My Creative Space Update

When we looked to purchase this house five years ago, I was drawn to this room. What I loved about it was the large window looking out to the backyard letting in so much light. It also had another window and one wall of closets. Dave agreed that this could be my creative space – my woman cave.

Since our move, I have reorganized this space FOUR times. I’m really not one to move furniture around, but I’ve really had trouble getting this room the way I wanted it.  Many of the organizational ideas I came up with a year ago, have worked, but there was still room for improvement.

The main problem I had after the last organization is that the room was too crowded and I wasn’t using my space efficiently. Back then, I removed the closet doors and used the one side that didn’t have shelving for my sewing table. That helped to get the sewing machine out of the middle of the room. This is how my sewing/storage area looks now.

Dave’s friend Lydia asked him recently if I’d be interested or had room for some of her craft books and supplies. She and her husband were moving and she needed to get rid of some of her stuff. Of course, I had room for more craft stuff! I went over to her house a couple weeks ago and “shopped” her craft room, taking home several sacks of goodies. While I was there she asked it I could use the bookcase. I was so excited. I came home and measured and yes, it fit as you can see in the above picture.  It now houses all of my craft books (well, except those in the living room and bathroom!). I moved my books off of the closet shelves (on the left) so I had more room for my supplies. I also was able to get rid of a bookcase that was sitting in the middle of the room.

What was in that bookcase area was the cabinet (below) with doors that has been dedicated to my fabric.  I originally thought I should have the fabric by the sewing machine, but I realized that I always cut it before using it so it needed to be near the cutting/work table. Where it is now makes much more sense and saves me some steps.

As you can tell, I still need to organize my fabrics. On my defense, the top two shelves were in good shape – all stacked by color – until I received a project with a deadline. I pulled out lots of the fabrics and then didn’t take time to put them back. I really like that I can see my fabric through the doors.

Most of  my fabric is in that cabinet. On the top of the cabinet I’ve housed the Christmas material. I also have a box with recycled materials I plan to use. Other boxes include old family linens and scraps.

So this is my cutting/craft area.

Since I’m not doing a lot of scrapbooking anymore, I’ve moved that paper tray that I bought when Ben Franklin went out of business up to the top shelf. Also, tools and supplies I don’t use frequently are stored on that upper shelf.

If you look to the left of my cutting table you will see my craft organizer. I need to make another one. Here is the tutorial on that organizer. My ironing board and iron hang on my door which makes it handy when it I need to use it.

The third section of my creative space is the computer area where I write and read your blogs.

As you can see, the windows are a big part of this room. The only downside to this room is that there is little wall space. That space I had, I’ve covered over with shelving and cabinets. But I’d much rather have the light than the walls.

Well, that’s my latest update of my creative space. On this last organization, I went through my supplies and all of my books and took some of them to the local thrift store hoping they will find a new home where they are used and not stored.

I’m always looking for new ways to store things. If you want to read about some of my storage solutions, check out this post. Do you have any ideas on keeping my fabrics in order in that cabinet or any other craft organization tips?  I’d love to hear from you.