Well, ladies, I made it! There was just the slightest doubt earlier this week :)

If you've been reading the blog you know that the Great Clean out stemmed from a 

New Years resolution to get more organized.

The more I read other blogs, the more it seemed that everyone was feeling this.

The problem is we all start out with the fabulous intentions and then life gets in the way.

I thought if we made a commitment to each other it would help us to stay motivated.

Lucky for me, some really talented bloggers decided to take part in this -

thank you all so much!

I am looking forward to reading about each of your adventures in organizing.

Before Christmas I flipped my office/craft room upstairs into what was the kids playroom.

This space is substantially larger, and has a closet,

which meant bringing al the craft stuff from the storage area out into the open.

The closet filled, and overflowed,

and then the holiday madness arrived...

Okay, I am going to admit something here - I actually removed items before taking the before shot!

You know the classic where you open the closet door and all your wordly junk comes tumbling out?

Yup.

There was a fabric landslide from the top shelf the day I took this.

Something had to be done.

I would have liked to replace all this wire shelving, but the budget had other ideas,

 so a fresh coat of paint cleaned it up nicely.

I bought some really inexpensive cardboard storage boxes at ikea.

The problem was, they were quite ugly!

After buying some fabric, and breaking out the glue gun, 

(and some really foul trucker-like moments when I burned myself - kids, out of the craft room, please :)

we had twelve of these and four larger versions.

The kids need instant gratification storage for their daily craft sessions -

 these buckets from the dollar store are perfect.

So here is the after:

Still unlabeled, not entirely sure how we will cross that bridge.

 I may have to call a truce with the glue gun!

Remember when I found that amazing deal on a dining set on kijiji?

Well, D. went to pick it up, and when he brought it home it became obvious

the set was not dining room worthy.

The cabinet and chairs found a home in the craft room.

I make cards and paper crafts, so this provides heaps of fantastic, dust-free storage.

The shelving on the other side of the room holds my most-used product info and color decks for work.

There's a great spot for my sewing machine and current projects.

The piggybank and flower were gifts from the girls, who fancied themselves stylists today.

The craft books need some purging, there is a few in there that I suspect are older than me!

That's not really old, of course :)

The office is still being finished, but organizing got the decorating process going.

I found fabric for curtains and the other bits that are going in here.

Once it is done, I'll post pics.

I don't honestly know if I would have gotten to this closet right away,

I kept opening the door and closing it again!

 Having this deadline MOTIVATED me to get it done -

so it worked!

Maybe next year we can do this with exercise :)

anyone?!!

 Pop over to the main post to see all the before and afters and link to these fab ladies posts.

I Hit The Wall

Even with skiing, I'm over winter.

I hit the wall yesterday, when I ran into my flipflops in the back of the closet.

They were crying. (Okay, that was me.)

Think I'd like to spend the rest of winter here, please.

I can smell the sea.

dreamy kitchen - the perfect combination of rustic and chic.

 A fantastic, seamless tiled floor right out into a private paradise.

Grill, waterfall and fireplace built-in.

Sumptuous fur carpets allow barefoot relaxing even on chilly evenings,

and vibrant upholsteries clearly welcome you in.

Look at the fireplace vignette - the tile and those andirons are incredible!

I love how the tone-on-tone mirror adds sparkle without overwhelming the other accessories.

Guest Post at First Time Fancy - The Perfectly Imperfect Playroom

Today I am guest posting over at First Time Fancy.

If you have never been over to the lovely Kerry's fabulous blog, you have to go!

 This girl is not afraid of a little reno!

Talk about inspiring - 

Kerry and her husband are redoing their entire first home, themselves, top to bottom.

The posts detail their adventures, and the love in their home really shines through.

Here is an inspiration board for Kerry's latest project, the master bedroom.

Kerry runs a weekly post, "Perfectly Imperfect", 

which I love, because it is a reminder to look at our homes with kinder, gentler eyes.

 I was honoured when she asked me to participate.

Truth be told, there are a few possibilities around here!

the kids playroom won out...

pop over here to read all about it - 

thanks again, Kerry - x

Thank You

Yesterday a package arrived in the mail.. 

A brown paper package, tied up with strings - my favourite!

From the lovely ladies at Polli.

 Remember the giveaway I won back in December?

I thought that I had won the eco Deco kit in red, 

but I received three:  Polli Red, Sky Blue, and Sunshine Yellow!

How did you know that I needed some blue skies and sunshine?!!

thanks so much to  Maja Rose and Tess Lloyd of Polli and Natalie of the Daily Imprint.

**Polli is donating 20% of their online orders to the QLD Flood appeal,

 so there is no time like the present to pop over to their shop.**

They have so many tempting bits, but I am especially loving the delicate leather earring series.

Another thank you is going out to Mona of Providence Ltd Design Blog,

who nominated me for the Stylish Blogger Award last week. 

Since I've already participated, I'm going to enjoy reading up on all her other nominations.

I'm guest posting somewhere fun today, 

and once the post is up this aft I'll post a link here :)

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Block Print Love

 source

Block prints make me my heart skip a beat.

Particularly the ones from  Les Indiennes...

ah, paisley, my love...

the texture of natural linen, the quiet beauty.

Enchanting.

The Mad Party

Just realized I didn't post pics of the Coco's mad birthday party in Dec!

We had 15 kids to the house.

15.

The calm before the storm :)

I put the houses together beforehand - I ended up buying kits at Bulk Barn.

The two trial houses I made from scratch took an afternoon and an entire recipe of dough.

Each little darling had their own icing and cup of candy, 

but the fruit loops, marshmallows, and cookies were a free-for-all -

this worked really well.

It was interesting to watch - 

some kids eating as much candy as possible :)

some kids blissfully slapping it all over their house randomly

and some kids meticulously adding each drop of icing and candy.

I sifted icing sugar over the roof of each for snow before they went home.

Then they went tobogganing out back to burn off the sugar!

Coco came up with cupcake idea, and decorated each snowman herself.

Seven years old - how did that happen?

She's my baby.

At the very end of the party, Natasha and another older guest "judged"all the houses,

We had wrapped up more candy (those parents love me!) as prizes,

and every child received an award.

Best use of Hard Candy, Best Roof, Best Use of Color - they were so creative!

We cheered for each winner, and they went home on a high, 

telling their parents what they had won - priceless.

Wonder what Coco will dream up next year?

One Week Til The Great Clean Out!

Not to panic any of our fabulous participating bloggers,

but the countdown is on!

Next Monday we will have links to at least five organization projects for you to peruse..

and now, if you will excuse me, I have to

sort out which of these treasures are staying and going

 run madly out the door to find some small storage solutions

have a bit of a cry

go relax by the fire with a good book :)