Who needs a craft ROOM...

...when you have the smallest closet in the history of the universe?  Now, I know ya'll are going to be jealous of my little craft closet, so just prepare yourselves to be amazed!  :)  Seriously, this has to be the smallest closet I've ever seen.  It measures just 16" deep and 24" wide.  It was too shallow to hold coats and too narrow to hold our plastic totes storing the girls' extra clothes and toys.  Hmmm...what's a girl to do?

Here's the before...ugly, I know!  (That door color?  Makes our hall sooo dark. I want to paint all the doors at some point.)  I removed the shelves and hanging bar and in less than 30 minutes had a fresh coat of buttery yellow on the walls.  It was starting to look a little better.  And just to give perspective, our hallway is really narrow...I was standing IN our bedroom when I took this picture.

Craft supplies came in from another cabinet (and all over the house!)  and after one afternoon of work, I had this! You may be wondering why I chose to downsize from a MUCH larger cabinet/closet and I'll share the reason in the next few weeks....let's just say I have a really exciting new venture going and we needed that space for something else.  :) 

The top shelf holds two small drawer units (holding writing utensils, stamps and pads, etc.), a box containing assorted cutting tools (trimmers, punches, etc.) and (to the far right) extra frames awaiting artwork to fill them.

Now remember, I told you that it's so shallow and narrow? When you can't sprawl out, go up! I hung nails as close to the ceiling as possible for storing extra wreaths and some magnetic signs in need of makeovers. 

The middle shelf holds baskets and containers of assorted supplies.  Everything stacked in pretty neatly and I can easily access my goodies.  I moved the hanging bar down, sewed a simple curtain and attached it halfway, just to soften up the closet and make it a little more inspiring.

Want to see behind the curtain?  This is where I store the not-so-pretty supplies.  Paint cans and bottles and that box?  Oh, it holds an assortment of papers and cards that I need to sort through.  Anyone volunteering to help with that task? On the floor is my BRAND NEW sewing machine (squeal!!!), my sewing box, and a bit of fabric. I managed to wittle my fabric stash down to that.  Craziness, I tell you.

It's a small space (okay, that's an understatement!) but I'm hoping it will accomplish two things:  1) help me keep it organized and 2) keep me from over-buying supplies, since I won't have room to store them.  I've already noticed that there is room for adjusting some of the shelves (I could probably get another one in there) and that some more plastic drawer sets may be useful.  But for now, it works and I didn't have to spend a dime since I already had the paint, fabric and storage bins.  Plus, I accomplished #2 on my list of 12 Crafty Projects for 2012! It may be tiny, but it's mine and the pretty colors make me happy!  And happiness always inspires, right?

I'll be linking my tiny closet up to these fun parties!

Ladybird Ln's Weekend Show Off Party
Lolly Jane's Whatcha Got Weekend
Get Your Craft On