Organizing my Art Space the Martha Stewart Way!

In perusing my April 2008 Issue of Martha Stewart Living I found a beautiful solution to organizing my art space while reducing the clutter in my room. Believe it or not this is made from 2 bookcases connected with a piano hinge with one side on casters so it can swing open easily. WOW!

Since I don't want to buy any new bookcases, or even garage sale for some, I have decided to take the measurements of this piece and buy the lumber to make the bookcases myself (when I say myself, I really mean my dad will build it and I will assist). I figure this way, I can customize the placement of the shelves and make it to fit my particular items and needs.

I was really drawn to this project because of it's compact style and the pink on the inside. Pink is my favorite color, and I just could not stop looking at this photo spread. This is just gorgeous and I can't wait to make my own.

I told my mother that in order to make one for her office, we would have to build it twice as wide with bookcase doors that swing open from the center out to each side. My mother has has some serious craft supplies.

Right now this project is just in the dreaming phase. I hope to purchase the materials and make this piece before the summer is over. I will certainly post some pics of my completed Hidden Art Space once I am done.

If you are interested in making this yourself you can find a complete list of materials and directions here Martha Stewart Bookcase Office.

Calorie - Free Cupcakes!

I am madly in love with this cupcake pattern. I think these chubby little cakes are just the cutest thing ever created and I am ecstatic that I finally found a knit pattern for them.

I bought this pattern on Etsy at CakesKnitsandCosies. After drooling over it for weeks I finally gave in and just bought it. I have spent this weekend making up these little cakes as pincushions to sell in My Etsy Store. It just so happens that a local yarn shop is currently closing out all of their knitting yarns and accessories. They are no longer going to cater to the knitter:( On the bright side, I was able to get these nice colored 100% cotton yarns at a great discount. I have to go back there periodically as they continue to drop prices. I really want to snatch up all the wools they have, Alpaca, Merino, Highland wool, etc. It is a knitters dream in there right now.

If you are into knitting, or know someone who is you should check out the ScaryMerry shop on Etsy. They make the cutest stitch holders and knitting needle toppers I have ever seen. They are a favorite shop of mine also. I have not purchased anything from them yet, but I do have a running list of all the things I want to buy for family members that knit. (and to add to my own knitting stash of course!)

I only made 4 cupcakes, so obviously I didn't knit non stop all weekend. but I did spend a few hours on it here and there. The rest of my time was spent adding items to my Etsy store, and checking out the sale on Lion Brand Yarn at our local Hancock Fabrics. They sold all Lion Brand Yarn for 30% off this weekend. I went and picked up a variety of colors in the Lion Wool. I am planning to knit some purses and coasters and things to felt and sell in my Etsy store. Unfortunately these projects will have to wait a few days. I have several commitments for my ATC trades that have to be fulfilled this week before I can do anything else.

tHe BiG EyE BiRd

I recently joined a Collage Bird Swap on my all time favorite site for trading ATCs, and the cards shown above are the result of a day filled with inspiration. I made the first card and thought, let's put a BIG EYE on the bird's face, and so I did. And I loved it so much that I put BIG Eyes on all my birds. My mother says I must have a certain fascination for the BIG EYE since alot of my art recently includes a BIG EYE or two. I think I might make another batch of these birds in a different theme, like maybe a circus theme, and make them into clowns and have them riding elephants and walking the tight rope:)