A House Full of Sunshine

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Chalkboard pantry makeover… and an announcement I Heart like crazy!

~

I could not be more thrilled to make today’s announcement. In fact, I’m still pinching myself. 
When I first started blogging, I stumbled across a fabulous site called IHeart Organizing. It was love at first sight – I spent hours combing through project galleries, reading posts and related posts and favourite posts and pretty much everything that could be devoured in one sitting. The owner, Jennifer Jones, has an incredible talent for organising her home and bringing beauty to every single space she touches. Seriously, the woman is an organising goddess. Plus she is kind and sweet and smart and yes, gorgeous too. If I was a guy I’d totally have a crush on her. As it is I kind of have a girl-crush on her. In a totally non-stalkerish, I-am-happily-married-with-three-children sort of way.
I became an avid reader of said blog, and gradually came to realise just what a juggernaut of a success story it is. I mean, we’re talking 2.5 million page views a month. That’s massive! 
So when, at the end of last year, Jen casually posted that she was looking to add a couple of new members to her contributor team, my first thought was OHMYGOODNESS THAT WOULD BE AMAZING, following in quick succession by no way would I ever be good enough for that. 
But dreams are made for chasing, so I put in an application anyway, kind of embarrassed that Jen would infer from this that I actually thought I had a chance. I really badly wanted to let her know that it was okay, I didn’t really expect her to choose me, and I completely knew what a long shot it was to even apply… but that’s not exactly the sort of thing one can write in an application, is it?! 
So you can imagine my complete and utter shock and delight when THIS happened: 

Yes, guys…. can you believe it??! I still can’t! I could not be more honoured and excited to be partnering up with Jen. 
Today is my debut contributor post over at IHeart Organizing, and I’m sharing my chalkboard pantry makeover – I’d be thrilled if you would come over and check it out! 
WARNING: “Before” photos may frighten small children. 😉
If you’re new here from IHeart Organizing, I’d love you to stay and have a look around! You might want to start by taking my home tour here:
You can find out more about me here or take a look at my Project Gallery (which badly needs an update – working on it!!)
And if you just want to browse, here are a few of my most popular projects to get started with.
Circus-theme party favours
Industrial wire mail baskets
Stencilled Billy bookcases

And of course, don’t leave without grabbing your FREE COPY of my book:
In other news, my whole site is undergoing a behind-the-scenes refurbishment at the moment, so stay tuned to see the unveiling in a couple of weeks’ time – I can’t wait! It’s going to be cleaner, fresher, bigger, easier to read and navigate, and mobile responsive – all with a pretty new look that I’m super excited about! I’ll be migrating from my Blogger platform over to WordPress, and I’m looking forward to all the many extra capabilities that will bring.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to take a look at my chalkboard pantry makeover, and tell me… how do you organise your pantry?

Wishing you a house full of sunshine,

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Lovely comments

  2. Karen, congratulations!!! So very cool!! You are a great addition to Jen&#39s blog. As for your pantry, your before is a resemblance of mine right now. *blushing* It is on the list, but we have other projects in works and are revamping some other rooms/closets using some of the shelving material in the pantry. Gone will be some of the wire shelving that is so common up here in the States. We have a busy spring and summer planned with all kinds of house projects. Now, we just need spring. 🙂 (-30*F here today).

  3. HI! I&#39m here from IHeartOrganizing. I absolutely love this kitchen. You did a wonderful job.
    I was wondering, where are the clock and the EAT sign from?

  4. Congratulations Karen. What a wonderful achievement for you. Things have totally stalled here on our home front but I have some big plans for 2015. Loving following your journey!

  8. Hi Jonelle, so glad to have you here! I&#39m in Australia, so you may not be familiar with these sources, but the letters were from Typo – they were white and I spray painted them yellow. The clock was a cheapie from The Reject Shop. Good luck with your hunt! xo

  10. Karen, congratulations!!! So very cool!! You are a great addition to Jen's blog. As for your pantry, your before is a resemblance of mine right now. *blushing* It is on the list, but we have other projects in works and are revamping some other rooms/closets using some of the shelving material in the pantry. Gone will be some of the wire shelving that is so common up here in the States. We have a busy spring and summer planned with all kinds of house projects. Now, we just need spring. 🙂 (-30*F here today).

  11. HI! I'm here from IHeartOrganizing. I absolutely love this kitchen. You did a wonderful job.
    I was wondering, where are the clock and the EAT sign from?

  12. Congratulations Karen. What a wonderful achievement for you. Things have totally stalled here on our home front but I have some big plans for 2015. Loving following your journey!

  15. Hi Jonelle, so glad to have you here! I'm in Australia, so you may not be familiar with these sources, but the letters were from Typo – they were white and I spray painted them yellow. The clock was a cheapie from The Reject Shop. Good luck with your hunt! xo

  17. Woohoo!!! Congratulations Karen, that&#39s SO exciting!! Looking forward to checking out this new page!

  18. Woohoo!!! Congratulations Karen, that's SO exciting!! Looking forward to checking out this new page!

  19. Actually we consider freezing warm in the winter! (I live in Minnesota). That is totally 32 degrees ABOVE zero. I&#39m teasing, we still use the same expression although it does strike me as funny. I came over from I heart organizing today and already LOVE your blog. I LOVE your book, too. I&#39m totally going send you a long e-mail and sing you all kinds of praises when I&#39m done with it.

  20. Actually we consider freezing warm in the winter! (I live in Minnesota). That is totally 32 degrees ABOVE zero. I'm teasing, we still use the same expression although it does strike me as funny. I came over from I heart organizing today and already LOVE your blog. I LOVE your book, too. I'm totally going send you a long e-mail and sing you all kinds of praises when I'm done with it.

  21. Stopping by from IHeartOrganizing, and I&#39m so glad to have found you! I Iove your style and look forward to seeing more both here and on Jen&#39s blog. Congratulations! -Emily

  22. Stopping by from IHeartOrganizing, and I'm so glad to have found you! I Iove your style and look forward to seeing more both here and on Jen's blog. Congratulations! -Emily

  23. Congrats Karen, I can&#39t say I am surprised, you totally deserve it! I love that pantry, great tip painting the shelves in the chalkboard paint. I love the crates you are using for your oils/vinegars etc. So much more stylish than the Kmart ones I may have in my own pantry.

  28. Congrats Karen, I can't say I am surprised, you totally deserve it! I love that pantry, great tip painting the shelves in the chalkboard paint. I love the crates you are using for your oils/vinegars etc. So much more stylish than the Kmart ones I may have in my own pantry.

  33. Congratulations, Karen! You are so great at what you do. I&#39m not a bit surprised! And your pantry is amazing!

  34. Congratulations, Karen! You are so great at what you do. I'm not a bit surprised! And your pantry is amazing!

  37. Wondering what brand & where did you get your containers? Thank you!!

  38. Wondering what brand & where did you get your containers? Thank you!!

  42. Hi Theresa, I got these at Officeworks (Australia) but you should be able to find similar at any office supply store. Hope that helps! xo

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