The Craft Cupboard Cronicles

Most of the boxes have been unpacked,
and our cottage is beginning to feel more like home.

I have even had some spare time to fluff my little nook of a finishing studio.
Due to the nature of the medium I work in (paper mache) which is so dusty when sanded
I need two separate work areas.
One for messy work and one for finish work.

So here are some pics of my little nook on the first floor
and the re-purposed old pine armoire.

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO VIEW LARGER)

This is the view from the door way.
We built the window seat ages ago but I just added the skirt.
Great for storage and it adds a nice finishing touch.
Now truth be told I don't sew....the skirt is made from two store bought curtains
attached with a ribbon that is strung across the wood seat
under the cushion.

I just put the ribbon through the rod pocket on the curtains
and slid them back towards the back of the seat until it was the right length.
Works for me!





These little chairs are just the right size for this room,
but way out of proportion with the giant armoire/craft cupboard.

I don't care their just to cute!
I found them about a year ago at an antique mall in Ohio.
I had them in my old studio and just could not part with them.

I drafted a design and handed them over to my seamstress,
I think she did a beautiful job.

The fronts or face of the top portion of the slip covers
are made from two place mats I had in my stash.

They have a pattern stitched into them reminiscent of crewel work, so yummy.


I was going to paint them but I think I will wait and see how the rest of the room shapes up.
I still want to paint a small floor cloth and that will add color.

So now on to the craft cupboard....


Almost...

Lowering the work top....



ta da!
Here is what I have done so far;

I have added an upholstered board to the inside backboard using a quilted cream fabric.
I will also be attaching painted chicken wire over the fabric
to create a display/memo surface to this area.


I covered the work surface in a floral mini print in cream and white,
and then topped that with a piece of clear vinyl for easy clean up.


Organized all my stuff,


and added some fun string lights for twinkle.

I did not care for the green electrical cord the lights came on,
so I wrapped it in fabric strips.


I filled it with some of my favorite finds and keepsakes,
like this vintage bunny vase that holds my late Nana's paint brushes.
My Nana was such an amazing artist and person, she was so inspiring. I am so thankful
to have these brushes. I have many treasures from her estate but these will always be my prize
possession. My Nana brought her beautiful dreams to life with these simple tools.
They remind me to start simple and dream big.


And some friendly faces to cheer me along as I work,

Oh, and one more thing a sneak peak at my newest creation.
Twinkle Toes Tilly The Bunnarina.
She is hiding behind the garden gate because she does not have her tutu yet.
She said, "no respectable Bunnarina would have a picture taken of them in just a leotard."

Wow I just finished making her yesterday and she is already a Diva!

As soon as I finish Tilly's tutu I will share some pics,
that is, if it's ok with her. Tee hee:)

Ta ta my lovies!
Thanks for letting me share,
Mary

On the road again!

Well here we go again.

Our nephews hockey season has ended, he is back home in Sylvania, Ohio.

Guy and I... well we've packed up the studio and apartment and have moved from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

to our cottage in Indian River, Michigan which is an hour and a half to the south.

If you are new to this blog and wondering what I am talking about here is the short of it;

our seventeen year old nephew Brian has been playing hockey for forever.

Last summer he got some really big news when he tried out for a travel team

located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich and secured himself a position on the team!

Needless to say everyone was excited about this new chapter in his life,

but none of us were real comfortable with him moving six hours away from home.

After a lot of consideration and some anxiety (actually a lot of anxiety)

Guy and I decided to move with him.

So last summer we sold our house in Sylvania, Ohio and moved to the "Soo"

that's what the locals call it.

Anyway now that hockey is over for the summer we figured we would be moving back to Sylvania.

But if we did that it would mean buying another house

and if Brian signs on with another team out of state he's going to need us.

Doesn't make much sense to buy a house in Sylvania if we are going with Brian again in the

fall. Right?

So for now we are kind of in a holding pattern living at our cottage

waiting to see what happens with this kid and his hockey career.

"Phew" I am out of breath, and out of juice from unpacking boxes and bags.

When we sold the house last summer there really was not enough time to move

so we crammed most of our stuff into the basement at the cottage and into a storage facility.

The house in Sylvania was a moose, and I thoroughly enjoyed decorating it!

I guess you could say I have a bit of a furniture fetish,

so it's time for a few yard sales, cause it's not all going fit.

Speaking of fitting, my new studio at the cottage is small and cozy just the way I like it.

I have always used a little area of this room for crafting and such

but now that I have to fit most of my supplies in here I needed to be inventive.

I found a craft cupboard online for the bargain price of $ 800.00 dollars!!!

Ya right, not!

So like my mom always said necessity is the mother of invention.

That furniture fetish is starting to pay off.

Take one old pine armoire, add a fold out desk top by Hubby Construction Co.

some plastic storage bins from Wally World and you have a craft cupboard

for around 40.00 dollars, minus the armoire of course.

But spring is here, so hit those yard sales ladies!

You never know your craft cupboard could be out there waiting for ya!

Well as you can see in these pictures we have lots work and decorating to do

so ta, ta for now my lovie's!

Mary