Re-Use!

If you go to any Starbucks that follows Starbucks procedure for a Venti hot tea you know that you get:
- double cup ('cause that sh*t is hot!)
- 2 tea bags (which are pretty strong)
This will cost you between $2-3.

Ask for the bags left outside the cup. Use 1 and put the cup aside on your desk when you are done. Trade out the old inner cup with the clean outer cup and make yourself another tea later in the day...or the next day for that matter.

Ps. Don't wash the first cup, it can only take so much. Just dry it out with a tissue.

Craft Table Bliss!

I finally have a HUGE workspace for sewing, cutting, crafting and storage!
It is missing the bins from the top shelves but they are perpetually out of stock at IKEA- I couldn't wait to post anymore!! 
Materials Cost = $190.00 (shelves, plywood, cutting mat, hardware)

Are you really going to sew...standing up?  Yes Ma'am (or Sir)...for most quick craft things that is easy peasy
If I needed to do a big project I could move out to the dining room table
I  am much happier with a tall table to stand at than a table I can sit at...
and it keeps projects farther from my precious 3 year old's little mitts!!


The extra large cutting mat means that my entire workspace is indestructible...almost!

The size of my new workspace- never has to be cleared away! 

The size of my old workspace at the dining table

2 more things that don't need to be put away anymore

Now- lets get down to how and how much??

Tons of storage...IKEA & Home Depot
Green bins- $3 each (IKEA)
White/short bins for top slots- $2 each (IKEA) these are perpetually out of stock but I will get them someday!
Khaki bins- $5 for 3 clearance (Home Depot)

Rectangular Drawer organizers- already had them so I am not sure how much they are, but they are cheap (IKEA)
This is on the inside/underneath the table since the Khaki bins don't fit the entire length of the bottom

IKEA Trofast Frame (kids section) $39.99 each
IKEA Trofast Wall Unit (kids section) $24.99 each
The wall unit is 1/2 the width of the shelves but it creates a nice extra flat shelf for freezer paper/bolts of fabric

Home Depot- Cabinet Grade Plywood On Sale- $23 per sheet cut down to 39X60 (free since first 2 cuts are free)
A lot of DIY craft table posts on Pinterest use MDF but if the guy at The Home Depot is right:
MDF does not stand up to moisture- at all...any water on it will make it swell
Since this is for crafts as well as sewing, it is possible that it could get wet...
that and my tea getting dumped over on it (it will happen...I am sure!)
Regular Plywood is cheap but it is not smooth and usually already bowing at the store
Spend the extra $5 and get a piece of cabinet grade plywood...say NO to slivers!


How do you make it sturdy?  I am sure there are many ways...but, this was the easiest and cheapest
Home Depot Wood Joiners- in the clamp aisle
*These are sharp (my finger still hurts where I grabbed one on the wrong end)*

Nail 4 on each end to join the cabinet to the wall unit
Use the remainder to secure the plywood to the wall unit
It is sturdy and HEAVY at this point so make sure it is right where you want it before you put it all together
This also takes at least 2 people since the shelves are white laminate and are slippery-
you need someone to sit on it while you join the unit together

2 wood joiners on each end

1 on each end and 3 along the length

The cutting mat is from JoAnn Fabric- It is normally around $80-100 for one this large (38X59)
Keep a look out for deals....I got it for $32.99 on a one day sale
The cutting mat was actually my inspiration to create the table and the reason it is 39X60
It is also what lead me to the Trofast at IKEA...the pieces are exactly 39 inches in length

I also chose to cover the plywood with fabric:
1.  to bring in some color and fun
2. to make it more versatile
3. to save myself time in having to finish and paint it (but you could do that)
4. it acts as a quick pin cushion on the edges of the mat

*if you look real close...my scrapbooking containers are on the floor underneath...
these shelves as a base are not the best option if you are a scrapbooker (which I am not)
since they do not fit in the shelves

And, if you come visit...it's still my guest room and you can have it all to yourself!

Pommes Anna

Pommes Anna with rutabagas and potatoes....one word... Delicious!! Why don't people eat rutabagas anymore?? I think I need a root vegetable garden because the turnip fries were also super tasty last night. Local, organic produce delivered by Greenling might just change my life!!! Martha Stewart root veggie recipes HERE

Different Valentine's Day Gift

The note says: Wishing you good "Luck-y" for Valentine's Day! A bag full of Lucky Charms- a nice break from chocolate! Who doesn't like a handful of Lucky Charms. Only 110 Calories too!

Overdecorating???

I think I need an intervention for the "cute" things I think of to do in Trevor's room. And, now with Pinterest in the picture....I am really in trouble. Anyway, I had the idea to spell Trevor's name in golf balls for his room. I had taken these pictures in Arizona (nothing quite like the Way the sun shines in AZ!). The craft productivity bug bit me this week. More pictures coming. And, if you didn't get a Christmas card...you might just get one next week....FINALLY!

One More Month

I contemplated turning my Facebook account back on today.  I can officially say that I don't miss it.  I accomplished what I set out to accomplish for myself which was to prove to myself that I was spending too much time on Facebook with no real value or return for my investment.  I will say that I miss catching up with my friends and seeing their lives progress through photo albums.  What I don't miss is the need to update everyone on what I am doing every moment.  Live in the moment instead....and, then blog about it later when Trevor is in bed (or I have a spare second at work). 

Why did I think about turning it back on a month early?  Because, I have put Facebook in it's place in my life (which is a very low priority).  I am going to stick to my March 1st date just to know that I didn't compromise or "quit" my quitting.  When I do activate my account again I will enjoy being connected to loosly connected friends from my youth, people far away and photo journals of life.  That will take up a few minutes of my day, once a day...and I am totally ok with that!

ps.  My upcoming post is a product of my resolutions this year and is EXCITING...just wait!!

Giving Up Facebook

February 2, 2009

When I wake up tomorrow morning, I will have a 3 year old....seriously, how?  How has three years gone by already?

Clean Sweep!

So, what prompted my "Year Without Handbags"?....Well, my monster of a closet is the best answer!! I finally got tired of all the clutter and took a chainsaw approach to clearing it out. I should have taken a "before" picture but it really wasn't planned. I went to put away laundry and just snapped! I just started tossing things and when I start tossing it gets ugly (or gorgeous) FAST! I managed to clear out half my closet. It's the best feeling in the world.

Genesis Thrift Store pile-

A Handbag Free Year

I have a handbag obsession.  Mostly Kate Spade, 2 Banana, 2 Hobo and 2 Coach.  I am taking a 12 month hiatus from handbag purchases and will just be using the ones that I already have! 

*I did get an iPhone at work and HAD to get a KS cover....but, technically that is not a handbag ;)

Groundhog's Day

I am certain that we will have some fun with the fact that it is Groundhog's Day for many of Trevor's upcoming birthdays.  Well, maybe...?  If the PGA Golf Tournament in Phoenix continues to always be the beginning of February we may never actually celebrate Trevor's birthday on his actual birth date!  Can't have a birthday party without Dad.  But, it did get me wondering about the day and where it comes from.  The tradition seems to have many origins.  The Scottish say:

As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop

But my favorite explanation for marking Feb. 2nd as a day that determines the beginning of Spring is that it is the day:

"when daylight first makes significant progress against the night"

I can, of course, see this as a metaphor to me having a baby on this day.  Trevor truly is the light of my life.  Don't even get me started on this as a prophecy...Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker better make way for Trevor Williams!