Craft room decor ideas

I have still not finished with my craft room and am struggling a little to get it in order, so that I will want to work in there every day.

I need some inspiration, so I have decided to share what I found with you.

It is important to have sufficient work space, this will allow you to leave projects that you are working on out for you to continue to work on the next day or when you are up to it.

Sunlight plays a very important role in how you view your craft room. If you are lucky enough to have a room that receives ample light, you are one of the lucky ones, as usually the room that gets allocated as the craft room is the dark and dreary room on the other side of the house. My craft room is one of these, it doesn’t get much light and is rather cold.

Make the most of your walls by installing shelves along the wall. You will be grateful for the storage space.

Everyone loves a little vintage. Use those old storage containers to hold your odds and ends. It will look good and serve as a practical storage solution.

Tuck away all electronics. Lets be honest, all electrical stuff looks ghastly. So, when not in use stow them away and out of sight.

Tools of the trade, your most prized possessions. Keep them organised and easy to access. The top drawer of your desk would be ideal.

Organised, organised, organised. The key to a successful craft room design is most definitely an organised room.

‘A place for everything and everything in its place’ has never rung more true. The main reason for me not spending more time in my craft room is the fact that I don’t have enough storage and the storage that I do have is not used properly.

The use of see-through cabinets is ideal. You can see where everything is stored and therefore you will save ample time looking for supplies.

Task lighting for activities such as sewing is of paramount importance in your craft room design. If you are like me and do most of your crafts in the evening, lighting should be one of your main concerns, especially in a very dark room.

‘I can’t find that green button! You know the one with the thing on it!’ Sound familiar. I am certainly guilty. Store similar supplies together. It may sound simple, but when you regularly by new things, you may get into the habit of not storing them correctly.

AH! One of my most favourite things in the whole wide world… inspirational boards. I love at seeing pictures of inspirational boards that belong to creative people, they are always so interesting and full of visual surprises. A definite must for all craft rooms.

Why not use your supplies as decor. That will mean that your decor in your craft room will be ever evolving as you use up and replace your supplies.

Having a space for every task you peform in your craft room is ideal. For example, an area to do your digital work, a desk for completing your handmade projects, an ironing area, a storage area, etc.

Using glass storage containers is a wonderful idea. You will always know where everything is and it looks pretty too…

Share your craft room storage ideas with us. Either leave a comment or post a link to your ideas in the comments section.

When life gives you lemons…

I recently found this lovely networking blog – Handmade Network.

Every week  they have a new challenge. Last week was ‘when life gives you lemons’. So I created a yellow knitted flower brooch.

I did not formally enter the competition, but instead did it as a challenge for myself. I am not confident to enter, yet, but will do the weekly challenge.

Let me know what you think…

PS. I desperately need to up my photography skills. I plan to build a light box soon…

Why Blog

This question has been on my mind for a while now…

I Googled this question and quite a few (70,200,000 to be exact) results came back. But only I can answer this question for myself…

• Firstly, it makes me dig deep and think about what I am posting for all the world to see.
• I have always wanted to write, even if I’m not very good at it, I find it a form of expression. Blogging gives you the freedom to write what you feel like writing. No one will judge you and you can publish it for the world to see without costing a cent.
• It is a creative outlet, I can post my creations here, whenever I feel like it.
• It is a kind of journal, I can write down my thoughts, and at the same time have a record of what is happening in my life.

Why do I want to continue to blog?

This is the all important question…

I want to teach others; yes, that is the main goal for Orangebloom.

*Teach*

Blog Goals:

• To blog at least one craft project a week
• Start a monthly newsletter, where subsribers will receive special offers and valuable information on all things crafty.

So, now it is set in stone for all to view. They do say that once you write your goals down you are more likely to achieve them.

Everything happens for a reason

Photo by Leonard Cillo

I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. Even when I don’t really know what that reason is or understand why it happened.

Last night while attempting to sew the bag lining for the very special bag that I mentioned yesterday, I found that my 7 month old sewing machine was broken. So, I couldn’t sew a stitch.

I asked my husband to try and see what the problem was, but we ended having a huge fight and my sewing machine is still broken.

Everything is connected in some way and for the life of me, I couldn’t seem to think why or how my broken sewing machine is connected and what it means.

I seemed to blame everyone except myself for the broken machine, why do we do that.

After reading an article on the subject, I now understand a little better.

Everything that happens is either a gift, a lesson or an opportunity.

As I began to dig deeper I realise that this could have happened for several reasons:

• This time while I wait for my sewing machine to be serviced and fixed I could take the time to think and plan my bag design (instead of just rushing to get it finished).
• I could use this as an opportunity to improve my hand sewing – something I am not very good at…
• I have learnt that I can’t expect my husband to be a ‘jack-of-all-trades’, and expect him to be able to fix anything.

I’m not yet sure which one of these, if any, is the real reason for this misfortune. But I am sure that it will come to light soon.

I really did want to show you the completed bag today, but alas, it is just not meant to be…

How to line a bag

I am busy making a very special bag for a very special person (I don’t want to give anything away, just in case she sees this post) and needed some help with the lining.

I came across this excellent blog Futuregirl.com and she has a fantastic tutorial on how to line a bag.

Thank you Alice, I have learnt something new today.

Once I have finished my project I will most definitely let you know how it went.

*Photo: Alice Merlino www.futuregirl.com

Creative Crafts and Arts Expo

On Saturday 5th July, I attended the Your Family Creative Crafts and Arts Expo at Emperors Palace.

There were a few highlights, but like a ’silly-billy’ I forgot my camera.

• I signed up for some quilting classes at the South African Quilters Guild see some of their work here…
• Glass and Fire had the best exhibit in my opinion. Their beads on display and for purchase were simply beautiful. Their shop is in Pretoria, so I hope to visit it soon.
• Yippy! I have found a quilting shop in my area, Edenvale. Umnyama had gorgeous fabrics on show and as soon as I have some extra money I will most definitely visit their shop.
• The African Queen Studio has a great concept of using recycled fabric waste to create beads. I saw African Queen at the 2008 Design Indaba in Cape Town – which I had the priviledge to attend for work purposes.
• I bought some beads, chain and a watch face at the Beads, Habby and Craft stand, they have on of the largest selection of beads and watch faces in the country. And what’s even better their store is near my area. They are in Lakeside Square in Benoni!

It was a pitty that they didn’t have some more independent crafters and artists at the exhibition. I long for shows and exhibitions that the Capetonians regularly enjoy…

Stash Pack

How I longed to find a company in South Africa that sends out Stash Packs…

I have seen the lovely stash packs that others have recieved in the USA and the UK and longed to receive such a beautiful package.

I have recently started sewing and have become interested in quilting. And thought that stash packs would be a great way to learn about fabrics and decide what patterns and colours I like.

I eventually found a company in Durban that sells stash packs. Cotton Tail – When it arrived in the post I was so so excited!

When I opened it, I was a little disappointed…

But, I suppose its better than nothing and a good start. I will continue my search to find a great fabric shop, that satisfies my desire for what I see overseas.

PS> This weekend is the Creative Arts and Crafts Expo on at Emperor’s Palace. I will take some photos and post this weekend… Hope I find some great treasures!

PPS> I wish my photos were better – working on it…

Glove Bunny

I saw this delightful idea on Martha Stewart’s show – Glove Animals.

So, I thought I would give it a go, as I had a few pairs of gloves that I don’t use anymore. Well, I managed to sew a finger to the hand of the glove – don’t ask me how I did that?

But I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am going to make one for my sister.

I didn’t follow the pattern 100%, but it still come out ok, the next one will be better…

I knitted him a winter scarf, to keep him warm.

Things I have learnt while making this craft:

• use my sewing machine, hand sewing is not my strong point
• not following the pattern 100% is okay, it makes the outcome more unique
• I can easily laugh at myself when I make silly mistakes

This bunny needs a name…

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Wire Works

I have been rather busy this week…

I am having a tea party on Saturday and wanted to do something special for the occasion. So, I decided to knit wire to make napkin rings. I have made a set of 6. Here is one…

Today I get off work early, so I would like to make napkins to match.

I also made a beaded wire flower to match for decoration on the cake.

Day Off

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to get the day off. I work for HOMEMAKERSonline, which I thoroughly enjoy. Besides going to the dentist to get a crown (am I now a princess? – hehehehe), I got stuck into our spare room and started to create a craft room for myself.

I was slightly annoyed with the retailer where I bought my wood for my table, as they cut the piece that was supposed to be the table top, too small. But that will give me an excuse to get another piece and use this piece to create an ottoman.

I sorted out all my ribbon and paper, which felt good. David will put shelves up for me on the weekend. I hung other curtains up, which immediately made a huge difference. I will make a tie-back this evening.

As I go along, I will post some photos. I’m so excited to finally have my own space to work in…