Turning my China Hutch into a Scrap Space

We recently moved to a smaller house.  Smaller house = downsizing.  I'm trying to work in my scrapbooking supplies without having them shoved in containers into the back of the closet where the thought of having to get them out deters any scrapbooking whatsoever.  I decided to use my China hutch that came with us from Missouri via my sister's client, to my mom, to my other sister, and then to me.  ( I have the matching table, too.)

The hutch is sitting on the only wall-papered wall in the dining area, and I have to say that I love this wallpaper!  I'm pretty certain that it's original to this 1960's house, and it's in perfect shape.  Not a tear or smudge.  When I unpacked I just threw everything onto the shelves, so this was half-empty (or half-full for you optimistic folk).

So this is BEFORE

 The back wall of the hutch was painted a lovely light pink (it was previously a blue and a dark red) and I wanted to brighten it up a bit so  white it is!  Just a couple of quick coats did the trick.

 And here is AFTER:

I already had the canvas totes on top and they're holding larger supplies and alterable wood.  Most of my containers were aqua blue and green, which go just fine with the yellow and greens in the wallpaper and china hutch.

This cute couple holds some paintbrushes, and my art journals are behind just begging to be taken out to be used!  The tins hold tags and some pictures.

The large green buckets are planters I got at an awesome yard sale for a quarter apiece.  The small buckets are from Target's dollar spot. These are holding small embellishments sorted by color.

 Love these cigar boxes, they're the perfect size for metal embellishments like eyelets, grommets and brads.  One of them holds old clothespins, and another has some tape runner refills.

Jars are my other favorite go-to holder; makes everything visible.

Old music books I use in my projects and some paint in an old wooden box that I picked up at a yard sale, too.  It was already painted that awesome blue!

This isn't everything, but I wanted to keep some of my favorite and often used things in the cabinet.  I have ribbons and tools and all kinds of other things in the cupboards and drawers.  And the coat closet in the entry way holds even more supplies.  That post is for another day, so stop back by to see my progress there!

I'm sharing here:

WIP Monday on ScrapScene

The Mommy Club at Crystal & Co.

DIY Accomplished at Homemaker's Challenge

I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom

The Charm of Home

Happy 4th! and a simple paint chip garland tutorial...

I've seen so many paint chip garlands on blogs here and there and pinterest lately that I thought I'd make my own red*white*blue version. This was simple; all it took was:

*some paint chips (Glidden from Wal-mart are a great size)
*small seam binding
*stapler and staples
*chalk

First I set out the number of paint chips out in the color pattern I wanted, then stapled them onto the seam binding, two staples each, about an inch or two apart.   Then I used plain white chalk to write my message and hung it up on the entryway.  That's it!  The color combinations are endless.  I'm thinking about making one for each season since it costs next to nothing.  And I've found some pretty new paint colors, too.

Here is the back.  Personally, I like the look of it!

There is nothing better than having the ability right to do what we want. I know my kids want to be able to do whatever they want, whenever they want. We have rules and guidelines in our home and they test them all they can! You know how it goes, you give them an inch and they take (or want to take) a mile. This morning I was thinking about that God-given right and how so many in this world live in countries and places where there is no freedom or where they have never known any kind of liberty.

We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I want it to stay that way!

I'm proud of my family who have served and currently serve our country.  I know it is at a huge sacrifice!

Have a happy Independence Day. May we never take that independence for granted.



I'm linking here: http://www.scrapscene.com/tag/wipmonday.html

http://www.crystalandcomp.com/

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