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Keeping in Touch:  Creative Craft Space Remodel- lots of pics  |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 12 2011 : 2:10:32 PM
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If you're like most people, space comes at a premium. Now I don't live in a 300 square foot New York apartment but with 1350 square feet it's still a little hard to make space work with a husband and a 5 year old.
I've seen pictures of European housing and how other people make things work in small spaces. If you're living in a typical American house then you have one of these, a blank hallway. And if you're not the typical person (me) you think this is a waste of space. Perhaps 30 square feet of wasted space. So here's my story of how I shifted my thinking and created a craft room out of a hallway.
The first thing I did was to paint the entire hallway to give it a fresh look. At the end of the hallway is just over one foot of complete dead space. I took a piece of 2 by 4 (off of Craigslist) and painted it to match the walls. I cut it into pieces and mounted it onto the walls by screwing them into the studs. Later I went to the lumber store (Lowe's) and bought a nice piece of wood that I cut to fit the space and then sanded it and coated with gloss.
Sorry for the sideways picture. This is the final result. Let me take you on a tour.
I found this rack at a yard sale for $2. I mounted it onto the wall and now it stores my tools, twine, and jars with buttons.
Underneath is a narrow width bookcase. It's big enough to store bins with yarn, felt and fabric.
On top are other decorative containers, my knitting needles and crochet hooks, and a Knit-N-Spin (one of my most favorite tools on Planet Earth! You can get one here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79126173/knit-spinner-australian-lacewood
Along the wall I used one of those outdated wall coat hook things ($1 at a yard sale). It now holds a measuring tape, scissors, ribbon and hoops.
Here we are back at the desk. It's the perfect size for holding my sewing machine. I have plenty of room for most projects, otherwise I can simply move the machine, but I haven't had to do that yet. I also have a small cork board to pin up pictures or ideas, and several places for hanging up other tools of the trade.
Sorry, it's another sideways picture. Underneath the desk is enough room for these storage drawers which I keep patterns in and the 5 year old keeps all of her own crafting supplies which ranges from rocks to broken crayons and dead leaves. One never knows what will be found. In the tackle box is where I keep all my cross stitch supplies. It's a dandy for keeping needles, beads, and the 10,000 different colors of DMC thread.
Above the desk I installed shelves I made from tearing an old book case apart. I painted the shelves to match the walls. I made a ribbon holder from a wooden dowel and hung it on loops of twine. Other things I keep here are scrapbook items, tools, buttons, yarn, feathers, headbands, and fancy paper.
Along the other three walls I installed shelves I painted to match (free wood off Craigslist) above the doorways. I keep books and...sigh...more yarn. It seems to procreate when I'm not looking.
Along the other two walls I keep CD's and VHS tapes that my husband swears we must keep, along with some other knickknacks
Thanks for joining me on my tour. If you're in need of some crafting space, it might just be in your hallway.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
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sonshine4u
Chapter Guru
1205 Posts
April
New Prague
MN
USA
1205 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2011 : 2:56:31 PM
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Wow! You're handy with your drill and paint brush! Way to use every bit of extra space!
Playing in the Sonshine
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2011 : 3:15:00 PM
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THAT is AWESOME!!! Congratulations on a job well done! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! :)
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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thethankfulgoat
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Dawn
Granite Falls
NC
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2011 : 3:38:43 PM
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This is a beautiful and practical use of space. I have always looked at foyers as usless wasted space. The next house we build will not have a foyer. I have an art studio that has multiplied all over my bedroom. I am going to use some of your hints and get to work making that a useful space.
Dawn Mathews
www.prettyfarm.blogspot.com |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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Sharon Denise
True Blue Farmgirl
211 Posts
Sharon
Temple
TX
USA
211 Posts |
Posted - Aug 12 2011 : 5:43:59 PM
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Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! And thank you so much for including the directions and pictures of "before."
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning."
~Louis L'Amour |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6663 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6663 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2011 : 05:44:51 AM
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What a wonderful transformation of space!! It is just perfect for all of your crafting needs. You really did a great job of re-purposing items to keep the cost down and make it efficient. A true inspiration to us all!! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your new space.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
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antoinette
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Toni
East Freedom
PA
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Aug 13 2011 : 8:11:13 PM
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Wonderful work area, I just wish I had an area in my house of wasted space. Not
here every spare corner has something in it. |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2011 : 05:08:25 AM
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Wow! That is an incredible use of space! You should definitely be proud of yourself! :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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classygram
True Blue Farmgirl
1812 Posts
Brenda
Pleasant Hill
Mo.
USA
1812 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2011 : 07:14:37 AM
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You go girl, what a wonderful situp. And having it all right there handy to use. You did a great job.
http:///www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
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HealingTouch
True Blue Farmgirl
3448 Posts
Darlene
Kunkletown
Pa
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - Aug 14 2011 : 1:59:27 PM
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Cute and very creative. That's a True Farmgirl~Repurposing!!!!
Be Blessed,
Darlene
Sister 1922
God first, everything else after!
When Satan's knocking at your door, just say "Jesus will you get that for me?"
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CurlysQuilts
True Blue Farmgirl
569 Posts
Sarah
Northeast Kingdom
VT
USA
569 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2011 : 11:34:51 AM
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Love it! I just moved my creative space as well! I love all your repurposing and creative ideas. Very farmgirlish!
Curly's Quilts
www.curlysquilts.etsy.com
I am a recyclin, cloth-diapering, home grown, hand sewn kinda farmgirl! |
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cynfullypurple
True Blue Farmgirl
190 Posts
Cynthia
Endwell
NY
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2011 : 08:50:36 AM
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Absolutely FABULOUS!!! I'm in the process of redoing and creating a craft space, so I will definitely be borrowing some of your ideas I also use old canning jars to store this and that. I got a whole box full for $2.00 at a yard sale!! I love the idea for holding your ribbons!
Cyn~
Farmgirl #2817
"The time is when a library is a school, and the librarian is in the highest sense a teacher, and the visitor is a reader among the books as a workman among his tools." ~Melvil Dewey
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SRhea
Farmgirl in Training
42 Posts
Sue
San Angelo
TX
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2011 : 11:51:45 AM
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| I love it!!! I am also in the process of turning a small room into a craft room & you have given me some really good ideas. |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
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Oggie
True Blue Farmgirl
526 Posts
Ginny
Machias
Maine
USA
526 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2011 : 09:33:57 AM
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What a fantastic job you did! I think it's time for me to downsize and start using space that holds "collections" since I couldn't care less about the "collections". Then maybe I'd have a guest room when my daughter and family come for a visit! I'm too old to be moving furniture around all the time! Thanks for sharing and more importantly, thanks for the MOTIVATION!
Ginny
Farmgirl #2343
www.thedewhopinn.com
"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with."
"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Both by Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) in the Movie Harvey
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lanikyea
True Blue Farmgirl
50 Posts
Lani
Clayton
New Mexico
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2011 : 8:06:26 PM
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Fantastic!
"If you stumble make it part of your dance" |
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Acelady02
True Blue Farmgirl
1266 Posts
Penny
Washington
GA
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2011 : 9:03:18 PM
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Wow that looks great...
(((((Hugs All)))))Penny
Farmgirl Sister #3343
God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask... |
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buggysmum
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Shelly
110 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 3:01:14 PM
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| Great inspiration for the craft nook I'm planning in my basement! |
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Tapestry
True Blue Farmgirl
1223 Posts
Cheryl
Wisconsin
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2011 : 8:12:50 PM
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What a fabulous job you did! Great use of wasted space. My house is tiny so you have given me motivation to think vertically and use some wasted space for many of our needs here at home. Thanks for being an inspiration!
Happy farmgirl sister #353
Look for rainbows instead of mud puddles 
http://www.Tapestry2u.Etsy.com
http://tapestrysimaginings.blogspot.com/ |
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hummingbirdjoy
True Blue Farmgirl
1217 Posts
Linda
Washington State
USA
1217 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2011 : 12:37:22 PM
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What an amazing job you did with limited space! You're inspiring
me to re-organize my tiny space that I've carved out for crafting.
Love the excellent idea of the shelves up high to also store items.
What I make with my
hands, I give with my heart .... |
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marjean
True Blue Farmgirl
3857 Posts
Marsha
Deltona
FL
USA
3857 Posts |
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Keeping in Touch: Creative Craft Space Remodel- lots of pics |
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Creative Craft Space Remodel- lots of pics
