Craft Room 2.0 {aka The Studio}

I know that not EVERYONE has a craft room.  I don't know why not everyone has one, but c'est la vie!

When I first moved into my condo (over 6 years ago - wow!) the second bedroom was my craft room/storage area.  In 2009 I did some major cleaning out in there and some minor decorating rehab:

Then about 3 years ago, Melissa moved in and my craft room became her bedroom.  Since she decided to stay a while I decided to move the craft room downstairs.  This works fine for me, however it's a bit cramped if anyone else is here.  Let's just say as a creative person, that area gets out of hand. A lot. 

Not to mention the fact that I am saver ("I might need that later, so I will save it right here - with all the other junk awesome stuff I'm saving"), so most of the time that area is a disaster.  I won't share pics of that - use your imagination, and then multiple that by 5 - and you might be close.

Fast forward with me to May of this year.  Melissa is getting married! 

Since it would be strange if she lived here after she gets married, she'll be moving.

And my wheels are turning over so. many. ideas. of how to design my craft room STUDIO!

I'm claiming that it will be my studio because that sounds more professional.

I plan to do this on a shoestring budget - because that's all I have. I know it can be done, I mean spend 5 minutes on Pinterest and you'll find 572 ways to redecorate on a budget. 

I have all of the big pieces that I'll need - dresser, bookcase, storage cubes, table.  The closet in that room is great, it has built in shelves that will be great for fabric.  

I want the studio to be bright and colorful and inspiring and organized. Most of what I'll be doing is painting and recovering things to match my vision.

I found this idea on Pinterest and I can't wait to see if it will work in there: PAINTED FLOORS!

Here are a couple of inspiration pictures:

How fun are these floors!?!?!? I LOVE the yellow one!

I hope that the floor under the carpet in that room is in good enough shape to do this!  I think I am most excited about the floor.

I'm still searching for fabric to use, I can't decide if I will stick with one line, like this one from Joel Dewberry - I do love this:

Or go with a more vintage/eclectic mix - we'll see!

Here are a few more inspiration shots - all from Pinterest:

This cart is from Ikea - and I really like it!!  I almost bought it that last time I was there, but didn't...That just means a trip to Atlanta will be in my future!!

 I like the vintage-y look of this space - and the use of all different colors.

Here is some pretty fabulous fabric storage.  I'd love to do something similar so I can actually see what I have.

This gallery wall just looks happy!  So many great possibilities!

I have a pretty good work chair, but it's black now, so I'd love to give it a new outfit!!

I'm sure you will be seeing more of The Studio in the coming months...

Stay tuned!

Truth

In a devotion book my mom gave me for Christmas the title of today's reading is "Do Over".  They talk about not making a long list of resolutions, but looking at where in your life you need a "do over", and what area(s) might need repair. How great that we serve a God that will take us back again and again - He gives us a "do over" everyday if we ask for it.

For the past couple of years I have chosen one word to focus on for the year. Last year my word was "Be". I had a plan to focus on one area (money, healthy eating, housework, etc.) each month - Be Healthy, Be Clean, Be Creative, and so on.  Did I complete all of those? No. But I did the first 2 or 3, so that's something!!

My word for this year is TRUTH.

This is why: I have been in a bit of a mental and spiritual funk lately. A little down, a little reserved, a little disconnected. I think most of us have those times. I am so thankful for friends and family members who are concerned with my well-being and honest enough to check in on me during these times and tell me some things I need to hear. In one of these conversations with Janna a few weeks ago she talked about an exercise that Alana did in one of her pre-surgery counseling sessions - they were talking about anxiety and how anxiety is lies, and  to combat that we should think about what the TRUTH is.  When Janna told me about this, I immediately thought, "I SHOULD DO THAT!!"...because lets face it, most of the reason I get into a funk is that I start living in the lies that go through my head. I know that is satan getting to me and dragging me down.

Soon after that revelation I began (again) reading the book "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst.  As someone who has struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember, this book speaks to my soul.  One of the things that she talks about is TRUTH. And the importance of learning to ignore the lies the enemy shoots at us on a daily basis.  

Coincidence? I think not! I love that God gives me the words I need to hear when I need to hear them. He's good that way. Isaiah 43:18-19 says "But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."  See? He's already started!

I need a "do over" in a few areas, and most of that involves looking at lies I have been believing and trusting the TRUTH that God gives me. So 2014 will be a year of TRUTH for me. I choose not focus on the lies, but on the TRUTH.  

John 8:32 says "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

I'M READY!

Traditions

So, it's 3 days post Christmas, and I'm home with the crud, so I thought I'd blog again! Lucky for you, right?

At a Women's program at church recently we were talking about Christmas traditions, ones we had as children, ones we have as adults, and some we'd like to start.  I've thought about traditions a lot over the past few weeks.

I think tradition can be good and bad.  I don't think we should always do things the way they've always been done, just because that's the way they've always been done.  I do love the comfort and familiarity in some traditions, though.  Obviously the holiday season brings many traditions - here are a few of my favorites...

I know it's way before Christmas, but I love Black Friday shopping.  My friend Kim and I have gone for the last several years.  I usually don't get all my shopping done that day, but I love to get out in the hustle and bustle of it all.  This is that haul from this year - there were three of us, so it's not as bad as it looks.

 Christmas Eve is always special.  It wasn't until High School that I went to church on Christmas Eve, but it is one of my favorite traditions now.  I love the music, the worship, and especially the candles at the end.

After church we go to the Morel's to party it  up - also a favorite tradition!!  

Miss Alana is always ready to strike a pose.

 Granny Janice (Mom) loving on Zeke. (She LOVES to be called Granny Janice, everyone should do it!)

 Since I've lived in my condo Mom has come over Christmas morning for breakfast and to exchange gifts.  Here she is modeling some huge earrings I got her this year - as a joke.

The rest of Christmas day is going to Mema's and then usually to my Dad's side of the family.  I love spending the day with all of my family in one day!

One tradition I have started in the last couple of years is buying an ornament in memory of Thomas and Clinton for my tree each year. 

A tradition I would like to start is some kind gathering for "my kiddos". Maybe a Christmas movie night, or making something...I don't know.

What are some traditions you love? What are some you'd like to start?

Merry Christmas!

This time of year can be hectic and crazy busy, but it can also be so overwhelmingly special and filled with wonder.  Someone said to me this year that they just decided they weren't going to get stressed out at Christmas. Way to go!  I would love to say I'm there, but not quite.  I try to anticipate the stress.  I guess if I anticipate it and prepare for it, it's a little better. Especially since my stress typically comes from rushing to get things done at the last minute or when what I have planned doesn't go as planned.

Let's think about the wonder, though.  Let's focus on the miracle that we celebrate on December 25. Let's concentrate on the sheer joy of watching children experience Christmas.  Let's love on our families and friends, and all those in our community who need a little extra love. Let's relax and enjoy a good Christmas movie and a cup of hot cocoa.  Just a thought!

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to decorate my home. This year I got an early start because I had a day off of work the week before Thanksgiving.  Since there was only 3 weeks between turkey day and Christmas I took advantage and decked my halls then.  I have really enjoyed the festive feel! But I will also enjoy getting it put away (just being honest, here).

 I joyed the chevron/burlap revolution this year with this wreath - i think I will change the bow and decor for different seasons - we'll see!

 This little pouch holds all my Christmas cards.  I love looking at them as I get them and then going through them again when I take down the decorations - usually on January 1.

 O Christmas Tree!  I really like to pull out my ornaments every year and discover again and again the treasures.  I also like to buy a few ones each year to add to the mix.

My mom bought me this as a housewarming/Christmas gift when I moved into my condo - and I love it as much now as I did then.  (I know the wise men are too close, but that's where they landed this year.)

So, whether your Christmas is as calm and peaceful as can be, or it's filled with crazy chaotic dysfunction - take a breath and find a minute to focus on the good things - and the best thing. After all, that's why we are celebrating in the first place!

Are you ready for Fall, Y'all?

I so am!  It is no secret that this is my favorite time of year.  I love the colors of the trees, the clothes, and the cooler temps.  I also really love the decorations of Fall - mums, pumpkins, gourds - all good stuff.  It's also no secret that I love wreaths - there are just so many possibilities. Last week I was inspired to start getting Fall-ified, so I bought some mums and decorated a wreath. 

I love how it turned out.  I totally stole the basic idea from several posts on Pinterest - I have no shame!

Here are the mums I got - just small ones for my little urns.  I usually get yellow or orange, but I was feeling the purple this year - brights are in this season!

Here are a couple of close ups of the wreath:

I spray painted the wreath and the canvas...

and wrapped a strip of fabric around a few times. I cut out a few diamonds from felt, and used hemp and baker's twine to create the argyle look.

I wrapped another strip of fabric around the top to attache the hanger, and voila!

The owl is paper, fabric and felt scraps decoupaged onto the canvas.  For the branch I just twisted some hemp twine and glued it down with fabric glue. (I have learned that using hot glue on things that hang on my front door, and get several hours of direct sunlight each day, is not a great idea.)

 

My little porch is all ready for Fall!

 

Cell Phone Pictures

I saw this recently on a blog that I love - and I thought it sounded like a great idea to record what I've been doing lately.

I made this bag - the pattern is here - it's smaller than you think.  If I make it again I will make it bigger.  I do like the way it goes together, it's pretty simple.  I'm giving this one to Kim - because she asked for one.  That's how I roll.

On Wednesday nights I go to church for dinner and to work in the Library.  I love having dinner with Mrs. Morel, Alana, and Ava - and sometimes James.  It's a little crazy, but fun!  These pics are courtesy of Alana.

For McGregor Baby #4 Janna and John had a Gender Reveal Party.  I made these so everyone could declare their prediction.  I chose pink.  I was wrong.

Every February my church does a church-wide mission project.  Folks of all ages make cookies, the Mission Friends (young children) make Valentine's Cards, and the Acteens and GA's (school age girls) deliver them to local fire stations.  I love that everyone in the church gets involved!

I drove the church van this year - 15 passenger vans handle way differently than my car.  Just sayin'.

I started selling Scentsy.  I love the products and the company - who doesn't want their house to smell good?  If you want to learn more go here.

For the last couple of years we have gone to Pizza Hut for Valentine's day - just good family fun.  I was trying to get a picture of James crying, but then he smiled.  Crying or smiling, he's a cutie!!

I cleaned out my closet this week.  My Mema gave me this jewelry box years ago, and took the time to put pictures in it.  I love that she did that, but I don't need the jewelry box any more, so I took pictures of the pictures (I know, that sounds crazy) and am donating the jewelry box to Thriftsmart.

These were also in my closet.  They are the shoes I wore while I was training for the Half Marathon last year.  I'm pretty sure I walked more miles in these shoes than any others in my life.  I didn't feel the need to keep them, but did want to document the wear - I earned that hole!

what's with all this journal business

i love journals.  i love to journal.  i always have.  i've always written in some form or fashion.  poetry, journaling, prayers, doodles, lists - i just love to put a pen to paper and see what happens.  right after high school i had a series of journals that i filled almost daily for about 3 years.  if something wasn't in those journals, it didn't happen - in my head, at least!  also during that time a friend and i started doing "i believes".  we each had book filled with things we believed - pretty much just a list, but they spanned from serious to silly and philosophical to funny. 

a couple of years ago i saw on the internet where someone was taking paper and fabric and recovering journals. i made a couple for myself and then some for gifts - and i was pretty much hooked.  this past january i took an online course on art techniques and journaling that i talked about here and since then i have been exploring the many. many ways of art journaling. i love the idea of doing art "for my eyes only" and i really feel like i've gotten more confidence to do other artsy things through some of the things i have done in my art journal.

right now i have three journals "going".  one is the first journal that i embellished a few years ago - i write all kinds of things in there - prayers, lists, ideas, and just general stuff about what's going on.  i also have my art journal.  this is the one that i started in january during the class.  i paint in it, mod podge paper, fabric and other things in it, i write and draw and collage - pretty much anything goes in this book!  i love that it won't close all the way.  i love that there are "blank" pages that i have painted or mod podged a background on, but haven't completely filled up - i will get to them!!

this is the other one:

(pardon the bad cell phone pics)

this is one that i covered just last week, and i really liked it, so i kept it for myself instead of adding to my stash to sell. 

simple, solid colored fabric (in fact the blue is actually a napkin that i got for .25 at a Dillard's that was going out of business in St. Louis).  the inside pages of the journal have yellow circles on them, so the yellow dot ribbon works perfectly.  this book is my "sunshine" book.  only happy things inside. 

just planning to fill it with happy words of inspiration, scripture, songs, etc.  and when i'm having a gray day, i can open this and get little dose of sunshine!

if you want to journal - do it!!  there is no right or wrong way to do it.  do what works for you.  paint, write, draw, cut pictures out of magazines, whatever!!  it really is theraputic!! there are tons of blogs with journaling tips and prompts to help you get going if you are new to journaling or are stuck.  go to pinterest.com and search "journal" or "art journal" and there sure to be more than enough results!

do you journal?  how? 

kacymade

i FINALLY got it in gear and started my craft business.  it actually happened officially on Sept. 14 - when i opened my shop on etsy.com.  then on Oct. 15 - i was part of an open house, which was my first actual event.  it went really well, and i sold quite a bit of the stuff i made - and i've continued to sell over the last few weeks. 

what i am selling right now are paper and fabric covered journals, pleated tote bags and painted/collaged canvases with words, scripture or songs on them.  i think i am most surprised at how well the canvases sold, especially since including them in the shop was kind of after thought because i had found the canvases on sale at Michael's a couple of months ago.

here's what i like about having this business thing so far:
- i have an excuse to craft everyday!  last week i went days without making anything and i kind of started shaking a little bit...i. need. to. craft.
- so many people that i love have supported me for a long time, have encouraged me to do this, and are supporting me in it.  it makes me feel loved.
- i am using up (slowly but surely) the completely inappropriate amount of scrapbook paper i own.
- as i told a friend of mine after the first show "people are paying real money for crap i made!"
-did i mention crafting everyday - yeah - that's a good thing!

here's what i don't necessarily like about this business thing so far:
- the "what if no one likes it?" thing that constantly runs through my head.
- feeling like any second i am not crafting i am wasting - even when i stay up until 11 and 12 most nights.
- not selling anything on etsy yet.  i plan to really dig into that after my next two events are over - we'll see!
- so many ideas, so little time (always a struggle for me)

all in all, i am very excited that i have taken this step.  i am thankful for the people in my life who encourage me along the way.  i am anxious to see what God has in store for kacymade - and just enjoying creating =)

a math problem

+

 +

=

the land of the free

As I was reading Tatertots and Jello the other day, I came across this really cute idea for a 4th of July decoration.

Isn't that cute!?! She used a  personal letter as the background and a map for the stars.  So neat!

I liked it so much, I decided to make a version for my house:

I found an image of the Declaration of Independence on the web and faded it out a little.  Then I just put the text over the image and printed it out.  I used my Creative Memories star punch for the stars and just sewed them right on the paper.  My background is just some rippled paper I had on hand with the red paper Mod Podged on that.  I had the frame left from this party, and I just painted it white.

Here you can see how the stars stand out from the paper - so festive!

Happy 4th of July!