while we're talking reveals...

I'm not sure why these "reveal" subjects have taken me so long to get to.  I have to admit to you that my husband is super fast at getting things done.  He doesn't sit around with an unfinished project for long.  Turns out I, on the other hand, don't mind letting things hang.  At least in this space!

Remember this picture...from December?  Me all sequestered up in the front seat of the car, unawares of all my people on the other side?  

The contents were intended to make something better out of this mess below:

This is the back room of my house.  It is connected to our kitchen.  When we bought the house this room was actually a back porch.  John built me some walls and it became our laundry room/ office/ pantry/ mud room/ sewing room.  It is a busy place and stuff tends to pile up and get dirty.  As seen above.  Yikes.  That makes me cringe!

So one fine day in December John said "let's go to IKEA today and take care of this hot mess".  Ok, not really.  He would never use the phrase "hot mess".  He's probably offended right now that I would even pretend like he does.  But he said something to that affect, and we were off.  We bought what we needed and the very next day I was sitting here:

It's like one of those Maury Povich episodes where the "guests" go from "Freak to Chic", wouldn't you agree?  I love this space now!  My sewing machine and computer can now live in perfect harmony with one another (just like ebony and ivory).  No one's vying for the coveted front and center space!

That floor to ceiling shelf is completely customizable.  We opted for 3 shelves and these wonderful pull out baskets that store all of my fabric (that I am totally going to use... one day).

The shelves above the sewing machine house my herbal studies books, gardening guides and craft books.  Before, all of my books were stacked on top of my dryer.  I spared you that "before" shot.  You're welcome.

It also stores my Tom's peanut jar that my great-grandmother once used as a paint can.  Most of the buttons inside came from John's grandmother.  They have since been added to by thrift store and estate sale purchases.  And of course- there is my love flamingo that Moonpie made me.  That girl is so sweet to me.

Here is a gratuitous close up of my machine.  If this were the movie "Australia" she'd be in the backyard pouring a bucket of water over her head, a la Hugh Jackman.  It is just that gratuitous.  

And a close up of the "country garden" reader I picked up at a local antique store.

This is my space where I connect with all of you.  Where I wipe down muddy children.  Where I wash more clothes than I knew we had.  Where I get to create.  A spot of my very own (that I gladly share with the other three members of my family).