The Laundry Solution

Laundry has been my nemesis in years past!
Seriously. I had no idea when I first got married that clothing would reproduce on its own, and that I would have mountains of it to constantly climb.

As I've mentioned  before, I am NOT a naturally organized person, and have at times been completely overwhelmed by certain household tasks. Especially ones that never ever end!

I've tried all kinds of "solutions" for laundry... the 1 load a day thing, but then I'd forget to do it, or just didn't follow through. I tried the once of week thing, but then I was so exhausted and bitter-angry by the end.

Finally, this solution came, and we've been doing it for 8 months.  It's worked almost like a charm (I say almost, because laundry will never go totally perfectly in my house, and I'm ok with that)!

It all started with this.....

I call it a "Laundry Pantry".

When we moved into our house, I was delighted that this closet was in our laundry room. While unpacking, I decided that I would put all of my 4 kids clothes in that closet.

Some have asked how in the world could I fit it all in??

Answer: I believe that kids only need about 7 (or so) tops and the same amount of pants/ shorts. My rule is that when clothes start to reproduce (which oh they soooo do!), that some have to go. Adios.

I hang dresses and nice clothes in their closets, but everything else goes right in this baby.

On each shelf, I have a stack for tops(1), a stack for pants/ shorts/casual skirts (2), and some bins (3) and (4). In the bins I put underwear, socks, and pajamas.

(My 3 year old twins have the bottom shelf here, so that's why you may see two bins of princess underwear :)).

The great part is that I can:

 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE  having their clothes right in the laundry room because I can fold and put them away right there. It saves so much time, sweat, and so many steps (unless laundry is part of your exercise routine, this is a total perk!)

The other part of the laundry solution: I put baskets right across from the washer and dryer. Then I stuck some labels (obviously not beautiful and pinterest worthy, but they work:)) above the baskets.

My kids dress and un-dress in the laundry room, and immediately put their clothes in the right basket.

(Ok, if it were a perfect world, they would do it every time. It's not every time, but most of the time).

Oh does this EVER help, and also saves lots of time and energy!

Then I can pop the baskets that are full in the washer, and not have it take over my life (eh, hem... like it formerly did).

This laundry solution has made me a much happier mommy!

One day, when my kiddos can handle folding it and putting it away on their own, then, I'll let them take it all to their own closets. But now, while it's all moi doing the work...

this is the way I roll!

If you want to make your own "Laundry Pantry", you don't even need a fancy closet. Plain old book shelves will do. Or any kind of shelf.

The key is keeping only the amount of clothing that will fit on the shelf. Then weed out.

If you don't have the heart to throw out all the clothes, then just keep some in a bin. Put it in a place the kids will not find. Then you can take out those clothes as needed.

Good luck! All moms need good luck with laundry! (... or dads... bless you if you do laundry too!)

XO, Nancy

Paper, Paper, Paper

I have always loved making paper crafts! So several years ago, 

I decided it was time I did some organizing of my paper and supplies. 

Here is what works for me!

Card Stock Filing System

I bought organizing folders and made a folder for each color.  I stayed with the basic colors and categorized all colors together. Example: Orange: Orange, Peach, Flesh color, etc would all be grouped in one.  It is also great when there is a sale on paper you can easily look at your colors and see which one you are low on.

Scrapbook Paper Filing System

I bought sheet protectors and put the paper inside a 3 ring binder. It is easy to store on a shelf.  It is so easy to quickly look the book and see what paper I have for a project.  I have not gotten there yet, but you could also put them in themes or colors and put tabs on the side to be more organized.

Die-cuts, stickers and Paper Embellishments Filing System

This is the same concept as organizing card stock.  I made categories for my die-cuts, stickers and paper embellishments.  In the example this is my numbers and letters folder.  I have several different categories including holidays, baby, frames, sports etc.

Scrap Paper Filing System

I am one of those crazy ladies who tries to use all of her scraps.  I use the same system as the card stock.  I do have a folder at the back which is  TO FILE!!!  Sometimes I am really good at organizing as I go and sometimes it just takes me a while to put my scraps in order but I am trying!!!!  I put pattern paper and card stock in the same color.  It just works for me!!!!

What organizing system works for you?

Jan

Linking to: Someday Crafts 
Thursday Favorite Things   Creative Juice   A Glimpse Inside
Redfly Creations  One Artsy Mama   Tidy Mom  Craft-O-Maniac  Mad in Crafts  This Gal Cooks

15 "Life-Saving" Organization Tips

(Picture by Vivian who IS very organized!)

When I was in collage, several of my friends kindly and sweetly told me that my biggest weakness was that I was unorganized. Oh was that EVER true! I was in a mess ALL. THE. TIME.
Everything I had was messy... my room, my backpack, my car, and the list goes on.

I didn't have an affection for "stuff," (at least I didn't think so)... I just preferred to do anything before cleaning and organization. After I got married and had my first baby, I realized that I had BETTER learn to be somewhat organized... So, I studied and read A LOT about it! These are the things I've learned along the way. 

{ If no one reads this ever, at least I'll have a record for my posterity.  If any of them get that inherently unorganized gene from me, this might come in handy.}



1. IT TAKES TIME
One day I was complaining to a friend about how my past made me a victim or disorganization, and she said that she grew up in a messy house too, but now she gives herself 2 hours a day to clean and organize. That was a life changing moment for me... it can't be something just to do in spare time, it's gotta be a priority.

2. ROUTINE IS A MUST
Whether the routine's simple or detailed, it must exist.

3. INVOLVE THE WHOLE FAMILY (only infants are excluded... NOT toddlers).
Cleaning and organization are ways that parents can teach children skills of work and accountability.  Working together is spending TIME together, and sometimes even having FUN together. (Watch for a post about age appropriate chores). **My two year old twins put the "kids' dishes" away, and they think it's great fun, sad how that changes :(!!

4. HOLD CHILDREN RESPONSIBLE
Some parents pay children for chores, other make them do some work before they are allowed to play. No matter what, children must learn to work or else they'll pay consequences later. Spoiling them and excusing them DO NOT do them any favors!

5. HAVE A CLEANING FRENZY!!!
Every night after dinner, we have a "cleaning frenzy." This is where we all work together to tidy up the whole house so that it will be clean when we wake up in the morning. (Even though I used to be a "messy all the time girl," now waking up to a mess guarantees a BAD MOOD!)

6. DO THE DISHES AFTER EVERY MEAL.
Don't leave the room til the dishwasher is loaded. After dinner, load them and start the dishwasher. Put them away BEFORE bed... this makes for a much easier morning.

7. CLEAN UP MESSES RIGHT THEN!! CLUTTER IS NOT CHIC!
It's always tempting to say we're going to put the hair dryer and make- up away in just a minute. Or to justify that we'll put the clothes in the hamper later. Those things don't get done!!!!!!! The present is a BETTER time that any!

8. ONLY LET KIDS KEEP AS MUCH AS THEY CAN HANDLE.
I don't have an equation for how much, but kids with too many toys or too many clothes are ABSOLUTELY NOT CAPABLE of keeping their rooms clean. If you are afraid to get rid of stuff, box it up and put it in the garage. Rotate, store, whatever. Just get it out of their rooms and other areas!!!!!!!!

9. IT'S OK TO GET RID OF THINGS!! It's necessary!
Even something you paid a lot for... sell it. Or something someone gave you... sure, keep what you love, but NOT what you don't. It's ok- they'll never remember!!
BE A BUILDER OF MEMORIES, NOT A COLLECTOR OF THINGS!

10. FOR THOSE REALLY MESSY AREAS...
set a timer for 15-30 minutes a day dedicated to that area. Then stop. Watch the area trasform.

11. "CAPSULATE" YOUR WARDROBE
Get rid of all those things you don't love. In France, most people have about 10 really great items in their wardrobe... not 100's of things they bought because it was a good deal. They also have much cleaner closets and actually LIKE what they have.

12. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH EACH LOAD OF LAUNDRY THAT DAY!
If you do one load a day, twice a week, once a month, whatever... just be commited to see it through from the hamper to the closet. This makes a huge difference!

13. WHEN GOING FROM ROOM TO ROOM...
 Pick up something that doesn't belong there and return it to it's place.

14. WHEN SOMETHING NEW COMES IN,  SOMETHING OLD HAS TO GO OUT.
Of course, everything must have a place or "home". If the "homes" within your home are too crowded, REMOVE!

15. DON'T LET PERFECTIONISM ROB YOUR PEACE...
Sometimes we don't do things because we want to wait until we can get it done perfectly. Let's face it, unless we're OCD, it's not going to be perfect- and that's OK!


I've still got a long way to go in the organization area of my life, but these things have made a world of difference. They've saved my life, or at least my sanity :).


What are your "Life Saving" organization tips? Please share!!

~Nancy

Linking To: One Artsy Mama  The Best Blog Recipes   Tidy Mom   Weekend Wrap Up Party 
Six Sisters' Stuff
Someday Crafts

Friday Forum: I can't find........

Every morning, I would hear, "Mom, I can't find......."  Seriously...... My response is usually something

like this, "We just did the laundry yesterday and you put them in your drawer." 

Then I walk in their room and open their drawer and find this.........

No wonder!  Even a detective couldn't find what they are looking for in that drawer. 
So I decided to try a really simple organization solution and it has worked wonders.......

Walmart

I bought three of these baskets so they could separate their undershirts, underwear and socks and tights. 

It makes finding and putting things away so much nicer.  So now if I hear the words,

"Mom, I can't find........"  I usually tell them it is in the dirty laundry basket!!! 

Now if someone can find me a solution to get the laundry washed that would be great!

What are your Simple Solutions to Organizing????

Jan