Glue Girl

Polaroid Photo Ornament

2010-12-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

I am proud to present the 2010 Christmas Ornament! Every year I try to make something new and different.

Past years Ornaments

Well I can only find 2008's... I will have to work on that! :\

Well this year is a spin of last year but I think it is different enough to stand out!

I made a little tutorial that you can download here!

Chains are Gone - Crochet Pattern

2010-12-20T23:51:00.000-08:00

I have been a buzy bee! Today while watching the finale of the Sing Off (BTW Street Corner Symphony should have one, #justsaying!) I made up this little scarf thing. I saw something like it a while ago on etsy but it was no with yarn.... I can't find the reference pic now...

Here is the pic -

Here is the pattern -

You can download a copy here

Fall 2010 is over!

2010-12-20T23:50:00.000-08:00

And it couldn't come any sooner! I am getting my crafty pants on!

I am crocheting! Also I found all my ornament making goodies and have some fun ideas planned. If only I could start this sooner! :) Oh well.

Oh and only 15 more weeks of Grad School left! Wowza!

Litter Keeper

2010-08-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

I need something to contain my cat's litter box in my kitchen. I had a plastic giant ugly litter box but over time you just can't keep them free of odors. So I wanted to create something to contain a litter box that I can easily replace when the time comes. I have seen endless ideas on Ikea Hacker but needed something far less substantial (both size and $$$). I found the Hol side table. It is a 19" cube and I liked the finish and texture. I had a friend cut out a opening.

I assembled as directed then lined the sides with 2 of the clear Rationell drawer mats cut down to fit and over lapping on the bottom. I cut the lip of a litter box, dropped it in, put on the lid, put the cat food on a place mat, and now we are good to go. Well the cat is good to go.
Tools & Cost break down:
Hol Side Table $29.99
2 Rationell mats $3.99 each
Litter box $7.99
staple gun
$45.97

Dreams are not different

2010-03-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

So last night I had a dream. It felt so real. It wasn't good or bad.
It was about my life and relationships if my life was more like Jane Austen books. Everything was warm, glowing, and beautiful. There were flowers, candles, music, and dancing. The whole thing felt so grand and romantic. Basically, this guy who was a turd to me, set up this whole huge ordeal just to tell me that he was a jerk and that he loved me. Dream me said something along the lines of "Really?!?! You thought that this would make it all better?" and I walked out. It was cool to know that at some level of my being I am a tough, kick ass, take no garbage person!

I hope I can live that and believe it more.

1 year later

2010-03-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

Two Oh Oh nine. What a year. Good and bad and lots of both. I have never been so full of everything. Hope, sadness, fear, love, some of the many emotions. But suddenly it feels like too much. I can't breathe and not just in a theoretical sense but in real life. My asthma is back in full force. It started in Feb and hasn't fully left. At first I blamed it on allergies, then school stress, then work stress. Then I realized that I am still processing with my mom's passing. While I knew she was sick and dying for about 3 years and had time to come to terms with it and not be angry when she died, I still am sad. I miss her every day. I miss being able to share my whole heart with one person and know that no matter what they loved me. I miss her presence, her hands, her smile, and most of all her voice. Not only did she tell me that it would be all right. She used to say "EGBOK (Everthing is Going to Be OK) Jaime." And when she told me that I believed her.

I need to know she is there and that God is there. I need to let me self feel the emotions that I am too afraid to let out and I need to allow myself to be OK.

I think I am ready to try.

On the street where you live...

2010-02-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't been blogging, but I have been thinking and creating. I will try to get some of my recent projects and new decor pictures up soon!

Here is a little something that I just made.
Today I was inspired by a list of beaches in Austria (via the Paint Place) to create a list of the streets I have lived on. I will frame this up... but were to hang it???

How to: Using MS Word I just typed on street on each line. I used Garamond at it's many variations. I expanded the font width and size to fill up white space to my liking. Very simple the hardest part was remembering all the streets and quizzing my dad about the ones from when I was a baby!

Red & Blue

2010-01-13T14:54:00.001-08:00

Red & Blue
Originally uploaded by licca-kikuchi

I love these shoes!

Longing

2009-12-06T01:42:00.001-08:00

This is the only word I have.

I am longing for:
Change Hope Peace Comfort Joy Memories Love Mom Closure

I know I am supposed to be all happy and excited that my life is moving forward. I am growing and learning from my experiences and I am glad there is no more pain.

But sometimes, usually when it is late and I am all alone with my thinking. When I am feeling more alone then I have ever felt. I wish I had a rewind button. Maybe I would remember better. I would remember the smells, the sights, the love, and most of all the sounds, before it all got so messed up.

I feel like I am forgetting or letting go... Then I feel bad. I told her I would be okay. That I would keep growing, learning, and loving.

Worse then all that is that I feel like in a years time so much around me has changed and yet so much of me remains the same.

Spines

2009-10-30T09:23:00.001-07:00

Spines
Originally uploaded by in penguin

Some of the prettiest books I have ever seen.
The hard back covers are designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith.

You can see more of here designs here (http://www.cb-smith.com/).

Swoon!

Post Persuasion Playlist

2009-09-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Post Persuasion Playlist

For when you feel sick and indulge yourself in McD's Fries and Jane Austen

1. Melt My Heart To Stone By Adele
2. Use Somebody By Kings Of Leon
3. Can't Get It Out Of My Head By John Paul White
4. Heartless By The Fray
5. I Won't - Colbie Caillat - Breakthrough
6. Pink Vs. The Ting Things - Shut Up And Let Pink Go
7. Melody By Kate Earl
8. My Delirium By Ladyhawke
9. Caravan Girl By Goldfrapp
10. Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
11. Lisa Hannigan - I Don't Know

The day in the life of a Jane Austen addict

2009-09-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

So I have started grad school. I joined a craft class online with the lovely ladies are Red Velvet Art. I checked the site like crazy before school. Post school starting all I have had time for is reading and writing about Higher Education. Don't get me wrong...I love school and learning. I love my program. The teachers and cohort are great but it is consuming my life. Literally!

Today I called the doctor because I was feeling pressure in my chest. Well that sent them into a tizzy and the made me rush to the ER. After an EKG and an X-ray, 2 Advil and 2 Tylenol, I was told it was probably stress. "Has anything stressful happened lately?" AH YEAH!!!! Life dude! I wanted 2009 to be full of change but this is taking change to far!!! So any way after a short chat and - $50 I was sent home.

Feeling over whelmed, I bought McD's Fries and went home to watch Jane Austen movies.

My go to I don't feel good movies include, anything Jane Austen, anything 80's, and anything with Meg Ryan, Barbara Streisand, Julie Andrews, or Tom Hanks.

Today was Persuasion's day to make me feel better with thoughts of love that lasts through all time and circumstances. I just bought the BBC version on Amazon and I love it!

"The one claim I shall make for my own sex is that we love longest, when all hope is gone."
— Anne Elliot in Persuasion

It did the job but then I need do home work!

Staying creative when life won't let you

2009-07-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Well, this is it. I am registered for classes. I have almost $500 in books to buy. I have my laptop and a nice new case. I have my eyes on a nifty rolly bag. In other words, I am gearing up for grad school.

Classes start mid August and I know life will get crazy again. I remember (sort of) being an undergrad. I also remember that I had some of my most creative times while in school.

So to keep my creative juices flowing I have joined a photo group on flickr. I am not a trained photographer but I do enjoy taking pictures with my little point and shoot.

The photo group was created by Miss B of the Blah, Blah, Blahg. Miss B said of Souvenir Foto, "I wanted to start a group to practice my new found skills and to combat 'photo block'. A lot of times my perfectionist streak gets in my way. I wanted a place where we could be creative as a collective and learn and inspire each other. I hope this is the place."

This is my submission for assignment 9 - vacation, staycation, & sunflare

Making videos

2009-07-15T16:51:00.001-07:00

I love taking videos of my little cousins. Then one day I discovered that I have video editing software on my computer! Maybe you do too! Check for Windows Movie Maker. It is really easy to use and super fun!

Check out this silly video of my cousins. They seriously kill me. They thought of the whole thing by themselves. I just followed them around trying to hide my laughter!

Mika Ticket Adventure

2009-04-15T08:58:00.001-07:00

Mika Ticket Adventure
Originally uploaded by idomusic2

I got an email that Mika was going to do a free concert with Perez Hilton. To get the tickets you had to find him and a white ice cream truck in Beverly Hills. My BFF and I tracked them down and waited. We got there about 30 mins after they started giving them out.

Well they ran out, but I got really close to Mika and had fun driving around Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

perezhilton.com/2009-04-13-get-your-free-mika-tickets-get...

Puppy Bouquet

2009-03-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

My co-worker got the cutest flowers yesterday! I squealed with joy when the delivery girl handed them over.

I think that you could easily try to make your own version.

So Much More to Learn

2009-03-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

I am getting older (can you believe that?) and I don't really feel like I am actually older. Lately however, I have started getting a little bit more of an idea what being a 'grown-up' entails.

It is really hard to experience the loss of a loved one, a teacher, a friend, a parent, your mom (it is really hard when this person is all of the above). My mom passes away on March 3, 2009. She was 60 years old. In Sept. 2006 she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis "ALS" AKA lou gehrig's disease.

From Wikipedia:
This is a progressive, usually fatal, neurodegenerative
disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy because of that denervation. The patient may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement; bladder and bowel sphincters and the muscles responsible for eye movement are usually (but not always) spared. Cognitive function is generally spared except in certain situations such as when ALS is associated with frontotemporal dementia.[1]
However, there are reports of more subtle cognitive changes of the frontotemporal type in many patients when detailed neuropsychological testing is employed. Sensory nerves and the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions like sweating, generally remain functional.

In my Mom's case it started with slurred speech. She quickly lost ability to speak, eat, or swallow. In the last 6 months or so her muscles weakened at a much faster rate. After Christmas in 2008 she and I went shopping at the mall to catch some bargains on Bath and Body Works soaps. She was still able to write and type and carry things but even as short as 4 weeks ago you could see the progression of the muscle atrophy. In her last days she was only able to trace letters.

Here is something that I shared at here memorial service.

My mom was one of the most important people in my life. She taught me about loving God and others. Her passion for serving others was evident in all that she did. She enjoyed music and creating beautiful things with her hands. My mom homeschooled my sister and I for 12 years, she took the time to find good opportunities for us to learn and grow both academically and in our relationship with God.
My mom was diagnosed with ALS about 2 years ago. It was really hard and taxing on her and us all. She slowly lost the ability to talk and eat. This was especially challenging for my mom as she loved to express herself in words and singing. She once told us that she was having a hard time not being able to witness to people during this illness. How ever I feel that her witness was strengthened by not being able to speak. She was able to be a true demonstration of patience, peace, and faith in God’s timing and planning.
We have known for some time that she might be leaving before us. When I was with my family two weekends ago my Mom told us that she was ready to go home. In her final moments with us she was relaxed and calm surrounded by family and friends rejoicing in the Lord. We take comfort in knowing that she isn’t suffering any more. She is in heaven singing the most beautiful songs and rejoicing in the Lord in a perfect body.

More on the rest of my knowledge acquisition next time.

What a Girl Wants

2009-01-29T22:30:00.000-08:00

So continuing where I left off...

Here are the other things I want:

To not worry about money
Well for now that is just life. I always say that I don't want a lot of money, but if some nice rich person wanted to shed some cash they could aways give it to me. I only think that I would need like half a mill! Hum, no takers? Well that is disappointing!

To move
Well, this is something I can do. I have the boxes packed (well most of them!). We move on Saturday. Let me tell you, I am super excited. It is always fun settling in a new place and making it your own (As much as you can when you rent!) Of course my roommate/best friend and I are taking two kitties to a smaller pad, so it could get crazy!

See ya soon!

All That She Wants...

2009-01-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

I wish I knew what I wanted. This would be easier if I knew it all ahead of time.

Let's start with what I know:

I want

to go to grad school at CSU Fullerton

to know that I have job security

to not worry about money

to move

I don't want

drama (work, family, guys, friends...)

to be tired

to go over on my text messages again

What I am doing about these items. Well lets start with Grad School. There is this new program at CSU Fullerton that will be focused on the field that I want to work in (Higher Education Administration). I found out unofficially that it might be pretty competitive for people who work at the campus to be accepted in the program! GARRR! One of my co-workers said that's why I have a plan B school. PLAN B???? I only have Plan A. There is no Plan B. I can't afford a private school, I can't afford to drive from work to another campus and home, and I can't wait. I need to start this program so I can start a more focused career path. So it is make or break. I have to kick butt!

The job security is so hard to find since technically I work for the State of California. Every week there is a new email about the union fighting for our pay. Please... It is gonna take more then that at this point. I am going to have to talk to my supervisor. I see the look of panic in the boss' faces and I start to worry too. Maybe for no good reason but like any good Psych major, I need to over analyze every situation.

I will keep updating you all the rest of the week. I am finding this rather therapeutic! Yippee! I might even be able to sleep instead of worry.

Happy 2009

2009-01-26T12:40:00.000-08:00

So I have been lazy and haven't been blogging.

I will try to keep it up!

For now I will share my new philosophies for 2009.
-Try new things
-Say yes more often
-Say no more often
-See more things
-See every thing in a new light

This print that I found on Etsy by dazeychic, sums it up for me!

Fred Flare's Snail Mail Valentines for Charity

2009-01-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

Fred Flare is one of my favorite online merchants and they have a blog that I am addicted to. They also have a super cute store in NYC that I have never been too. (One day I will go NYC, I know it!) They are collecting Snail Mail Valentines for Charity. They will be sold online and in the store for $4 and the procedes will go to support Elder Craftsman.

Here are my contributions! Made with Repurposed papers, fun embelishments, my own illustrations, and copies of old pictures of my mom and her classmates and friends.

Now maybe I will make and send my own Valentine Cards this year...

Grocery shopping

2008-12-12T21:03:00.001-08:00

I always pick the lane that seems manageable, but alas the coupons don't work the club savings card isn't working the ladies method of payment won't work And the cashier is new! Figures! I should never go to Vons after work! I will always go to Trader Joe's. But I had to get the ingredients for the chex puppy chow for the silly cookie party (for which I have been requested to make a non-cookie item!). Btw I still stopped at Trader Joe's and bought wine to d rink while make said puppy chow!

Crafty Christmas: Monogrammed ornaments

2008-12-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

My Mom loves Christmas and Christmas Decor. She really loves Ornaments and Nativities. While I am not much of a carver, I can make almost anything that I see. I just have to stare at it long enough. I am know for taking pictures of things in stores and saying, "Dude! I can make this!" (I am on a major Dude! kick right now. I even say it at work to my co-workers! LOL!) Any way back to the point. I saw some ornaments like this and just waited until I found the right supplies.

Monogrammed ornaments

I saw something like this online. Probably on Martha Stewart online (She is so smart it is scary!)

Get it:

Clear Ornaments
Fancy Letter Stickers (Make sure you have enough letters for all initials!)
Stuff to put inside (ribbon, sequins, glitter)

Make it:

Clean the ornament, let dry
Plan the placement of the letters and stick on, press firmly on all edges
Add the extra filling

Ta Da!

Variations: You could use colored ornaments, use phrase stickers or cute designs, use rub-on transfers, use glass paint, use paint pens... so on and so on!

Have Yourself a Crafty Christmas

2008-12-09T21:49:00.000-08:00

Hey All!

So I am have joined the Handmade Pledge again this year.

It was so nice, I am doing it twice! Gee, how cheesy of me!

I have already given a handmade b-day gift to my cousin-in-law, this super neato bracelet set in a reuse able gift bag (sorry no pic)

I will be posting the completed gifts day by day (well this is the plan anyway!)

Vampires suck

2008-11-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

After reading Kandi's blog, I remembered that I saw a movie this weekend. It was nice to forget because I disliked it so much. While it is a good thing to have a book you love turn into a movie it is really sad when it doesn't work.

Here are some of my gripes (AKA my review of Twilight!)

So yeah, I thought it sucked. My disappointment went beyond the characters but to the other stuff that makes a movie like this. Music, makeup, wardrobe, dialog, and special affects.

Music: Was just awful. Music will make or break a movie. I am ALWAYS telling people this but they seem as passionate as I do! I will leave it at that!

Makeup: What was going on with the vampire skin! Seriously! I want to know. Why doesn't a vampire's pasty white skin blend in to the scalp line!!! Now to the one of the worst things in my mind. Edward's skin in the sun light. Did the just dust him with freaking True Colors makeup! Come on, I could do that. There need to be a more glowing effect not a stupid sparkle. Then every time the light was on him there was this stupid chiming sound! GAHHH!!

Wardrobe: Was boring.

Dialog: I had a really hard time with this. I kept saying to fellow movie mates, "Did they say that in the book?" or "I don't remember Edward having such cheesy dialog in the book!"

Special effects: Were not awesome. I have seen better.

I am looking forward to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince because while rarely is any movie better then the book, Harry Potter comes really close.

So while my cousin is Team Edward, I am Team Disappointed!

It's the Holiday Season!

2008-11-26T15:23:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I am a busy bee lately. I am making as many Christmas presents as possible. I have to figure out what I am making for my dad. Last year one thing I made him was a really cool toiletry bag and he thought I was a purse! (Thanks Dad!) So this year I don't know what I'll get/make him...

I will make a list soon of all my projects and see which ones I finish!

In prep for gift giving, I made some gift tags to share!

Get your own - Open publication

Now I am gonna finish working (YIPPEE), drive home, eat, get dressed all fancy to go see the Color Purple (at the OC Performing Arts Center), pack, and drive to my parents for T-Day. I am tired just thinking about it.

Oh well. You are only a crazy wild twenty-something for so long. I guess I have to live it up!

Have a happy Turkey Day!

LA Gear Scarf Project Download

2008-11-14T17:00:00.000-08:00

Along time ago I saw this really neat sculpture of DNA. I think DNA is really facinating (call me a geek!). I thought about it not too long ago and wanted to replicate it. After I started working on the first scarf I realized that it look more like an LA Gear shoe, the kind with the twistie flame accents!

Do you remember these bad boys!

and they had commercials like this treasure!

Here is the project!

Get your own - Open publication

Just click the preview to see a larger version and download a copy!

How far we have come...

2008-11-12T22:12:00.001-08:00

Some days I think that I haven't changed much or even grown at all.
I am pretty sure that everyone feels this way some time.

But like my pal Billy Joel sings

"Say goodbye to the oldies, but goodies, because the good old days weren't always good and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."

I am getting nostalgic. It is fall/winter (We don't see too many seasons in So Cal!) and that always reminds me of the past. All that good stuff. Friends, classes (Yes, I am a wee bit demented!), new school supplies, sweaters, rainy days, reading in the sunny spot in the front room, grilled cheese and tomato soup, plus a bunch of other things that I am not really in the mood to share with the whole world. While that is the past, it is a part of who I am.

This past week I went to a conference for student affairs professionals and administrators (AKA people who work in higher education). I met some awesome people, got even more excited for grad school, and networked(!!!). I caught up with some old co-workers from 4+ years ago and thought, "Dang! I am different!" It was nice to know that I have grown and changed. My inner Psychology Major likes to get too self-reflective and analytical.

I was planning on getting to a point with all of this, somethings never change.

To Do List Free Download

2008-11-11T00:27:00.000-08:00

Get your own - Open publication

Issuu - Los of Published Goodies!

2008-11-11T00:02:00.000-08:00

So I am in the process of publishing a lot of printables and craft projects on Issuu that are also free to download from the site. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I actually entered many of these projects into a contest (Which I entered last year and got an Honorable Mention) but I haven't heard any thing back yet and the issue will be out on the stands soon.

So keep looking here... I am working out all the technical difficulties now!

http://issuu.com/jaimeiscrafty

Just Vote

2008-11-04T09:38:00.001-08:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Thanks JibJab!

the end of an era

2008-10-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

I think I can safely say that my ipod is really dead. My typically trusty music hoarding device has bit the bullet. It used to do this thing were it would freak out and then I could sync it and it would magically work. Not so, any more.

RIP little ipod
4th Generation iPod classic
5/2005-10/2008

You lived a long life. You traveled far and wide, from England to Florida. You were always by my side. You always had the song that I want, no needed, to hear. Dear friend, you will be missed. I will always have a special place in my heart for my first iPod.

AHem! Oh, Hi there!

With that said, I am thinking of getting one of these bad boys in either yellow or purple!

Now I just have to figure out how I am going to save $200 at this time of the year!

Daily Read

2008-10-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

I am all about routine. (Crazy yeah?!)
Every day I get to work. I check my work email. I get coffee and eat something. I check my personal email while I eat. Then I check my google reader for blog updates and my flickr!
Then I work.

Here is a sample of the blogs that make me smile.
design*sponge
Design for Mankind
Creature Comforts
Fred Flare Blog
Craftzine

And the silliest of all
Cake Wrecks

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Buttoned Up

2008-10-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been day dreaming about tattoos. I really want a crafty tattoo. I found this rad group on Flickr (Sewing Tattoos). So cool. I love the buttons... Which got me thinking that I should incorporate buttons in my life more. So a little tute. Nothing any thing too mind blowing.

Click to jump to Flickr!

You can use vintage buttons or those extras that come with the sweater you just bought and that you may throw away!

Enjoy!

Philip Glass

2008-10-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

So I have been listening to NPR on my way to work for about 4 months now. I really enjoy their approach to news. It is not about shocking the audience. They have a humane approach. They also don't dumb down the news or talk over my head.

I also really like their Campaign coverage. They get both sides. It is nice to hear. Refreshing in fact!

Today they had a piece about a composer, Philip Glass. I am really liking his work!

SeeqPod - Playable Search

Decare Yourself

2008-10-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Vote. You can't sit back and watch things fall apart. You can do something about it. You can vote!

Declare Yourself

To Do List Download

2008-09-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

I have been way too distracted lately. I need to get focused. Maybe it is the weather. Warm and sunny, wet and cloudy, & hot as it ever was!

So here is some thing that I designed in Adobe Illustrator to keep me on track (or at least look good when I am pulling my hair out later!).

Download other sizes from flickr here.

PS: How is the new layout? Is is working okay?

Thanks!

My Mom is sick

2008-09-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

So I don't like to talk about it, but is what is happening.

Did I tell you that my mom is sick? I can't keep track of who knows and who doesn't. It is like the smelly elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about (Especially not me!)

So since I don't like to talk about it, I thought that I could blog about it. My mom has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) AKA Lou Gehrig's Disease. It is the creepy muscle degenerative disorder that slowly stops your nerve cells from talking to your body. Read more here. She lost her speech about 2 years ago and recently afterwards was put on a feeding tube. In the last few months she is using her electric scooter/chair all the time and has a hospital bed at home. My mom is super strong in her faith and in her mind. She is so inspiring.

I am so glad that my dad, my sister, and my mom's friend Fiona are there for her. I constantly feel guilty about not being there more often. She always tells me that it is okay and that I make her happy for being on my own.

It sucks. It really sucks. I think I am just living in the now, not thinking about the future. It is more then I can take.

Candidate Finder '08

2008-02-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

I am all about helping voters make up their minds or at least having a good laugh!

http://flickr.com/photos/idomusic2/2248415527/

Maybe I don't have enough to do at work... I should figure that out.

Plans for my Crafting space

2008-02-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

My roomie (aka Best Friend) have a nice sized loft that leads into our bedrooms. I have our little office and craft space setup in it now but is it not very functional. So I have been eyeing Ikea to see what I can create.

Here is what I have so far...