So, at the SNAP conference I was totally inspired by Ana and Stacy and Brittany and decided it was high time I learned to use some tools. I am pretty girly and sometimes if I am quite honest tools scare me a little. I have used them here and there, but usually just call in the big guns when I need something done and have the hubs do it. But, with him in a Master’s program I decided no more waiting I needed some basic training.

I had the perfect project to start on. My office door frame was broken and so there was no way to keep my toddler son out. Even if it was locked it would push right open. Disaster! He would go in every five minutes since the door to the office is off the playroom. Last week was the final straw. Once he had 10 bottles of paint with three open by the time I got down the stairs and the next time was bottles of mod podge and adhesives. It was time.

I talked to the Mr. and he was totally awesome to run right to the hardware store with me for one of those big door plates. I wanted a quick fix that could be done that night until we had time for the whole frame to be replaced. I was so thrilled until we got it home and realized that the frame was so broken that there was nothing for the plate to screw in to. Boo.

Thank goodness the hubs is pretty darn handy and figured out how we could cut out a rectangle and use a piece of wood from the garage to fill the gap and be able to install the plate. A set of chisels probably would have been helpful in that situation. I won’t tell you how we did it because it is so wrong it is not to be admitted.

So, why the long story? Well, I am so proud to say that I used a drill (even changed the bit), screwdriver, nail gun, air compressor, nail set (the little tool that lets you pound in a finishing nail) and hammer. Baby steps people. The hubs laughed at me because every time he picked up a new tool I would say “let me do it” and proceed to make him instruct me. I had used a lot of these previously, but in supervised settings. 😉 Now, I feel like I could use them on my own which makes me embarrassingly giddy.

I even wandered around Harbor Freight Tools looking around for Father’s Day, but coming out with some ideas for myself. My birthday is Saturday and I can tell you it is going to include something loud with a plug. 🙂

Are you a tool pro or does using a saw make you want to close your eyes and hope for the best too? (Of course please never do that. And wear safety goggles.)

This post was sponsored by Harbor Freight, but my stories are my own and I really did wish I had a set of chisels. 😉

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Remember when I took that paper clutter class? I loved it and just recently did another one of Aby Garvey’s mini guides “Declutter to make room for a better life.” I got rid of 5 boxes of books, dvds, and clothes so far. 

It’s amazing how having an intention when clearing out makes all the difference. It feels so good to clear out things standing in the way of your goals. I used to feel guilty getting rid of perfectly good things thinking I would need them someday, but now I know I only need the things that are helping me in the direction I am heading. It’s seriously so freeing!


I loved my first two experiences with Aby, so I just signed up for the Organize your creative space workshop and I can’t wait for it to start. My craft area could use a mega face lift. In fact, I better take a before shot to document the looming transformation! 


Wanna join me? It starts this Thursday, June 7th and is all done online so you can hop on whenever you have free time! Meet me in the forum and we’ll share our successes and struggles on our way to creative area bliss.


Oh and you should check out Aby’s pinterest boards because they are awesome.


Diclosure: I received complimentary enrollment in the Organize Your Creative Space workshop for sharing my experience. But, let’s be real, I would have enrolled anyway because Aby is genius. 

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