Playing Catch Up

I realized I had a few pictures from our old house that hadn't been posted on the blog yet. Anyway, these ones with Luke and Miko were just too cute to ignore.

Here are some labels I made for Miko's toy bins. I meant to do a whole post about it but never finished...

Crafty Magazine Holders

 I managed to complete a super simple craft this morning during one of Miko's naps.  The supplies I used were: generic magazine holders, Mod Podge, a sponge brush and scrapbook paper.

 Just cut out some cute scrapbook paper sections,

 and glue to the front of your magazine holders.

 That's it! It was very quick and easy but made my magazine holders look much more awesome.

Home Management Binder

 

I admit I spend a fair amount of time reading other peoples blogs, especially organization, craft and decorating blogs.  The inspiration I garner from browsing these blogs more than justifies my time spent on line in my opinion.  There are so many talented and creative people out there with so many great ideas!  I love practical solutions that I can implement in my own life or within my own home. The home management binder is one such project, and there are so many version out there in the blogosphere.  Sara at Memories on Cloverlane was the first to introduce me to the idea, and Jen at I heart organizing has a great one also.  But this blog is where I found my most favourite free printables: diy home sweet home, I love her style and she shares her templates for free. Go check them out!

Mud Room Organization

A pretty 'after' shot

 Here's a couple 'before' shots - Not too bad, it's been worse but it was feeling overcrowded and inefficient

And here's what it looked like when I was finished:

 Yay, I got to use some of my Martha Stewart Labels :)

Ahhhh, much better!

Crafty Idea - Weekly Menu Board

 Oh Martha, how I love your new office supplies at Staples!  I spent a few dollars on some chalk board labels and finally brought one of my ideas to life.  The 'week at a glance' Menu chalk board.  I purposely designed it vertically so that it would fit in a specific section of our kitchen wall. That is one of the reasons I love making things from scratch: you can always make them in a way that suits your needs and tastes.

New Things I Am Loving Around the House

Isn't this soap dish adorable?  I have had the hardest time finding the 'perfect' soap dish.... And I have confession to make. This is actually a cat food dish that I had every intention of giving to Circus.  Until I realized that it was EXACTLY what I was looking for in a soap dish, I hope Circus doesn't mind because I love it.

 I won this over the sink cutting board at our work Christmas party this year and I am wondering how I ever survived without it?  And, it forces me to keep the sink relatively empty, which is an added bonus, hehehe

 I just really liked this porcelain apple, and I think I may have a crafty idea up my sleeve for it

 I am loving the design and colour of my new backpack

 I finally found a nice rattan basket to corral all of my reusable shopping bags

I waited for the shadow boxes to go on sale at Michaels and finally spent the gift card that my sister gave me for Christmas.  I know this picture is blurry, but its the best I can do in the middle of winter around here (sigh).  As soon as I get some good natural light, I'll be sure to snap a better pic.

Little things....

....they make me smile, and I am glad for that.  Little things like these organizing bins, have the power to make me happy :)

I LOVE Lists

There is something about me, something I love to do SO much, its surprising I haven't mentioned here on my blog before.  I absolutely love making lists, I'm obsessed, I'm addicted and I love it!  I have been keeping lists for years and years. Recently, I started keeping my lists in their own notebooks/on their own dry-erase boards because they started to take over my journals (which now only include full sentences and paragraphs). I use lists for many different purposes, as you will see below, and they all make me happy inside. (wow I'm such a geek)

List of instructions/Steps:  I use lists to help me remember things I don't do as often as I should.  My yoga routine being one of them.

My Daily Dry-Erase List:  This is my to-do list that I update and change everyday.  I just love crossing stuff off, but don't mind at all if I don't get around to everything, it just means I have one more thing for my list tomorrow :)

Fridge Lists:  I write lists on colourful paper and tack them onto the fridge to remind me of fun stuff I can do when I have some spare time.

Menu Board:  This is my pinterest-inspired dry-erase menu board that I crafted to match our kitchen.  I use it to plan out our weekly menu and have also started using the space at the bottom for jotting down items that I need to add to my next grocery list.

List Notebooks: These babies get quite a bit of use, I write any and all lists in here that don't have a place or space already.  I use lists to brainstorm ideas, I love having a place to record all of my thoughts and ideas that are related to a particular theme.  My Christmas Stocking-Stuffer List is shown below.

I like my notebooks to be of the bright and cheery variety.

I use lists to help me appreciate and acknowledge all that I love about the world.  My list of seasonal traditions is shown below.

I use lists to inspire me to try new things.   You will see one of my 'recipes to try' lists below (I have made four of them so far :)

Wishlists:  These lists are just fun downright fun to make!  I will rip this page out and take it with me the next time I go to Ikea, I really will.

Long-Term To-do list:  I usually make one of these every weekend and you can be sure that there are always items left over! (see my list below as an example).  I love list-making so much that there is no way I could actually accomplish everything in the time allotted... I just move those items onto next weekend's list :)

 My Pocket sized/Purse sized Notepad:  And last but not least, my ultra-important notepad that travels with me everywhere I go. This is where all of my shopping and grocery lists end up because I whip them out as soon as I get to the store.  I also write down phone numbers, addresses, directions and other useful information that I may need when I am out and about.  This little guy is a life saver!

Yep, it's safe to say that List-writing is a huge passion of mine!

Basement Organization

Before:    Can you believe I let our section of the basement get this bad???!

 Yes....those are aircraft seats.... a 'perk' of working at Flighcraft

After:

Ahhhh, breathing room!  Now everything is accessible and therefore useful :)