jennifer, Author at Hopeful Homemaker

Ribbon Organizer

February 17, 2010 jennifer Organization, Ribbon

After more time spent winding ribbon than I expected it to take, I have this to show:

Much as I love ribbon, for years I’ve done a lousy job of storing those leftover pieces or strips of lovely ribbon off of packages of some sort. Tired of sorting through this:

I went on a walk through my house to see if I could find something better to keep it in. I saw an awesome ribbon organizer back at Christmas time in a local craft store, but I didn’t want to spend any money and I don’t have room in my studio for some big thing. Then I remembered this:

This old 7-up crate hung on the wall in my kitchen at our old house. I kept little jars in each compartment and it served as my spice rack. It didn’t work in my new kitchen when we moved, so it’s been waiting in the basement for a new use. Well, it just found it.

I measured the size of the compartments and cut several pieces of aqua cardstock to fit. Then, using a bit of masking tape to secure the ends, I started wrapping.

And I kept wrapping.

Did I mention that I spent some time wrapping?

Little matter. It took many more 5 minute segments of stolen time than I anticipated, but it’s finally done and I’m happy with it.

Wide ribbons were given a card to themselves, and narrow ones were grouped together on a card. Organized by color (somewhat), I can now see at a glace what I’ve got, which means that I’ll actually use it! I’m a big fan of being able to see what’s available, which is also why I opted to prop my new organizer on a little shelf in my studio.

The shelf is a vintage piece for holding handkerchiefs. It belonged to my great grandmother. My parents gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago, and it’s been hanging in a corner of my studio ever since. It means a lot to me to have it. I had another decoration on it which I removed to make room for the ribbon. Below it I have framed another piece of linen from my Marghab collection, which is a post for another day.

I added my wish, hug and kiss tickets to the top and a little bird on the corner and we’re set. I like how this corner of my studio is now bright with color.

I have to say that the current trend for re-purposing is fabulous to me. It’s become a little contest I have with myself all the time, walking around my house in search of something I can use differently to meet a new need. It costs nothing, but forces me to think more creatively, to focus on line, size, shape and color in new ways. It saves money, helps us use what we have more efficiently, and the challenge brings me joy. As it has become more mainstream, I’ve really enjoyed seeing pictures of what others are doing.

So here’s my question for you: What have you re-purposed lately?

And if you feel like you haven’t done it at all, my challenge is to take a walk around your house and find some small way in which you can use something differently, in a new way that makes you happy.

And please, tell me about it!
Jennifer

One comment creativity, Organization, Ribbon, vintage

Precious Fingers

February 17, 2010 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

On Monday my two year old somehow stuck her fingers through the tri-fold style doors on our entertainment center and then tried to shut the door.

She started screaming. The other kids started yelling.

I came running.

I said a prayer. I could get her index finger and her pinkie finger out, but the middle two were so stuck I couldn’t figure out how she got them so far in to begin with. Every small movement of the door, in either direction, made her scream in pain. I tried to lubricate her fingers and work them out that way. No luck. They were stuck fast, and turning purple.

I ran to my husband’s office to get a screwdriver, realizing that the only thing to do was to unscrew the hinges and take the door apart. It was no easy task to work the small screws out of the door while trying very hard not to move the door at all. I was so afraid that her tiny fingers would be broken. They looked terrible. At last I had the hinges above and below her hand free. I was able to pull the doors apart and remove her hand.

Bless her little heart. We ran to the kitchen to run it under cold water, then grabbed an ice pack. I changed her diaper, wrapped her in her blanket, wrapped her tiny, purple fingers in the ice pack, and held her while her sobbing slowly subsided and she fell asleep.

As I held this sleeping angel, I thought about what had just happened, and felt overwhelmed with gratitude for little lesson in faith that she had just demonstrated.

My daughter cried the entire time that I was trying to remove her fingers from the door. She was in terrible pain. But she trusted me. She trusted me when I had to run AWAY from her in order to get the tools I needed to help her. She trusted me when I left her on one side of the door and went to sit on the other side to take the screws out. She trusted me when she couldn’t see me. She trusted me when I told her I was working on it and that we would have her hand free in just a minute. And she trusted me to help her fingers feel better once they were out. I can still hear her little voice in my mind as she paused in her crying to say “Otay” each time I reassured her that what I was doing would ultimately help. She believed me. And although she was in genuine distress, she accepted what I was doing as sufficient. Sure, she wanted her fingers out, but she held on until it was over (really, what choice did she have?). Not for one minute did she feel betrayed or forgotten.

After watching her anxiously yesterday, I am grateful that my little girl’s fingers appear to be ok. They are swollen, but today even that is almost gone. She says that they are “still ouchie” but she’s using her hand normally and not favoring it at all. I feel so very thankful that these precious fingers are unmarred. So thankful for an answered prayer.

Last night those precious little fingers decided to help me load the dishwasher. It was so much fun to clean the kitchen together, just the two of us, and to see her delight in the experience.

I kept telling her to walk around to the other side, but she preferred to lay across the dishes to reach. So cute!

She was so pleased with herself.

I’ve been earnestly seeking to find joy in the everyday moments that remind me what life is all about. I’m happy that last night I did just that. Instead of just having a clean kitchen, I had some moments when I was fully present for my daughter. We made a special memory together, and THAT was the real reward.

I’m wishing you a day of simple joys!
Hopeful Homemaker

Vintage Blue Jars

February 16, 2010 jennifer Color, Decorating, Happy Finds

Last week’s junk sale find…

has found a new home. I washed the vintage blue canning jars and decided to give them some time to glisten in the family room.

I always find that during the winter I favor the look of empty containers. The shape itself becomes art to me, and I don’t feel the need to fill it with anything. The potential of the vessel suggests such abundance. Yes, empty containers in the winter speak to me. They remind me to have an open heart, to be ready to receive the abundance that is just around the corner.

I added some empty vases in shades of blue and white. I’m sure that this vignette is temporary; I’ll want a simpler look eventually. But that’s the beauty of decorating by simply moving things around. You can always reinvent and there’s no obligation to keep things any certain way. It took all of three minutes.

For now, however, I love the way the jars catch the light. They seem to brighten the room on a dreary winter’s day, and for that, I am thankful!

And I wonder: will I ever get tired of blue and white? It always makes me happy. What colors make you happy?

2 comments beauty, blue, vintage

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