Keep CALM and ORGANIZE on

HelloOOooOo.

I enjoyed the "10 on 10" link parties so much that I have joined another link party over at "A Thoughtful Place".  

The theme is "Keep Calm and Organize On", and the goal is simple.  Organize some-thing.

I've been thinking about organizing the kid's willy-nilly art supplies for some time, so the link party is a great excuse to put it on my priority list.  Here is sort of how we use them now:

As you can see, we had some of them them in this little blue organizational tote, but here is the problem with this tote:
1.  They naturally get spilled everywhere if the kids wanted to take them into other rooms.
2.  It still seems to be so open and free that the kids didn't really take too much care to put them back where they belong.  It's like, just as long as they get in the tote, it doesn't matter which part of the tote.

So, my goal was to organize them into something that is easy for them to use, but also to take around the house, into the car...and most importantly - easy enough for them to keep up with the organization themselves, so putting their supplies in the right place comes naturally to them. 

I started with a 3 ring binder and some CLEAR pencil pouches with holes for the binder (I think I spent about $5 all together). 

I absolutely think clear is the best choice for most organizational tools.  This way I don't have to read.  I kid, I kid, but really it does save time that you don't have to label everything, and it is certainly a necessity when you have children using them that don't yet read.

I just organized and stuffed.  I took care not to put anything too thick in it, otherwise the folder wouldn't close.  This is the result:

Very happy with it. 

Handmade Felt Thingies

Well, I feel like I have some really cool projects in the works, but nothing seems to be going my way with any of them.  I have now deemed them all to "stink", and need a break lest I become discouraged.

Yes, I needed a little respite from my usual things, and a less picky recipient (less picky than myself) - so I got a bee in my bonnet to make my nephew something fun and this is the product of that bee's residing:

I hope you all recognize the tall brown guy as Chewie - of course, if you don't - I would chalk it up to my failing, not yours.  I'd like to do him again sometime and I would make his bandolero more accurate, but for now, I think it's a sufficient toy for a two year old.

Then I made the crocodile, and he told me he wanted to be "fancy" - so I fashioned a bowtie for him.  (Not sure who he's trying to impress...maybe he just wants to look his best for his new little boy.)

I hope he likes them!

Treasure Hunting

Since I was a little girl, I have fancied myself a pirate perpetually on a treasure hunt.  Living in the downtown district of my hometown, there were always thrift stores, yard sales, and a Factory 2-U (Oh, yes...Factory 2-U) available within walking distance.

There really is something so fun about going somewhere with $5 in your pocket and wading through cassette tapes, finished Highlights magazines, and cheap wicker baskets to peel back the funky sheets and find that perfectly glazed piece of pottery with a $2 price tag (and just enough room to hold your paintbrushes).  THE TREASURE!  (Is anyone else imagining hoisting it high as light beams and music radiate from it?)

Thrift stores and bargain bins are some of the fun, but it's also great to go to a dollar store on a lazy day and see what they have to offer.  Here are just a FEW of what I think are some pretty great things I have found at Dollar Stores:

So, recently I found some bowls at the "Dollar Tree" that caught my eye.  We needed new bowls, and the color is my favorite.  Of course, the price was right, so I picked them up:

Okay, I had intended to tell you what became of these turquoise beauties, but this blog is already pretty long, and if you're anything like me...you're bored now...so, I think I'll show you the simple thing we did to dress them up in another blog (if you're kind enough to be interested and return)!

Til' next time, folks!