Pantry Upgrade

It seems like just yesterday I did a cleanup of the kitchen and pantry, and soon the pantry was falling apart again!

Part of it was the wire shelving.. it's pretty much the most awful thing ever! But since I'm going to be renting for a while (and I've already been renting for quite a few years) I've gotten used to it for the most part.

However, after this post from I Heart Organizing, it was time to give my pantry an upgrade!

Supplies:

Foam Board

Contact/Shelf Paper (I got this from Amazon)

Straight Blade to cut down the foam board

Measuring Tape.

Foam Board

I emptied one shelf of the pantry to measure the space, and cut down the foam board....

Taking that last photo made me realize how much that rug needed to be washed!!

After the board was cut down, I cut the contact paper to fit. It was a little wider than the board, but it made it easy to wrap around the edges for a nice, clean look.

Then I just popped it over the shelves....

Then I put everything back!

Finished product??

Much better!!

Spicing things up!

I did a little makeover to our spice rack, just to make things look nicer in the kitchen.

I purchased a few of these( I actually didn't have enough to finish the whole project, but it still looks nicer for now anyway!) from Bed Bath and Beyond. They were .99 each!

And I just moved the spices from their original container into these (I recommend washing them out first...)

I made the labels using these.

And there you have it! A little kitchen upgrade....

Oh, the original containers were a little bigger than the new ones, so I did have some leftover spices. I just put those into the pantry until I can add them to the containers!

Studio Update!

So I've been putting off a studio update for while... mostly because it still looks like a tornado hit it!

But now that AD has moved in, a few additional things need to happen in addition to getting this space clean, organized, and functioning. First, we each need desk space (He works from home so this is especially important for him). I love the desk I have, but I’m open to new possibilities, and the current desk would make a great workspace for photographing Etsy products, as well as creating them!

Here’s what we need as far as function:

• ·        Double desk (something long enough for both of use to sit comfortably and use our respective computers. I just have a monitor, keyboard and mouse, but he needs space for his laptop and another monitor.) I’d also like space for the printer to sit between us (but not crowd into our workspace)
• ·        Separate workspace for Etsy functions
• ·        Storage!:

o   Silhouette items (I’m planning on using the Alex unit for just my silhouette machine and accessory items.

o   Mail Station (for all outgoing household mail as well as any Etsy shipments). Simple set up. Stamps for household use and smaller items. Boxes, envelopes, and full adhesive sheets for shipping labels. This will also be where I store things that go in shipments, like business cards or coupons/advertisements.

o   Printer Supplies (I have a lot of different things I want to keep together for the printer besides paper and ink. Photo paper and other specialty papers, as well as blank labels need to be stored close by)

o   Etsy product supplies (This is the main source of my problem right now, as there are so many different things floating around.) Mainly Canvas and paints, Ceramics and Sealers, etc.

Here’s the inspiration for our desk:

1,2,3

 Here's a quick mock up I did to get a little better feel for the space:

We are going this weekend to check out the Habitat Restore in our area, and I have some inexpensive ideas on what to use if that sends us home empty handed. As far as storage, I’m going to use what I have as much as possible, and I maybe be bring in more options after we tackle another large project we have for the dining area. Details on that soon!!

Jumping on the washi tape bandwagon!

I did a little dressing up of some inbox trays (both for at work and at home in the studio) At work, I lined the tray in blue washi tape...

At home in the studio, the trays got a yellow tape treatment....

It's the simplest project. Just simply line the tray (or whatever you want to decorate!) with the tape. It's easy to remove and re-position if needed, or if you want to change things up later, you just pull it off and start over!

I got my washi tape from Hobby Lobby, but you can find it at almost any craft store, or even online! (the link above is the blue tape I used on Amazon)

And the finished product?

The inbox trays are from the See Jane Work line at Office Depot.

Other things I've updated with Washi Tape? My phone charger...

And some file folders!