Wallpaper packs are ready!! Man, it feels like such an accomplishment for me, because that job drug on all week.
But, its not like I was slaving away for 12 hours a day getting them done… Its such a boring job that I came up with all sorts of little excuses to do something else and not finish.
Trying to get through that stack of paper was like reading a book that wasn't exactly a page turner, but still plugging away with it. When I am reading a so-so book, I can take forever to get to the end, and don't want to start another book till that one is done. So, I'll pick up a magazine, read blogs, or watch TV to procrastinate going back to that book. I don't know why I won't give up on a book like that and start another… I'm a finisher, I guess.
So, while piles of cut and to-be-cut wallpaper filled up my studio, I felt too guilty to do any artwork out there. I was saving a fun creative job as my reward for finishing. But, I did let myself get side tracked by cleaning out Sugarwing's art supply cabinet, and redoing my office area a bit.
Since cleaning isn't all that fun either, it didn't feel like cheating. I must really hate to chop wallpaper, if I'd rather redo all my office drawers and sort paper work. But at least I didn't get so desperate that I worked on taxes!! That little treat is still waiting for me.
My office is a section of my studio, walled off by room dividers I've put together with vintage doors, and a mini gazebo creation thing made of porch posts, two by fours, and iron brackets. Yesterday, while Sugarwings played with her doll house (of course there is a doll house by the computer!), my son, helped me switch out desks and rearrange all the wires so they weren't as obnoxious.
The area feels much more functional, this desk is just a tad bit more comfy than the previous one.
And doing it was a welcome break from cutting and ironing…
The cabinets in the office are all filled with shipping supplies and things listed to sell in the shop. The area could probably be prettied up with better storage (yes that is a Walmart bag on the shelf), but it is a working area, and everything is usually buried under papers and packages anyway.
(the rug is a floor mat that I painted on vinyl floor covering)
The wallpaper couldn't be avoided forever though. And I got a good jump on it today, all packs are made up and photos are done on quite a few. Some are actually for sale now! The Boutique at Karla's Cottage is well stocked for now, and if I can bolster the courage to add more, I have a few more stacks to list there.
Thank you, for all your requests for pretty papers. Its so wonderful to work with, I'm glad to know that lots of you guys love it too. I am so looking forward to sitting down to my worktable and cutting and gluing a bunch of it into something! Tuesday is craft day, with some friends coming over, so I plan on delving into a big pile of scraps then as my reward for chopping and ironing all week.
While I was avoiding my chores, I also spent some time playing online. Do you RMS?
Rate My Space is a site by HGTV where you upload photos of your home and people either say mean things or compliments about it. And rate your rooms. I show my home on my blog all the time, but people who read my blog, usually "get" my style and like the look. On RMS, you never know who is looking or what they'll say.
Its kind of fun. You can rate my kitchen here if you&
#39;d like. Then, have some fun looking through. The pictures run the gamut of people asking for advice, to magazine worthy rooms. Its a great way to kill time while trying to avoid work!
And for more fun while avoiding work:
Jen over at Sanctuary Arts is having a redo party, and I have linked this post to hers. Check out the other links there for some good ideas about prettying up your home.
I love your office makeover, and cannot wait to rate your space with an A plus. I am off to buy some of your fabulous paper that you worked so hard on. Come visit me, I am having a beautiful giveaway.
Valarie
I love your office and am off to give it a rating! 🙂
Much more fun to makeover the office than cut up paper.
Alison
How lovely. Makes you want to get to work. Sea Witch
Your office is pretty, you have such a knack for decorating! I am off to check out this rms!
you are putting all of us to shame, fussing with your office, cleaning and stuff!!! you can come here anytime and organize me lol. i would never show my house in my blog before i cleaned up!! i have lots of cool stuff from years in gift business but i need to clean and decorate before i would show anyone my messy workspace. good for you, go karla!!
You keep me laughing, Karla! You are just too cute with all you do to avoid getting the wall paper cut & ironed! I love your new office make-over!! I will try to get those before pictures of my parlor to you this week. I am planning to go ahead & try to get started on my new studio area if all goes well!
hugs, Sherry
Everything always looks wonderful in your house. Seriously. It’s like a little magical land that I dream of visiting one day! HEY! I stumbled upon your article in Somerset Life this weekend! Yay you!!! (I think it was Life…I start to lose track of all of their fabulous publications! HA!)
Whoohoo! Congratulations on getting the wallpaper packs done! That was a huge task for you, I know.
“I came up with all sorts of little excuses to do something else and not finish.”
Hahaa! I do that exactly, too. In fact, the most productive way for me to get something done is to find something else more unpleasant to avoid.
“I’m a finisher, I guess.”
Ouch, I’m like this one too. The thought of giving something up once I’ve started is loathsome.
Congratulations on the redo of your office space and the art supply cabinet for Sugarwings. Good luck on those taxes, when you get to them. Think mine will start to haunt me about February 1st.
Now I feel TOTALLY like a slug! Not just that I didn’t do the tedious things I needed to do, but I didn’t clean a darned thing — and everything needs it! Looks great, Karla!
I love your office ~ especially the vintagey {that is a word, right?} cover on the chair. I am headed to look at the paper packs now – YUM! Take Care ~ Heidi
I have the same problem with not giving up on a so-so book. Just can’t do it! Your re-dos look great as usual! Gonna go check out Sanctuary Arts right now. thanks!
hey doll,
it looks fantastic.
you keep me laughing doll.
hope to see you soon
oxoxoox,
Jessi
I’m still wondering where the ‘clutter’ in your kitchen as mentioned in ‘rate my room’.
Boy, if they saw my house at the moment, they’d really see clutter. Your’s is NOT ! ! !
How could we not love your room?
Hi Karla! I could just sit and look at pictures of your home all day!!!!! Your kitchen is gorgeous Karla! I love your desk too!! Who wouldnt want to sit and look at that scene all day??
Love ya,
Amy
Well cousin, I know your talent didn’t come from the Downey side as I have none of it but we do have something in common now–I can’t stop reading a book no matter how bad, I keep looking for it to improve. Love your house and your pictures. I need to get there sometime and see it for myself. I just set up and old wooden ironing board next to my desk for my printer and supplies and thought I was so clever. Love You. Judy
Karla, you have such an awesome space! I totally get you! All of your spaces are gorgeous!
Everything about your blog is just fabulous, even your puppy!!! I enjoy so much visiting you. Hope I can be in your give away.
Ginger
Hi Karla! Love your new office re-do!! And there is nothing weird about the dollhouse by the ‘puter. I had a FP sink/stove by mine for years!!LOL
You have me wanting to visit RMS now. I’ve avoided that temptation for months, you bad girl!!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
hi karla,
what a wonderful space for creativity. love the idea of little sugarwings playing at her dollhouse while you chop and iron. all very fun.
xo
elyse
Karla,
I cant believe I got some wall paper before it all sold out today. I am sooooo excited. Next year I would love to go to the wallpaper store near Omaha but when I hear how much work it is…well, I am just a little too lazy for that!
I laugh a little at your clutter. I was downstairs for about five hours working on the paper craft room (as opposed to the bead room) and my gosh, I am talking serious clutter and way too much stuff and buying the same thing twice because I am disorganized and addicted to those 40% off coupons! I have been working on it for about two weeks and making some headway…the best thing is that I am finally throwing and giving away…which is hard…I mean, who knows? I might want to melt crayons between wax paper some day! I think the situation in Haiti has jolted me a bit. I just have too much stuff (but I really REALLY want more wallpaper…haha!
You room is so beautiful…but then, I get it!!!
well you might not like packaging that wallpaper but you sure make a pretty job of packaging it!
Rachaelxo
Karla amor, I love, love your mini office makeover! What a beautiful space to work..you know I have a lil end table like the one on the side of your desk, but mine has a lil door on the middle shelf and the inside is lined with copper…I always wonder what it was meant for, it was one of my favorite curbside treasures 🙂 Besos, Rose
ps..I will be back another day to catch up on some more of your posts…that way you won’t tire of all my comments at once..lol Darn this cold/flu for making me miss so much 🙂