Joyful Abode

You will need:

• one picture frame, whatever size you like. I used 18″ x 24″
• a piece of corrugated cardboard cut to fit your frame
• cork tiles, which you can find at Michael’s next to the whiteboards, about 10 dollars for 4 (12″ square)
• pretty fabric, a little larger than the area to be framed
• hot glue gun + glue
• stapler + staples
• x-acto knife

Step 1: Glue the cork to the corrugated cardboard. You will probably have to cut some pieces, but that’s okay. No one will see! Just make sure they are pushed close together, no gaps.

Step 2: Try out your fabric in the frame, just to make sure you like it.

Step 3: Lay your fabric wrong-side-up on the floor or table. Then place your cork+cardboard cork-side-down on top. Stretch the fabric around it and staple to the back. You can use a regular stapler for this; just open it up. Start at the middle of each side, then work toward the corners.

Step 5: Install the fabric covered cork in the frame. I took mine to Michael’s and they did it for free. Lovely!

Step 6: Hang and use!

I was sitting at my desk, setting up Joyful Abode, when it occurred to me that nothing about my desk area was working. (Click this picture to see the tags in flickr.)

Oh my goodness… horrible! I had “organizational things” but it wasn’t working for my needs. So I needed a change.

At times like this, I always do the same thing. Make sure my bed is made, then pile the offending objects on my bed. I totally cleared my desk, then dusted everything.

After that, I went through all of the junk on my bed, analyzing it. Why do I need all of my paper on my desk? I don’t! So I found a clear plastic drawer unit to put it in. That went under my desk.

Next, the mugs for the pencils and pens went into the “give away” box. They were replaced by cute tin buckets I got from Walmart several months ago. I had been using them in my classroom until now.

I had a few pieces of trash, which went in the trash of course… but I noticed something sad. I had expired coupons and things that WOULD have been useful to me, had they not been buried under a pile of sadness. I determined I needed a bulletin board.

I also decided I needed a smaller place to file my reciepts, bills, and paystubs… the tall black filing tray monstrosity had to go!

So I made a shopping trip to Michael’s for the smaller filing tool and the bulletin board. I found just what I wanted, too. These “creative home accents” are lovely, and currently 50% off! More on the bulletin board later.

I tore the fabric off of my chair to reveal a much less offensive grey. When I get a staple gun, I’ll re-cover it to match my bulletin board.

And now, I am working in a much more joyful place. Clutter-free and attractive. My bulletin board is reminding me about today’s sale at Hancock Fabrics, and I’ll make a trip there later.