Organizing My Space

I got this shelf from IKEA almost a year ago and have struggled with how to organize it, I have lost count as to how many times I have rearranged the books. I think I have finally found the solution! My original inspiration came from here I loved how clean it all looked. So here's what I did to organize and clean up my space.

Supplies I used

• 
  
  
  A Heat Seal Laminator (I bought this ages ago at Office Depot)



• 
  
  
  Laminating Pouches (Sams Club sells a box of 200 for $20)



• 
  
  
  Crack N Peel Sticker Sheets (You can use regular scrapbook paper & glue them I just happened to have these)



• 
  
  
  White Cardstock



• 
  
  
  Velcro Dots



• 
  
  
  IKEA Magazine Holders ($1.99 for 5 awesome deal)



• 
  
  
  Color Printer

First I put together the magazine holders

I printed on the Crack N Peel some awesome free digital scrapbook paper from here but you can also use regular scrapbook paper

I put wrong sides together laminated them and than trimmed close to the edge so I could separate them and only have the design side be laminated

I printed my labels on basic white cardstock, I laminated it so both sides were laminated

Next I put the label sheet on top of a design sheet and cut them into three strips & than continued to cut the rest of the laminated Crack N Peel Sheets

I peeled the back off

And stuck it onto the magazine holder

I filled my magazine holder with like items in this case it was my sons school workbooks
This is functional in itself but I have a need for LABELS
I wanted to be able to change my labels (In case I changed things around a bit) So I added the Velcro dots. I have a hard time lining things up so I put the dots together than I stuck them to the magazine holder.
And now you have a nice, clean, cute & functional way to organize magazines, books & papers

The end result! What do you think?

A Brand New Start

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

It's normal for everyone to make a fresh start on New Years Day. Make resolutions for themselves like EAT HEALTHY, LOSE 20 or MORE POUNDS, ORGANIZE, MAKE BETTER RELATIONSHIPS, HAVE A CLEAN HOUSE, STOP YELLING AT KIDS (I'm just throwing that out there), SAVE MONEY. You get the idea! Every Year I try and I set these "Resolutions" knowing that I am NOT going to get passed the 2 nd week into the year.

So this Year I am setting Monthly ATTAINABLE Goals and go from there. I have always been a Journal keeper (since I was 12. I have 17 almost 18 books!) But since our mom passed away I haven't been as faithful to my own. I have written in my kids but have set mine aside. I am going to pick it back up starting NOW!

SO here are my JAN 2012 goals: 1) improve my blogging skills by keeping up with the blog and hopefully gain more readers as we do this. We have some great Ideas and giveaways coming up. We started this almost 3 years ago. Many blogs that have started then have a ton of followers and giveaways and...well you know cause you read them! We are just a small simple thing. We just like to share what we think others might be interested in seeing. Nothing too "Martha" Just something that we were able to accomplish (between us we have 9 kiddos to take care of!) Hopefully we wont let you down. 2) Clean out my craft room. (pics to follow!) 3) lose 8 pounds (that's 2 a week. I can do it right?) I will just start there remember I want to keep this attainable!

What are your GOALS for Jan?

My New Read

SO this is what I am reading right now. I just started it last night. Have any of you read it? What are your thoughts? What is your favorite book?

Here come Santa Claus

Adorable!

We have 1 week left for shopping. I have no idea if I am done. I had the problem of buying stuff and putting it in the pile. Now I need to do inventory and see if it is all balanced out. Last year I had a colored tote for each kid and that seemed to work but for some reason I was not on the ball with that this year. Now my stress level is at a high. Will I be able to get my act together and get it done before Santa comes? HELP!

How or what are you doing to keep yourself organized for Christmas? Any tricks up your sleeves you want to share?

Stuffed Cookie

Stuffed Cookie is having a give away on Face Book! When they get 200 people to like them on FB they are giving away a free box (8 count) of cookies. They are almost half way there. Not only will they have a WINNER but there will be 4 WINNERS!!!! So lets spread the word and "like" away!!

Let the Countdowns begin.

First of all to start off the day we went to the Festival of Trees . This has been a tradition for me and the kids for the last 4 years. We head over to the kids corner and do a few crafty things then walk over to all the BEAUTIFUL trees. Here are a couple of pics that my 5 year old took. (I think she did a great job!) The Festival is running until the 3rd so head on over with your family and friends. Be prepared to get a DE-LISH Cinnamon Roll. They smell AMAZING! All the proceeds will go to Primary Children's Medical Center So your helping a great cause!

Now we are going to be doing a couple of countdowns for Christmas this year. We are playing around with ones and see what our young family adapts too. We want to keep Christ as our man focus and help the little one know the Real reason for the celebration. So Grandma bought the kids the Chocolate countdown. Which is a perfect little treat!

My 5 year old brought the one below from preschool. Her teacher made each chain with a little act of service on it. CUTE! Today we sang a Christmas song. Some of the others are make cookies and share with another family, Give someone a hug, Help pick up toys, and many more. we are all excited to do this one.

Here is another one that we are going to try. I love all the wonderful ideas that are out there.

How do you countdown to Christmas with your family?

Christmas Cards

This is our Christmas card this year. I got them from Costco 50 for $14.99! They are all ready to go out first thing tomorrow morning. I have to mail Dec 1st. That is the one thing that I am OCD about during the Holidays!

What is your must thing to do?