One step back? That’s how it seems when one is organizing a Craft Room!! Today’s installation of The Crafthopper News will feature updates on Mama’s Craft Room, the W00T from ZeroLandFill Austin last weekend, as well as a few crafty things that happened thereafter.
First up, Craft Room Pictures:
After I finally finished painting, I was worried I would lose momentum, and fizzle out. So I rushed to buy shelving, and decided wire shelves that can hold up to 300lbs per shelf would be best for my fabrics. Fabric can be VERY HEAVY!! I had always wanted to paint the room a “robin egg blue” and in the end, I used two colors-Serendipity for the main wall color, and Oasis for the slanted wall and ceiling. What perfect color names for my Craft Room!

That is a closeup picture. To help create the illusion that I had it all going on by that point. In reality, the room was in utter chaos! I had moved everything to the center of the room to paint, and now had also added to the chaos by pulling out every box, bag, or otherwise storage device full of fabric and started sorting through it. The mid-result looked like this:

Not too bad, I suppose, but if you really, really want to know how hard it is to “organize” a Craft Room, take a look at the Chaos that greeted one when one walked through the door:

Crazy, amrite?? To confound things just a little further, I had much assistance from my little helpers:

He was quite proud of himself for climbing up onto that box, that yes, contained my yarn. Well, some ..of…my yarn. 😉

During the assembly of the shelves, I only suffered one serious injury when I tried to move one of those little plastic pieces up that supports the shelves on the correct groove, and didn’t want to take the entire thing apart, so I thought I could get away with just loosening up one corner, and pushing the plastic piece up, but then when I hammered up, it came right back down, pinching my hand in the process:

Now, those pictures are from two weeks ago. Remember the beginning of this post, when I said something about two steps forward, one step back? Here’s are a few more pictures, taken last week:

In the opposite corner, there is a bit of chaos going on as well:

On the opposite side of the room, in one corner, is where the jewelry-making is attempted. Notice I didn’t say “happens”? After yesterday’s fiasco, I can’t say anything gets made. More on that later.

Looking across to the other corner, you can see the Kids’ Corner:

Valerie has claimed Her Seat in the jewelry-making area:

She has made several very sweet necklaces, and is currently working on some rainbow room decor. Pics to come.
So you can see, the more organized I get, the more unorganized I my space becomes! Hopefully, I will have better organized pictures for you soon. Moving the cutting table to its rightful spot in the room sure helped with productivity, and seeing most of my fabric and other materials out inspires me and moves me to create. So far, all I have created is a bigger mess. 🙂

Next up, ZeroLandFill Austin! Here is a few quick pics of our loot:
Here is a picture of the vinyl flooring squares and large ceramic tiles we got:

Here is a picture of the wood flooring sample we scored that Tim can use to fabricate knife handles, since they are solid wood!

And:

We were afraid the carpet tiles would blow away while we drove, so we tucked them up under the truck box. Here they are, after being pulled out and stacked up. BTW, carpet tiles are HEAVY, and should only be carried by The Muscle:

That’s his “Don’t post my picture on Facebook” face. Good thing I’m only posting it on my blog! It’s always important to use proper body mechanics when lifting heavy things: Feet firmly planted in a wide stance, lift with your legs, not your back, and always, always make sure you have a great kilt on!

When transporting carpet tiles from one area to another, sometimes the “one-shoulder” technique helps:

Oh, how I love my burly Strong-man! *Swoon*! Ok, I guess that’s enough torture for him for one day!
Here is what I have done so far with our findings:


So you see, we have started to put them to good use! I duct taped them together, and they have made a huge difference in how well these chairs roll! No more scratching up my laminate.
The carpet squares will also be joined in a similar fashion and are going to replace the worn-out living room rug. It has served us well.

Other crafting news, Tim has discovered a new talent for carving bone! So far, he has made bone buttons:

In addition, he carved a couple hei matau or bone fish-hook. He did a great job!

He has also been making antler buttons, from deer he hunted himself:

I have been thinking about listing these all, but gosh darnit, I’m having a hard time parting with them! I keep telling myself, he can make more! But there is something about that very “first one” that just makes you want to hold on to it..
In other news, the kids have been busy building nests to “get more birds or wildlife to move to our yard…..” Complete with glow-in-the-dark stars on a slice of oak:

So proud of themselves.

It was L’s birthday the 15th, and when she was on her way over for her birthday dinner, I realized I didn’t have any birthday wrapping paper, or bag that would fit her present. So I scavenged my Craft Room, and here’s what I came up with:

Yes, this is what happens when a crafthopper realizes she doesn’t have wrapping paper: 4 layers of tissue paper, green floral tape accented with a handmade, crochet flower left over from my wedding! =D

I’m going to sign off for now. This has been an all day writing and a certain someone is making it difficult to do much more to it right now. In the next installment, I will follow up on the jewelry-making fiasco this past week, as well as pictures of Valerie’s creations, Weise’s awesome designs, and hopefully, pictures of a much more organized, clean Craft Room!
Til then my friends, peace-out! =^..^=