Hey friends! Have you made a new year’s resolution? Does it involve getting organized? Is it time to clean up your act? I promise myself each new year to get more organized but it never really happens for very long. Some blogger friends and I have gotten our heads together to issue a challenge. Not just for ourselves, but for YOU as well. It’s a new year and we’re hoping that you will be inspired to clean up one of your creative spaces. Which will you choose? An office, a craft room, or perhaps like me your DIY shop is in need of some organization. Get ready, because I’m about to show you the ugly truth about one of my creative spaces.
Overwhelmed by an organization challenge?
I put this basement shop together several years ago. I use it in the dead of Winter and in the dog days of Summer when the extreme weather prevents me from working in the garage shop. While searching for details on this shop I see that I did my last project here in July 2015—Porch Sign.
After I got Lulu Mae I didn’t work in the basement because she was too small and young. This past Fall while I’ve been working on the laundry space she has become accustomed to following me down there. In fact last week while I was doing more work in the laundry space she actually went back upstairs and hung out on her favorite spot—the back of the couch. My little girl is growing up!
So, it’s time to get to work, tidy up this space and get busy.
Basement workshop
This work bench is huge and very heavy. It was here when we moved into the house 42 FORTY TWO years ago TODAY! Oh my! When I first organized this little shop a few years ago the bench was all the way against that back wall. I moved it out so I could paint and this is as far as I could move it.
I have plans to relocate it during this transformation. The tropical plant lives in the basement each winter because it’s too large for the house. It was a hand-me-down from a friend’s mom and I don’t have the heart to let it die off. I usually cut it way back, but this year I decided not to do that. It’s a Hibiscus. I’m not sure where it will go.
Just get started!
I have to admit it’s more than a little overwhelming to think about doing this project. As of today I have not begun. I hope to do stage one GARBAGE this week. The “entrance” to the shop is right beyond the shop light. The black plastic is to keep the saw dust contained to this space and away from the appliances ie: furnace, water heater, washer and dryer. There are two doorways both consisting of a large FLAP that overlaps the actual opening to cut down on dust. It’s a crude system but it actually works!
I first revamped the basement way back in November 2011. You can see it here Basement Before and After. Notice the work bench was NOT used for diy—only as a storage station.
Clean up your act Challenge
Pin IT!
To get a feel for how bad this space really is, check out this video on Facebook.
Now the fun part!!!
Clean Up Your Act Creative Space Reorganization Challenge
I am so happy this challenge popped up. I’ve been needing to tackle this job for a long, long time. As I said at the beginning of this post, we are challenging YOU to makeover, transform or CLEAN UP YOUR ACT in your own creative space. It could be your workshop, sewing room, craft space or even your office. Wherever you spend your time being creative. The challenge starts now and continues all month. I’ll be back each week with updates showing you my progress with the big reveal on January 30.
We all love a great reveal, but it’s nothing without that dreaded BEFORE picture. So make sure you snap a picture before you begin. Those of you who follow through and share your reveal pictures in my January 30th post will be eligible for prizes.
Rules and more
Here's how you can join in. Take a photo of a space in your home that needs to be cleaned up and reorganized and submit it to the linky party at the bottom of this post. This photo needs to be a "before" photo. Don't worry - no judging! We're all going to be keeping it real! Now go clean up your space during the month of January. Follow along as we provide weekly updates on our spaces.
Then on January 30, we will all reveal our cleaned up and organized creative spaces, and we want to see yours as well! You will have until Noon EST on February 3 to submit a photo of your cleaned up and organized space. If you have difficulty sharing your picture I’ll be happy to help. We will be choosing winners based on the Most Dramatic Change (2 winners) and the Most Creative Use of Space (2 winners) and they will win one of the following prizes:
- Kreg K4 and a Starter Screw Set
- Kreg Rip Cut
- Homeright Finish Max Super
- RYOBI Super Combo Kit
We will also have random drawing prizes that include two $50 Amazon Gift Cards, a customized hammer by My Repurposed Life, an original snarky design tee shirt by The Kim Six Fix, a handmade keyfob and bag by Create & Babble, and a printed planner from Refresh Restyle.
Be sure to check out the creative spaces my friends are tackling!
Create And Babble tackles TWO spaces
Refresh Restyle is organizing her creative space
What space will YOU transform? Be sure to upload your BEFORE picture below!
gail
EDITED TO ADD: THE WINNERS ARE
**WINNERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER AND RESIDE IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Both a "before" and "after" photo must be submitted to be entered. Decisions of the judges are final. We reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not meet the criteria. Winners must provide shipping address within 24 hours of being notified or a new winner will be chosen. We are not responsible for lost or mis-delivered prizes.
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Hi, there! Iām Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. Iām obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful againāmyself included! I hope youāll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the wayā¦ literally!
Fonda
My space to clean up is the garage, but with these low, low temperatures, I have to wait at least until March! {maybe}
Wendi Wachtel
I am so envious that you have a basement workshop! Yes, I can see where the task looks daunting, but I have so much faith in your creativity and talent that I know you'll rock this challenge and come up with some incredible projects and ideas to boot!
Carla from Kansas
Hi Gail, I got ready to "clean up my garage" at the end of summer because I could barely walk through it. I started then I said to myself, if you are doing it the way you've done it in the past how can you expect any changes"? I needed shelving to get stuff off the floor. So I stopped because really......I've ordered the shelves. It is freezing cold here right now. I mean some days start in the minus column. But I have plans. This time I'm going to see them through. Thanks for your blog. You have some great ideas.
Gail Wilson
Ohhh, I hear ya Carla! It's even cold in my basement. I keep putting off working down there until the temps are back to normal. Sub-zero is too cold for me. I can't imagine being out in the garage in this weather.
Organization is the key. If we don't try to organize properly, we'll be back in the same situation in no time. Been there done that too!
wishing you lots of luck!
gail
Cathy Barron
Hi, by looking at the other pictures I feel like I have kindred spirits here. I feel silly asking, but how do I upload my before pictures? What is the maximum number of pictures? I understand about keeping the # of pictures reasonable, but I have 2 spaces that are a horror show. I have been secretly looking for the 'kick in the butt' to get motivated, and this looks like it is here.
*Also, do we post weekly progress pictures?
Thank you for the inspiration,
Cathy (Cathy's Saucy Treasures)
Gail Wilson
Cathy,
Click the little button that says ADD YOUR LINK. It's under the pictures that others have shared. (this is on your computer-I haven't checked on my phone)
You can add more than one space. Just use the ugliest before shot you have of each CREATIVE space. Meaning a craft room, sewing room, or somewhere where you create.
Let me know if you still need help.
gail