shutter love

Thursday, August 30, 2007

I can honestly say, there hasn't been much knitting since school started. However, what there has been is a lot of organizing and a little bit of sewing. This is Libby's desk that was purchased for $12 at a favorite spot of mine. I love giving old things a new life. With a fresh coat of white paint and new pulls, it was good to go. We did find however that the top is a bit small, only 17 inches. Therefore, we needed a solution to where all of her necessities would live. Purchased the shutters at the same place for $1 each. My husband then attached a few pieces of lumber, with elbows for the shelves. He then secured it to the desk. I staple gunned a piece of fabric to the back (behind the two shelves) and then made our own version of the wall organizer from Lotta jansdotter's simple sewing book.

This really is just perfect for Libby's work area. It houses all of her paper, pens and pencils and other "stuff". I only wish I had one. Ever since Libby was in kindergarten, she has laid her outfit out for the next day, the moment she gets home from school. Always on the floor, for us to walk around. This shutter was purchased at the same place for $3. We secured it to the wall, hammered a nail for her to hang her top, and one for her to hang her bottom. Ahh, love, love, love! Oh, and that cute little top? Yes, finally got around to making a shirred top for Libby using fabric from the fabric shack and Erin's tutorial. Let me tell you, Erin made it so easy! She practically held my hand during the whole thing! Thanks, Erin.

And what mother doesn't like to see her little girl headed to school wearing her new top, carrying her messenger bag?

You Might Also Like

50 comments

  1. you are so darn crafty, you make my heart ache! your children will have such lovely memories of their mother, working away on some knitted or sewn or staple-gunned item for them. everything you do is gorgeous, leslie. and no doubt, if you want a work area like libby's, you'll be posting a finished duplicate sometime in the next year...

    ReplyDelete
  2. um, and hell-o... does your daughter have MY kate spade agenda?? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, you are so resourceful! I love the desk!
    Libby looks so cute in her new top too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh the shutter! What a fab idea! And the top is too cute on her.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8/30/2007

    That desk space is just the cutest ever. I love the way you used the shutters too. Libby is one lucky little girl! I also think it's adorable that she lays her outfit out the night before. Too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You have 3 kids! How do you do this??? You are such a great mom. What a great work area!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this -- she's a lucky girl!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a cute desk! You are so talented. Everytime I have attempted something like that it turned out a disaster! But I will be trying it again this weekend - thanks for the inspiration!

    Out of curiosity, what kind of paint did you use? I am redoing my childhood desk this weekend and am not sure what type of paint I need for a desk.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Libby has the most amazing sense of personal style....the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Libby must be very happy with her shiny new desk and clothes display. What a great idea that is! And I love the messenger bag.

    ReplyDelete
  11. HA! I promise sheepish one that Agenda is from Walmart! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. How beautifully done and so terrifically creative!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Leslie, you never cease to amaze me...I love the last shot of Libby heading off to school, you really captured that feeling of wearing a favorite new outfit and getting ready to leave for school when the mornings are just starting to get a little crisp, just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is one great workspace! Lucky little girl.

    (love the top, too.)

    ReplyDelete
  15. um, then maybe i should be shopping at wal-mart, too! that agenda's like a fraternal twin!! i even double-clicked your photo for the close up, and all the card slots and pen holder look exactly like mine!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Really cool storage solution! That is a great, great desk. I also love the "shutter clothes rack"--and the top, and the bag...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous8/30/2007

    LOVE IT! LOVE IT! Indeed, she is one lucky girl to have such a creative minded mom!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice work with the desk! And Libby looks so cute headed to school!! The bag is great!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous8/30/2007

    so glad you used the tutorial....that top is so cute. when i saw it on flickr, i though, wonder where she got that...jane would like that one. now i know there is a snowball's chance in hell that if i made her one with that fabric that she would actually wear it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. SO clever... I seem to remeber that you have a special area for getting ready at, right? Very chic and grown up...

    We have this store in Phoenix called Last Chance. It sells off all of Nordstroms returns. Last year my 3-year-old got a Kate Spade planner for 2.97... I had to chuckle at the commentary. My kid actually does have a KS planner...

    ReplyDelete
  21. You have such beautiful style. Everything you do is very clean, simple, yet elegant and sophisticated. Even your daughter's shirred top . . . heck, make one for me and I'd wear it!! Will you adopt me?? ;P

    ReplyDelete
  22. What can i say ? Cool.

    Pls dont let Jayne see Libby's sweet bedroom display.....shh

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous8/30/2007

    Everything's adorable! My daughter's desk look very similar. We should make the shelving unit to attach. That would help a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous8/31/2007

    Libby looks fantastic! You're a good mama. x

    ReplyDelete
  25. The desk is pretty, and the top is beautiful. Great colours!

    ReplyDelete
  26. oh, I love the desk and the shelving. and the pocket hanger thingy. It all looks so beautiful. and your daughter looks great all ready for school.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous8/31/2007

    What an excellent desk to inspire study and creativity. And I love that action shot of the messenger bag :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous8/31/2007

    I just love your little girl's stylish ways! Cute.cute.cute!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous8/31/2007

    That is so awesome! Don't you LOVE finding furniture so cheap, and making it your own? That's the way we do most things around here too! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful projects!

    ReplyDelete
  30. That messenger bag is so darn freakin cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. So organized! I love the wall pocket, the fabrics are so great. That messenger bag is perfect, she must love it. (If not, please let me know : )

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great desk, Les. I'm sure Libby loves it. You are going to have to tell me how to get to Construction Junction. I've heard so much about it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous9/01/2007

    So great! What lucky kids!

    ReplyDelete
  34. My goodness she better be feel'n the love!
    Can I be your little girl? Your creations are simply fresh and exciting - She is set!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous9/01/2007

    I love everything about this post! I love LOVE the desk (and I want one too!), I love that she lays her clothes out the minute she gets home too! So cute.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love that messenger bag - wish I were that age again! Such great pictures and shutter ideas :)
    Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  37. you have amazing taste, and skill, and vision and, just wow.

    ReplyDelete
  38. What an amazing job! I am sure many hours will be enjoyed sitting at that desk.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Also, I can't tell you how cute it is that she sets out her clothes. And, it goes without saying that you always impress me with your sewing projects!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous9/03/2007

    You're so talented, it's really awesome - and your photos are always a feast for the eyes! The desk is absolutely amazing, and I so love Libby in her new top, she looks so adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  41. wow... what a great bag.... you must be so proud that she is using it....
    luv Abby

    ReplyDelete
  42. You and your Hubby are very crafty! Love the messenger bag - I can't seem to get my boys to carry or wear any knitting!

    ReplyDelete
  43. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  44. oh I love what you've done with the old shutters! I have a couple on my wall in my living room and have a few more that I don't know what to do with. Your ideas are wonderful!

    Love that little outfit! That Messenger Bag is so cute! Didn't that have a guitar in the book pattern? Your flowers are much more attractive to me - now I'm going to have to pull out that book and reconsider do it!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh this is all just gorgeous. How amazing she lays her clothes out - bodes well for the future! I love the colour orange and that top is just perfect. The bag - what can I say....... fantastic! Such a yummy post - thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  46. who needs knitting when you can pull off such a genious home decor project like that????? it is really stunning! and libby now has the coolest setup for wardrobe planning! (when i was in school i kept track of what outfits i wore so as not to repeat the same one too often!)

    ReplyDelete
  47. I don't know which I love more...the adorable desk and shelving unit or that outfit complete with knitted messenger bag?! So sweet. Your daughter has the perfect childhood happening in your life and home. So happy for all of you...enjoy the new school year. =)

    ReplyDelete
  48. WoW! I'm impressed with your handy work, what a beautiful job on the desk.

    ReplyDelete
  49. The desk looks so pretty! I wish I'd something so pretty like that!

    ReplyDelete