3/10/13

The Momma-Cave Pt.1!

Hey everyone!  Happy brand new week to y'all!  I've just been having a ton of fun in my craft-sewing room, now referred to as "The Momma-Cave," and wanted to share some of the new things I've added and a number of tweaks that I've made.  If you want to see how this room looked before, go HEREHERE, or HERE.  I am so blessed to have my very own creative space, and I have loved and appreciated it from the get-go;  but I just felt it needed something more after living with it for about a
year.  Call it my "second childhood," or whatever you like, but I wanted more color, foufou, and fun!  I'll let you be the judge as to whether I accomplished that or not....lol!  For those of you who do not like lots of pictures (WHAT?), you should turn away now!  However, for those of you us, who cannot get enough, this will be a treat!  I've even divided this into a 2-part posting -- this first post is kind of an overview of the things I've tweaked and/or added, and the next post is more of the details about where and how I organize my needs and supplies.  Truly, you should grab a beverage and probably a snack to see you through this tour!  Let's get started, okay?

Welcome to The Momma-Cave!
Not that the room needed to be identified, but I've seen several of these cute embroidery hoop 
wall plaques and decided to make one for the door.

Straight ahead is my repurposed kitchen island which gives me a ton of storage
 and a great work surface.


I just recently made a switch -- these JetMax cubes (bought them at Michael's at 50% off) with my computer desk.

This is how it used to be, but it was kind of congested if someone else needed to use the copier and I was at my desk.

I also removed the lower row of cubes that were holding magazines, and relocated them to another area that I will show you in a few minutes.

I like how much more streamlined this looks all being the same level.  

My desk is perfect over in this corner.  The lamp with its fleur de lis shade, got a little dress-up with some hot pink fringe that I already had.  Its twin is at home by my sewing machine.  I redid an existing memory board with more of the check fabric and coordinating ribbons.

The island butts against the closet door but allows ample room on either side to retrieve whatever
I need from the closet.  Above the closet are some of my most treasured and framed
scrapbook pages.

This island offers me so much versatility.  The drop-leaf gives me extra work room, the towel bar is a great place to hang some extra mats, over-size stencils & templates, & other tools.  The old cutting mat gives me an easy-to-clean surface for whatever I'm working on.  I added the paper roll (great buy from IKEA) and a turntable to hold some often-used supplies.

Aren't these cupcake liner flowers cute?  I found them on a new blog,  Raising Up Rubies, that I discovered a couple of weeks ago.  Jaime is such an incredible young woman.  You owe it to yourself to go visit, and you must check out her incredible craft room which has been featured in BHG.  I have "copied" so many ideas from her for my space, and hope she believes that copying is the truest form of flattery and that I'm not just a stalker! 

One of the major "switcheroos" that I did quite some time ago, was to move my sewing center to this corner unit.  It gives me lots more light and space for my projects.  There is a ton of storage space under this corner piece, but I wasn't too happy with the view it provided.  When I decided to add the gathered skirt here, the creative juices started to flow, and I knew immediately what I wanted to do and the color combo I wanted that would really enhance the wall color and white cabinetry.

A quick trip to JoAnns, and I was armed with the fabrics I needed.  I'm a very visual person and see things in pictures, which is exactly what happened with the chair redo.  I had been looking at replacing the chair, because it was killing my back and concluded the discomfort was due to the shape 
of the seat -- it was one of those typical desk chairs with the very firm concave seat.  I bought a nice grade of memory foam, filled in the concave part, and cut the foam to the outside dimensions of the chair seat.  Ahhhh.....comfort!  Then I could see a true picture in my mind of how I wanted the chair to look -- kind of over-stuffed, shabby chic and drew it out on paper.  I already had the little stool, but it needed a fresh coat of paint before it got the "tuffet" look.  I absolutely love the green with the black & white check against my wall color and all of the bright pinks and turquoise that were already going on in this room.

More of that bright fringe and a bit of additional colored pen work on the tissue box holder to give it
an updated look.

This space is right behind my sewing machine.  The bin just below the thread holder, contains my sewing machine guide book and some quilting tools.  The clip board sits in an old recipe book holder and is used to hold whatever pattern I happen to be working on.

These two prints were FREE printables.  The lower one is from HERE, and the sewing machine is from HERE.  I simply framed them with what I had on hand and added a few embellies. 

These precious faces always have a place in my room.  This was a super-simple wreath I made last year using a plain wire wreath form that I painted white.

Simple little stuffed shapes that I embellished -- you know, just for fun!

This area got a few tweaks.  

As I mentioned earlier, I am a very visual person, so I love having lots of my scrapbook supplies out
in the open and close at hand.  There will be more details in Part 2.

See the cute little banner?  Paper cupcake liners & doilies, a few beads, and baker's twine -- another sweet idea from Jaime at Raising Up Rubies.  

I will never look at paper cupcake liners in the same way again!  I purchase them whenever I see
cute ones.

This IKEA Expedit is one of the "work horses" of my space.  The cubies are constantly getting adjusted to fit my current needs.  The top is always getting changed as well.

Do you remember those JetMax cubes that were holding magazines?  Well, I moved them over to this corner where they now hold my scrapbook paper and card stock.

It's a little bit of a tight squeeze, but it works, and I can just grab whatever paper I need while I'm sitting  at my scrapbooking desk -- much more convenient.

Everything is well labeled.


I even made a new ironing board cover out of the pretty green fabric.

I love, love, love aprons, even for sewing and crafting!  This one used to reside in the kitchen, but 
the colors were just too perfect for The Momma-Cave, so here is its new home!

One last look before you leave!  Hello!  Are you still there?  Do I need to dial 911?  Can you feel me fanning your face?  Well, if you survived (and I hope you did), I am so happy you stopped by for the tour.  If you do not show up for PART 2 (sniff, sniff), I will truly understand!

I love to party here:
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Budget Decorating Party
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Table Top Tuesdays
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays




47 comments:

  1. Carol, I have to say this is the most awesome and practical craft room I've ever seen! I LOVE it!! I have "Favorited" this page to come back to for ideas. There's no wasted space, every thing coordinates, the colors are appealing and I love the island. Your room rocks! thanks for sharing it with us!

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    1. Thank you so much, Susan! All the sweet comments are truly making for a perfect day!

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  2. Carol, I love you "Momma-Cave" and would be in heaven to have a room like that. Looking forward to Part 2.

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  3. Wow, what a space! Would LOVE to have an area like this...you did good! Must say I spotted a sweet little girl photo on top of your Ikea piece...you??? So cute!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  4. awww, what a cute and pretty space to work in!!!!! No wonder you're so creative! love it!

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  5. What a momma cave, WOW. I need a nap after looking at all you have done to this space. I can see how you would spend a lot of time in here doing what you love the most. Enjoy our gorgeous weather while we can though. Hugs.

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  6. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a huge space for crafting and *fun* LOVE it!!! Lime green, black, and white has always been one of my favorite color combinations. :D SOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!

    Carol, you have missed your calling.....you could seriously be a professional organizer! I just went back through the photos again and I love the little banner. :D

    You rock, girlfriend!

    xo,
    RJ

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  7. Wow, this is an awesome space! I wish I had all your talents!!!! I can do floral arranging but that's about it:) I have a small work table in the basement:):) Enjoy your wonderful space. XO, Pinky

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  8. Your space is gorgeous! I love how you have work centers so that you can do your different crafts in different spaces in the room. I also love your color scheme and the organizational system that you used. You've given me some more ideas for my closet makeover in my craft room.

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  9. Carol, I love all the colors! Such a bright and cheerful space!
    -Shelley

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  10. I wish I had a space like that!! Pretty awesome!!

    Aimee@theVintageEstate

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting, Aimee, and for your nice comment!

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  11. What a colorful and fun room. I can imagine all the fun you have creating there! I know I would.
    Liz @ Quirky Vistas

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  12. What a fabulous room! You have already inspired me to cover the chair in my studio, {pinned!} I am not as lucky as you are to have my very own room, but the breakfast nook off my kitchen turned into my art studio and I have to keep it neat a presentable. My chair is comfy, but very paint splattered so I am going to follow your lead and give it a cute cover up! Thanks so much, everything looks so cute and super organized. I am heading over to Jaime's to check out your inspirations, thanks so much!
    Jenna

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    1. Thank you so much, Jenna! I am very flattered with your comments. I hope you enjoy your visit to Jaime's Raising Up Rubies!

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  13. Carol, I just viewed part one and two of your gorgeous room. It is just an amazing space! I am finishing mine and I will be "borrowing" your ideas to finish setting it up, if that is ok with you. Love your organization and your different work centers.Great inspiration! By the way, I am starting a new Link party tomorrow on my blog. I am excited and very scared at the same time. LOL Please, stop by. I need all the support I can get! :)Enjoy your week!

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  14. This is such a great room!! I can't imagine being as organized as you are.

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  15. Wow Carol, what a great room. You have made every inch beautiful and so many areas to work. I like how organized it is, the scrapbook pages about the door is a brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing at the Cabin this week:)

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  16. Wonderful, wonderful room Carol! I love all of the color that you've added. I think I would get lost in here for hours, no - days!

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    1. Thanks so much, Suzy! I completely lose track of time when I'm in this room working on projects. Do we really need to eat and have clean clothes....hmmm?

      Do you know you have "no reply" on the email? I don't think you did until recently -- right?

      Carol

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  17. WOW! That is one awesome craft room! :)
    LOVE every detail.
    ~Liz

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  18. I love every square inch of your craft room!

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  19. It's wonderful.
    I love the green and black together. I have THAT chair, and have been wanting to cover it. Glad to see it successfully(and cutely)done!
    You're very blessed to have such a space!
    ~april

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    1. Thanks so much, April, for your sweet comments! I didn't do a tutorial on the chair cover because I was just winging it as I went along. I will tell you that the seat cover and the chair back are made separately and not attached to each other at all. Hope that helps!

      Carol

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  20. I am loving the idea of cupcake papers in a glass jar!!! Love.love.love!

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    1. Thanks! I'm loving paper cupcake liners period -- they are making such cute ones and you can do so many things with them!

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  21. Cute, cute, cute. This room is wonderful. I love your colors and the space is amazing. Lucky girl. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  22. Wow this is one amazing craft room! Love how you have different work centers...great ideas! Come link up to my linky party today http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/03/centerpiece-wednesday-and-wrap-up_12.html and share your post.
    Karin
    The Style Sisters

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  23. Im jealous!......I love this room and I am stealing ideas thanks for such an inpirational space awesome job. I am now following your blog.

    according2sharon.blogspot.com

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  24. Such a fun space! Popped over from Imparting Grace!

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  25. You are blessed to have such a great space.

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  26. I'm totally jealous Carol!!! It is the most adorable Mom-cave I've ever seen! Seriously. Love it!!
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  27. Hi Carol,
    Thanks for leaving the comment on our blog so we could find you. It's so nice to meet another desert blogger. I love your craft room and I'm very envious (like so many of the others who are leaving comments) of your space. What a great place in which to create! Keep in touch, okay? My friends and I just started our blog in November so we're still pretty new to this.
    Heather from Friendship, Life and Style

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  28. Carol, your beautiful craft room was featured at Tuesdays at Our Home. Congratulations! Stop by and grab a button!

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  29. Carol!!! It is amazing!!!! You will be one of the features TOMORROW at the Sunday Showcase for the Make it Pretty Monday party! Pop on in and grab a new Sunday Showcase feature button for your blog!! Have a great rest of the weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  30. What a great space! I need a kid to move out so I can have a craft room. :)

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  31. Carol what a fabulous space you have created! Can you come over and help me do mine!?;) Thanx for partying at THT.

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  32. Carol, this room is just spectacular! This is one of the best craft rooms that I have seen. The colors and accents are just so cheery and fun. Who wouldn't be creative in this space? You did an amazing job!

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  33. I'm having craft supply envy right now!! I love the organization!

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  34. I can't believe I'm just now getting around to seeing your Momma cave post! When I saw that cute cupcake liners/doilies banner I literally squealed out loud! :) Such a fun idea. I see cute cupcake liners all the time, but I never know what to do with them. I'm definitely going to start buying them when I see cute ones now. Thanks for such a clever idea! Love your Momma cave, by the way!

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  35. Wow, this is very nice! I love the chair makeover also! I’m hosting a new linky party at http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/efforts-and-assets-linky-party-1.html

    I would love to have you!
    Angela

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    1. Thank you, Angela! How could I refuse a sweet invitation?

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    2. Thank you so much for linking up to my party! Hope to see you again Tuesday. HickoryTrail

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  36. Wow! I love your room! I am new from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and follow me back! Nicole!

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol