Organization Part II

Hello Everyone!

So here is part two.  Yes, if you guessed pantry clean-out, you guessed right. (If some of you have no idea what I was just talking about, see my first post called Organization.) Anyway, I had my friend, Cheyenne, come over and help me totally empty my pantry, clean it, consolidate it and just make it more user friendly.
[The user being me.;) ] It really is amazing how much stuff can be crammed into a small place. I totally forgot to take before pictures.  About 5 minutes into it I remembered the camera. So here are some of the partially empty pantry and some of what my kitchen looked like with all the stuff.  And believe me, there was a lot of stuff!

Cheyenne helping to unload the goods.

Partial empty

Another partial empty.  Notice the wire pull-out rack.  Uggh!

Trying to find room on the bar.

Stuff, stuff, everywhere stuff.

We finally spilled over to the table and floor.  Don't be jealous of my mismatched table and chairs.  A new set is on my wish list for next year.  Hopefully, please, maybe.

We even put a few things on my desk.

Random items on the floor.

You should have seen what the trash looked like once we consolidated and emptied things.  Phew!

All empty and shelves cleaned. I would have loved to repaint the shelves but time was of the essence.  We had added another shelf after the initial building and I haven't had time to finish it like the rest.  Oh well, it's juuust a pantry. (That last comment is for my nephew, Brian, if his wife tells him about it.  An inside joke.) Sorry, I digressed for a minute there.

Putting it all back in a nice, neat, orderly manner.

This is that pull-out rack all nice and neat with all my jars and candy tins.  Notice the Freddie's cup in the front.  I couldn't throw that out.  It is from our last trip to Freddie's on May 22, 2011 the day of the Joplin, MO tornado.

There is actually empty space on the shelves now.

The top shelf is reserved for stock pots, canner, electric skillet, extra coffee maker, blender and other such appliances that don't get used very often.

So there it is, my "new" pantry.  Boy, that felt good.  And yes, there were some things in there as old as my daughter.  She just turned 10 this last summer.  Yikes!  I've kind of got the organizing bug now.  I'd like to tackle my kitchen cabinets next.  "Cheyenne, when can you come back?!?" That's all folks.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Organization

Hello Everyone!

Ok, so the sewing room isn't complete but I thought I'd go ahead and show some before pictures and some "sneak peak" pictures along with a few in-process type stuff. (Boy, that was a long sentence.)  Anyway, here are a few of the semi-before pictures.  I had already started moving things around so this is not how I actually lived with it on a regular basis. (Disclaimer: This is a photo heavy post.)  (Enjoy!)

Looking in from the doorway.

Looking in from the doorway.  That is my new table against the wall.

From inside looking toward the closet.

Inside looking out the door.

Sewing corner.

It was all very cluttered, disorganized and didn't utilize the space very well. Now I will show a few sneak peaks. By the way, notice the ribbon holder on the wall in the above picture.  It is no more.  I'll show you what I used to replace it.

Rain gutter turned ribbon holder.  Cost was less than $5.00.  Score!

Here is one end of my cutting table with all my art, crafting supplies.

We added yard sticks from Lowe's as our trim.  Dual purpose, cover side of plywood and give me a measuring tool.

Ok. Here is the whole table.  This is the in-process part.  I am going to make a curtain to go under, at the front, to cover all my storage boxes and such.  I was able to get more fabric to match the curtains on the windows.  This was very exciting since I got the first piece several months ago.  Yay for Hobby Lobby!

I just completed this chalkboard today.  Instead of sewing, like I was supposed to be doing, I ran outside to spray paint while the weather was tolerable.  Actually, I did do a bit of sewing but my serger up and died on me.  I have to wait until tomorrow to borrow one from a friend.  I thought the message on the board might help keep me focused.

This is my little art table.  It is in the corner by the closet and next to the shelves with all my supplies.  Right now my computer is on it but usually, it is covered in some project that needs to dry or something.  It is covered with brown wrapping paper to protect the surface from glue, paint, etc.  It has a little rod type thing that goes in the back.  It was my son's drawing table when he was little.  

Another reminder.

So, that is about it for now on the sewing room.  I have a few other ideas brewing in my head but they haven't come to fruition yet. These things take time (and money) ya know. I was also going to show you another project that I worked on this week in the area of organization but I think I will put it in its own little post. Here's a few clue words or phrases. Food as old as my daughter, dust bunnies, dirt, out-of-date, pantry.  I guess you probably have it figured out. So read Organization Part II to see if you are right. So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

New Pictures

Hello Everyone!

I know, it's been awhile.  I also know that I promised finished pictures from my sewing room.  It's still in the works.  We had a day of decent weather last week and I went out to spray paint.  The bad thing is that I waited until late in the afternoon so I didn't get everything painted that I needed to paint.  Now, it is in the 20's.  Not exactly ideal spray painting weather. However, I am still working on a few things that don't depend on the weather.  (bought some fabric for a curtain in the sewing room today) I say all this to say, "No, I haven't forgotten and yes, you will just have to be patient."  Nice of me, huh?

Anyway, new subject.  Did anybody notice the new profile picture?  I had a friend take a few pics of me the other day.  I am wanting to give one to the hubby and one for our family gallery wall that I am also procrastinating working on.  I want to do individual pictures, one of the hubby and me and one of our whole family along with other miscellaneous family shots.  I was having a hard time deciding on which one to use for the profile.  As far as I can tell, Blogger only gives you one size to choose from so it is hard to decide which pose will work best.  I thought I would just show a few and let you all vote on which one I should use.  That is if you are so inclined.

This is the current one.

Can you see the blog name to the side of this one?  Might be a bit faint.

Going with that cockeyed look.

Love the yellow wall in the background.

Not looking at ya but showing off the scarf and flower that I made. ;)

So there you have it.  Let me know what you think.  By the way, I did make the scarf out of a $0.25 T-shirt that I bought at Salvation Army.  I brought it home washed it, cut it up and wore it!  Took me all of about 10 minutes to make.  I like the added accent and pop of color.  You can find a tutorial over at Studio 5 put on by one of the girls from DIY DISH. I also found the flower template and tutorial at DIY DISH.

I will be using my new cutting table tomorrow to cut out a dress for my daughter.  We have a wedding to go to and "nothing" to wear.  Actually, in her case, that is the truth.  At least nothing dressy enough and warm enough for 20 some odd degree weather.  I will be working with taffeta and velvet.  Wish me luck! That is all for today.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Click it up a Notch Giveaway

Hello Everyone!

You all know how much I love photography.  I would love to have all the little tools, lenses, etc. to go with this love.  But alas, money is definitely an issue.  However, I am now entered into a giveaway for a great lens from Tamron.  It is a 18-270mm.  Would love, love this lens.  If you would like to enter this fabulous giveaway, go over to click it up a notch to enter.  Good luck everyone.

PS.  Getting closer on the craft room reveal.  Waiting for the weather to be close to warm enough to spray paint a couple of things.  Hopefully soon.

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge- "Bust a Gut"

Hello Everyone!

Happy Monday!  Once again it's time for I Heart Faces photo challenge. This time it is called "Bust a Gut".  In other words, big time laughter.  I had the perfect picture but it was from the "before digital" ages.  So I searched through my more recent pictures and found this one of my daughter and a couple of her friends.  We were at a girl's camp with some of our Christian friends.  Several were taking turns giving the younger girls a ride on a jet ski.  The weather was a bit chilly and the water cold.  I think I caught this picture as the girls felt the full power of the cold water.  You know kids though, they were just out to have fun.  They didn't care if their toes turned blue!

So there you have it, my addition to the photo challenge "Bust a Gut". This is by no means a professional picture; just a moment caught in time. Hope you enjoyed it and that it put a smile on your face as well. Until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

So today is my Birthday!

Hello Everyone!

Today is my birthday.  How old you ask?  I would like to say 25 or maybe even 39 but I have to admit to turning 41 today.  In my mind I still feel 25 (some days) but my body is reminding me not to kid myself and that 25 was a long time ago. I have had a blessed life so far.  I have a wonderful husband and two great kids.  Along with many family members and friends.  There have been tough times but many great times as well.  I am trying to learn each day what the Lord has for me and how to better serve Him.  This last week we have been trying some new things in our home in the area of discipline, communication and working together to love and respect each other better.  I'm really excited about how it is going so far.  I do know that the Devil is out to tear down families so we have been talking about being on our guard to not let him discourage us from our goal.  I'm hoping and praying we can stay on the mark, as it were.

I have been thinking about my mom today.  She was my age when she had me.  I look at my life now and can't image having another baby.  To top it off, she already had 5 children.  Fortunately for her, us kids were pretty spread out so she had older children to help take care of me.  I only have two children and as we've been working on things this week I have had more respect for what my mom must have had to go through raising 6 kids.  I thought I had a picture of my mom holding me when I was a small infant but I couldn't come up with it for this post.  Instead, I found one of me when I was a couple months old.

Cute! Right? I can't believe how big my eyes were.

So what are my big plans for the day?  Well, I'm not sure.  We are having around 60 people over for dinner tonight.  I know, your thinking, "WOW!"  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not cooking for that many.  And, it isn't for my birthday.  We are having a hot dog cook-out for some friends from out-of-town along with some local ones. Everyone is bringing a part of the dinner so it won't be too bad.  My hubby said we would celebrate next week.  He did sneak off to the store early this morning to get "breakfast items".  We'll see if he comes home with anything extra. (flowers) ;)  He did already take me out to dinner earlier in the week.  Also, he is making me an new cutting table/craft table for my sewing room.  Didn't I tell you he was wonderful? ;)  Anyway, I have been in the process of organizing all my junk creative materials.  Stay tuned for an update of that project.  I can't wait to show you.  I forgot to take before, before pictures but I did get a few before it all got cleaned up.  I'll get some of the finished project and then share.  It may be after Thanksgiving before I can get it all done.

Well, I better go see if he made it back from the store and get breakfast started for the over-night company we had.  Stay tuned for the sewing room update and maybe more of our weekend.  Until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Cheyenne - Senior Photos

Hello Everyone!

Just dropping in to show you a few shots from a photo shoot I did on Saturday.  I took senior pictures for a friend of mine.  I took almost 200 pictures.  We went to several locations around town and just had a lot of fun. I will show you a few of my favorites.  Someone suggested that I start a business on the side doing portraits.  My immediate answer was, "No way."  I have to admit, that I've always dreamed of being able to do portraits professionally.  However, ever since the suggestion was made, I've thought more seriously about trying to get a few jobs on the side.  I would prefer senior pictures, engagement pictures or family pictures.  No weddings at this point.  So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites.

This was the look near the end of our time.  Can you tell she was tired of smiling?

This is just a small number of my favorites.  She was an easy person to photograph as she has an easy, ready smile.  Thanks, Chey, for letting me "shoot" you!  Now comes the fun part for her and her mom.  Deciding which one to get enlarged and framed for the wall.  :)  If I do end up getting some jobs, I'll try to share some of those.  I have a few feelers out with people so we'll see if I get any calls.
So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane