Channelling My Inner Jane

I just got back from a fabulous trip to California and I was able to spend a little bit of time with my very gracious and hospitable mother in law.  I didn't realize how much she was rubbing off on me until I got home and realized how much I wanted my home to be like hers.  If there is a mess, she cleans it. Dishes are not just left in the sink, she does them as she goes. (what a concept! ;-)

The list continues, but as I completely ignored my house for the first 24 hours post trip, including laundry, I finally snapped and had this intense compulsion to get my home put in order and keep it that way.  So after dinner I started cleaning and cleaning. The kitchen, check.  the whole downstairs, check, the backyard (we had a hot spell so we left towels, life jackets, and debris everywhere, not to mention cleaning out the swimming pool), check. 10:00 pm - pulling the cars out of the garage and sweeping/cleaning out my car, check. The next day I attacked the laundry and the upstairs and didn't stop until I had to go to work. I even made and awesome meal for lunch and left not a dish in the sink.

I am at war with dirt and stickiness, and while I am cleaning, I just keep telling myself, "I am channeling my inner Jane" (some crafty people channel their inner Martha). I am trying to think like her and actually see the hot spots for clutter in my home rather than just having the clutter be part of the decor.  So here is my homage to my lovely mother in law, and to the continuous battle to discover my inner Jane!

Craft Spot coming into reality!

 

 Before.... 

Midpoint.  (Sorry, I was just so proud I did this much all by myself :-)

 

And the After!   Ta-Da!  Still a work in progress, but all the craft stuff is tucked away nicely.  

Earring Frame

I saw someone else do this and new I had to do it ASAP!  I love getting my jewelery out of the box!

Someone with a lot more jewelry would probably need a bigger frame.  ;-)

Spring Wreath

I know, I am a little wreath crazy, but that is mainly because I never thought I could do it.  Here is my new Spring Wreath taken from one of my previous inspirations.

Decision Finally Made

Remember my inspiration curtains I have been crushing on HERE?  Well I finally found some that come close.

And for a girl who has been living in a brown/black home for the last year and a half, devoid of all things color, it took me a few days to get use to having this bright color in my home, but now I love them.  This is such a happy blue to me (that you might have noticed I am a little obsessed about). And I love finally having some color.

Spring Front Door Decor

http://blueskyconfections.blogspot.com/2011/03/front-door-decor.html

Nice change from a wreath.  Also the welcome sign is just 3 pieces of cardstock!

Valentine Cards 2011

Big achievement for Miss Non-Scrapbooker here.   I even used double sided tape for the first time.  (ridiculous, I know.  please suppress your giggles ;-)  There is a pocket inside that fit FunDips.  Here is to learning new things, slowly but surely.
HUGE thanks to http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/02/matchbook-valentines.html
And also a big thanks to my sweetheart who knows photoshop.  (Add that to my very long to-learn list)