way tickets back to Nigeria where it is warm; but if that is out of the question, they would settle for some raincoats.

And finally, the cat would like an I-pad and an online subscription to The Wall Street Journal.

Rise and Shine!

It’s time for chores, want to come along? Okay, but bundle up, it’s going to be cold out there. 

“Good morning, Willa. Time for breakfast.”

“Hello goats. How are you this morning? No, I don’t have any cookies.”

“It’s time for your breakfast.”

“Good morning, Ladies. How are my favorite sheep today? No, I don’t have any cookies.”

“Breakfast is served.”

“Good morning, chickens. No, it’s not toxic waste. It’s just snow.”

“Come and get it.”

It just occurred to me, I don’t run a hobby farm. I run a bed and breakfast. Come back later and you can help me with their turn-down service.