yikes!

I thought I had made it large enough but blogger.com likes it small I guess. To see the full picture click on the photo in the blog, then click once more on the new photo that pops up. That should enlarge it so the script is legible.

The Perfect Craft Closet

The overhaul of the apartment is finished! I have spent the past 3 weeks cleaning, organizing and installing important storage components like hooks, bins and racks. The best part is that I finally have the craft room I have always wanted. There is plenty of room to move around and spread out projects, the television is hooked up so Martha can be watched while I craft and everything is put away in its proper place! That is the best part. No longer will I waste time hunting for scissors or looking for one of the 50 glue sticks I own. Now I can just head to the craft closet and glance over the labels for the bin containing the tool I need. It's amazing! Now we just have to keep it this way. Of course there are still improvements to be made (mostly I need to put in a shelf or two so the totes aren't sitting so crooked... you can see it, don't pretend for my sake. But for now it is crafting heaven here in Billy Stewart land.

This and That

I started weeks and weeks ago but the major clean and re-arranging the apartment is almost complete. There really are just a few more drawers that need to be organized, a few more items need to be dropped off to Salvation Army (aka on top of my trash can) and some furniture needs to be waxed. Other than that this place is spotless. Chris had lots of homework and banished me from the apartment. So I took the last 4 baskets of dirty clothes to the Laundromat and spent 3 hours washing, drying and folding which was all supplemented with plenty of Martha Stewart Living's June edition. I'm now sitting around, well frantically pacing around the apartment finishing up mental notes on the next major projects (what chairs need to be re-upholstered? which cabinets need refinishing? Where do we need shelves installed? What plants need to be ordered? And the list goes on and on and on...) The next big step is painting the walls, doors and trim. We've agreed on a sage and chocolate combination which is perfect for the natural, "tranquil forest" theme. My favorite idea for the room is the row of terrariums above the media center. It will have seven 3-gallon glass cookie jars containing various orchids, ferns and mosses. Above that 2 large Boston Ferns in half-dome wall baskets framing glass lanterns from Nepal. Sounds like the perfect tranquil forest, right? I hope so. In the attempt to fill our home with more life and nature, I gathered clippings from all of our current houseplants and began procedures for propagation. I am thrilled to report that all have begun rooting and will be ready for transplant in just a few weeks. Hopefully they will hold me over until I am able to start my bigger projects which most likely won't be until July. But that gives me plenty of time for smaller things like baking, crafts and Dad's gift. And trust me, I need as much time as I can get! Sorting through, organizing and scanning literally thousands of pictures is turning out to be quite the task but good because with the house under control, I need something to occupy my time. I know I owe you a cupcake picture but for now enjoy this one from today's hike.