Krissy McKee

Hi! I am Krissy Clark McKee. I live in a suburb of Houston, Texas. My husband and I have a blended Brady Bunch family of six kids (boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl). Luckily all but the youngest two are out of the house and self-sufficient, except occasionally during dinner time. Our blended family extends to our family pets so I am just as often following furry creatures as I am children around with my camera.  Papercrafting has become a full-fledged obsession since I first began in 2009.  I love creating traditional layouts, re-purposing or altering items, and making mini-albums – although as long as I have paper and glue in my hands, I am happy! I love photography and have been known to take random pictures of anything and everything. If it’s within range of my camera lens, it’s fair game!  I like to try to figure out how to use new products without reading the directions – which can sometimes lead to unexpected, interesting results.

Blog: my blog
What is your style: Oh, gosh, what is my style?  Well, I know that I love to scrap everyday moments more so than big events.  My work usually has defined clean lines but is otherwise a little random and messy.  I tend to primarily use patterned papers, and I doodle on or machine stitch almost all of my papers.  My photos and the stories I am trying to tell generally dictate anything else.
What is your favorite color? My favorite color is currently gray – especially lighter grays that have a tendency to change color as the light changes.
What is your favorite TV show? If I had to choose just one tv show to watch…hmmmm….it would be a toss up between Castle and Justified.
Five Fun Facts About You.

• I am left-handed
• I LOVE Natural White Cheddar Cheetos
• I am a cancer survivor
• I am always reading several books at any given time
• I used to sing in a couple of local rock bands (true story)

What is your favorite Pretty Little Studio product? Paper Ribbons

Here is my project.  I have continued to work on my hybrid album using my Instagram pictures that I take on an almost daily basis.  PLS papers and die cuts are perfect for this!

I have a confession.  I am a Pinterest addict.  And, what’s worse, I tend to believe that my husband can make anything I see on Pinterest.  So he didn’t stand a chance when I saw pictures of closets converted into work spaces.  The idea was perfect for a large walk-in closet located in our upstairs family room.  This is still a work in progress – partly because I keep finding other projects for my husband that take priority; however, my “command center in a closet” as I like to call it, is fully operational right now.  It needs a few more shelves and some “prettifying” finishing touches added but I am loving it!  This is what it looks like:

 

As you can see, I use every bit of space available, even the closet door.  An over-the-door shoe holder with clear plastic compartments is perfect for my punches!

Inside the closet is my u-shaped command center.  My work space is directly in front of me.  My Silhouette Cameo and my printers are to the right, and my sewing machine is to the left.  Everything I need is at arm’s length – I love it!  I have tried to arrange the items on my shelf by frequency of use – things used more often are closer to me.  Because I am in a closet, a good, bright ”daylight” lamp like my Ott light is essential.  My overhead light also contains a “daylight” bulb.  My filing cabinet drawers are being installed now (which is why they are still sticking out ever so slightly on the bottom right).  Once they are in place, they will hold hanging files that I intend to use for various sticker sheets, rub ons, etc.

At the end of my sewing center, closest to the door, is this shelf.  It holds all of my scrapbook papers, which I sort by manufacturer and collection.  Eventually, another shelf will be added to the top of this bookcase and will extend across to the back wall.  Once that is in place, I will be able to organize my sewing supplies a little better.

I LOVE compartmentalized organizers like this.  They are perfect for keeping things like my Pretty Little Studio notecards and ephemera organized!  This one has been sitting out on my desk lately because I use it quite frequently; however, when I am ready to go to a crop, it’s a snap to be able to close the lid and put my organizer in my rolling cart!

As you can see, I don’t just use items specifically designed for storage.  I use everything from planters, to shoe boxes, to baskets, to old jars.  I label everything to help me keep track of all my goodies.  Nothing fancy with my labeling – it’s often a piece of paper and scotch tape.  One day I may make it pretty, but for now, I am simply happy that I don’t have to waste time trying to find something that got lost in the pile!

My husband built cubbies large enough so that I could slide these drawers from a less functional storage system into them.  They hold a mixture of inks, stamping supplies, and various sewing notions.

All of my smaller items that I use on a daily basis are kept in small boxes and drawers against the wall right in front of me.  I love having my “must have” items right at my fingertips!

Although it is still a work in progress, I am loving my craft space!  It allows me to sit with my family and participate while they are watching t.v., but I am also able to close the door if I need to concentrate or if I don’t want an unfinished project to get messed up.

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Winner will be posted on September 14, 2013 on the new blog