Re-purposed Baby Hutch and Updated Craft Room

Before the Christmas holidays, I began rearranging some furniture in my house.  I was focusing on my guest bedroom when it occurred to me that I should move my son's baby hutch out of the room because it just didn't go with all of the decor in the room.  Our guest bedroom is decorated with antique furniture from both of my grandmother's homes and the hutch just looked out of place.  I did not want to get rid of it (way to much sentimental value) and I really had no where in the house to store it....and then it came to me that I should re-purpose it and move it into my craft room.  With some help from my husband we hauled it upstairs and it fit perfectly in the room.  It looked great in the space but it needed something to make it fit in.  Take a "lookie" at what I did in the pictures below....

We all know what the basic baby hutch looks like.  I did not get a picture of it plain, but I did get a picture of it before I added the knobs.  I had some extra fabric leftover from the curtains and table skirt so I decided to mod podge it onto the back of the top of the hutch.  After I glued the fabric, I took some decorative black rope and simply trimmed out the edges using hot glue.  I then found some turquoise knobs on clearance for a $1.99 at Anthropologie.  After a few of the changes with the fabric and knobs, this hutch is now a useful storage item in my craft room and I just love it.  Let me share with you some of the pictures and how I'm using it to store some of my items....

Here is the before and after...I think the knobs give it a whole new look....

 Closer views of the hutch....

 The drawers on the right that used to hold bibs, socks, diapers and wipes (cue sad face), now hold tape, hot glue guns, paints and all of my cricut cartridges.....

 I can use the shelves to display pictures, hold my ribbons, xyron machine and lazy susan.

The longer drawers hold scrapbook embellishments, ribbon and leftover fabric....

While we are in my craft room, I re-arranged a few things in here as well.  If you are new to my blog and haven't seen my craft room, then welcome...hope you enjoy!!!!

With the help of my father, I converted one of the extra bedrooms in our home to a place where I go to create, blog, craft and escape the stresses of life.  Most of the furniture in the room was hand-made by my Dad, so it has been customized to fit my needs - - thanks Dad!  You will also see a few thrift store conversions that I love.  

DESK

The desk is the area where I do a lot of the work.  It holds my Cricut, trinkets and television.  It is just the right height so that I can either sit or stand while working.  I do most of my hardcore scrapbooking here as it offers plenty of space.  The fabric around the table was a simple project and maintains the theme of the decor.  We simply cut the material, hemmed the edges and secured to the table with curtain rods.  Not only does it look good, it also serves as great storage!

ISLAND

This is by far my favorite piece in the room.  My Dad and I designed the island after seeing a similar table in a magazine.  There are twenty narrow slots along one side, which allow me to store the scrapbook paper so it is visible and accessible.  I placed baskets in each of the larger cubbies to hold ribbon, glitter, paper pads and stickers.  The opposite side of the table contains a larger, open cubby, which I use to store wrapping paper.  The lazy susan on top was purchased at a local craft store and holds all of my essential tools (scissors, markers, pens, glue, etc.).

I purchased the bar stools at a local estate sale for $10 each.  I re-upholstered the cushions and gave them a fresh coat of paint.  They are the perfect height and make a great addition to the island! 

BOOKCASE

The bookcase was another one of my Dad's creations.  This piece provides much needed storage space for items that I use to craft.  There are 12 cubbies in all, which are used to hold completed scrapbooks, storage baskets, paper and jewelry making supplies.

ACCESSORIES

Most of the accessories were found at local thrift stores.  The antique lazy susan is one of my favorites!  The pegboard was made from an open stock frame and pegboard that I painted.  The curtains are made from an old windowpane purchased during antique weekend in Warrenton, TX.  Curtains were attached using magnets and binder clips!  The words CREATE are vinyl letters cut from the Cricut machine.

Thanks for stopping by...hope you have a great week!

Linking to:

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/01/sunday-showcase-party-no-86.html
http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/
http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://todayscreativeblog.net/
http://ladybug-blessings.com/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://www.cherishedbliss.com/2012/01/craft-and-tell_31.html
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/
http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/
http://www.sugaranddots.com/
http://lilluna.com/
http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/
http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/2012/01/imagine-impossibilities-2012-link-party.html
http://www.the36thavenue.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/02/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-dcwv-deals.html

A Closet Organizer for Her

I recently completed a closet organizing system for my husbands closet and it has worked out so well that I thought I would use the leftover pegboard and make myself one.  Here is my husbands organizer in case you haven't seen it...take a "lookie" HERE...

I am going to show you the finished picture of my organizer and then I will walk you through how I put it all together..

Here is a list of supplies you will need to complete this project:

• Pegboard
• 4 pieces of 1x2x8 wood.  These need to be cut to frame the peg board on the back.
• Wood Glue
• Clamps
• Staple Gun
• 4 screws
• Glue Gun
• Craft Knife
• Material to cover pegboard
• Decorative trim
• Drawer knobs
• Pegboard hooks and baskets
• Wooden dowel
• Shower hooks

Below are pictures of me assembling the pegboard with the wood strips.  I put a line of glue down on the back side of the pegboard.  Place a wood strip on the glue and clamp down.  Do this to the remaining three sides and then reinforce with screws in each corner.

Cut a piece of material with a 2" border around the pegboard.  Double fold and staple down to each strip of wood.  Do this all the way around the frame.

After the material has been stapled to the board, I then took some decorative trim and hot glued it all the way around to the outside of the frame..You can see what it looks like finished below...

After the board was ready, I took all of my knobs, hooks and baskets and laid them out onto the board to see where the placement of everything would be.  I then took my craft knife and pierced a hole in the fabric (just like in this post) where my hooks were going to be placed.

Here is how I designed mine...

I have alot of hats and scarves.  I wanted to maximize the space so I decided to hang the scarves on the bottom.  

These are the knobs I used to hang my hats.  I got them at Hobby Lobby for a $1.50 a piece.

These are the extra long hooks in the pegboard section of Home Depot.  I re-covered my headband holder in this black chenille.  I showed you HERE how to make your own headband holder out of paper towels and fabric.  Super easy!!

I just laid the headband holder on the hooks....

I decided to use these hooks for a shelf.  I had a plain piece of wood in my scrapbook room that I just painted a metallic silver and hot glued some trim around it.

The bottom row consists of 3 hooks that are holding a wooden dowel I covered in the same fabric as the headband holder.  I wrapped the dowel with the fabric and just started stapling.  EASY!!!!  This dowel will hold all of my scarves....

Let's look closer with everything on the board....

All of my hats now have a home....

My headbands....

My two buckets I got at Hobby Lobby.  I had some metallic silver vinyl that I just cut out a design on my cricut to embellish them.  One bucket has my lint brushes, scissors, emery board, etc. and the other bucket is used for small trash.

My pins for my jackets and sweaters...

The other two baskets are for my cologne, gloves and fingernail kit.

LOVE my Lindsay Phillips ballet flats and flip flops and all of the decorative snaps that go on them.  They now have a place to stay...

As you can see, I LOVE scarves...I used plastic shower rings that were a $1.00 for 12 to hold them and simply slid them on the fabric covered dowel.

and there you have it....this project was simple to make and I hope you are inspired to make your own.  If you do, send me a picture, I would love to see it..

Linking to:  

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.askannamoseley.com/

http://ladybug-blessings.com/

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2012/01/take-look-tuesday_23.html

http://www.cherishedbliss.com/

http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com/

http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/

http://www.notjustahousewife.net/

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

http://www.sew-much-ado.com/

http://lilluna.com/

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/01/25/hookin-up-with-hoh-84/

http://savedbylovecreations.com/2012/01/thrifty-thursday-week-59.html

http://www.the36thavenue.com/

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/

http://whipperberry.com/

http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/

http://www.serenitynowblog.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/01/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-the-confident-mom-giveaway.html

http://tidymom.net/

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/01/sunday-showcase-party-no-86.html

Valentine's Day Wreath

A couple of weeks ago I was in Hobby Lobby and came across the Christmas clearance section of 90% off.  I could not believe it when I found these berry swags, originally $69.99 for $6.99.  I bought two of them and a grapevine wreath for $5.99 and came home and made this wreath.  All I did was take floral wire and secured the swags to the wreath.  I then took one of the letter A's my Dad cut out for me and spray painted it white.  I wrapped a pretty burlap ribbon around the A and hot glued a scrapbook heart on the bow.  Here is the finished product.....

I think I will re-use this wreath and just change out the bow for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.....not a bad investment for $20....

Have a great Sunday!!!

Linking To These Amazing Blog Parties.......

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

http://www.flamingotoes.com/

http://www.positivelysplendid.com/

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/

http://www.notjustahousewife.net/

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

http://www.sew-much-ado.com/

http://lilluna.com/

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/01/25/hookin-up-with-hoh-84/

http://savedbylovecreations.com/2012/01/thrifty-thursday-week-59.html

http://www.the36thavenue.com/

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/

http://whipperberry.com/

http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/

http://www.serenitynowblog.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/

http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/01/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-the-confident-mom-giveaway.html

A Mardi Gras Welcome.....

"Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"....or as we say in the South....

"Let The Good Times Roll"

Mardi Gras is officially in full swing and I decided to pay tribute to the wonderful city and state that we were so blessed to call home not to long ago..

My husband is from Louisiana so when his company moved us to Baton Rouge from Houston nine years ago, I had no idea how much I would fall in love with the city!  New Orleans was just an hour or so drive from Baton Rouge and we visited there so many times.  My girlfriends would come down and we would drive to the city to just hang out, shop and eat.  It is one of the the most fun cities I have ever been too and my little family hopes to make it home again one day.....as in retire!!!

Our Mardi Gras Front Porch

My rosemary bush is still going strong so I decided to just throw some beads on it with a mask as the topper and a festive boa wrapped around the base.....

I painted a sign with the French (or some call Cajun French) saying of "Let the Good Times Roll"..and used the doubloons or Mardi Gras coins we got with the King Cake from last week and glued them to the top....

I made a wreath using an old Christmas wreath as the base and just started adding Mardi Gras embellishments.  Most all of the accessories came from Party City, the Fleur De Lis ribbon came from a local boutique and the trumpet and crown were actually Christmas ornaments.  I attached everything using floral wire...

We ordered our King Cake from Manny Randazzo this year and it was so DELICIOUS...if you have never tried a King Cake I highly recommend trying this traditional cake.  It is a cross between a coffee cake and a french pastry.  They do next day delivery and offer a wide range of choices from sizes to fillings.  

I have included the history of the King Cake below...

Here is how it comes packaged (is it so yummy looking).....

The cups, beads and coins......

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get the chance to visit New Orleans soon.

******************

History of King Cakes

The Mardi Gras or Carnival season officially begins on January 6th or the "Twelfth Night," also known to Christians as the "Epiphany." Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means "to show." Jesus first showed himself to the three wisemen and to the world on this day. As a symbol of this Holy Day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside each King Cake. 

The King Cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870. A King Cake is an oval-shaped bakery delicacy, crossed between a coffee cake and a French pastry that is as rich in history as it is in flavor. It's decorated in royal colors of PURPLE which signifies "Justice," GREEN for "Faith," and GOLD for "Power." These colors were chosen to resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. In the past such things as coins, beans, pecans, or peas were also hidden in each King Cake. 

Today, a tiny plastic baby is the common prize. At a party, the King Cake is sliced and served. Each person looks to see if their piece contains the "baby." If so, then that person is named "King" for a day and bound by custom to host the next party and provide the King Cake.

Mardi Gras Day has a moveable date and may occur on any Tuesday from February 3rd to March 9th. It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, and always falls 46 days before Easter.

Mardi Gras History

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced to Medival Europe, though we have no written record of how that really transformed into the current Mardi Gras of today. But the origins of the Mardi Gras we celebrate today -- with Kings, Mardi Gras colors, and brass bands -- are traced to New Orleans.

Although we can trace its history to the Romans, a French-Canadian explorer, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville, landed on a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans in 1699 and called it "Pointe due Mardi Gras." He also established "Fort Louis de la Louisiane" (which is now Mobile) in 1702. In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated the very first Mardi Gras.

In 1704, Mobile established a secret society (Masque de la Mobile) ... similar to those who form our current Mardi Gras Krewes. It lasted until 1709. In 1710, the "Boeuf Graf Society" was formed and paraded from 1711 through 1861. The procession was held with a huge bull's head pushed alone on wheels by 16 men. This occurred on Fat Tuesday.

New Orleans was established in 1718 by Jean-Baptise Le Moyne. By the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans.. but not in parade form. In the early 1740s, Louisiana's Governor The Marquis de Vaudreuil established elegant society balls -- the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today.

The earliest reference to Mardi Gras "Carnival" appears in a 1781 report to the Spanish colonial governing body. That year, the Perseverance Benevolent & Mutual Aid Association is the first of hundreds of clubs and carnival organizations formed in New Orleans.

By the late 1830s, New Orleans held street processions of maskers with carriages and horseback to celebrate Mardi Gras. Newspapers began to announce Mardi Gras events in advance.

In 1871, Mardi Gras's second "Krewe" is formed, the Twelfth Night Reveler's, with the first account of Mardi Gras "throws."

1872 was the year that a group of businessmen invented a King of Carnival -- Rex -- to parade in the first daytime parade. They introduced the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold; the Mardi Gras song, and the Mardi Gras flag.

In 1873, the first floats were constructed entirely in New Orleans instead of France. In 1875, Governor Warmoth of Louisiana signs the "Mardi Gras Act" making it a legal holiday in Louisiana, which is still is.

Most Mardi Gras Krewes today developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies. Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded by its members, we call it the "Greatest Free Show on Earth!"

Partying at the Amazing Blogs....

http://www.the36thavenue.com/
http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/
http://whipperberry.com/
http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
http://creationcorner.blogspot.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/
http://www.positivelysplendid.com/