Long overdue installation of a wall hook

After months of consideration I added a wall hook next to the terrace door. Back in November I noticed a need for a wall hook or some other way to keep the blankets and sleeping bags used when napping Likka on the terrace cradle. I just threw the sleeping bags on the floor when I took Likka inside from her nap. I did occasionally fold them but usually I did not bother.

I did consider also a basket, but that just takes too much floor space on an area which does not really have much room. I decided on a wall hook, but then I had to decide which one to get. I considered all sorts of hooks, even design ones like the Hang it all or the Muuto Dot. All those desing hooks are nice for sure, but I didn't need anything fancy and just wanted something that suits our home. 

In the toilet and bathroom we have wall hooks, which are original to the apartment (you can see two of them in this picture), those are fairly plain and common, but have prooven to be good in use and seem to be practically unbreakable. Remarkably those hooks are still in production. The size has changed a bit but the style and material is same.

So I bought one wall hook finally from a home improvement store. I screwed it on the wall, it hangs fairly high since the blankets and sleeping bags are quite long. When we do not need the hook anymore next to the terrace door I can move it to the bathroom or Likka's future room or any other place and it should suit to that place too.

Better safe than sorry

So far Likka does not move much, but suddenly one day she will somehow crawl/drag/walk to a place where she should not be allowed to go. Our neighbour mentioned about an insident where their first born had somehow managed to move herself into the kitchen and had eaten some dishwashing detergent, which is highly irritating. Their kid did not get injured, but ofcourse they had to visit the hospital because of that.

With that story in mind we moved the dishwashing detergent to a higher cabinet and now I also moved the laundry detergents higher in the cleaning cabinet. They were kept on a quite low shelf before.

There are many things in our home which we might need to move higher or reorganize as Likka grows, but now atleast these chemicals are out of reach of the little hands.

Crafts basket

Small things can make world of a difference. I started to make a crocheted basket last year, but I unraveled it because it looked horrible. Then I got a book Virkkuri (only in Finnish, so far) by Molla Mills as a Christmas present. The book has lots and lots of new ideas where and how to use tradional chrocheting techniques. The book has excellent pictures and fresh feel. 

So I got the book and there were two hints about crocheting a basket, the first was instructions on how to make a 90 degree angle turn between the base and the sides of the basket and the second was to use labels. Those two ideas made all the difference. Even though I crocheted with the same yarn and made the same size as the trial before, the basket just ended up much more modern and crisp. I love it.

Jewellery frame

My mom wanted a storage place for her jewellery as a Christmas present. She wanted something where she could see all her jewellery. She described quite well what type of of storage piece she would need and so me and my sister executed the idea. My mom even provided us some of the material. She had bought red burlap from a flea market and did not know what to do with it, once I saw the material I immediately knew how to use it.

From a trift store I bought a noticeboard. Me and my sister took apart the frames to attach the red burlap. We were thinking of painting the frames too but I did not have any good colours at home so we discarded that idea. We glued the burlap from the edges and only partly from the surface. I had also bought hooks from a home improvement store which we screwed into the board. Because the noticeboard is meant for pins the surface is quite soft and it was bit difficult to screw the hooks there straight.

(The colours on the top photo are most realistic.) Now because we glued the burlap there only partly hook earrings can be hung from the burlap. I draw images of a necklace and earrings to demonstrate how to use the jewellery frame.

Nursery in the bedroom

I was going to blog about the nursery before Likka was born, but at that time I wasn't sure if we would leave the area like that or if it would need some changes. I just wasn't sure what a nursery needs, but as it seems it does not need much. Now after few months of use I can show our nursery because I know that it's a functional one.

The so called nursery, what does that word actually even mean? Is it a room or an area? I'm unable to translate that word. When I search that word from pinterest I see lots of images of huge rooms with a crib and diaper changing table and some cute nick nack. Anyway... we are clearly not having much from that. Our nursery, if this can be called a nursery, contains of a crib and a shelf in the bedroom. 

Having the crib in the bedroom does make the room bit crowded, but that is fine. We bought an older style crib because those are smaller than the newer ones. The width and especially the lenght is shorter. I made a bumper pad for the crib before Likka was born. I'm happy I made one. Likka tends to push with her feet so that eventually she bumps her head to the head of the bed. I don't think she can harm herself even if there were no bumper bad, but I like that there is some cushion in between.

We already had a small shelf in the bedroom where we kept used but not yet dirty clothes. We emptied that shelf so we can keep Likka's clothes on that. Most of Likka's clothes are stored in the office in boxes but the ones that do fit or are just about to fit are on that shelf. The top shelf has shirts and similar and the middle shelf has pants. On the bottom shelf are some outdoors clothes, which are still too big. Inside the cabinet are the bed linen for the crib and some bigger hats and mittens.

On top of the shelf are some containers with more of Likka's clothes and other necessary items.One of the containers has socks and other has hats. One of the smaller containers is empty and the other one has Likka's hair brush and comb. Also there is a small flash light which I used to use when checking Likka's diaper at night.

I haven't really decorated the nursery area, I did buy a house shaped shelf from Luhta for some keepsakes. The pineable decorations also refer to Likka's real name, I thought those would be funny, but I don't think we will have those on the wall forever.

So that's the nursery. Small, but there is everything Likka needs.

Diaper changing area

We did not get a separate changing table for the kid to the bedroom. I assumed it would be best to change the kid's diapers in the bathroom where there is running water close by. Also our bathroom has a good amount of counter space so a free standing changing table was not needed. I just had to remove the candles from the top and some towels from the shelf to make a place for the diaper changing.

We were going to buy a changing pad and I did look for one from flea markets and charity shops, but I did not see any. I know I could buy one from a regular store, but I've never got around to that section in the supermarket. So I just folded a towel on the counter and covered it with a terrycloth that has a plastic lining. Then I added some baskets, where we now keep the diapers, spill rags, lotion and other items related to diaper changing or washing and bathing. It was surprisingly easy to create a diaper changing place. No idea yet if the items on the area are useful or not.

Conservatory reorganizing

The layout of the conservatory used to be like it was on the picture above. That picture was taken after the fall clean. It was an ok layout and we had had that for quite some time. But it made the conservatory seem really long and narrow and when I tried to get something from the back or take something there it seemed like I had more obstacles on my way than I would have liked to have. Also I wanted to have more room in front of the sliding glass doors so I would have more space for my tomatoes this year. So I did a bit of a switcheroo in the conservatory. 

I changed the angle of the shelf and moved the wooden sofa to the back wall. I think already that change made the conservatory seem bigger and wider. While I was moving stuff I cleaned everything. I took all the cardening tools from the wooden sofa where they are held and cleaned the inside of the sofa. I wiped all the shelves and the stuff on the shelf. I also vacuumed the floor. 

I also flipped the chest table around to give more space in front of the glass doors. I will go wash the carpets later, so I haven't put them back yet. I like that there is now big open space in the front and a bit shady space in the back where to lay and read books. It might not seem so from the pictures but it's now lot more easy to access the shelf. Before I had to cram myself behind the chairs and the wooden sofa, but now there is a bigger pathway to the shelf. And now I can also place the boxes and things on the sofa for a short while since it's right there. Previously I had to turn around to work between the sofa and the shelf. So far I'm really happy about this new layout.

Organizing sewing patterns

I got a bunch of sewing patterns from my grandmother. Most of the patterns and magazines are from the 80's and 90's when she used to sew a lot of clothes for me and my sister. I think she would still enjoy sewing but her eye sight is not very good anymore so unfortunately she just cannot do it anymore.

The patterns and magazines were in a paper bag, my grandmother had organized some of the patterns into envelopes but lots of the patterns were just loose and shoved into the bag. So I took everything out of the bag and started sorting the patterns. It wasn't a very easy job, I had trouble reading my grandmother's handwriting and some of the patterns had no indication what it was for. From some patterns I was not able to find all the pieces for the garment. I piled these in a separate pile and when I found another one with no pair I tried to look it from the pile.

There were lots of basic patterns for shirts and trousers for different sizes. Some pattern did not have any size written on them. Because my grandmother had used various types of pattern paper I was sometimes able to match the paper type and that way find the sets. 

I was left over with a small pile of mismatched patterns, those I threw out. I do hope none of the pattern sets I was able to collect are missing any parts. I organized the rest of the patterns into envelopes too and wrote on top of the envelope what it contains. I also draw a quick picture of the contents. Once I had done that I punched holes on the envelopes and put them in a binder.

Incoming mail slot

Besides some unfinished sewing and knitting I have been very unactive around the house. We were sledding three weekends ago and the sleds are still by the front door outside. I have a pile of Christmas CDs on the coffee table that I cannot seem to put in place. The kitchen is a constant mess and we only finally last week did the basic cleaning we are supposed to do in every two weeks, but I don't know how long it had been since we had done it last time and I don't even want to know. After removing the shelf from the entry and placing the metal cabinet there I've had the incoming mail slot cube on the floor forever. On Saturday that finally found its place.

I screwed it on the wall next to the metal cabinet. I drilled two holes on the back plate of the cube and then screwed it on the wall. I have made the incoming mail cube few years back from plywood to specifically fit the old shelf we had in the entry. The cube has a slot for A, for me, for us together and for unpaid bills. The incoming mail cube has been the best working organizing system we have in the whole apartment, especially the unpaid bills slot. We see in an instant if there is something that needs our attention. The other slots we empty once in a while. It was very important to find a place for this mail slot cube.

Paper shredding

After each New Year I go through my papers from the two years before, which this time meant papers from 2011. I usually keep all bills, tax papers, bank statements, insurance things and so on when I get them, but yearly I go through them and throw out papers that are no longer needed. I don't have a shredder so I rip the papers into smallish slices. It really does not take long and I get such a pleasure from the ripping. It's so pleasing to get rid of paper. When all are ripped I mix them up a bit before I take them to the paper recycling bin. I doubt anyone is intrested in the papers, but incase they would be I'm making it just bit more difficult for them to check out my personal papers. 

Pulling sheets

Does anyone else except Finns pull sheets? Do you even know what I'm talking about? I think originally pulling the sheets was used to fold them to a nice size so they fit well into the mangle. Many people still do pull their sheets even though they do not own a mangle, also many don't. My parents have a mangle, although my mother or father do not very actively use it. Also A's parents have one and A's mom uses it quite often. Ever since I was a kid I have learned that sheets need to be pulled before those are placed into the sheet closet. I have never questioned this method. Even if the sheets are not mangled they do straighten quite well just in the pulling and are easy to fold. Only thing is that the pulling requires two people, or one person and a tight door.

Flat sheets both single and double size and single duvet covers are folded in different ways. I think this is because of the standard width of the household mangle. But it appears that this folding method also makes the sheets handy size for the standard Finnish closet.

So what happens with the sheets is that two people take a hold of the sheet from the ends. The sheet is first folded in half lengthwise, then again half in lengthwise. The other flap is dropped down and it's retrieved to the other side. This way the sheet forms a W shape. Then the sheets ends are grabbed firmly and the sheet is pulled. I think it's fascinating how some sheets stretch a lot and some very little while pulling. After few firm pulls the sheet is folded like an accordion and now this could be easily mangled, but since again I don't have the mangle I just place the sheets into the cabinet.

The folding method for the single duvet cover is slightly different, at least we do it slightly differently. We fold it so that it form sort of a N-shape or a mirrored N-shape. And then we pull.

I'm pretty sure you think we are loonies to do this so pedantically. But this way the sheets make such a nice piles to the linen cabinet and the fact that it usually helps to have two people doing the folding makes it a much more pleasant chore. Even though I usually do need to remind A of this chore and he is not too eager to start it, it's still kind of nice that there is this one thing I cannot be single-handedly responsible of.

Decluttering containers

I was going to tell you how to bottle wine, but since I'm going to see a musical today on Thursday (when I'm writing this) I don't have the time to write that post. I want to make sure I don't forget any essential step from the bottling.

So instead I will show you the decluttering of containers I did few days back. I have a bad habit of keeping every single container and box. And the result of it was looking like this.

I'm able to throw away containers and boxes but I need to see them all before I can decide on which to keep and which to throw away. So I took all of the containers down on the floor and started categorizing. Cardboard boxes there, round containers there, really small one here and so on. I threw out lot of tiny containers and especially round ones. I prefer square ones, the round ones tend to waste more space than the square ones do.

Then I put everything back. I should have maybe decluttered more since there is really no room for anything new and things can be a bit difficult to put back. It's bit of a tight fit. But nonetheless it's progress and the laundry basket fits into it's right place on top of the cabinet.

Project bags

I made reusable vegetable bags over a year ago. But I'm afraid they did not work. The problem was that the sticker from the scale did not stick to the bag so not only once I had lost the sticker with the price of the vegetables somewhere and had to look for it or then I had to be really careful not to loose the sticker by placing the bag and the vegetables very carefully into the cart. So after I realized it was just too difficult to use the bags in grocery shopping I left them home and did not touch them in many months.

Then I was knitting few days ago and noticed that I'm using ugly plastic bags to temporarily store and move around knitting and crocheting projects. And then I remembered having those reusable bags which are see through. Just perfect. So that is how I found new use for the vegetable bags.

Decluttering hand bags

I am proud to say I have very few hand bags. Okey I know I have a few and I know some of you will think that "oh, so many, I have only one", well yes I have more than one, but according to the stereotypical image of women I should have gazillion handbags. But I have... no... I had 10 hand bags.

One of the bags is missing from the photo, because I use that one ALL the time. There was no need to declutter that, I know I love it. But in a closet between the bedroom and the office I had a box where I kept these hand bags. I lifted all the hand bags out and placed on the office floor to assess them.

There were two bags which I cannot even remember the last time I've used them. One black and brown evening bag. They were both a bit old fashioned and not really my style. Also there was one that I would call a shoulder bad that smelled funny and it was really difficult to open or close. It was made of fake leather and it had smelled funny even when I bought it.

I kept only those hand bags above plus the one I use all the time of course. The dark shoulder bag is not my favourite in style but it serves it purpose and I have used it quite a lot in situations where my regular favourite shoulder bag looks too fancy. The stripy bag has seen it's better days but it's very handy in size.

Oh and the Pupu Tupuna bag. It's a bag I got when I was a kid. Pupu Tupuna is series of Finnish children's books. I'm quite sure I got the bag with the books, it's very cheaply made and it's broken from some parts but I can't make myself part with it. So I'm keeping it. Even though I never use it.

I placed all the bags inside a cardboard box and placed that inside my clothes closet in the bedroom. It is not that I decluttered much here but I still love the feeling that I was able to find something not usefull to me anymore and get rid of those.

The office tour

Hello and welcome to the office tour! The office is finally finished, at least I'm calling it finished even though there were a few things on the to do list that I am still left to do. Hover over the next three pictures to see the before picture. (Thank you Christina for the tutorial about the animation)

I couldn't be happier about the new office space, we have so much open floor area and I have plenty of work surface for taking photos, sewing, crafting and working with the computer. I now have the table higher than it was before so I can also stand while working.

 

I'm still so in love with my wall cubbies. I placed in them stuff I use most often. One of the clear boxes holds glues and other different tools. I have my sewing toolbox on the top cubbie and there is also some yarn. On display I have my tapes, so I remember to use them.

The door side of the room has A's shelf and the guest bed that I bought and attached the Sesam wall bed mechanism to. Now it takes so little space, I love it. I am still planning to build a closet to hide the bed, but I'm not hurrying that, I will build it when I have some time and motivation for it.

I was also planning to get a new office chair for A, but we have not find any that both looked good and was functional. Many nice looking chairs lacked some ergonical issues like armrests and the adjustments were poor. I might make a slip cover for the chair later.

The other side is mostly mine. The narrow shelf part on the right holds more of A's stuff. But most of the shelf holds my things. When I planned what I should keep in my shelf I desided to give some area to the unfinished crafts projects. So I added one wooden box and two baskets on the bottom of the shelf on the left. Now I'm happy to say those are mostly empty, but usually I have many craft projects going on at the same time and previously I had no place where to keep those so they just sat on all horizontal surfaces which did not look good.

Lastly, this is my view to the garden from my work space. I love being able to see outside while creating.

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour. I certainly did.