Making progress! The office

I've done a lot of 10 minute blocks today. But I am so pleased with the progress.

I still have quite the pile of stuff in the corner to sell, I can't avoid that.

But my floor is clear! And so is my desk!

I'm still not game to shwo you the complete before pic ... but to explain what it was like ... this is our old computer desk that was in a corner in the room ...

(and this wasn't the worst of it!)




And here it is after - I've used it as a space for Miss E (aged 5) to create.


The boxes below the desk hold her pens, pencils etc. I still have a few things to change here but I love the concept.

And here is my real desk!



I still need to sort out the cables ... but that will happen later. I celebrated by buying these great bright noticeboards in pink and purple - $5 each from the "Reject Shop"

Just 10 minutes ...

What's the worst room in your home?

Without a doubt mine is the office which is in the garage.

My plan way back when was for it to be a space for the computer with room for me to sew, create, scrap.

And room for Miss E to work beside me.

Well - it became the place to house the garage sale stuff. And then it became the place to be the dumping zone for pretty much everything. And then it became such a disaster I don't let anyone know it IS a room so they don't go in there. I would padlock it if I could.

Well - I want my space back. I want to sew and I need a place to do it. And I am going to get it.

I find this room so overwhelming so I am going to do it 10min at a time.

The rules are clean for 10min. No more no less. If I want to keep going - just another 10.

Until it is done.

I'll keep tabs on how long it takes me. Right now it feels like it will take a month or two ... but I bet I can suprise myself.

Oh - and a before pic? Well I have taken one. Not sure I can bring myself to post it. Maybe with the after. Maybe.

June Challenge - Home/Office/Study/Paperwork

I've been inspired by THIS BLOG to join her June challenge.

This month's challenge is to attack your home/office/study/paperwork areas.

Right now I am drowning in these areas. The basics were set up, but because they haven't been maintained they are starting to get out of control.

I'll before and after and update as I go. Today's challenge - to work on Miss E's paperwork/craft area, and to attack our control centre.

Come join us!

I know this is an organising blog ...

and this looks anything BUT organised ...





but for me this is nothing short of a triumph!

This is ME almost done with an assignment ... well over a week before it is due!
(now why couldn't I have leartn this lesson years ago???)

Big breath! Tackling the big one!

Our office/sewing room/crafting room/study is the bane of my life. too many purposes - too much stuff - too hard to keep clean.

BUT I have the inspiration of a certain little girls birthday here soon ... and a party ... and guests - lots of them. So my whole house is being tackled hard this weekend.

May as well start with the tough area first.

One thing I really hate is the carpet tiles in this room. They are hand me downs. Served there purpose. But are SO hard to keep clean.

The flooring is concrete (it is our garage) and I am so tempted to pull up the tiles, and paint the concrete. Then get some great rugs that I can hang out to air for warmth/coziness. Would make sweeping after sewing easier too.

Any ideas?

Office progress ...

Wishlist number one ....

a long family desk for us to share :)

The office - the dream ...

My office is in my garage.
As are some of Eliana's larger toys (eg playhouse)
And my craft stuff. And sewing stuff.

Our office is a mishmash of inherited furniture and clutter.
It contains things left over from the kitchen reno.
There is no space to work. Or spread out.

I have a dream.
An office where my family can work in peace.
Where we can learn and play together. Side by side.
A place where we can be inspired. Where we can think big thoughts. And dream big dreams.

Here it is. The beginning. Part one of our journey - the family desk.

Later in the year we will be joined by the sewing space, and the craft table ... but every journey begins with a single step - right?

I love my man!

I love my husband!

Not only did he take me to ikea to get the last few things I needed to finish my kitchen ...

But he then bought me the bulk of the things I wanted to organise our office area (which is in our garage)!

What a man!

My dream is to have a long enough desk for my computer, and study, and for miss e to work beside me. I think it might just happen.

And future plans are afoot for a craft desk for Miss E for her birthday ... and a sewing spot for me!

Stay tuned! It's going to be fun!

OK - It's a work in progress ...

Ok - it's not finished - it's a work in progress ... but I'm happy where we are heading!

Before and after(ish)





about two bags of books and clutter donated or thrown. (as in garbage bags)

And homes for those little things! Boxes are cute! And courtesy of Ikea of course! (and the reject shop). (can you believe even ikea BOXES need screws!)

I need to get some larger ones for paper. And I'd like one large enough for scrapbook works in progress. And I need to further work through the books we have ... (this is one of three bookshelves in our home)

Still lots to do - but so much better than it was!

And no - I am NOT trying to organise clutter! almost all of these boxes are close to empty ... we have thrown SO MUCH.