The Workshop Worked Out...

Thank you to everyone who left a comment this week on how to organize and layout the wall pockets. The advice was really helpful in a lot of ways. It looks like this layout wins (with changes):
Jackamo mentioned that having larger wall pockets will increase the possibility that heavy items will weigh down the fabric and/or the rod so the huge wall pocket was out. However, people mentioned that the other option looked more balanced, so I'm nixing the banner and will add some artwork of mine and my children's in that spot. Watoosa had the great idea of coming up with a painting and then having my kids to a "study of" and putting those drawings next to mine. What a great idea! The outcome should make any abstract expressionist proud.

I also really like the idea of cubby organizers mentioned by Cheryl and Elle. There are small items that may get lost in the bottoms of the pockets or heavy items that will rip the fabric with daily wear and tear. So to find some sort of organizing cubby system that won't take up too much space for moving in between the beds and the wall is on the list of to-do.

Thanks to everyone!

- PJD

Workshop Wednesday

Hello! It's well into the new year and time for me to share what I've been working on around here. January for me is all about organizing, cleaning and doing all the things that were put on hold during December. Does anyone else find January busy? I do, in a different way of course.

I really have been busy creating, sketching and whatnot, but just not recording as well. There are so many things on my to-do list to check off. Enter: Workshop Wednesday. This is a fun little workgroup created by a good eFreind, Cheryl over at Naptime Quilter (if you happen to also be a foodie, check out her gastronomical blog). Cheryl is an amazing quilter and creator in a couple of ways: a. she makes beautiful, artful quilts. b. she finds a way to make these quilts with two little ones, a full time job as well as being a domestic CEO.

I would LOVE to jump on this bandwagon and get your opinions and eye for design/layout with my new project. For Christmas, my babies both got toddler beds.

They were completely beside themselves with excitement! They are about 18mo. apart so the transition was pretty easy. Ms. A keeps finding a way to the floor most nights, but she's happy to have a bed like her brother's.

Anyway, getting rid of the changing table, the cribs and all has really opened up the room. We now have two large, empty walls. It is a very small room with the only storage inside the closet. Now that we don't have the changing table, we really need a place to put all the fun stuff in an organized and beautiful way. This book inspired me to make modular wall pockets (if you don't already have this book, I highly recommend it).


I had to make up my own pockets as the pattern from that book wouldn't work, but I think my first three are GREAT! Now I can't decide what to do next. Can you all help? I have these things in the closet in a huge jumble:
1. shoes - these have no home and sometimes get lost in the mix
2. diapers - Ms. A refuses to go potty so we're stuck with these for a while
3. books - our little shelf is overflowing so we need a place to put a few important ones
4. stuffed animals - need I say more?
5. whatnots - all the little floaters like clip on ties, belts and hair bows

Here is what I have so far (sorry for the blurriness but you get the idea):


I could go for option A:

We've got another set of three pockets to the right, some shoe pockets above and some larger, double pockets on the top. With a garland or some sort of artwork. Yes? No?

Or I could go for option B:

Entirely different set of pockets on the right, same three above the first three and some framed pictures (like my art?). Yes? No?

OR I could do something different entirely. Thoughts?

Thanks to anyone and everyone who may give me some inspiration. We need to get ourselves organized. If you are interested in how I did these pockets, I'd be happy to post a tutorial in a later entry.

PJD