Visit the Etsy shop Uncorked for an updated look on the old traditional cork board. I am not usually a huge fan of the cork board but this one I would hang. I especially love the attached glass test tube to hold the unused push pins!
I know the suspense is just killing you all, you are wondering what came in the package right? Well remember my call out to all of you crafty people out there asking if anyone would take my left over jean scraps and turn them into something useful? Well here it is...
Kristin over at Grace Violet took the challenge on and the results were so much better than I ever imagined! I sent her my son's leg pieces and this is what was waiting for me in the mail when I got home from our trip...
I cannot get over how cute this turned out! This is the perfect size for my daughter and she will love carrying around all of her girly stuff in it. Actually she will probably carry around her brother's army men, but I like to tell myself she will be into girly stuff one day.
Isn't it adorable? I just can't stop looking at it. Thanks so much Kristin!
If you want to make one of these beautiful buckets for yourself, you can find the complete tutorial here. I love Krisitn's idea of filling one with nursery needs for a baby shower.
School is officially out for summer! My son's last day of first grade was on Thursday. It seems like he just started Kindergarten yesterday. I am so enjoying these early years with my children!
My son has a "dress code" at school which basically consists of plain jeans/slacks or shorts and polos or collared shirts for the boys.
He was pretty rough on his jeans this year, which is typical for the average 7 year old. But, why only the right knee? Maybe he really leans on one knee and walks like that all day, it wouldn't surprise me. Once his jeans get a whole they are downgraded to play pants. He comes home and changes into these before he goes outside. So, here I am with 3 pairs of wholly jeans.
To kick off the summer I decided to cut off the jeans at the knees and turn them into play shorts. We bought him new shorts for school this year so I hope that he will still be able to wear them at the beginning of the next school year. I told him his play pants are for outside and if we go out in public he can wear his nice shorts. :) That sounds like we're a couple of country bumpkins doesn't it?
Here is my dilemma, I am left with 6 pant legs. Previously I would have thrown these out without a second glance. Now, I am trying to become a little more conscious of things I contribute to the landfill. It is useful, sturdy fabric but what do you make with them? I am not crafty like some of my bloggy friends out there.
I found this organizer as an option which would be a great idea for kids or craft supplies. Or maybe some little bags to organize the contents of your purse?
So what do you think? What would you use this fabric for?
It might take me a while to find time to tackle this project on my own so let's have some fun with this. If there is anyone up for the challenge I would be willing to send my "legs" to you so you can work your magic. You can use your crafty skills to make something USEFUL with them and send it back to me. I will pay for shipping and any materials you use to complete the project. (within reason). If you are up for the challenge, leave a comment and if more than one person signs up I will pick one at random. The completed project and all the details will be featured here when completed.
A few months back I shared an idea I found for sprucing up notebooks. Recently, I came across Debi's blog showing how she used the idea to label her sewing notebooks. She used a picture from a calendar she liked and printed out labels for each notebook.
Looks great Debi, thanks for stopping by!
Last week Mamabug commented on my finding time post asking what I store my children's art supplies in. Instead of trying to explain in the comments section here are a few pictures...
I found these glass containers at Belk's, a local department store, 2 years ago. It was one of those boxed and already wrapped "presents" stacked near the front door at Christmas time. They were on sale so I couldn't resist. The jars provide easy access for the kids and they are able to see through the container to find what they need. Very quick and easy to clean up as well!
I keep paper on stacking letter trays right next to the jars.
Crayons, chalk, scissors, glue, markers etc., are stored in this drawer unit I found at Target several years back. The size is perfect to store all of the things I can let my kids handle themselves. I keep the messier art supplies that need assistance in a clear bin in the closet. I could go one step further and label the outside of the little drawers but so far the kids are pretty good about putting everything in the right space. The drawers can be removed and they don't usually take all of them out at once.
Target no longer carries the drawer unit I have but the Fira mini chest from Ikea is the next best thing. Not only does it have more drawers but you can decorate this one yourself.
I also keep coloring books and crayons in the kitchen for those moments when mom and dad are trying to complete whole sentences without interuption.
Related Posts:
Recently an email went around that told a story about a man from New York that bought land in Portugal. While walking the property he stumbled upon an old building that was filled with old cars. My husband sent me the email, and then he checked it out online to see if it was true and this is what he found out...
This is the building that does exist somewhere in Portugal. It was not bought by a man from New York. It is and has been owned by the same person for decades.
Yes, it is filled with cars, 180 of them. The owner was a car salesman and when he came across a car he liked he decided to keep it. So he eventually filled up this building with all of these cool cars and he closed the doors, padlocked it and soldered it shut.
This is one of those "you've got to be kidding me!" moments. These cars are worth millions!
He obviously has his reasons why he would keep them locked away for so long. But, these cars should be loved on, or sold to someone who will love them. A collection of this magnitude deserves recognition. I sincerely hope that this man does not keep these cars locked away until he passes on never truly enjoying them or letting others do so.
My grandfather restored cars (mostly mustangs) when I was growing up and I loved watching him give them new life. He would painstakingly put so much time and effort in to them, but the results were phenomenal. They shined, smelled, and sounded like new. I would give anything for one of those cars right now, but I know they went to good homes and someone is getting enjoyment out of them. I would hate to see one sitting under decades of dust.
What are you holding on to? Do you have collections sitting in boxes or in storage? What purpose are they serving collecting dust? Do you know someone who could use them or enjoy them. Let's take a moment and re-evaluate what we have and make a choice to love it or lose it!
You can read the full story of the dusty cars at Sports Car Market. You can find more pictures here and a list of the cars here.
With two kids running around during the day it is hard to find time to tackle some of the business tasks I need to take care of during "normal" working hours.
I have an art table set up in my office for the kids to work at. If I need 30 minutes to myself I give them free time to make whatever they want. They love experimenting with new designs and textures and of course, who can make the biggest mess. But they have so much fun!
Right this very second my daughter is sleeping and my son is gluing away! I haven't heard a peep out of him for 10 minutes now. Works for me! Now, time to get back to work!
Related Posts: Kid Craft
I love this idea from the Happy Living Blog. Notebook spines were made by taking an inspiring magazine ad page and cutting it into four pieces to match the size of the spine. A very beautiful and inexpensive way to spruce up any space!
Why not try this with a poster if you have more notebooks and want the same look.
Our final Flickr group this week has 2,279 members and over 3,000 photos. To view all of these pictures I used Flickr's handy little slide show feature and just let it roll as I worked. This group is not just about organization it is a group for crafters to show their craft rooms. I have found a few rooms that were being showcased after an organizing project or just being tidied up. Here are a few that I hope inspires you.....
Marichelle opted for wire drawers for her crafts so she can see the contents. Great idea as long as you keep them looking that way. I love the warmth of the orange doors and drawers. Marichelle has a few organizing tips of her own and an Etsy shop.
Wren's Nest Cottage has a very earthy look to it. I adore the stack of baskets next to the desk. I would love to do the same with vintage suitcases. To find out more about Cindy and her craft room visit Joyful Abode where her craft room was featured on February 2nd.
The labels caught my attention here. I know I am just going to snap one day and my husband will come home to a completely labeled house. Suzanne's space inspires me, how about you? She has an Etsy shop in the works as well, I can't wait to see what is in store.
Deborahdee's studio is pretty in pink and chocolate brown (my favorite). A beautiful antique chest pulls it all together.
Here Luciana used a mixture of boxes and pails for storage in her craft room.
I like the glass door cabinets. You can see how wonderfully organized Flapi's crafts are and an added bonus is that it helps keep the dust away. Visit her Etsy shop to see some of the beautiful headbands she makes.
Flickr Groups: Inspiring You To Keep Clutter Away
Flickr Group: Pretty Organized
Flickr Group: Pretty Organized Part II
I could get lost in these pictures forever. Today is our second installment of Flickr Group photos. I hope the photos I have shared with you so far are inspiring you to tackle the clutter. I know I am getting some great ideas myself.
The group I am going to share with you today has over 2000 pictures posted and 1715 members. I am going to split this one up into two days. Today I will share some inspiring spaces. Tomorrow I will show pictures of new creative storage ideas I came across in this group. Welcome to the Flickr group....
Here we have Gail's craft shelf. A place for everything and everything in its place. I find the colors very soothing. She has more pictures in the group so go check them out.
This is where Moline keeps her embroidery supplies. I love to see people go beyond boxes and baskets and trying different containers like mini suitcases and hat boxes.
I think I may have to just do a whole post on Chez Larsson. I posted one of her pictures from Organization is for Squares yesterday. I am drawn to her pictures. I love the simplicity of it all. The best way I can describe her home is organization meets art. Every nook in her home is artfully organized.
I am not brave enough to have open shelves in my playroom. I'm not even worried about the older two it is my one year old who would surely scale to the top and pull everything down in her path. I am hoping the doors will deter my little angel for now. Molly, however has done a great job with the toy storage. I'm sure it always stays this beautiful as well. ;)
What a cheery kitchen! I love the open shelving and if you look close you can see the drawers are even labeled!
I have had so much fun with this little project so far. This post really could go on forever and ever. There were so many great pictures it was hard to pick only a few. Remember, I will be back tomorrow with a few creative storage ideas from Pretty Organized.
Meanwhile, if you have any pictures to share of your own organized spaces, please feel free to share.
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Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration to give an organizing project it's initial kick start. I thumb through magazines and a picture will strike a chord with me and my heart sings out to tackle the next project. A picture is worth a thousand words. When you see a product used a certain way or a bookshelf turned into a visual masterpiece using colors and containers it can cause you to have an Ah Hah! moment. Suddenly it all becomes clear... you have found the solution to your organizing problem.
If you are looking for a little inspiration your in luck. This week I will be featuring a new Flickr group each day that deals with organizing. I will post pictures form each group that I find are the most inspirational. I came across the Flickr groups while visiting Making it Lovely. Today we will start with the group Nicole started......
Spring has sprung at Chez Larsson. I love this home office. You can find many more pictures like this of her "less than 800 square foot home." She has made great use of the space she has and how beautiful it all is.
Lovely pink containers from The Domestic Diva. Check out the Sewing Room Organization Challenge held at her site for tons of useful tips, products and of course inspirational photos. (It almost wants me to take up sewing)
Wow. I'm speechless. If I had this many purses I would certainly have cubbies for them all. Becky even has a Flickr Photo of the Week feature at her blog on Design Public and this week it just so happens that it is an organizing photo.
Last but not least, the photo that started Organization is for Squares. Nicole's squared away studio where she stores all of the lovely products she carries at her online store, Pink Loves Brown.
There are so many other great photos but only so much time. Check them out and maybe add some of your own. I noticed a couple of others in the group that I have actually blogged about before here and here. I just love the ideas and inspiration these photos bring.
I'll be back tomorrow with another group and more beautiful photos.
(PHOTO by: BILLY KINGSLEY / THE TENNESSEAN)I remember as I was growing up I would go from collection to collection and the novelty would usually wear off. It could have had something to do with me not wanting to dust as well. I've collected miniature figurines, perfume bottles and of course the dreaded beanie babies. The last of my collections went into the garage sale last year. I realized the two small collections I had left had been tucked away for nearly 7 years in boxes. They didn't take up much room but really, what was the point in holding on to them. For me it wasn't even sentimental anymore. My collections made it through 10 of my last 15 moves and I decided I am not moving them again.
For those of you that have collections and love them and have them out here are a few ideas from HGTV.com for displaying your collections effectively.
So far in my organizing journeys I have only seen bears and boxes but I look forward to the first organizing client that presents me with an interesting collection to organize.
I thought I would share a handy little product with you. When organizing we are always looking for more space right? Well you might not have an abundance of space but most of you do have doors. An over door shoe organizer is a great product to help you get a quick organizing fix. Get creative in the uses you can find for them.
Obviously the transparent would be the best choice if you need to see the contents but these shoe organizers do come in different colors and in canvas or cotton. You can get artistic with labels if you can't see what is in the pockets.
With little ones at home I am always finding new uses for the shoe organizers. I have never actually used them for shoes. Here we have one hanging in our coat closet for hats and gloves. For our family of five this works great. The kids can easily find their gloves and PUT THEM BACK. No lost gloves or hats.
My daughter is now old enough to get into any drawer in the house. I learned with my son that this is not a good combination in the bathroom. (I once found him sucking on a tube of toothpaste. Don't worry I asked the doctor how much is too much and he didn't have enough to do harm.) Now, I keep most of the toiletries in a shoe organizer on the linen closet door. I keep my things in the top pockets and I leave a few pockets open on the bottom for her toys. She stays busy putting things in and taking them out while Mommy gets ready. Another sanity saver!
Design Mom posted about inexpensive ways to organize your wrapping paper, an article that was featured in Organize Magazine. Another great use for a shoe organizer.
The possibilities are endless. You can use them for storing small toys in the playroom, spices in the kitchen or even office supplies in a small office. Get creative with the organizing products you already may have at home. Try new things and make sure you come back and tell me what works for you.
Peg boards are moving out of the garage and into the craft room. They are quite handy and the accessories you can find or make are too abundant to name them all in just one post. I came across this inspiring craft room in the August 2007 issue of Better Homes & Gardens. Here are a few tricks they used:And if you look real close I had to tape the first page together again after saving it from the death grip of my 9 month old. Ahh, she is already taking an interest in pretty pictures of organized rooms. (Or, she just likes to eat paper.)
Using a vintage glass cabinet is a great way to store your fabric and at the same time enjoy the beauty of it all. When using a cabinet like this you would want to keep it out of direct sunlight so the fabric does not fade.
While browsing Decor8 I came across this card catalog from bitsandbobbins. I'm always on the lookout for a card catalog such as this and I think it would make a great addition to any craft room or office (especially mine).
For those of you that are fans of turquoise and pink I found this craft room. I like the splash of lime as well. This is a beautifully organized room using a BILLY Bookcase from Ikea.
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