shutter love
Thursday, August 30, 2007I can honestly say, there hasn't been much knitting since school started. However, what there has been is a lot of organizing and a little bit of sewing.
This is Libby's desk that was purchased for $12 at a favorite spot of mine. I love giving old things a new life. With a fresh coat of white paint and new pulls, it was good to go. We did find however that the top is a bit small, only 17 inches. Therefore, we needed a solution to where all of her necessities would live. Purchased the shutters at the same place for $1 each. My husband then attached a few pieces of lumber, with elbows for the shelves. He then secured it to the desk. I staple gunned a piece of fabric to the back (behind the two shelves) and then made our own version of the wall organizer from Lotta jansdotter's simple sewing book.
This really is just perfect for Libby's work area. It houses all of her paper, pens and pencils and other "stuff". I only wish I had one.
Ever since Libby was in kindergarten, she has laid her outfit out for the next day, the moment she gets home from school. Always on the floor, for us to walk around. This shutter was purchased at the same place for $3. We secured it to the wall, hammered a nail for her to hang her top, and one for her to hang her bottom. Ahh, love, love, love! Oh, and that cute little top? Yes, finally got around to making a shirred top for Libby using fabric from the fabric shack and Erin's tutorial. Let me tell you, Erin made it so easy! She practically held my hand during the whole thing! Thanks, Erin.
And what mother doesn't like to see her little girl headed to school wearing her new top, carrying her messenger bag?
49 comments
you are so darn crafty, you make my heart ache! your children will have such lovely memories of their mother, working away on some knitted or sewn or staple-gunned item for them. everything you do is gorgeous, leslie. and no doubt, if you want a work area like libby's, you'll be posting a finished duplicate sometime in the next year...
ReplyDeleteum, and hell-o... does your daughter have MY kate spade agenda?? ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow, you are so resourceful! I love the desk!
ReplyDeleteLibby looks so cute in her new top too!
Oh the shutter! What a fab idea! And the top is too cute on her.
ReplyDeleteYou're the bomb!!!
ReplyDeleteThat desk space is just the cutest ever. I love the way you used the shutters too. Libby is one lucky little girl! I also think it's adorable that she lays her outfit out the night before. Too cute!
ReplyDeleteYou have 3 kids! How do you do this??? You are such a great mom. What a great work area!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this -- she's a lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute desk! You are so talented. Everytime I have attempted something like that it turned out a disaster! But I will be trying it again this weekend - thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity, what kind of paint did you use? I am redoing my childhood desk this weekend and am not sure what type of paint I need for a desk.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Libby has the most amazing sense of personal style....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
ReplyDeleteLibby must be very happy with her shiny new desk and clothes display. What a great idea that is! And I love the messenger bag.
ReplyDeleteHA! I promise sheepish one that Agenda is from Walmart! :)
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully done and so terrifically creative!
ReplyDeleteOh Leslie, you never cease to amaze me...I love the last shot of Libby heading off to school, you really captured that feeling of wearing a favorite new outfit and getting ready to leave for school when the mornings are just starting to get a little crisp, just lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat is one great workspace! Lucky little girl.
ReplyDelete(love the top, too.)
um, then maybe i should be shopping at wal-mart, too! that agenda's like a fraternal twin!! i even double-clicked your photo for the close up, and all the card slots and pen holder look exactly like mine!
ReplyDeleteReally cool storage solution! That is a great, great desk. I also love the "shutter clothes rack"--and the top, and the bag...
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! LOVE IT! Indeed, she is one lucky girl to have such a creative minded mom!
ReplyDeleteNice work with the desk! And Libby looks so cute headed to school!! The bag is great!
ReplyDeleteso glad you used the tutorial....that top is so cute. when i saw it on flickr, i though, wonder where she got that...jane would like that one. now i know there is a snowball's chance in hell that if i made her one with that fabric that she would actually wear it!
ReplyDeleteSO clever... I seem to remeber that you have a special area for getting ready at, right? Very chic and grown up...
ReplyDeleteWe have this store in Phoenix called Last Chance. It sells off all of Nordstroms returns. Last year my 3-year-old got a Kate Spade planner for 2.97... I had to chuckle at the commentary. My kid actually does have a KS planner...
You have such beautiful style. Everything you do is very clean, simple, yet elegant and sophisticated. Even your daughter's shirred top . . . heck, make one for me and I'd wear it!! Will you adopt me?? ;P
ReplyDeleteWhat can i say ? Cool.
ReplyDeletePls dont let Jayne see Libby's sweet bedroom display.....shh
Everything's adorable! My daughter's desk look very similar. We should make the shelving unit to attach. That would help a lot!
ReplyDeleteLibby looks fantastic! You're a good mama. x
ReplyDeleteThe desk is pretty, and the top is beautiful. Great colours!
ReplyDeleteoh, I love the desk and the shelving. and the pocket hanger thingy. It all looks so beautiful. and your daughter looks great all ready for school.
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent desk to inspire study and creativity. And I love that action shot of the messenger bag :)
ReplyDeleteI just love your little girl's stylish ways! Cute.cute.cute!
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome! Don't you LOVE finding furniture so cheap, and making it your own? That's the way we do most things around here too! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful projects!
ReplyDeleteThat messenger bag is so darn freakin cute!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat desk, Les. I'm sure Libby loves it. You are going to have to tell me how to get to Construction Junction. I've heard so much about it.
ReplyDeleteSo great! What lucky kids!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness she better be feel'n the love!
ReplyDeleteCan I be your little girl? Your creations are simply fresh and exciting - She is set!
I love everything about this post! I love LOVE the desk (and I want one too!), I love that she lays her clothes out the minute she gets home too! So cute.
ReplyDeleteLove that messenger bag - wish I were that age again! Such great pictures and shutter ideas :)
ReplyDeleteTanya
you have amazing taste, and skill, and vision and, just wow.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing job! I am sure many hours will be enjoyed sitting at that desk.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't tell you how cute it is that she sets out her clothes. And, it goes without saying that you always impress me with your sewing projects!
ReplyDeleteYou're so talented, it's really awesome - and your photos are always a feast for the eyes! The desk is absolutely amazing, and I so love Libby in her new top, she looks so adorable!
ReplyDeletewow... what a great bag.... you must be so proud that she is using it....
ReplyDeleteluv Abby
You and your Hubby are very crafty! Love the messenger bag - I can't seem to get my boys to carry or wear any knitting!
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ReplyDeleteoh I love what you've done with the old shutters! I have a couple on my wall in my living room and have a few more that I don't know what to do with. Your ideas are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLove that little outfit! That Messenger Bag is so cute! Didn't that have a guitar in the book pattern? Your flowers are much more attractive to me - now I'm going to have to pull out that book and reconsider do it!
Thanks!
Oh this is all just gorgeous. How amazing she lays her clothes out - bodes well for the future! I love the colour orange and that top is just perfect. The bag - what can I say....... fantastic! Such a yummy post - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewho needs knitting when you can pull off such a genious home decor project like that????? it is really stunning! and libby now has the coolest setup for wardrobe planning! (when i was in school i kept track of what outfits i wore so as not to repeat the same one too often!)
ReplyDeleteI don't know which I love more...the adorable desk and shelving unit or that outfit complete with knitted messenger bag?! So sweet. Your daughter has the perfect childhood happening in your life and home. So happy for all of you...enjoy the new school year. =)
ReplyDeleteWoW! I'm impressed with your handy work, what a beautiful job on the desk.
ReplyDeleteThe desk looks so pretty! I wish I'd something so pretty like that!
ReplyDelete