First, how's this for cuteness? She's doing very well, although has some trouble with the idea that people can be in different rooms. They really shouldn't try, especially Bridget. She should stay put, where Roxie can be with her.
Okay, stop being distracted!
So I started with this, old cover not shown. My friend Therese donated it to the Pantry Cuteness Project.
My thought being that if my ironing board is always going to be deployed (even though I have installed a hanger for it, which would make putting it away not difficult) and in view from the kitchen, it should be fun to look at and maybe have a smaller profile than the old one.
Why is it always deployed, you ask? Perhaps it has something to do with Horizontal Surface Disorder, or HSD. This is the syndrome in which any given horizontal surface becomes indispensably full as soon as it comes into existence.
Not only must one have a handy place to, say, iron, available at all times; one must also have a place to put groceries before they are shelved, not to mention look at a cookbook — those are kept in the shelf just behind the ironing board, so nothing makes more sense than to take one out, rest it on the board, and look something up.So you see, putting this thing away would be counter-productive. Get it? Counter??
Another friend shared the foam that she had used to cover her very own vintage ironing board…OF COURSE I hacked it up after carefully making sure I had the right length.
Somehow, I just chopped, and it was too short! So I pieced it together, and with the aid of a glue gun the seam is undetectable.
Why? Why do I hack away?
I got some fabric out of my stash…the Chief helped me with his staple gun, and between the two of us, we got it on tight.
I like the idea of a pattern with a grid, however approximate. It's helpful when you are trying to measure out a length, or compare two lengths…
Funny how I could never commit to using this fabric in a baby quilt, which is what I originally intended it for, but I love it as an ironing board cover…
This room is crazy. Don't know where to store something in a 13+ room house? Put it here! Need a place to make vinegar, find a book, put your tape recorder, make a dress, um, store food? Pantry!!
At least it has a window…I think I was really meant to live in a cabin 🙂 And not a very neat one, either!
If you had a room like this, what would you do with it?
Jan says
Oh my…at last a name for my husband's issues. HSD! I knew it must be a desease…he JUST can't help himself. LOL
The Kampers says
First of all, I just found your blog while looking for instructions on braiding bread. The tutorial was helpful! My bread turned out very nicely.Secondly, how to I get a pantry like yours? And thirdly, making vinegar? I am intrigued! Do tell!
Freckled Hen says
I love this room. The wood floor is very pretty…and a window? How lucky you are! It has character–much like your ironing board which is wonderful. Mine is sitting three feet away and holds five Golden books, two shirts, a camping lantern and a brand new bar of soap with two tiny teeth marks in it. I'm glad to know what HSD really is.Have a good week…ps Roxie is adorable!
Leila says
Jan and Freckled Hen: Oh yes, HSD is real! FH, thanks for the pantry/puppy love :)Kampers: I don't know how I got this pantry! It just happened to me…glad about the tutorial — good to know it can be deciphered!…I will post about the vinegar when and IF I succeed –pssst…it's in the crock you see on the metal shelf!
Anonymous says
I'm so glad to know there is a name for it—HSD—I do have it. I've recognized it, now I just need to figure out how to overcome it. (Moving to a bigger house didn't help!)Oh–I would use a room like that the same way you do. a little storage, a little ironing, a lot of food…Thanks for sharing.Mom in MO
urban craft says
Hey! Great job. Always good to get projects off that list too. Unless you have already replaced it with 3 more projects. That's what I tend to do.
Anne R Triolo says
hehe, I enjoyed "counter productive"..:P
Sue says
Someone with HSD would go insane in our little apartment – sorely lacking in surfaces. If I had a room like that I would use it exactly like you do. I dream of a room like that, truly!
Kari says
Yep, I'd use it the exact same way too! I wish I had a room like that—hopefully after Christmas we're going to make the "stepped up" portion of our garage a "real" laundry room and cat food/litter room, but alas no window!Roxie is adorable…and what a cute name!Kari
Anonymous says
Great job with the ironing board! It's imperative that an ironing board be 'deployed'; always at the ready.:) (I don't allow anything on mine because when that ironing calls I'd hate to have to unpack the board before I could start the task. I sometimes struggle enough to commence so I don't need any deterrents… although I think your uses for it are very convenient.) Linda
50s Housewife says
Oh I love both the pantry and the ironing board! If I had a room like that I'm pretty sure we would use it exactly as you do. 🙂
Mona says
Leila, thank you for being so … REAL. I love your room, but if it were mine, I would make it my washer-dryer-sewing-ironing room. I would have things stored a bit higher off the floor and my puppies would sleep there at night (because my husband doesn't like them in with us)!
Keri says
I too suffer from HSD, although my husband calls it PHD – Piled High and Deep. Or he makes ridiculous jokes about stacks. (wink wink)That is one adorable puppy dog, by the way. Mine doesn't leave my side either. Sweet fur babies.