Due to my injury, I am trying to navigate as few of the five rooms I have as possible.
I scooted the table over next to the shelves so I’d have ready access to materials I could store in the bookcases.
Along with my books, I also added baskets of lace and my big button jar for easy access.
The main reason I had to move the table nearer the bookshelves was to have access to an electrical outlet so I could have better light.
Here is my craft-room-in-a-suitcase.
On top of the middle shelf just above the table are things I need to have nearby. Peat pots, embroidery hoops, colored pencils, glitters and glues and stamp pads.
This is really pretty easy to accomplish. It doesn’t take up much room. And you don’t have to walk all over the house to find what you need. I simply expanded my suitcase concept.
On the medical front, I saw my doctor Monday. They think I have what is called Posterior Tibial Tendonitis. Googling it made it much more clear to me. Now a whole new change in physical therapy. I have the boot off for now because they’re afraid with it on, my other muscles will atrophy.
I will be seeing an ankle specialist soon. He will decide the next plan of action.
I love it Brenda. I could make myself right at home there in a hot minute. Did I see a nice stack of canvas on the shelf. Have fun exploring. Christy Tomlinson has some wonderful free tutorials on her site to help get you started. Her link is on my sidebar.
I hope this diagnosis will help with the healing process. We need you well by planting season!
Yes, you did see some canvas on the shelf, Patty! I haven’t had the nerve to open them yet. I’ve never used them before! I envy you your skills.
Brenda
Your craft area is so practical and well organized, Brenda. It will be a wonderful place for you to be creative.
I’m wishing you well as your physical therapy is redirected to a new approach.
-Karen
It’s hard to be creative while you’re worried about pain and how to pay the medical bills. But I’m plowing ahead!
Brenda
I love your craft area waaayyyy better than I like mine!
I like cozy little spots.
Brenda
You have some of the best ideas for small spaces. I’ve been in my small house for 31 years and still love it. We raised two boys in it and now are empty nesters. I like cozy and you just don’t really accomplish that in a big home, no matter how hard you try.
I’m glad to hear you at least have a diagnosis on your injury. Be careful getting around and continue to post these wonderful blogs.
Praying for you.
I think to design and organize small spaces, you have to really love those small spaces. I don’t like big, cold rooms. Actually I’d love to have one big space and a bathroom. I’d organize it in sections. It would be a decorator’s dream come true because any area could be utilized for anything!
Brenda
I may have missed something…is this a result of the original fall? Take care of your self and enjoy your dear craft area. I am setting up a corner in my dining room for scrapbooking and collage time.
We’re not sure if it’s a result of the original injury. But I find it hard to believe that it isn’t. Enjoy your dining room corner!
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Everything looks great but you always do a nice job of organizing and decorating. I just sent to find you on Etsy. Do you no longer have your shop?
Sue
I just don’t have anything in it right now.
Brenda
I love the craft-room in a suitcase. I do hope this ankle business soon becomes a memory. Get well soon, Brenda. Hugs, Deb
I have my craft things all in my office and office closet but do crafts in the kitchen, LR and DR- can be a mess. Noticed you have some of the Gooseberry Patch cook books. i love their Christmas books too. Hope you get some hopeful news with the new doctor for your ankle.
So do they think that this is a separate injury that the fracture or an injury because of the fracture. Nakle injuries are so hard to heal. I have a bad history of injuries that I have passed down to my daughter and now her daughter (6 years old) has her ankle in a cast. I am hoping they can help you with new PT.
You are so good at organizing. I have a huge space downstairs….a crafters dream BUT I would rather be in my living room where we spend most of our time (it connects to our DR) Hope you will having that sewing machine humming soon.
They seem to think it is a separate injury. Incurred when, I don’t know. I kind of find that hard to believe. I think it may be the result of the original trauma. But then, I’m no medical expert.
Brenda
I love your organized craft area… And am really smitten over your suitcase idea!!!
Sorry about your injury. It’s so frustrating to be held back by that. I broke my left hand last May…..even though I’m right handed it really slowed down for awhile .
Great post!! Dana
I have been looking around my home for a crafting space so this has inspired me. I really want to make some Valentine crafts and need to get going on them. Sorry to hear about the ankle but hopefully something can be done to make it better.
hugs, Linda
Did you ever try an ankle scooter? It would allow to you move around easily and do thinks like cooking when your ankle was too sore or tired.
I have seen 3 people use those scooters and they are wonderful once you learn how to use them.
What a great space to craft in!
Good luck with the ankle specialist.
Kris
You are so creatively organized, and everything looks appealing and handy to reach. Great idea, you might be at the start of your new home based business.
I am glad to hear that the boot is off, much as it must pain you to walk…and I am looking forward to the day you tell us that it’s over…it’s been much too long of a trial for you.
Jen
Hey, did I miss something? Are you using those peat pots for crafting? It’s got to be so frustrating for them to tell you do this, no don’t do that, do it this way now. My husband’s diagnosis took about six months, so I know how difficult it can be. You are just way organized. I should have you come help me w/my paints and crafts, as I too use a bookcase for storage! It looks all so inviting.
Judy picked up those peat pots for me, as I have admired the craft/art I’ve seen made with them.
Brenda
Brenda . . . Happy to hear that your physicians have identified the issue and that they have a plan. You are such an inspiration to so many in so many ways!!!! After 40+ years in the same house, we are relocating and downsizing a bit. LOVE your craft-room-in-a-suitcase and your other ideas for creative living in a “normal-sized” space that most of us have. Thanks!
Hi Brenda, you are incredibly organized. Please tell me the doctor has you on a non steriodial anti inflammatory medication to help with tendonitis. I blogged so little in December because I have been having terrible pain in my finger joints which makes typing difficult. I just saw that you featured my suitcases at your party. Thank you so much. I tweaked nothing this week. I gardened so much I am in even more pain. hugs, olive
Yes, they prescribed steroids and anti inflammatory medication. Yesterday I felt pretty good. Today I’m limping pretty bad. I don’t get it. I just hope there’s an end to this some day.
Brenda
Gosh, Brenda, I wish I was 1/10th as organized as you are! Everything has a place and everything in its place. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to keep things under control around here. Hope you get the ankle injury sorted out soon. Take care ! Tammy
While your ankle may be messed up, your mind is sharp as ever. Your crafting area is great-times-two because it is a pleasure to look at as well as organized.
Great spot to be creative! I love your suitcase option for organization…great!!! Hope you get all better real soon!!!
Really like the way you have organized everything!! What do you use the peat pots for? Just curious. Your hoops are looking good.
It seems like anything broken on your body, where there are little bones, just takes a long time to heal. I hope the new therapy helps.
I’ll use the peat pots for some sort of mixed media art I think. Not sure yet.
Brenda
What a pretty little area. I love the big jar of buttons and the vintage suitcase. I hope you feel better soon. x
You have come up with a great solution for all your crafting items. I don’t have that much room for my crafting things either. I’m working on getting more storage carts and some better lighting. Love you craft items in a suitcase idea! I have had ankle issues in the past as well and I know how frustrating it can be when you don’t see any improvement. Hope this new diagnosis of your ankle pain will speed up the healing process.
Good thing you are so organized with your crafting so you don’t have to keep wandering all over the house to find stuff you need! Also good to hear that you finally have a diagnosis for your foot/ankle problem. Hopefully, this new dr. can figure out what will finally help you. I can only imagine how weary you are of having this problem.
So weary…
Brenda
Yeah! Finally some clues. I mean, how long does it take for them to know that something was not working? It might have been shorter if you’d just gone to medical school to figure it out for yourself! And you probably would have put your finger on it just as you figured out how to fashion a craft nest for yourself. You are one of the best problem solvers ever, Brenda. Now you have some real help in solving this medical mystery. I hope.
So sorry your ankle continues to be a problem, Brenda. I pray you find a solution soon and are able to more mobile.
I love, love the suitcase idea and may have to use it for my scrapbooking supplies. I really like what I use now, which is just several plastic storage units with drawers that are small enough to carry around as needed, but I think the suitcase would be even more convenient. Now, if only I could find time and energy to get caught up on my scrapbooks. I’ve never been a year behind, but I am now.
Hi Brenda!!I am so happy to hear someone is finally gonna do something for you and your ankle..ABOUT TIME!!! I hope it heals faster now so you can finally be free of the pain…can’t be much fun for you..if it was me I’d of given up by now…I love your little craft area and how dang organized you are..makes me jealous…wish I could be that way!! Praying for your ankle to be healed and soon!! Keep up your good spirits!! one day it will all be just a distant memory..Love ya!! Carol
I think that your cozy little craftng space looks great! I have only a small space for my crafting and painting as well, but I seem to end up stringing it out all over the house anyway. I am glad you are set up to go to an ankle specialist. Don’t you just love to spend the time and money to go to a doctor for info,diagnosis, and treatment and then have to come home and google the problem to understand what is going on. I hope your ankle will be better soon.
Good to know that they have identified the problem with the tendon and that maybe, just maybe healing is on the way!
What a fun, organized space to create! I’m so sorry your ankle is still giving you fits. I’m one year past my ankle surgery and it is finally feeling almost normal. Don’t get discouraged and keep up the PT!
I am glad that they are figuring out the ankle situation. And then OH how organized and pretty this all looks. And that button jar! Love it! I used to play with an aunt’s button jar when I was a little girl ….
I’ve been gone for some time doing things needed. Love what you did with the table close to your needed items. Sorry to hear of the extended problems. Praying things will work out for you in time for spring planting.
First off, I am so sorry you continue to have so much trouble with your ankle. Something like Murphy’s Law, huh? Wish I were closer than TN. , would be so happy to help out. You are certainly a trouper. I am praying you are going to be much better at planting season. I really like how you have set up your craft area. Take care.
Not only is it convenient for you to work at, it’s a beautiful space to work in. I noticed your jar of buttons immediately they are lovely in the clear glass jar. Good luck with your therapy.
What a cozy craft corner… cute and useful too! Hope you have some good news about your ankle.
I love your craft supply suitcase. What an awesome idea. Loved the photos of the buttons also. My mother was a seamstress and I used to spend hours playing in the buttons that she kept in a fruitcake can. When she passed away that can is what I asked for.