A DIY Fashionable Moment

I think I love fashion just as much as I love house decorating and organizing!  If you saw my closet post- you know I have a sweet spot for jewelry.  It doesn't have to be expensive- which is why I LOVE these new bracelets that I made.  I think they are not only easy to make but very stylish.  I love the look of stacked dainty bracelets.  Here is a little how to moment...

First start with your supplies of embroidery yarn and center charms.  You can find these at any craft store.

I found a few really cute charms at the website: www.baublesandbeads.com 

Start by cutting two 20in strips of the yarn.  Fold in half and pull the loop of the yarn through the ring, fold it over the ring, and pull the rest of the cord through the loop. Repeat the step on the other side of the ring. These strands will be anchored and remain stationary.

Clip one end to a note pad or clipboard to help keep the base stable.

Center another strand of the yarn cut to about 30 in. under the two middle strands. Fold the left cord over the middle strands and under the right cord. Pull the right cord under the left and middle strands and through the loop on the left side.

Pull tightly to start the top.

Continue this on each side, fold the right cord over the middle strands and under the left cord. Pull the left cord under the right and middle strands and through the loop on the right side.  Repeat this back and forth until you have the length of half your bracelet.  Then clip the other side and repeat.

Here is a completed bracelet ready for the finishing touches.

Tie on the closing clamp of your choice.

Here are a few I made within an hour tv show!

There you have it- dainty, stackable bracelets!  

Easy Art

I love finding a way to create easy and interesting art for the home.  This fun idea is something I saw for sale on esty.com and thought... I can make that!  So I tried it out today and I am hooked.  I want to create one for every room in my house!  Here is a step by step so you too can try it out.

Start with old dictionaries found at your local Goodwill.

Create your image on your computer and do a practice print for size and a location check.

Then tear out a  page of the dictionary and tape it to the computer paper.

Then simply reprint the image onto the page that has the dictionary page taped on it.  You can even hand select the dictionary page you use based on the words found on that page.  I used the dictionary page with the word 'love' on it for my husband and my initials.  Can you eye spy 'love' on the page?.... hint: look in the M.

Then simply cut to the size of your selected frame.

Here is the finished project located on a dresser in our master bedroom.

The same can be done with a large dictionary page.

Select images you want and do a practice print.

Reprint onto the dictionary page.

I framed this page with sea shells for my dining room buffet table- it sits among a collection of items including a piece of drift wood.

Note: When searching for images I used a simple google search.  I would suggest adding the word drawing to your item search.  For example to find the boat I Google Image searched: drawings of boats.  If you add in the word drawings it brings you more artistic pictures rather than literal images.

Then I got excited about all the images that could be put onto a dictionary page for different rooms in someone's home.  I love the look of the boat or old ferris wheel for a child's room; you could do fruit or other spices for the kitchen.  The ideas are endless!  What image would you put onto dictionary paper?

Bucket List Moment

I was so excited to check something off my summer bucket list.  We made it to the IMA movie in the park with our great friends, Kevin and Kelsey!  We had the best time watching Big.  This was a great moment turned memory for the summer of 2012!

Can't wait to continue my summer bucket list fun!!

A Healthy Organization

Summer is a great time to get HEALTHY- well anytime is a good time!  I have always eaten rather healthy, and I am a big believer in you will eat what you buy.  Therefore, I only buy healthy options to keep in the house!  As I was wanting to eat healthy this summer, I wanted to clean out my refrigerator and give it a healthy/organized make over.  I started with keeping it clean and organized.  I found a great website called refrigerator coasters.  They have created a coaster that fits into the side panels and the drawers- bonus... they have cute patterns and colors.  Needless to say I order them right away.  When they came in the mail I loved them except for one tiny detail.  They felt like a coaster- the hard cardboard type.  Bummer! I really wanted something a bit more durable and wipeable.  So I took them and got each one laminated.  Now I can take them out and wipe them down to keep them clean.  I have found it much easier to clean them compared to cleaning my drawers.

I selected yellow for the side panels and grey for the drawers.

While organizing the side panels of the refrigerator, check the expiration dates on all the dressing, condiments, and other items stored there.

Finally, after your refrigerator is clean and organized take a close look at the foods you are putting back inside.  I am keeping my mantra of... if you cut and clean it, you will eat it! So often I buy fruits and veggies and they sit in their store containers and go bad.  However, if I get home from the store and immediately clean, cut, and restore these items I and my husband reach for these healthy snacks more!  These little cute coasters inspired me to clean my refrigerator and get healthy all at the same time!!  Hope you are inspired as well!

An Organized Moment

Not sure why... but I LOVE organizing!  Most people who know me, know this little trait I have.  I enjoy a well organized space, and I am not afraid to say it!!  So even though my closet might have appeared already organized to most- I had some ideas that I wanted to change.

You see most of my closet is organized by type of clothing- like jeans, tanks, teeshirts, cardigans... you get the idea.  Then all the other things were organized in baskets.  Don't get me wrong, I love a good basket for organizing.  But I started to feel my baskets overflowing and I was never sure what all was stuffed in each.  So I went to Target and collected only a few cheap and easy materials to help clean out my over stuffed baskets and display the items in them.  My thought... maybe if I can see what I have I will wear it more often or at least realize I need to have a garage sale!

Here are a few of the ideas I put into place to organize my closet today.

My purses started on a shelf just all kinda tossed in.

I used the empty space under my last shelf and the carpet floor to create a hanging display for my purse collection. 

I simply took a tension rod and tightened it on either side of the shelf.  Then I used cheap, silver shower curtain rings to hang each purse with.   So easy, but they look so nice all hung up and visible!

This organization tip I did from the minute we moved into our home.  I might have a slight obsession with necklaces!!  I needed a place to put them all and a normal jewelry case just doesn't cut it.  I used the empty side of my built in shelves and added small screw in hooks.  Sooo easy and effective.  Now I can see all my necklaces, and they are right there when I am putting together an outfit. 

My next basket to organize was the one stuffed with scarves.  I love scarves!! They are great for all seasons! I  needed a spot to hang them so they weren't so wrinkled when I wanted to wear them and so I didn't forget about the ones at the bottom of the basket.

Again- I am all about using that random empty space in a closet!

I simply screwed in a small curtain rod.  Then I used those same silver shower curtain rings to hang each scarf.

  My last tip is one for the shoes!!

I love the look of boots all standing tall, like in a store.  However, the boot inserts at local organizing stores are around $10.00.  Doesn't seem like much until you realize you have about 8 to 10 pairs of boots!! That adds up!!

So my solution was to create my own boot insert!  I simply used an old box and cut a slice of cardboard that was long enough to fill my boot length.  I cut it and folded it in half.

Stick the cardboard down into each boot and there you have it!! A FREE boot insert so all your boots can stand tall!

I gotta say I had so much fun in my closet today!!  I have some fun ideas now for those empty shelves and basket! 
 Good thing about my new closet organization- It is organized and looks neat.  I can see everything and easily access everything.
Bad thing about my new closet organization- Those baskets hid how much stuff I really have.  Now that it is all out on display for me, my husband can also see everything!!  No more shopping for a while:)

Hope these little tips help inspire you to organize a space in your home.