Kitchen Set Equipment

As I have been cleaning out my secret storage areas, I have been working on creating new piles.  But we are talking about the good kind of piles.  Piles to keep, piles to donate and piles to Craigslist.  One of the rules I am making for the keep pile, is to do something with the item now {or super soon}, or else it can't stay.  I have found that many of the items I was saving, were items that I eventually intended on doing something with, and then never did.

And can we talk about taking on these organizing projects of epic scale?  Sometimes, a happy little craft project in the middle of a giant and stressful purge project, is just what the Doctor orders.  

While looking at my piles, I noticed quite a few home accessories.  Many of them, just old, generic vases from gifted flowers.

So I grabbed one of those boring vases, and gave it a little attention.


This was a super simple, 15 minute project, that left me grinning cheek to cheek.  Gotta love those the most right?

So I started with the glass vase, and first, wanted to glam it up a bit with a gold rim.  So, I taped it off with painters tape.  To avoid having to tape the entire inside, I just stuffed a plastic bag inside below the first row of tape.



And I was left with a vase that already looked much more expensive than it did before I started.


I wanted to add a little bit of a graphic pattern up the front {not on the back, as I didn't want it to compete with the front through the clear vase}.  I have been really crushing on giant floral patterns lately, especially in fabrics and clothing.  So I went straight to my paper stash, and snagged a piece that had a pattern I loved.


I found this paper from Archivers within the past few weeks, for those who may love it as much as I do.

I could have used either a craft knife or small scissors.  The pattern was large enough in scale, that I opted for the easier route... Scissors.

Once the pattern was cut out, I grabbed some Mod Podge.  Because I would be placing the floral pattern on a glass vase, I selected the glossy finish.


I started by brushing the back side of the cut-out, with the Mod Podge, and then positioned it onto the vase.  I then brushed another thin coat over the top of the graphic.


I had tested the finish in a small area on the bottom of the vase, prior to adhering the graphic, and there was a slightly noticeable difference from the Mod Podge to the glass.  Therefore, I tried to keep it as contained to the graphic as possible when applying the top coat.  I then used a rag to clean up around the edges of the graphic and remove any excess adhesive.

Pretty darling little project right?


The gold rim really was the perfect touch to give it a nice, chic effect.


I had all of the items I needed on hand, so this project came in at a whopping FREE price tag {with the exception of the pretty Trader Joe's flowers}.  What I really love is that it can easily be replicated with cutout fabric or gift wrap as well.  The sky is the limit!

  
It also got one more thing out of the storage room, and onto our shelves!  That in itself is a win in my book!

Update!  You will want to add a few coats of protective clear spray finish {similar to this} to the vase, to ensure your hard work doesn't go down the drain the first time you carefully wash it by hand.

Anyone else playing the "Use it or lose it" game?  What other creative ways do you use your stock of simple glass vases?

By now, you know I crush hard on office nooks.  There is something so invigorating and inspiring about taking a super small and often times underutilized area, and making it fantastically functional.  My superstar friend, Cassie from Hi Sugarplum,  is stopping by to show us how she did just that.   Wait until you see this transformation and use of space... It is truly divine!


Hello you fellow lovers of all things organized!  I'm thrilled to be here today sharing a space that has been years in the making. Yep, I said years! Whether it's because of life or my design-ADD, projects don't always move fast around here. But I'm okay with that...it allows me to really enjoy the process, and develop the space to fit our needs best.  {Are you buying that? Yeah, me neither.}

And what we needed was a multipurpose work/homework/blog/craft space. I didn't like the idea of being secluded in another room, not to mention, I wanted easy access to see what the kids are doing online. So that means we needed to carve out a nook in the Family Room.

So I'll start you at the beginning....our Family Room had this sweet 1980s wet bar that we used a grand total of never.


Then we enclosed it {along with changing the paint color} and had a more useable, yet dreary, little corner.


So I built some Distressed Floating Shelves and a Chunky Desktop, and added some cute desk accessories and things were improving.


Then we accidentally bought a big-screen TV during a holiday sale. And it had to be mounted over the fireplace. Which meant the shelves needed to hold all the TV/Media equipment, too. And on top of all that, because it's such a visible area, we wanted it to look tidy and fit the design of the rest of the room. I mean, really, that's a lot to ask of a little nook.


So you can understand why I'm so excited to finally have the space meet every criteria we ever threw at it.




Between the TV equipment and computer, there's a lot of black going on...so I added a cheerful fabric to brighten up the corner. I wasn't about to unhook all the electronics, so I used oversized decorative tacks to hang the fabric on the back wall {no adhesive necessary!}. This also allows my design-ADD free reign to easily switch it up.



Remember it's a work/blog/homework/craft spot? Along with TV equipment and essentials. And since we spend so much time here, we want it to feel happy and inspiring. Let's take a tour, shall we, and I'll link sources to items and projects.




The desk top holds the computer, task light, writing essentials...and treasures. And the keyboard easily tucks away when we need a small working surface.


I lined this acrylic tray with decorative duck tape, then added this mug for pens and markers.


Everything is fancier with gold, so I gilded my business cards.


I took a cue from Megan and covered my mousepad with more duck tape, and even added washi to the keyboard.


The Paris print is a bit distracting since glancing at it usually gets me daydreaming about this trip.


I wanted to be able to rotate pictures and inspiration, so I hung this magnetic strip with tacks on the wall behind the computer.


Right now it holds favorite InstaGram snapshots {I'm @cassiesugarplum, if you want to follow me}, and encouraging words. Those I just print out and frame with washi tape.


The top shelf holds notebooks, my planner, and more office/craft supplies.





I turned this organizer into a cute desk accessory here. It holds stapler, paper clips, pencils and sharpener, hole punches, stamps and ink pad. I love having it all in one spot here...it cuts down on the, 'Mooooooooooooom! Where's the stapler??'


The art was this simple project using a postcard and some thumbtacks.


The left side holds our collection of washi tape and DVDs.


This single box holds over 100 movies and games, thanks to our new organizing system. The brass urchin is a favorite from Furbish.


I'll monogram anything not moving, so of course I added one to this craft jar.


This little corner of the Family Room has come a long way...and is now a useful and cherry corner we all love.



Oh, and notice how there's no cords hanging? That's a special trick I'll share on my blog soon. You can read how I hide lamp cords here.



Do you have an area of your home that's pulling double, or even triple, duty?!  Thanks for letting me share our hard-working space!

Hey friends!  I hope you are having a lovely start to the fall season!  I just grew a thicker coat and am preparing for hibernation, but still enjoying the final days of sun and warmth here in Wisconsin.  And although I can't even begin to imagine how another month and even season has come and gone, it is already that time to reflect and say THANK YOU to those that have supported this happy space of mine in the big wide www world.


My sponsors keep this blog awake and I am forever grateful that they support my ability to write posts, work on projects and cover my blog expenses and time.  Today I am giving them my gratitude and thanks for keeping this little ol' dream of mine alive.

They are each amazing for endless reasons and many are offering up special promos and discounts to you lovely friends as well, so enjoy!

• Kiwi Crate offers fun and engaging arts, crafts, and science projects for kids right to your door - subscribers also get free shipping!

• Their Glowing Halloween crate includes materials to design and decoupage adorable luminaries that really light up, and build a cute color-changing ghost that doubles as a wearable light for safer trick-or-treating.
• Designed by parents, approved by child experts, and most importantly, tested by kids!

• Yes, we are busy but we can still have fun and we can still express our individuality. That is why See Jane Work was born.
• See Jane Work appreciates your business, so much so that they have created Jane's Rewards; a way for you to earn points doing what you love... shopping at seejanework.com.
• The new See Jane Work line is now available at Office Depot.

All current Wishy Washi Tape promotions can be found on their website here.

• Check out Stylebook's tips on how to give your closet a makeover on a budget.
• Transform your closet into a 21st-century closet management hub with Stylebook, the closet app for iPhone and iPad.
• Wear a cute outfit every day by planning what to wear in advance with the Stylebook calendar feature

• Teal & Lime empowers you to decorate in an easy and approachable way with an inspiring DIY blog, online decorating services, and online decorating courses.
• Enrolling Soon: Get It Done - Project Management for the Home, a 3 week online e-course starting Monday, October 28th, focused on helping you successfully start, manage, and finish home projects big or small!  Sign up here to be notified of early enrollment.
• Learn how to avoid buyer's remorse when shopping for home decor, with the FREE Finding the Right Fit Lesson, available now!

  

• Enjoy free premEAR concierge service!
• Mousetales Travel does all the work, you have all the fun!
• If Disney announces a promotion for your dates after you've booked your vacation with Mouse Tales Travel, they will apply the promotion to your reservation without you doing anything!

 
 

• If you regularly read organizing books, newsletters and blogs but still struggle to create the organization you are after, simplify 101 has the perfect solution for you!

• Their self-paced instant downloads and expert guided online classes give you simple, step-by-step plans so you can discover - and put into action - the organizing solutions that are just right for you.
• In their video workshop, Organize Your Kitchen, you'll gain insider access to professional organizing techniques and strategies for a fraction of the cost of working with an organizer one-on-one.

• SugarSNAP designs smart, stylish solutions to help parents get and stay organized.  They were formed by mom's of twins, so they know from personal experience the endless stuff that goes along with being a parent can be overwhelming, so they set out to create a truly innovative way to organize your diaper bag and your car!
• Hey sugar, sugarSNAP is thrilled to announce their diaper bag organizers now come in two new colors!  Their super popular black and white pattern is back {The Wyatt} due to popular demand, and not only is it perfect for boy or a girl, it also matches any diaper bag!  They also launched a beautiful pink set, called The Lily.

• Fridge Coasters are super absorbent "liners" {made of wood pulp board} that come in different sizes to fit all high traffic areas of your refrigerator = no more scrubbing!
• Place under produce in the crisper bins to keep your veggies fresh longer, or under milk and salad dressing in the door bins to absorb drips.
• Made 100% in the USA of 30% {or more} post-consumer product.  Please recycle when finished!

• It's time to get stylish and sassy with Sassy Aprons!
• Whether being used for gardening, in the kitchen, at the salon or at a restaurant, you will be sure to find one that fits your personality and needs.
•  Sassy Aprons are original designs, handmade, unique, created to flatter the body and the ties are long and adjustable to fit almost any figure.  A win win for all!

• Raising Up Rubies offers garlands and wrapping things for a pretty in you.
• Perfect for embellishing your gifts or as gifts themselves.  
• High quality print ♥ backed with pretty paper ♥ finished off with baker's twine.

• Buttoned Up has launched a gorgeous new online store, which will not only feature boot camps, but an entirely new line of organizational products {notebooks, agendas, journals} that can be personalized with photos, designs, monograms, etc...
• There are a number of Back To School items to help you get your students buttoned up for the new school year.  These products are here just in time to get schedules back to normal!

• Did you know that will the help of Michelle over at 5 Dinners in 1 Hour, you can have a week's worth of meals prepared for your family, within only ONE hour!?
•  All the menu plans offered have family friendly meals that feed 4-6 people and no, they are not all casseroles and they are fresh, not frozen. 
• Michelle is launching a new custom menu building tool on September 1st, which will allow subscribers to select their menu from a database of recipes, while providing a custom grocery list which can be sent right to your smart phone!  And you will still be able to make 5 dinners-in-1 hour!

Right now Michelle is offering IHeart Organizing readers 40% off an annual subscription!  To receive this great deal check out her site and enter IHEARTORGANIZING at checkout!


My appreciation spreads wide from my sponsors to you sweet readers!  Thank you for bringing me joy each and every day!

THANK YOU endlessly for your incredible support and for being the very best readers a gal could ask for. 


Pssssst!  More to come shortly!  Contributor, Cassie Awesome-pants, is stopping in next!  I can't wait for y'all to see what organizing goodness she is up to now!