Monday, December 1, 2008

Let's Get This Party Started



The wrapping party, that is. I've got my wrapping/craft room all set up and ready to show off. Here's the deal. I've always wanted a "wrapping room". You see them in magazines and showhomes and they are so amazing. I love to wrap gifts. I love even more the idea of having everything organized and in one place. The problem is...who has the space (or time) to get something like this together?
Since we moved into our house last summer the unfinished part of the basement has been a disaster. Crap everywhere with no end in sight. I finally decided that if I was going to wade through the mess and get organized I'd have to have a pay off in the end. I'm all about the "what's in it for me?". So, I promised myself that after getting the area organized I'd make it into a fun room for ME. I allowed Dr. Daddy to know that once the room was cleaned up he had no claims to it. (it would be just like him to walk in, see the room totally cleaned and organized by MOI and start in on how happy he was to have a clean space for all his "collectibles" (read: old Playboys, record albums, random crap, etc.))
It took an entire day to get the mess cleaned up. I was lucky that there were already shelves and cabinets built and a peg board on the wall. All I needed were some hooks and dowels from Home Depot, some cheap shelves from Michael's and voila! Wrapping room. I put a cork contact paper on top of the cabinet. This allows me to use my hole punch and eyelet setter without worrying about destroying the cabinet. (which is kind of a joke since it's all beat up anyway) I took the shelves from Michael's, drilled holes in the sides, inserted a wooden dowel, and had ready made ribbon holders. My bows and ribbon and tape, etc. are organized in glass jars from Wal-Mart. The whole deal cost about $50. Not bad!
I eventually would love to paint this room the same color as the finished part of the basement and refinish the cabinets but that would be about twenty other projects down the line!
As you can see from the last picture...I've got quite a bit of wrapping to do!








43 comments:

Mags said...

WOW...that's impressive!!!

Well I Do Declare said...

It looks amazing! I am so jealous!!!

Erica said...

Gorgeous! I'd love something like that someday. The ribbon is a great idea to keep it manageable! Thanks for the inspiration.

justme said...

gorgeous
i am jealous

Sandra said...

That is such a wonderful room! I have kind of converted my den to a craft room, office, sewing room. But yours puts it to shame! I love it!! I also love wrapping presents. Have you ever bought any of the Whitney English wrapping paper? Love it! Be sure to post pics of your handiwork after you finish wrapping :)

Paula@SweetPea said...

I love it! Your hard work really paid off. I'll bet you can't wait to get down there and start wrapping.

linda said...

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Anonymous said...

That is amazing, I am so jealous! Someday, when we own a house, I would love to do the same. There's nothing like a well-wrapped present!

ms. mindless said...

amazing!

Olivia: (mostly) Happy Homemaker said...

Oh, a wrapping room is my dream, too! It's the little things... Looks great!

When can I come over and wrap??

Betsey said...

You are my hero. Seriously.

News Readin' Wife said...

Excellent.

Do you charge by the box size? Is there a Friends & Family discount I might be eligible for...?

All kidding aside - wonderful and inspiring. It must make wrapping a pleasant experience!

Heaven In A Paper Cup said...

I am SO JEALOUS!!! We just bought a new home in May and I always said I'd have a crafting room of some sort. A place with room for jewelry making, knitting supplies, sewing, and wrapping. *sigh* Even with a big new space, there just room. I will live vicariously through yours!

fluffymuffy said...

Oh my the green eyed monster is alive and well in Texas. That looks so good. I am now going to see if I can create a mini one in the present closet. You are so clever.

Piper Jacquelyn said...

That looks amazing! Just like a wrapping area in a dept. store (but with cuter paper!).

Unknown said...

those pictures make me smile! i love it!

Sassy Engineer said...

I love the wrapping room! I wish I had one :)

Southern Cupcake said...

That is amazing and very impressive!

JMW said...

This may just motivate me to do something with a room in my basement. Great idea!

Christi said...

i'm officially jealous. that room is a dream land!

Preppy Engineer said...

Love it! I may need to carve a piece of my basement for a wrapping room.

Preppy Napkin said...

This is so you! I am quite envious. Now you need to come over and look through my Caspari catalog at all of their beautiful wrapping paper and add to your collection!

k e r r y said...

love it... I wrap on our dining room table and that bums me out!

teresa-bug said...

You are so lucky!!!

Hokie Girl said...

I'm in awe! It's absolutely beautiful! I'm so OCD about stuff that this is right up my alley! Good luck! LOVE that keychain/ball charm in the last photo!!! Colors are meant for me!

The 5 Bickies said...

Wow...that is incredible. You did such a great job!

I have to ask, where did you get the red houndstooth and the bottom striped papers - they are great!

Anonymous said...

wow
that looks lovely what a great idea. The idea of a wrapping room reminds me of candy spelling, but i like your version

Leslie said...

Awesome!! I would love to have a room like that!! You are going to have the best wrapped presents this year!!!

Gabi said...

I am SO jealous - and SO doing this in my studio/craft room. Love it. Simply Love it!

Anonymous said...

All you party ideas are fabulous!
Do you have any New Year's Party ideas to share?

Lauren @ Adventures of a Southern Newlywed said...

I love your new wrapping room! It will be so much easier to wrap your gifts when you have a workspace with everything out all the time.

Have fun at your party this weekend!

3 Peanuts said...

Love this! It looks great and you did it for such a good price! SO SO SO sorry about the tree. Ours fell over a few years ago and some of my most treasured ornaments broke. I still get sad about it. I look every year on e-bay to try to hunt on down.
What is mice covered pizza?
Kim

Mad About Plaid Girl said...

Love it..and all Martha Stewart-y. HAVE FUN WITH IT! Just makes you want to buy something so you can wrap it!

BEST OF THE NEST said...

Wish I could put you on my Christmas list to come and "pimp my garage" into a wrapping room- LOVE that -

Amy Marie said...

Great job! Of course we are all so envious! I hope to do the same thing in my house someday. For now, it's all in a dresser and closet in a spare room!

Mrs. Limestone said...

Oh.my.god! A wrapping room is waiting for me in my version of heaven. I am green with envy.

Lori said...

Your craft room is awesome and that you completely did it yourself is the best, how rewarding! It looks great, enjoy it!!

Andy said...

YES! You have inspired me. I'm going to get a peg board TODAY!

Unknown said...

Wow - your creativity is evident in making this pace fabulous. I'm envious. THe only space in our abode that I could "take over" if my hubby's work bench in the garage. Hmmm. . . not sure he'd go for that. I love what you've done. Have fun with the wrapping!

dmmlandcruiser said...

Amazing! Can you wrap my stuff too?

Snappy Casual Snippets said...

Love it. I would die to have a space like that too. The retail store I worked at for years was known for gift wrapping and I loved having everything right at your fingertips and organized.

Love Being A Nonny said...

I am inspired. This is my January project. I will post it on my blog!

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Fabulous!!