My New Creative Center On A Budget

If you are like me, you have the plans of a king but the pocket book of a pauper. So many fantastic, thoughtful, creative ideas and inspirations, so little money....{sigh}

So I found myself scavenging from what I already had around. At first I was a little unsure of my success potential. After all, as a designer I want a space that would make the most seasoned designer/crafter snarl in envy. In the end I needed to re-establish my entire work area after giving away my key piece. But I needed to replace my dear old white table spending little or no money. So, the key to success, in my mind, was figuring out how to jimmy a new work surface (that would never quite compete with Old White).

I'd resigned myself to the idea that I'd need to paint a piece of plywood and mount it to some wire cube cubbies. Less than ideal, but it'd get the job done. I certainly wouldn't be making Martha Stewart jealous by a long shot. As I sifted through our garage (we just moved six months ago) I glanced briefly to my right and felt my heart soar. Off on the other side of the garage, tucked away in the corner stood my grandfather's drafting table.

So many wonderful works of art came from that table. My grandfather was a natural artist, his first "job" at ten was painting signs for local shop owners during the Depression to earn money for the family. He studied graphic design, but ultimately landed at the FBI (yes, you read that right) as a sketch artist. The work he produced over the course of his life enthralled me. When he passed, I cried when my grandmother told me of her intention to gift his work table and tools to me. I think, my friends, Old White has been sufficiently replaced...

As I brought Grandpa's table out to our sun room, I spied an old small chandelier that had been rescued from an abandoned apartment. "Surely there's a way I can work this into my space?..."

A little cleaning, a little clearing of toys (as I'll now be sharing space with the kiddos in what we've up 'til now been referring to as the play room) and I'm starting to feel good about how it's coming together.

Here's what I've got so far, and I'll hopefully be able to finish pulling it together tomorrow...

Starting Fresh

The new year has some facing resolutions made of their own volition. And others have to start fresh because circumstances thrust upon them. A family member found herself having to move over the past holiday weekend... no small task when it involves a large family with small children.

A friend of ours found himself destitute and having to start out completely from scratch. As families pulled in around him and his children, he's already been able to acquire the basics... and our family was happy to pass along a round oak table that had been given to us. We had been at a low point in our own life, and a dear friend passed it to us. It became a place of many meals and memories, lovingly refinished and, of late my staging point for all things crafted, sewn, painted... you name it.

Anyway, we've found ourselves in a better place, and with a larger rectangular table where we take our meals together. And it would seem that the round table was an easy let-go. But it wasn't. It's led me, instead to my own new start...

Passing along my trusty crafting area has opened up a door of opportunity to re-create my creating space. Mu first task will be to determine the 'where'. Then I can press on to the 'how'. And, while I miss my trusty friend, I know it's a cornerstone for new memories for its new family. And its departure is an open door for me to new possibilities in this new year.

Happy New Year!

And what better way to start a new year that's chilly and blustery? With a new scarf and hat, complete with giant pom pom ball. As goofy as my Bugaboo is, the pom pom is just begging to be bounced up and down and back and forth.

Combine Bugaboo's Jim Carrey-ish physicalities with her newly lost tooth and that slouchy hat action, and the entertainment value is through the roof.

Happy, happy new year, all!

Eve of the Eve of the New Year...

Today was grey, rainy an blustery. Not a choice pick for a grocery shopping day. However, since I had my Bugaboo with me I might as well have had my own personal ray of sun.

But running around town doing errands left little time for much else! I did finish the body of a hat for Audrey. I even made an extra ribbed cuff to attach to the front to give it a more over-sized, chunky, snuggly sort of feel. Tassels have been voted upon for the scarf with the additional request of a giant pom-pom for the hat. So, with hat completed I now begin the long journey of wrapping yarn for a pom-pom. What a way to close out the year...

Lots of work, little crafting

Today has been quite the day. Last night, a member of my household accidentally dropped my laptop on the kitchen floor. Needless to say, they felt completely terrible about it (and it was just one of those flukey things that could've happened to anyone).

Anyway, I'd been hoping to access all my social networking portals today in an attempt to streamline how I'll be interfacing from now on. I mean, why post something ten times when I only have to do it once or twice? But it would seem a higher power had a different agenda for how I'd be passing my time today.

It would turn out I was able to help a family member modify some images for a book submittal. Ninety-two images in all, making for a hefty Photoshoping day. Now I'm settling down to make a hat to go with yesterday's scarf. I'll try a couple shots of the finished product later on, if my lighting's not too awful. Otherwise, I'll wait for some good morning light.

In the meantime, I'm anxiously watching my Inbox for my eagerly anticipated Pinterest invite...

Busting My Stash

This morning I pulled pulled out most of my yarn, re-winding unravelled balls and exploring various pairings.

The colors run the gamut. Since they're a hodge-podge of hues from across the decades, some work well together while others leave something to be desired. Like any self-respecting crafter I'm on a mission to sift out what will work amongst the trove I already have. As excited as I am about trolling local yarn aisles, conscience dictated I can't possibly shell out $50 on 1000 yards of new yarn. After all, I have 10,000 yards snuggled in a basket already, waiting to be transformed.

So, having promised Audrey (my daughter) a scarf for our brisk morning walks to her bus, I sat down last night in front of PBS and worked one up while listening to Michael Pollan. Stories of multi-million dollar tulip bulbs and cannibus farmers filtered from the TV as I grabbed one of my fatter crochet hooks to work shades of pinks and rose.

Grandma changed the station after awhile, and I was able to finish up before Body Of Proof was over. Now for the real conundrum: to tassel or NOT to tassel?...

Diving Back In....

I have been neglecting my online presence, but for good reason. Life's been eventful, to say the least. And so, for awhile, I placed my creative endeavors on the proverbial back burner. I've had a year to enjoy my infant's rise into toddlerhood. I also watched my Mom, victim of two strokes in an 18 month period, gradually regain all her faculties while in my care.

Now, my toddler's toddling, my first-grader's in school all day and Mom's gearing up to start her membership at the local Y. This all leaves me feeling not so desperately needed and, therefore, a little more free for personal endeavors again. :)

So, in this upcoming new year I'm hoping I can 'stick to it' and start a daily blogging adventure of crafting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, woodworking... and maybe I'll mix in a dash of the day to day that peppers my creative juices and spices up my creations.