Tuesday, February 7, 2012

WOYWW 140: a bit of cleanup

Julia, our blog hopping desk Queen at Stamping Ground had a record number of blog links last week. We had lots of trouble getting to everyone, and sadly, I was unable to get around to all, although I tried to visit most of you.


As regular readers of my blog know, I am a neat freak. I clean up as soon as I've finished using a tool or product. But that really ugly plastic cover I have on my table (yes, I stand to make my paper art) made my art room look bad and made me want to turn away in disgust. Even WOYWWendy is ashamed.


Months ago I bought a replacement shower curtain liner to go onto the table, but for various reasons, most of which involved time, I never got around to changing the cover.


But earlier today, I decided it was time, especially since people would be dropping by for my altered book class. After all, the other one made me want to vomit! It will now go to the basement studio where I can fold it and use an area that is still white.


Now I must clean the rest of the room.


After attempting to clean my craft mat, with little success, I laid out what I know most of you came to see, this time a ceramic hanging rocking horse I got years ago at a Renaissance Faire.

Now let's head to Julia's for lots of links to others' desks.

58 thoughtful remarks:

sandysewin said...

What a fantastic idea, shower curtain liners as drop cloths!

Happy woyww,

Sandy #23

voodoo vixen said...

See... you always surprise me at how simply you come up with both a practical and economical way of doing something... I would not have thought to look at shower curtains but it works a treat!!
LOL... at the jigsaw puzzle... it is way overdue but i need to make a couple of other bits for you before it goes in the mail... so it will be late swap, late Christmas and early birthday all in one and I can save on postage!! ;)

RosA said...

That's a nice tidy work area you have. Could you please send me some "neat freak potion"?
(Thinking about your AB project too.)
RosA #24

Dianne said...

a creative solution from an organized gal! terrific idea to use a shower curtain--heavier than a disposable plastic tablecloth. I have been known to rip up a piece of the paper under my workspace and use it in a collage! always fun to see your rocking horses too!

Stephanie said...

I am SO not a neat freak, but I always have good intentions!

Belinda Basson said...

It seems we are doing clean ups the world over...even me here in Sunny South Africa! Looking forward to that book challenge.

peggy aplSEEDS said...

wow, everything is spic and span, all ready for the altered book class! i blame my messiness on lack of space. i need a basement studio! happy WOYWW, and thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!
hugs,
peggy aplSEEDS

jude said...

What a fab idea for table cover especially when getting inky.I havent had time to play still looking for the ideal book.But im reading all the postings on here.Must say a big thankyou for the lovely piccys and deets.Youve taken time out to show us creative peeps!Have fab wednesday and creative week hugs judex 4

Gaby Bee said...

Clever idea to use a shower curtain to cover the table...you are so organized!
Love your rocking horse hanging:)

Have a wonderful week my friend!
Gaby

Sunshine Girl said...

Looks fine to me both before and after! but then I dont mind a little mess - sorry I didnt comment on your blog last time I joined in with WOYWW I did visit but blogger wouldnt let me comment for some reason - I havent joined in again this week either as I have too much running around to do and no time to craft or visit everyone :( - still glad to see you are well - love the rocking horse and good luck with the altered book class - will try and pop back and take a look at that - desperately need some inspiration as my mojo has taken a long walk off a short cliff! Have a great week.

scrappymo! said...

Well, that's an inviting table...ready to welcome you to play now!

Tuire Flemming said...

I am a little jealous of all that working space that you have :)
Have a happy week!
Tuire #48

Helen said...

Great trick with the shower curtain. Have found a book I think will do, so I am primed and ready for you!!

Annie said...

Have fun with the altered book class. It seems like you have lots joining in.
Hugs,
A x

l00pyscraftcreations said...

haha my Rottwieller would run off with it if I put anything plastic on my work surface, we have to keep the shower door shut so he cant get the curtain, but he manages to get over the top of the door, and make a right mess shredding it, lol
do you really need all those rocking horses? I only ask as they are sooooooooooo lovely, and I could always home them for you, xx
Love the creative space hun,
Happy WOYWW hun, xx

Lou #7

donnalouiserodgers said...

I find hot water and a brillo pad brings up messy mats like new...takes the skin off one's hand too...

I can't believe it actually made you vomit?

When I get a weekend at home I'm coming over to properly catch up, I miss the inspiration I get from looking at your blog entries..

dxxx

Neil said...

Hi there, Can't believe it's Wednesday again already! Thanks for letting me in to peek and I hope the rest of the week is a blessed and creative one for you!
Neil #45 (ish)

VonnyK said...

You are clever to use a shower curtain. My floor tiles are no longer white, they are covered in paint and anything else that drops. Maybe I should get a shower curtain for the floor.

Don't know how you stay so neat, I clean up a bit before I take a photo so no one sees the mess I make. Right now you can't get into the room as the mess is everywhere (photo was taken earlier).

Have a great week.
Von #27 :)

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Brilliant solution to the problem! That shower curtain is cheap, easy to clean and easily replacable :) I don't possess the wherewithal to join in your altered book tutorial but I know Julia's looking forward to it!! Hope it all goes really well,
Hugs, LLJ #58 xx

Ann B said...

The shower curtain is a very clever idea and at the end of it you can always hang it in the shower like a real work of art - would make shower-time interesting, if a little messy.
I checked the book I had ready for your class and yippee - it is stitched so I'm ready, and raring to go.
Ann B
#51

sandra de said...

I can't believe you feel you need a new shower curtain for our class.... that is so sweet. I am sure you are going to use the old one for an art project. Love the rocking horse.

Bridget Larsen said...

I dont think I could keep my space so clean as yours, good on you
Bridget #53

Sue said...

Hi hun
now that table shows how busy you have been, aww nice of you to give your pupils a nice clean one, cute rocking horse, Thanks for the mooch, happy WOYWW, sue,x (56)

Julia Dunnit said...

It doesn't look ceramic - I thought it was a coin!!
The shower curtain made me smile - such a great idea and how funny that you suddenly notice it...I haven't, on all of my visits, ever noticed it before!! Now it's mighty bright and white, I probably will!!

Sarn said...

Great post. Hope you have a class full of fun.

Happy WOYWW.
Hugs, Sandra Take a peek at MY DESK here

Karen said...

A clever idea to use the shower curtain to cover your desk? I love the ceramic rocking horse, its so cute :) I hope you enjoy your class.

Have a great WOYWW and a fab week, Karen #92

May said...

Great idea with the shower curtain, Soooo looking foward to our altered book class (yipee) cute little rocking horse, I am still in shock for being the first on WOYWW this week, whoop whoop, Have a fun week, Hugs May x x x

Jacqui Chimes said...

Shower curtain - great idea and looking forward to altered book tutorials

Sarah said...

We love you for your creative passion - and not your stains... but it still looks very fresh and ready to go! Great idea...Thanks for letting us look in and peek at your desk... Sarah at 7

Darla said...

I didn't mind the messy version - it just looked ready to go to me. Of course the newly cleaned version is great too. I have a small space for creativity so I pretty much clean as I go.

I am still book hunting in prep for the class.

Darla

Halle said...

A shower curtain liner is a great idea for a sturdy table cloth!
Missed tea again yesterday. :(

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...that is a very busy desk...lots of good stuff going on...have a fab week...Mel :) #64

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fab idea with the shower curtain - I'm a neat person too, always tidying up.Thanks for sharing & enjoy this WOYWW, I'm off to be nosey, & peek at some more desks! Zo x 85

KatzElbows said...

I'm not a neat person, but I still love the shower curtain tip. Genius! Now, do I have to be tidy to take the book class? Because that might not work out for me!

Anonymous said...

Heh, heh, that's too funny, thinking of you working at your table and trying no to vomit, lol!!! Great idea to use the shower curtain liner though.

Hugs
Brenda

Terrie said...

I also stand to paint or paper craft or whatever - I just feel better when I can move around and get what I need easily. Plus I guess I just think better on my feet. I never thought of using a shower curtain to protect my desk but I think I actually have one in the bottom of a closet somewhere that will now adorn my desk.....soon, I promise! :-) Thanks for sharing & good luck on your class...wish I could take it.

SueH said...

Thanks for the peak of your desk on this WOYWW.
I wonder how long it will take you to get the shower curtain in the same stat as the old one? Doesn’t look all pristine and lovely though!

Happy Crafting!
Sue
x

Angie said...

Thanks for the tip about a shower curtain ...never crossed my mind!! I adore that Rocking horse. xx

Elizabeth said...

Hi Elizabeth - your new shower curtain looks absolutely fab on your desk, though I don't imagine it will take very long to get as bad as the old one :) Many thanks for your much appreciated earlier visit. I hope you are having a great day. Elizabeth x #2

505whimsygirl said...

Who would have thought to use a shower curtain liner for a craft work surface! Very clever, indeed!!! You are right, it does make the room sparkle! Of course, if you pop over to my place you'll see that I'm of the mindset that I leave things out......

Happy WOYWW
Kay
#129

Sherry said...

I bet you feel much better for than Elizabeth. I'm a neat freak too - I just can't work in a mess. I always use large sheets of paper on my desk and just throw them out when I can't use them any longer.

Thanks for already stopping by my desk this week :)

Sherry (8)

Danielle said...

Love the shower liner idea...and it is fairly inexpensive to boot. dani13

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

What a good idea for a giant messy mat! Lovely little rocking horse this week :o)
Fiona xx #168

fairy thoughts said...

that is a great idea with the shower curtain, all lovely, clean and fresh.
janet #167

Lisa said...

Would never have thought to use shower curtains. I suppose dollar store table cloths would work just as well.

HeARTworks said...

Ugly plastic cover or not, you are still one of my favorite people to visit! Patsy

Samantha said...

Love the new cloth, a shower liner is genius! Happy Woyww.

Ohhh Snap said...

Great solution and Wendy looks quite house proud :D. I do believe I've found my book for altering. #80

Marlynn said...

Loved it and was LOL..... Love the new shower curtain! Hugs

Kate said...

If you are that desperate to clean my door is always open!!

** Kate **

Anonymous said...

I loved your old shower curtain, the marks of much happy art making, that's why I use paper, then I tear it up and use it in other things, but this certainly looks neat! xox Corrine

Katie said...

Shower curtain liners as table covers is such a great idea!!

Happy WOYWW (on Thursday!)
Katie #18

Peggy Cain said...

Happy WOYWW! Enjoyed my visit.

Neet said...

That's a great idea to use a shower curtain and that way you get a large size to use.
Love the rocking horse, always do love whichever ones you show but I am missing a photo of Bleubeard as it is ages since I saw him.
Thanks so much for sharing - Hugs, Neet 195 (very late this week)xx

Anonymous said...

Isn't it nice to make a quick change like that that you've been contemplating? It does look much nicer!

Lou said...

I didn’t make it, to everyone’s crafty space on Wednesday so doing a last sweep of the desks i haven't managed to visit, tonight (wide awake with pain so might as well make use of the time)
Hope you have a great week x Lou x @#103

okienurse said...

Sorry I am so late getting around but it was such a busy week in my life!
Just a reminder about the blog candy...I have had such a favorable response that I have decided to increase the number of possible winners of prizes! Everyone is eligible cause I will ship overseas too! Vickie #50

Julie said...

Great use for a shower curtain, will remember that one. xxx