My Happy Place | Altenew #AltenewMess Challenge

I recently came across Altenew’s fun #AltenewMess challenge in celebration of Organization Month, and I thought - why not take this as a sign to take some nice photos of my craftroom, a space I lovingly call my happy place?

This room is actually our second bedroom-slash-guest room-slash-cat room (yes, it wears many hats!), but most importantly, it’s where I create. I can honestly stay in here all day and not notice the hours go by. It’s a cozy little corner of our home that brings me calm, peace, and a whole lot of crafty satisfaction. Though I think the kitchen brings me that too - especially when I cook but I don't like washing dishes so the craft room gets the "fave" room award.

What makes this space even more special to me is how far it has come. When I first arrived here in KSA, all my supplies were stored on the guest bed, and I’d either work at our living room table—or straight up on the floor. Then I got my first shelf. Eventually a proper table. And little by little, this room slowly transformed into the space it is now:

Back in October 2022, when I first arrived here in KSA, my Sizzix Big Shot sat on the bed alongside baskets of dies. Everything else—papers, inks, tapes—was scattered across the dresser with zero organization, no baskets, no storage system… just pure crafty (organized) chaos.

   

 

February 2023 - When we renewed our apartment lease for the year, we decided to “invest” in an IKEA shelf—our first real step toward turning the room into a proper craft space.

  

 Floor crafting at its finest! No table? No problem! When you don’t have a workspace, the entire floor becomes your table. Unlimited legroom, unlimited chaos, and everything within arm’s reach—who needs boundaries when the whole room is your crafting zone? Heheh. But seriously,  floor crafting is fun!

 

In March 2023, we finally got a crafting table! Why?   Well, I was heading home to the Philippines to fix my visa,  and my husband—already dreading the loneliness—lovingly  gave in and said yes to the table. Separation anxiety works  in mysterious (and crafty) ways. Hehehe 

 

Between getting the table and what my craftroom looks like now, I also added two trusty rolling carts to the mix—one from IKEA and another from an online find. Because let’s be honest… once you start organizing craft supplies, one cart just magically needs to turn into two. Plus, every trip back home to the Philippines somehow turns into a crafting haul mission. I always come back to Saudi with a suitcase full of papers, stamps, dies, and “just a few” new supplies I absolutely need.

In May 2023, after a month-long vacation (and visa run) back home in the Philippines, I returned to Saudi with a very special souvenir—my Cricut Maker! The dresser, once home to scattered supplies, was officially promoted to my Cricut Station. Talk about a glow-up! 

Before we added a second table, a second shelf, and those handy boxes to hold my scraps, space was tight. There wasn’t enough room for crafting—let alone a spot for Lucky to hang out. We were both competing for every inch of table space! 

By January 2025, we leveled up! I got a second shelf and   another table to extend my existing setup.  More space = more crafting… and let’s be honest,  more room for new supplies I’ll “definitely use soon.”  hehehe

 

With the longer table, Lucky finally got his wish—he now has a spot on   the table while I craft. It’s a shared workspace now…  though I’m still the one doing all the work!

All of my shelves, tables, roll-away carts, and even my vinyl organizer are from IKEA, and I love how they’re all white—it gives the space a clean, bright look. It was hard using the tables at first because I didn't want to stain them but eventually, the first stain happened and I moved on to the OC-ness that comes with clean and unblemished table. I’m also waiting on dust covers I ordered for my Cricut Heat Press and Mug Press before I finally open and use them. 

Now here’s a fun twist to this “happy place”—the view! Our building faces a construction site with apartment buildings still being built. So, yes, there are often people working just outside my window, especially on higher floors. It definitely makes things interesting, and it means I always need to double-check that I’m dressed decently—especially when the windows are open, which is usually when I take photos of my projects to get that good natural light. And since our building is surrounded by construction, the usual Middle East dust feels doubled—which is exactly why I’m holding off on opening my machines until the dust covers I ordered finally arrive.

Anyway, back to the view - just last week, I looked out and saw a man lounging on the edge of an unfinished window, casually on his phone like he was on a coffee break.  I couldn’t help but snap a photo and send it to my mom with the message: “My craft room view—construction and a man.” Her reply? “Make sure you’re dressed properly—he might be sending a photo to his colleagues saying you’re their view from the construction!” LOL. Classic mom advice, but she might have a point.

 

So yes, my craftroom may share space with a guest bed, a curious cat, and an ever-changing construction view—but to me, it’s perfect. It’s functional, bright, and filled with things I love. I wouldn’t change a thing. And of course, as usual, all of this wouldn’t have come together without my ever supportive husband, who’s been so patient with my ever-growing collection - and somehow always says yes when I tell him, “I just need one more this and that.” 

If you’re like me and love seeing other creatives’ spaces, check out the #AltenewMess hashtag—you’ll find all kinds of setups, from beautifully styled studios to delightfully chaotic desks. And if you’re feeling brave, share your own!

Until next time,

Ana