I'm out in the garage . . .

Joining in the party at My Desert Cottage is probably a bit presumptuous of me.

I know that I will see amazing studios and workspaces from all over the world.

I decided to join the party for two reasons.

First, by joining the party, I was forced to get my creative space clean and organized.

I moved things into the garage in April, but things were stored willy nilly all over the place,

Second, I am sure there are a lot of other bloggers like me who do not have fantastic, dedicated places for their creativity.

I thought by showing my humble workspace, others might say, "well, I could do that!"

I create in the garage - a little 1 car garage.

And, I share the garage with:

1 car

1 motorcycle

3 bicycles

4 surfboards

a washer and dryer . . .

Don't pity me.

I knew what I was getting into when we downsized to our little beach cottage.

I left behind a dedicated sewing/craft room, but I gained morning walks and neighborly sunsets on the beach.

I spent all week getting this space neat and organized.

The workbench was there when we moved in although it did not look like it had been used in years and I changed the knobs to make it more fun.

I would like to paint the workbench white, actually the entire garage white, but there are far more pressing projects so it won't be happening soon.

The long divided piece hanging horizontally is an old CD cabinet turned sideways - remember when we had CDs instead of music on the cloud and our iPods?

I hung it - all by myself - and have it filled with miscellaneous supplies.

The lower portion of the workbench had doors which Steve accidentally knocked off when he was putting his car in the garage.

I like that I can see the baskets so I left the doors off, but I kept them to maybe use to paint some fun signs.

I hung chain across the top of the space and have a variety of supplies hanging in view - I sent Steve to the hardware store to buy S hooks - 3 different times this week.

I must have 300 tags - I would buy tags because I couldn't remember where I put them. 

Now it is easy to see what I have and just climb my little step ladder to grab what I need.

I stand at the workbench to sew because it is easier on my back.

When we moved the washer and dryer to the garage, we had to remove the doors to one of the cabinets so I made the white curtains to hide paint and cleaning supplies.

To gain workspace, all I have to do is open 2 of the drawers and set a piece of masonite on top to create a desk.

If the car is inside the garage, I work on top of the dryer.

This week I took the time to get all like items together - I must have had 5 different containers of brads - and label them correctly.

The area above the washer and dryer is UGLY because of pipes and wires.

There is really no place to attach a curtain to cover things up because the garage is built of cinderblock.

 I stretched chicken wire across the shelf and hung odd bits on it.

To cover up the pipes I have an old plate rack hung with all sorts of supplies - ribbon, decorative tape, metal bits and pieces . . .

The other side of the garage has wooden bookcases and metal shelving which are shared with laundry detergent, bleach, beach chairs, coolers, you name it . . .

I spent much of yesterday labeling almost every container on this side of the garage - if it is there, I should be able to find it easily.

I love color and I like to see what I have on hand.

Although the space looks "busy" it stimulates my creativity.

And, it is fun when the garage door is open - neighbors stop in as they walk to and from the beach to check my progress on projects.

I will leave you with one last photo showing 2 of the surfboards overhead.

The striped rug in front of the washer and dryer might not look special, but it is to me.

One weekend, I was staying with my mother while my sister took my niece away to college.

My mother and I went shopping early in the day on Saturday and I bought the rug and matching place mats - odd combination!

Little did I know that it would be the last thing I ever did with my mother.

She passed away that week and although the rug is now too ratty for the house, it is perfect in my creative space.

I inherited my creativity from my grandmother and my mother.

 In her later years, my mother's hands would not cooperate when she tried to do crafts, but she loved to watch me create.

I know she is there with me in my space when I make books or sew or paint.

Now that my space is organized, I can finish up 2 books I started last week and work on the some wire projects for the Christmas in July party.

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In addition to My Desert Cottage, you can find me at

I Heart Organizing - Monthly Challenge Link Up

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative Friday

Common Ground - Be Inspired

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

Sunny Simple Life - From the Farm Blog Hop

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday