My Crafty Palace

I've had lots of people ask me about my Crafty Palace, both a long time ago and recently and I thought I would post here for those more recent.

I got my Palace built by a place called wright sheds in Essex  http://www.wrightsheds.co.uk/ they make to order, so made to my size spec and where I wanted the windows ect.  At the time I think I was happy with my order.  Since my palace is now 7 years old there are a couple of things I would change.  I would have gone a little bit bigger, its 8ft x 10 ft, I maybe would have gone 10 x 10 and I would have gone for nicer side windows but I was trying to cut down the money and the side windows didnt seem that important but they are not a lovely as my gorgeion windows and door at the front.  I maybe even might have gone for a stable door, that way getting some air in but not having it wide open.    When I ordered my shed I went with these people as they would line it for me so it was insulated.

Here you can see why my shed is so lovely and insulated.  All that toasty padding behind the wood :)

This is a picture once it was built

Two days later on my Husbands birthday he hooked it up to the electric, added plug sockets and light.  Oh I could have done the happy dance!! ... wait I think I did!!

A few years later (2011) I decided I wasnt happy with the shed where it was down near the end of the garden.  It it was cold and wet to go down to my shed so I paid someone to move it.  That was a feat in itself to find someone who would do it.  I managed to track someone down and I think he was from the travelling community and had experience in moving caravans which helped as he knew exactly what to do.  That morning I went to work and I had never been so nervous in my life as my husband sent me pictures of my shed moving bit by bit up the garden!!

The only bad thing since the move is a really creaky middle part in the floor where I think they should have put a wooden post under but I only notice when moving about.

We've had some horrendous weather, rain, snow, ice and I have not got one spot of damp inside/  My papers are fine too.  I have an electric heater inside and I pop that on when I get cold, or in really cold weather I might just pop it on for an hour or so just to keep the shed warm for a while.  But most of the time I go down almost every evening anyway.

My claim to fame for 2014 was being interviewed and photographed by the Daily Mail a uk Newspaper.  As you can see the shed got the makeover here with some lovely paint.

I've since changed it again to add some delicious looking stripes!

I have filled my shed with a mix of Ikea pieces and bits and bobs found 

on local selling groups.  Its a mish mash of colour and storage and I love it.

Ceiling and floor, its all used :)

If there any more questions just let me know.

Caz xx

What the bad Mummy was doing

Whilst Caiden was experimenting outside with the laws of gravity and hardness of wooden sheds!! I was in my shed just tidying up and sorting out. (just feet away) I have just sold a paper unit, paper trays and dismantled a unit I had in there, moved it all about and I am happy it looks a little tidier, as tidy as a shed full of craft stuff and storage can. I like the mixed up look, I like the organised chaos! I am not a clean line, clinical kinda gal, hense the chicken on the floor, the stuffed country rabbits, hanging tubs, brightly colours baskets and hodgepodge furniture. It gives it a "Hey come in and play" kinda feel. Rather than a "dont use anything, cant find anything" feel.

I do have boxes and drawers to sort through, lots of bits and pieces are not where they should be and I am always shuffling my supplies from one box to another one.



My Pritties corner - buttons, flowers, bigshot and my stamp unit. New stamps and favs go on here


These shelves were such a bargain, I love the coloured baskets some hold my glues, h20's, distress inks, rollers and more. Bookcases hold ribbons, ink pads, folders and other oddments.



This is my stamping desk. Its an ugly desk but its very solid so its OK. Again storage needs sorting as I have so many empty places.

This is where the bulk of my wood stamps are. I have a lot of SU stamps under the white table in the other photo. All these wicker drawers need sorting as they are all mixed.

A wider view.

I actually spend very little time in here, but at least it is all stored here. Well not all, I have a rather large pile of regular used stuff. Stuff that I want all the time and that is behind the door in the front room.

Caiden is ok, he is sleeping, he was actually very tired before the accident, as soon as he got home from school at 12 I thought he was going to fall asleep, he fell asleep very early for him at about 5;30, but I am happy he is ok, hes still down here on the sofa so I can keep an eye on him. God help me later when I try and take him to bed and he wakes! I will not be happy if that happens :)

Bee in my bonnet

My Mum used to say this about me... Once I get a bee in my bonnet about something I wont let go and I get really annoyed when I can't make it happen ! LOL Usuallys its something silly like the other week I wanted one or two of those things that stand up on your desk to put cardstock in. I wanted my SU card to hand... so I nipped down to Staples and got two. :0) or sometimes it will be wanting to move a whole room around, so I just do it!

Now this time I wanted these fab things from ikea and they dont have them in stock at my local one and its really annoying me! LOL They are like trays that attach to legs and I was going to put them on the new legs I was also going to buy, I dont want to make a half hour plus trip for just two table legs and also my shed just wont feel complete now without them! LOL what am I like eh? Hmmmm spoiled brat comes to mind, but I like bee in my bonnet better... makes me laugh saying that, Harvey said "I'm not a boiled rat" when I said it to him the other day... tee hee. kids eh?

To do for my shed - otherwise know as note for Darren :0)

Buy a clock
Put the 3 shelve's up
Put stamp shelf on the wall
paving slab down outside
Find a home for my SU sets
Get a punch rail up (where I have NO idea)
Worktop up
Buy legs and those "other things" that go onto the legs
Take another chair down.

Chat later, I am off to Mum's havent seen her much this busy weekend.

Hugs
Cazx

A few photos

** edited to add : it looks nicer in real life, you know how photos can be and you can never get into the right position for the photos. you're have to take my word for it, or come and see for yourself :0)

This is my desk. I have all my stuff to hand, flowers, buttons, brads ect so I can sit there and try and get inspired. As you can see on the right hand wall I have hung c-thru pails full of Hydrangea flowers. Got to make the most of the space!

This unit holds stamps and baskets containing various things like inkpads, bellas, clear sets, magnolia stamps. To the left of this is the space, or part of, where I will be having the shelves and additional seating. Its an approx 4ft gap so well big enough for someone to sit, addional worktop and will have shelves above it too.

Again, making the most of all the space I have hung these lunch tins up on the ceiling.

This is the opposite side of the shed, these are my stamp drawers. They are by the windows but there will be next to no direct sunlight, the way the sun goes it will be hard for it to get into these windows as we have thick trees/bushes and flats and houses around us. If I feel it a problem I will lower them. The green baskets on top are full of ribbons, having one each colour red, green, blue, multi ect ect These are for my cut ribbon and big spools too.



This mad looking cabinet is holding my paper trays among other bits. Its a bit mad looking colourwise as it was in our loft and the old tennants here tried to do a camo paint effect. Then I started to paint the doors red, but never finished... now the plans are to paint it white and then maybe put some 12 x 12 papers in the panels of the doors... hmm we'll see how long that takes. So this is the "other side" of the wall where the new desk is going to be. I have seen some fab things from Ikea, which are currently out of stock. I cant wait to get them and show you!

Hey do you like my carpet?? Pink eh?

Cazx

Changed my mind

Well a girl is allowed to. I am not going to put that large unit in my palace now. I got those three shelves from the charity shop and I am going to put those up and piece of worktop, so I can have a friend to craft with me. I will still have three shelves, space under the worktop and space on top too. This also means Harvey can come and craft there too, not that I want him too, but he is going to so I might as well get him off my desk! I need to go and get the legs that the worktop stands on and then we are all set. I told Darren I wanted the shelves up, hoping he would run down the garden, screwdriver in hand but alas, not yet... I cant moan, he has been fab! LOL Just cooking the Sunday roast and then I will go down and see if I can get any pictures, might be too dark now, I'll see.

Shed update..... long waffle!

WOW the boy did good. All lit, electricfied, carpeted and most of the "stuff" in. I have to reunite my stamp drawers with all the other stuff and a BIG shelf unit and then its done. It all fits and its like it was made for it. OK there will be some stuff still living in the house, a few stacking boxes of stuff I need but not daily or stuff I "might" need one day. We will need BIL to help with the big unit that wont be until this afternoon as he has just come home from night shift and gone to bed. I will show photos later, its looking good! there are a few things that arent happening. One is something I really wanted but it just cant happen, no room. I wanted a dedicated table space were someone else can stamp :( so I am sad about that... BUT Once Darren takes the wire out the frame of the collapsable table then I can use that. YES he threaded the wire through the leg and into the wall, he didnt mean it but means we cant pick up the frame that makes the table legs!! LOL its hard to explain but if you imagine a square frame, he put the wire through so its looped with the wire... I was down there at 6;45am putting more boxes in that I had brought down from upstairs last night and wanted to get rid of before Caiden got up, far too many things to fiddle with otherwise! Talking of Caiden, you should have seen him yesterday, he gets so upset if he thinks he is missing out on anything, so we bundled him up and Harvey and Caiden could run about the garden, but its been so wet, the grass is sodden. I changed him twice, caked with mud and happy as larry but a dirty little rascal! He is funny on my stepping stones, he cant reached so he hops off in between them! LOL NOT quiet the point?!

Darren had a text on his phone at 3:15am... I guessed what it was. His friend Dave and girlfriend were waiting their baby and I guess he came this morning! Only a few hours after Darrens birthday. I am thrilled, you know what this means? I'll be making a baby card later. Typical man though just text a photo of "my son" no weight, time or details!! Dave will make a great Dad, he is a nice bloke. Dont really know his partner much, we know Dave through working with Darren for years now and I think I have met her only twice now. I am sure they will do fine, we sent them a stack of baby books, at least if they are good for nothing else they can prop their eyes open with them! LOL

Brrrr just ran down the garden with my jimmy jams on... its cold and wet, I was just seeing how my shed was... its quiet chilly, the heating is on thermostat, I am not sure how I should keep it, the temp that is... my papers have added insulation, in that they are in a cupboard so thats good.

Nearly 8am, cant believe they boys arent up yet... see I was in a dilema earlier, get up and take my stuff out to the shed or stay in bed, chances to stay in bed are few and far between but I didnt want the stress of the boys playing with all my crafty stuff so I got up. I do love this time before the house wakes to chaos.

Spoke to soon, been up to get Caiden, he just woke. Chat later with photos this time.

Friday's update

Hi there
Well my palace has had a lick of paint in the inside, I have done the whole lot, one coat and it will need another, but not bad for 2 nap times to get it done. I have moved a few of my fav plants down there, so I have 2 nice pots and my metal cat outside. I have hung my mini mirrors off the roof, all important stuff you know! Last night I was measuring all sorts of units and I cant believe how much I can fit in the back wall, its going to be really good. My neighbour commented on how she thought it was lovely PHEW I was worrying what they would think , but thats all good :) I also took a trip to electrical wholesalers to get the amoured wire, normal wire, switches ect ect and then a trip to the local garden centre to buy 10 stepping stones so we can all hop down there and not turn the garden into a marsh!

Sugar Nellie lovers need to run to www.funkykits.co.uk as they have released MORE stamps! and there is a look at one of Rachelles new designs. Cant wait!

Speak later, going to be a busy weekend. I need to make Darren a birthday card tonight so AT LAST I might have something crafty to show you.

Wolf whistle.... hey sexy

Dont ask me how a shed can be sexy but just look, it is isnt it? LOL

Lookie Lookie

I was starting to feel ill, it was 11.49am and the shed people werent here. I wanted to call but was too scared incase they said no... Anyway, Darren called I was just about to tell him about how ill I felt and it wasnt coming and I heard a truck outside..

Here is photo number one... I had to come in as I think the boys were winding the men building it up! LOL

this is the inside left and back... As you can see the inside "stuffing" to keep it all nice and toasty! Now since coming inside they have put all the sides, front and roof on and are playing about it with. I am so excited I think I will have a little dance inside! I have beautiful windows and door on the front. Its a shame the way the garden is that I have had to put it the way I have, but never mind, its in my garden and its MINE!!!

Forward planning.... pretties for my Crafty Palace

We all like pretties right? I have been working on sorting my stash ect and getting organised and tidied up for my Palace. My Mum had this lovely glass vase that she didnt want to throw but didnt have anywhere for it to go, she is downsizing greatly and has so much stuff and not enough space. So I said I would gladly take it, seeing a vision of paper flowers to be dipped into when the need arises! I thought it would look lovely on my desk, together with my yummy glass jar or ribbons. These are my fav and coveted ribbons from USA from Candice, she was my shopper and got me these great ribbons, almost too good to use eh? I also have but unpictured is my Argos pink wire cake stand which I have some lovely glass jars filled with zoomz and baubles and a few handy ink pads too.


I held off from calling the shed people today to ask how wide my door was going to be! LOL I was going to start measuring my furniture to see what I can fit in. Ideally space for two to sit. I have my desk and I want another place for friends to come and play too. But lets face it, its only 10 x 8 so I wont have masses of room to play with once the units are in and my stamp drawers too.... to say I can wait maybe a understatement. Its taking the sadness away, well not taking it away but you know what I mean, which has been around me these last few months. I scrawled Heart Dad and 4 kisses into the cement, I think Darren was both understanding and shaking inside after hours of laying and getting it flat I was out there with a metal pole scraping into it! LOL

Wanted to add these are just my loose flowers! LOL Didnt want you all to think this was all I had! I have around 25 jars and pot of more :) The picture doesnt really show you the size either, its about 10 inches high, its lovely.

He earnt his Lamb Shank didnt he?

Hubby finished the base off, so I treated him to a Lamb Shank roast. He likes lamb, I on the other hand only like chicken so we generally have chicken every Sunday. He deserved it though, he moved my Mum out yeterday, the poor boys were round my mums for 9 hours yesterday as the house got gradually emptied. Darren and my brother did all the moving into storage and they will be moving it all into my mums new place in a few weekends time.

Orange??

What is it that scares people? I love orange, such a bright and happy colour but if I had a pound for all those that said "I dont do orange" during a class or demo then I would be rich. Funny isnt it? What makes us like things, dislike others.

I coloured this image (above) in the other night and have at last made time to make a card. It is orange and lime which are two of my fav colours, I like bright happy colours, cant fail to make to make me smile. I have used my watercolour crayons from Stampin' Up! my new favourite colouring medium, well those and the distress ink pads, I used those yesterday and ended up buying 10!! LOL Not quiet the idea to be selling to myself!

I made the flower type things with three different Stampin' Up! cardstock colours and the Stampin' Up! Scallop circle punch. I added Zoomz to the centre, thought it turned out cute.

I love how the light caught the glitter glue when I took the photo tonight.

News on the shed/base progress. Darren has done fantastically well, he has mixed about 1 1/2 tonnes of ballast and cement (by hand) and made great headway with it. I went to my Mum and asked her if I could take some of Dad's ashes to sprinkle in my base... Hmm does that make me weird, to want to do that? I was going to have some anyway and I wanted it to be somewhere undisturbed in the garden and not somewhere we would dig up in 6 months time. So I can truely sit in my Palace and think of him being near. I told him I wanted him to inspire me to make fantastic cards!

I had better go, Harvey has the nesquick powder and is making a mess!! Kids eh?

Speak Later

Cazx