Spring Cleaning: Craft Room Edition

Spring time means spring cleaning.

We cleaned out all closets, drawers, and corners. We bought new bedding. Sheets that fit...heaven.

It wasn't too bad though because I'm kind of a compulsive "tosser." I love to sell things. If I had a trillion dollars I'd sell everything I own every six months! Ha ha.

It went pretty well and quickly, except for my craft room.

Here are three before pictures.

From the doorway. That is the main desk that should really only have my sewing machine on it and some odds and ends on the end.

To the right. That is the table I keep my dinky light-box on. It needed an update!

Behind the desk. My chain and some yarn storage. I had to get the yarn out of these storage bins. It was a pain going through them and there was never enough room.

So, the first step was to take all the stuff out into a bigger room and sort it. Including the yarn!
I dumped it into the living-room, like you do.

Then I sorted it by color on the couch.

I bought a pegboard (Hubbins built a frame to support it hanging)

I bought a trillion of these pegboard hooks for it off amazon.

AFTER PICTURE #1! Here is the new view from the doorway.

After! See the new light-box? Made out of PVC and white fabric. Tutorial is HERE!

My chair. With a few mending projects on it. The bins underneath are holding finished crochet projects now.

Here is a straight on view of the yarn on the pegboard. :D So, happy with this result.

Thanks for following along!

Full Fledged Springanite

Spring is in full swing! The sunshine. The flowers. It's almost as if I had forgotten what it was like.

Happiness abounds. Everything feels full of hope and openness don't you think? Well, I do.

This year will be twice as great as last year! Lots of plans... including a two week trip to New York/New Jersey in July to see family out there. I'll be meeting most of Hubbin's family out there for the first time (or second because some came to the wedding.) He'll be able to get to know my family out there better.

Needless to say I'm excited and ready. I have BIG plans. As of this week we have officially finished the house. We've live in this house since November 2012. So, that is what? A year and five months. It has taken me that long but I have it decorated the way I want and as of this week we finished getting the curtains changed out. Perfection! I'll have pictures of those soon, hopefully.

Once the curtains for the bedroom come in the mail we'll be DONE. D.O.N.E. Then, I supposed I'll have to start making plans to change EVERYTHING, right? Ha ha.

This is my spring table decor

After getting my camera I've been taking loads more pictures and learning tons. So, this year will be a year of adventure as well. I want to get out and take GREAT pictures of beautiful places. To do that I need to GO to the great places! Wish us luck.

Honestly, Spring has to be the best season. Everyone loves Summer because its warm. In Summer you can have your windows down in the car, swim in the ocean, and sit on your porch (back or front) enjoying the world outside the domicile. But Spring is an entire season filled with HOPE and anticipation for those things. You can take them for granted while they are happening but Spring lays it all out for you.

Spring is the season of promises. So, close your eyes and make a wish!

Thanks for following along.

The Greenest Day of the Year

♣ Happy St. Patrick's Day! ♣

If you are unaware (much like me before doing research to write this post) St. Patrick's day is March 17th the death date of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. He lived from 385AD to 461AD. People celebrate it, in order to honor him. Why they want to honor an Englishman who... well...you can read all about that HERE if you're interested.

I'm not Irish. I do not wish to be Irish or claim that I am. I think the accent is lovely. I honestly have no idea why Americans put so much stock into being certain nationalities, especially when they only advertise it one day out of the year.

I'm not much of a drinker and I don't know anyone who is Irish so I won't be celebrating St. Patrick's Day. If you are though, then have a wonderful day! :D

My favorite color is GREEN. Best decorating day of the year. My favorite at least.

I spent $8 at The Dollar Tree on my decorations. I bought two scarves (the one you see draped on the mirror and another one with just green stripes that I'm going to wear to work on Monday!)

I bought two bushels (bushels???) of green flowers and put them in a glass with some white rocks I had. I bought the green basket and filled it with three (a 3pk) of clover necklaces.

There is a green clover decoration under the basket. Next to the bowl is the green gold canyon candle that the Hubbins got me for Vday. Its vanilla and lime scented. Yum!

I have the Welcome clover on the front door and the clover hand towel on the oven.

These plants weren't bought recently. In fact this first one I've had for almost 10 years now. It is a form of shamrock that is native to a little part of Washington State that I grew up in. I uprooted some from the forest near my grandmothers house and mothered it. This plant is particularly sentimental to me.

This second shamrock plant I bought from an Albertson's the week of my wedding. I adore it.

These are some herbs I'm growing in the kitchen. I just hot glued little bows to them. :D I'll probably leave them. The video tutorial on how to make these bows can be seen HERE.

♣ I hope you have a GREAT Monday whether you are celebrating or not. ♣

How to Buy Your Man a Valentines Day Gift

For actual men with individual personalities.

I get frustrated when I start shopping for presents for Hubbins. I have a strange URGE to look up lists like I will find a magical one that was made specifically for him. They usually look something like this:

1. Cufflinks
2. Shaving Kit
3. Wallet
4. Watch
5. Tie

6. Cologne
7. Beer Making Kit/BBQ Kit
8. Tools
9. Clothing
10. Games
11. Jewelry
12. Weird Novelty Items
13. Random Tech Gadgets
14. Accessories for Tech Gadgets

Cufflinks? I have never met anyone (outside of a wedding) who was wearing cufflinks. Only rich people and car salesmen look up LISTS for gifts apparently. Maybe it is because I'm below middle class but the same goes for ties. Shaving kit? My Hubbins keeps a full beard so that is out.

Case in point THREE emails I received with Valentines Day lists. Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy.. Lets compare.

Amazon's List Walmart's List Etsy's List

Amazon: Where is the "for him" section? I see several "for her" sections. Oh on the left bar there is a "fashion for him" but looks like other than that you are stuck looking for gifts in the "Gifts for the..." sections in the middle.

Walmart: Down toward the bottom there is a "Gifts he really wants" Which suggests a tablet, cologne, and a watch (surprise, surprise.) After clicking on it it takes me to a list of cameras, computers, tablets, and watches. There is a ring called Forever Bride 1/10 Carat T.W. Sterling Silver Men's Comfort Feel Diamond Ring in this section. It looks like..this.

 I support men wearing gems 100% but I feel like this "mens" ring is pushing that envelope. I mean... my husbands ring looks like THIS.

It is the one on the left with the ruby (mine is on the right.) It has a ruby.. correct me if I'm wrong.. but even the manliest of men couldn't sport this without some raised eyebrows.

Etsy: Out of all of them Etsy clearly shines. I wasn't expecting much... honestly. Even though I personally shop on Etsy F.O.R. everything. They have a lot of the most common suggestions wallets, a tie, cuff links, and shaving implements. I see so much more though.. customizable cell phone covers/cases, messenger bag, compass (love this idea), personalized pocket knife, and soap? I approve of this list. It could really get your ideas flowing. So B- for Etsy!

Anyway. You get the idea. Here is how to shop for YOUR guy.

Do what I do... make it a gift for HIM the easy way.

The first step is to pay attention to him. Does he complain about ANYTHING and can one of those complains (because I'm sure he does) be FIXED with a gift?? That is the easiest way to make someone happy. If his chair is uncomfortable get him a new one and have someone make a SEAHAWKS cover for it if he's crazy about his home team. (12th woman!)

If you don't find inspiration down that road here is a sure fire way to find SOMETHING for him.

1. Make a list. This is a list of everything he LIKES to do. Does he play video games? You don't have to be specific yet. Just make a list. Sports, Video games, Fishing, watching TV.. etc. Whatever it is. If he likes to DRIVE. If he likes to SIT OUTSIDE. Just make a list.

2. Make a list of things he uses. Does he have keys? Keychain. Does he WEAR jewelry? Rings? Does he wear CLOTHES? Does he drive a car? What kind of phone does he have? Does he read (bookmarks).... etc. Or even things you THINK he would LIKE to use.

3. RANDOM ITEMS! Just FUN stuff like magnetic poetry for the fridge, posters, and models.

Now that you have those chose something from 1 and something from 2 and put it together. If you want extra small stuff to go with more expensive items mix 1. and 3.

Examples:
1. Hubbins likes the game Eve Online
2. I got him a keychain that was the symbol for his favorite empire.

1. One of his favorite book series is The Wheel of Time
3. I had a woman on Etsy print the map from under the cover onto canvas

1. Quote from favorite show/video game/movie
2. PUT it on something. Shirt, book mark, cell phone case...

1. Hubbins doesn't love hunting
2. Don't make things CAMO! lol

Personalize with inside jokes, memories, or names.

We ALWAYS have spending limits for every occasion and they are never over $50 usually. So, we never have extravagent gifts. We never give each other anything we "need" but that doesn't mean they are always crazy. Last year one of the gifts he got me (not sure for which holiday) was an iced tea maker... its amazing. I didn't even know I wanted one.

On Valentines Day 2014 I will update this list with what we got each other so you can see how it worked out. I don't see Valentines Day as a "present" holiday so our spending limit is $30. This doesn't include dinner/flowers/chocolates we would like to get each other.

I'm excited. The presents that I chose for him this year are both very small. One of them is a fun item and one is a personalized (by this system) gift. Its on the sweet side because of Valentines Day.

Good Luck and don't stress. I'm sure if I got Hubbins a paper bag puppet he would love it.

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE

Thank you so much for following along!