Closet Clean Up

With the New Year here, I am sure many of you have goals/resolutions/tasks/jobs set for yourself to complete.

One job I started working on is cleaning out my closet.

This entails pulling anything out of my closet that is on the floor and sorting through the pile, as well as looking throughand sorting each clothing item that is hanging up.

What made this task a little bit better….having a friend there to help sort and share her opinion on clothing!

I tried many things on.
If I wasn’t sure about it, I tried it on.
If I liked it but my friend wasn’t sure, I tried it on.
If I haven’t worn it in a long time, I tried it on.
There were a few items where my friend didn’t even  say a word, I could just tell by the look on her face that she didn’t like something.
So to the consign/Goodwill pile it went.

Honestly, I still have a mess.  The final product has yet to be seen.  

Some tips I have picked up along the way or things that I just do….

1.  Use hangers that are all the same color/style. 
For some reason, I feel that having white hangers helps make things more organized.

2.  Look at each piece of clothing. 
Make sure there aren’t any missing buttons or something else wrong with the item.
Also, if your pants or shirt could use a quick press, pull out your iron and ironing board.

3.  Group clothing by type, then by color.
Some people organize their clothes by color only, I like to group mine by type as well.
Camis, tank tops, dress shirts, plain tshirts, long-sleeved shirts, Iowa State clothing, pants/jeans, dresses, casual tshirts.

4.  Every few months, I hang my clothes with the hanger going the wrong way.
This way, after another few months, if the hanger is still the wrong way, that means I haven’t worn it…..so I should get rid of it.
I will admit, I use to have a hard time with that.  But now, I’m ready to clean stuff out!

5.  Put dryer sheets on my shelves, to keep my closet smelling nice.
Who doesn’t want a closet that smells good?

What tips/suggestions do you have for cleaning out and organizing your closet?

I’ll share my completed closet next month, as well as any tips you have to share.

So until then, grab a friend, and help each other clean out and organize your closets!

Still Need a Christmas Gift?

Believe it or not, I think I have all my Christmas gifts purchased!

No, that doesn’t mean they are all wrapped nice and pretty…..or even completed yet!

I need to {start and} finish a tshirt I’m painting for my nephew.

But, if you are in need of a gift for someone in your life, and just aren’t sure what to do,
I have an idea for you.

Check out all of Jen’s free downloads/printables, and design your own gift!

Some ideas……

A new Mom/Dad:
To Do List
Baby Log
Two Week Planner
Meal Planner

The Health Nut!:
Workout Worksheet
Goal Chart
Food Journal
Meal Planner

The Planner:
Meal Planner
Chore Chart
Project Planner
Perpetual Birthday Calendar

The Organizer:
Canister Labels
Organization Labels
Packing Labels {or for storage tubs}
Storage Container Index

The Traveler:
Ultimate Travel Checklist  {This one is one of my favorites!!}

Other Ideas {without links}:

For the Blogger
The Holiday Planner
Or…print one of everything!

Once you print out all the pages you need/want, organize them somehow for that person.
Whether it is in a folder, a 3-ring binder with tabs, spiral bound, or a tear-off notepad…
that will help make the gift complete.

Tip:  Many copy center/printing places are able to spiral bound items or even make them in to notepad form for a small fee.

There are so many freebies/printables out there online.   Go get them!
{If you aren’t sure of where to look, check out Pinterest!
And if you’d like an invite, just let me know.}

So have fun putting together the perfect gift for someone, that won’t break the bank.

The best part with printables, if you save the file to someplace where you will find it again on your computer, you can print out new sheets for the recipient as needed.

Custom iPhone Cover

Over 1 month ago, I finally paid for my first cell phone.
{All the other cell phones I have had, I got them for free.}

I made the hard decision, and got myself an iPhone.  WAHOO!!  

Long before the phone ever arrived….well, even before I ordered it….I started looking online for cell phone covers.

I had no idea how many different ones are available, and how hard the decision would be to make to pick just one.

At one point, I was inspired by another blogger who designed her iPhone cover by taking her own picture and uploading it to a site and getting it that way.  After I looked at the site and the costs, I immediately had a different idea in mind.

After a stop by the book store on the campus I work, my idea was put in to action.
I then spent my lunch break crafting.
{I love it when I can do that!}

My idea….get a clear cell phone cover and design my own inserts that I can change out as I want.

Using PowerPoint {because it does a nice job of making ‘pictures’ when I’m at the office} I pulled together some fun digital scrapbook papers and elements and designed my own personal cover……that can be changed in the future.

{The design pictured is actually my second attempt, since I rearranged things because of the wording on the bottom.  I didn’t notice it the first time.}

After I got home, I took a look at the Lost & Found Christmas papers, which are part of Jen’s line.  I had a friend select 4 Christmas papers for me to use, because I couldn’t make up my mind on which ones to use.

To complete your own custom iPhone {or any type of phone for that matter} cover, you will need a CLEAR cover, a digital design or scrapbook paper, a pencil, an exacto knife, and a mat to cut on.

As you can tell in the picture below, I made the digital design much bigger than it needed to be.  I wanted to be sure I had plenty of extra room to work with or mess up.

I traced the cover on to the design, then cut it out.  Cutting out the camera opening served to be the biggest problem for me.

Just be sure that you cut it out the correct way, so that the camera hole will actually match up!  {I messed that up on one of the papers.}

Paper number 1 for the 1st week of December.

Because I have 4 different Christmas papers cut out, I decided that I would change it out every week.

Once Christmas time passes, I will just keep changing up the paper or digital design to what I feel like, as often as I feel I need to.

I think that makes this the best type of cover!

Instead of spending $30-40 per each cover, I spent $20 on one clear cover.

To change it out will be free or just a few cents if I find a fun scrapbook paper.

Another idea would be to insert pictures of your kids {if you have them}, your favorite niece/nephew/pet, scraps of material glued to a piece of paper, etc.

Don’t let the cell phone cover companies limit what you can do with your cell phone.

I think your phone should represent you, not what is available for you to purchase.

Happy Creating!

Hybrid – iPad2 styled Recipe Stand and Cards

Hello dear readers it’s Angie Hinksman here and a very Happy Holiday Season to you!  Today I’m going to share with you a little hybrid project, inspired by what is probably the most is talked about product this Christmas; the iPad2.  I love the simplicity of the design of the iPad and I think that the included stand is pure GENIUS!  Now, while my little Recipe Stand won’t help you surf the net, it’s certain to brighten up any kitchen table!  You’ll need very few supplies (no need for specialist binding materials  here, just paper, card and some basic crafting supplies.

To create the Recipe Stand and 6 recipe cards, you will need the following supplies:

• Recipe journaling templates – you can download the pdf file here
• Some plain co-ordinating paper or cardstock for printing the journaling cards.  I’ve used some simple ’letterhead’ stationery for mine.
• Selection of 12 x 12 inch patterned scrapbook papers – I’ve used papers from Jen’s beautiful Stella & Rosecollection.  You’ll need 2 for the stand and 1 sheet will 6 recipe cards.  Cut your paper to the following measurements:
  • 1 piece:  8.5 x 12 inches (just keep the off-cut handy, we’ll use this later)
  • 1 piece: 6 x 12 inches (again we’ll use the off-cut later)
  • 1 piece:  cut out 6 at 4 x  6 inches
  • Chipboard or very thick card.  If you can’t get hold of plain chipboard, the back of an old note book will work perfectly! I’ve used the back of one of my scrap-pads.  Cut your card to the following measurements;
    • 2 pieces: 4.5 x 6.5 inches
    • 1 piece: 2.5 x  6.5 inches
    • 2 pieces: ¾  x  6.5 inches
    • A ruler
    • Cutting tools (such as a Stanley knife or rotary cutter and scissors)
    • Adhesive (I’m using a glue stick and some double-sided tape)
    • Cutting matt
    • Rolling pin (this helps the glue stick well)

    

Instructions for the recipe cards:

Print your recipe journal pieces onto your paper and cut out.  Glue these to the front and back of your 4 x 6 inch pieces of scrap paper.  I’ve rounded the edges of mine, to keep with the iPad feel of the project!    

Instructions for the Recipe Stand:

Place your 4.5 x 6.5 and 2.5 x 6.5 inch pieces of chipboard on your 8.5 x 12 inch scrap paper as illustrated.  Align the top and bottom pieces with the edges of the paper.  Place the middle pieces approx. ½ inch below the top piece.  You want to have a bigger gap at the bottom (this will help your recipe stand close well).  Use a pencil to mark where your placed this pieces, then glue them down.  Use your rolling pin over the top then turn the whole thing over and use your rolling pin again. This will make sure your glue has good contact.  Leave to dry for a few minutes then glue the sides down as shown.

Once dry, glue the 6 x 12 inch piece of scrap paper on top, as shown and leave to dry.

Glue the 2 ¾ x 6.5 inch pieces of card together as illustrated.  Once dry, glue and cover with a piece of your left over scrap paper.  Leave to dry.  Once this is dry, glue to the bottom of the main piece(the bottom has the small piece of cardboard).  Leave this whole piece to dry thoroughly (I left mine for about an hour).

On the inside of the stand, cut a piece of your left-over scrap papers in a strip: 2.5 inches x 12.  Place this at the bottom of the stand so that it meets the edge of the ¾ inch piece.  You’ll need to trim this down so it fits your stand.  Using either a thin layer of glue or double-sided tape, glue this down.  This will create pockets to keep your recipe cards in.

Once your stand is completely dry you will be able to fold it as shown.   As you can see, the ¾ inch piece helps  the Stand stay in place!  Cut another little scrap of paper in a triangle shape to act as a photo corner to display your cards(mine is about an inch and half wide). Glue into place. 

Finally place your finished cards in your pockets and enjoy!   I think this would make a great gift andit  is light and small enough to post to far-away family and friends.  Why not invite some ‘recipe-loving’ friends over, give them each a recipe stand, filled with cards and have a recipe swap party.  Now wouldn’t that be fun? 

Have a great day

Secret Santa Fabric Bags