Spring Wreath

I have been wanting to make THIS wreath from Jones Design Comp.

Isn't it fantastic!?! I love everything about it. So, I rounded up my supplies and here is my new wreath hanging on my front door! Booyah!

Angry Birds

We were at K-mart and my son found some angry birds softies. He wanted them so badly, but I was not willing to fork out $10-16 (depending on size) for them. So, then I thought that I would just make some. I was very excited and came home and started making patterns for it and then I thought, "Self, maybe someone has already made a pattern." And there was:) Using THESE patterns I made a few angry birds for my son!

They are not perfect, but he doesn't care. I did it a little different then the tutorial. I cut out the facial features and sewed them on directly like an applique. I don't have a free motion foot so this was the best option for me. My thoughts on the pattern: the beak, tail and head feathers were really small so they were extremely hard to turn right side out. BUT the directions are easy to follow and it took me about 20 minutes to complete one bird. The red bird pattern doesn't have you put on black tail feathers, but my son immediately noticed. I just added some 'feathers'  made of felt the same way I sewed the beak on.


Next up is a cardboard 'blocks' for him to create the scene to throw birds at. You could use wooden blocks if you have them, but I was really leery about using wooden blocks when he would be throwing things at them. I didn't want the blocks to go flying and hit someone or something.

Good Ideas

Organization station made from a crib rail at Crafting Love

This caught my eye from Plant Talk

This one had me at PVC pipe. Seriously!?! Way cool! Scroll down the post a bit to find it.

I am almost tempted to find a filing cabinet so I can do this;)

Doesn't this photoshoot concept from Leah Hoskins just make you smile!?!

Good Ideas

I just loved this idea from Craft and DIY. So sweet and simple.

This photo-concept from Photography Love is just precious.

And this is genius from Just Good Ideas. Although, you would have to destroy loads of books because these are really spines from books. You could hit a thrift store up and glue the spines onto any basket.

This is a great and easy way to organize ribbon from Crafting Love. Instead of drilling holes:)Just add a wooden dowel and you are good to go.

And this just makes my heart sing from Wishlist. A safe and secrete little hide away for the family jewels;)

Good Ideas

I am speechless here. These lights are made from cupcake wrappers

Where has this been!?! Chalk board contact paper!?! Find it on amazon.

Love this wall decor by Home.

This photo-concept from Photo Ideas is neat.

This just makes me happy at the great organization. Tin cans + magnets+ Cookie sheet

My heart leaped for joy when I saw this from Frames and Pictures.

Getting Organized Day 2

Today I did a printable round up to help organize yourself. I am a huge fan of lists, so this is right up my alley. There are so many free printables available, these are a few of my favorites:)

Bobbie from "It Works for Me" created the priority lists especially for our getting organized week! She is a genius with making free printables. Check her out and make sure to thank her for participating in "getting organized week"!

Priority List



















The Clean House Calendar

Cleaning Schedule

Grocery List

Honey Do List

Check List

Organizing Labels
One thing I have learned is labeling is crucial to organizing. These would be great printed on sticker paper.

Recipe Binder 

Food Journal

Freezer Labels

Daily Household Agenda

If you missed yesterday's post about Household Binder go HERE for the free printables.

Getting Organized Day 1

Yippee! The week of getting organized has begun! I am so excited to have this underway. I am trying to live a more organized life and I know I am not the only one who struggles with it. I decided to do this week to get every one pumped and inspired to have a happier, more organized home. When everything is organized, I am more willing to play with the kids and be creative.
I have been scouring the internet and talking to everyone I know about favorite organization tips. So, this week will be filled with everything I have learned.

***You can download the free printables I made at the very end of the post.***
I made 3 new printables for this post and have included 3 others that are very helpful. Also the 2011 calendar is open for download as well.

The single best advice I can give is make a Command Center Binder (aka Home Management or Household binder)

I actually use 2 methods because together these 2 methods are the perfect fit for my family. A binder and a small hanging folder (seen HERE). 

I use this because the binder wasn't working for things that I just wanted to get off the counters, but have easy access to later. The categories I have here are:
1. mail
2. shred
3. coupons
4. Every family member has their own folder that anything pertaining to them goes in it (school papers, or anything hubby and I want to keep, etc)
5. File (things I want to keep, but need to be put in our filing cabinet, Tax info, recipes, insurance information, etc)
6. Kid's Art (this is where I put their art projects I want to scan, but haven't gotten around to it)

I really {heart} THIS idea for binders and eventually I will be that organized, but for now I just have 1 binder that is all encompassing. Except budgeting, that is a binder all of it's own and needs to be separate, at least for our family.

So here is how to build your own.

#1:  you can purchase a kit with PDF files to print pretty much EVERYWHERE included etsy.

#2:  you can save yourself money, but will spend a little extra time, by creating it yourself or finding free printables on the internet. The + for creating it yourself is it fits your family needs exactly.

Many of the printables I have are no longer available for free, but I did find THIS, and THIS that will give you a huge head start. I tested the links out to make sure they really were free and they were!

You can personalize your binder and decide what categories your family needs. Our binder has the following sections
1. Contacts (I keep all our contact information. Family, friends, doctors numbers and addresses. Any business cards I need/have I store in a baseball card clear sleeve. This keeps the clutter off my refrigerator.
2. Important Dates Calendar
3. Schedules (classes at gym, hubby's work schedule, kid's school year calendar, etc)
4. Netflix (just a clear sleeve to put all the netflix mailing envelopes)
5. Household Inventory (pantry, storage, and freezer inventory, home maintenance list, auto maintenance log, Book/movie sign out sheet.) I created 2 Free printables because I don't know about you, but I always forget who borrowed what.)
6. Blog (blogging ideas and checklists)


One of the best things I ever made was a "Baby Sitter Information". I put this as the very first page under "contacts". There are lots of free printables available, but I wanted to customize mine so it fit our family perfectly. I made a printable for you too and...... I put some of my sense of humor in it! It has everything I felt was important.
I just take the page out of my binder and hang it on the refrigerator right before the babysitter comes. Then I don't have to give them a verbal run down and worry about forgetting something, they can just read it themselves. I just tell them instructions are on the fridge.

Making this binder is seriously the single best thing I did to get more organized. It cuts down on clutter on the counter and refrigerator, keeps paper clutter under control, and helps our family run more smoothly. Best advice I could offer you is to make one ASAP! It can change and grow with your family needs. Decide which method works best for your family or do both like we do:) Good luck!

Book Sign Out Printable

Movie Sign out Printable

Babysitter Information Printable

Important Dates Calendar













2011 Calendars
July
August
September
October
November
December








14 Weekly Menu Planner

Up do's

I have still been getting inspiration for fun up do's for summer.

I did THIS one today. (scroll to bottom of post for instructions, it's a really long post). It turned out okay. Next time I am going to braid my hair tighter so it looks better in front. She also has some other styles I might try.

I am going to try THIS one tomorrow. I will take a picture this time so you can see how I do.

I {heart} this one. just some braids over the crown and a messy bun in back. I found a video tutorial HERE if you need more then the pictures.

I found this on martha stewart.

Okay, I am done. Sorry if you are getting board, but I am on a cute hair hunt. I want to have easy up do's this summer!

Hair Anyone

Hey everyone! I have some great news. My sister is teaming up with me to share the work load:) She is going to be sharing some yummy recipes and a few crafts here and there! Her name is Kimberly or Kim. I know you are going to love her as much as I do! She will be making her grand appearance Saturday! 

I am left to brows other's creative inspirations. I am on a hair kick right now. I am trying to find fun and easy up do's for the summer. Here are a few that I am going to try.

Found a tutorial for this hair HERE! YIPPEE!