Organizer Tutorial

Finished product!

Look around your office, playroom, any functional room, what-have-you.  What is the most annoying thing about the way it looks?  I bet it's the little clutter.  Pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, bobby pins (ooo...they're everywhere!), little LEGOS...you know the drill.  I found a solution on Pinterest, and I love it.

Here's my little tutorial (some of the other tutorials were more complicated or had measurements that were a little off).

Materials:
 - Stack-On 22 drawer Organizer (Home Depot, $16.92) *There is also a 39-drawer unit, if you feel like that might serve you better.  I'll be buying one of those when I finally get a craft space.
 - 2 pieces of 12"x12" scrapbook paper.  I used two different colors of the same pattern, but obviously the creative choices are up to you.  I used DCWV's Citrus stack, which was on sale for $9.99 at Jo-Ann Fabrics.  I always have a few of these paper pads around to make boxes and to scrapbook.  This one has glitter!
 - Scissors
 - Clear Scotch Tape

Procedure:
 1. Cut 14 1 5/8"x 2" rectangles for the small drawers.
 2. Cut 8 2 1/4" x 4 1/4" rectangles for the large drawers.
 3. Place the papers inside the front of the drawers.  You may find you need to trim some of the tops down.
 4. Use the Scotch Tape to tape the sides of the paper down INSIDE the drawer.  This is easily the most tedious part of the project.  I found that placing the paper in first, then putting the tape up the sides was the easiest.
 5. Put stuff in!  I haven't labeled mine yet, because believe it or not, not all of the drawers have things in them!  The big drawers are ideal for pens, pencils, highlighters, 3"x 5" index cards, and regular sized Post-Its.  The little drawers rock for those little things: paper clips, rubber bands, staples, Post-It tabs, and binder clips.

If you are looking for something sassier, or with more sophisticated labeling, check out See Kels Learn, who made an amazing Teacher Toolbox.

She was inspired by another blogger (whose post I can't find), who was inspired by Create-Teach-Share.  These are intense!

I can't wait to make another one for my crochet supplies!

I think I have an organizing addiction...

- M.

Can We Talk About Pinterest?

I love Pinterest.

I've found great crafts, DIY projects, and recipes.  I could sit and search certain boards for HOURS.  I wish I could take a year off from life and just craft and read (I've said this before, I know).

However, having spent so much time on the site, I have a few issues.  Folks don't have Pinterest etiquette, and it drives me nuts when I'm trying to look things up or find a tutorial.

1. If you are posting something from a blog, link back to the exact post.  Maybe it was the first post when you pinned, but if this person's blog is well-kept (read: unlike mine), that post will be off the front page soon.  Take the time to click through to the post (click on the post title) and link THAT.  I went to a blog today for a baby gift idea, and found out that the baby she was expecting in the pin was now almost a year old!

2. Have clean, clear boards.  I have a catch-all board for the things that really aren't "Pinterest" items, but I want to save them anyway.  No one wants their dashboard cluttered with pins they don't care about, and the point of boards is follow them individually (and to be able to actually find things in your own board).

3. Don't post a random picture of food or a craft from Flickr* or another photo hosting site.  People on Pinterest want to be able to replicate the item, and without a tutorial, that's usually difficult.

3a. Don't post from Pinterest imitators.  The same effect occurs, and I see projects I have no instructions for.

3b. *However, if you are posting amazing photography from Flickr or another site, that's different.  That's a viable category.  (I'm talking to you, Sara).

4. Create some content!  Pin from blogs you like, which  helps give those people traffic.  Many craft, home, and DIY blogs are run by stay-at-home moms looking to make some money with a monetized blog.  Many of those ladies are Professional, with a capital P.  Gabrielle Blair, better known as Design Mom, co-founded the Alt Summit, a conference for professional bloggers, proves that the best bloggers are creating content, not just re-pinning it.  Promote these folks' hard work.  If you have a tutorial or the like on your blog, pin it!  We pin Jason's recipes all the time.  My mom actually started that, but it was a good thought.

5. Use the right words in your comments.  These are used in the search to help others find specific crafts and ideas.

Basically, be part of the Pinterest community in an active way.

What suggestions do you have?

- M.

Just One.

Now that school is in full swing, I've gotten some idea of when I get to eat and when I have breaks.  I didn't want to embark on a new fitness plan until I knew what was feasible.  I spent the summer participating in a "Biggest Loser" challenge with some ladies from high school.  I lost a few pounds, but considering the fact that the contest was 12 weeks long and I danced 5 hours a week, along with other exercise and cleaner eating.  I was frustrated to say the least.

That being said, I'm going to start implementing one new health / fitness "rule" each month.  I'm starting with two, because any food rule is going to be less effective without any exercise (dance ended two weeks ago).  Feel free to join in, but this is really just for me.

So, for September, here are my goals:

1. During the week, only water to drink.  I drink a breakfast shake in the morning, but I don't think of that as a "drink" so much as "breakfast."  Penn State Harrisburg has these neat water fountains that have a filtered spout, in addition to the regular fountain, just for filling up water bottles.  It even counts the number of bottles it has filled.  On the weekends, I'll let myself have a soda or a beer.  I'm not a crazy person.

2. Use the rowing machine for 20 minutes a day, along with 20 minutes of stretching / pilates / yoga.  Jason got a rowing machine for his birthday a few years ago, and I just started using it.  I LOVE IT.  I'm not into running at the moment, as I'm recovering from shin splints I got by doing leaps at dance, which doesn't have a sprung / floating floor.  Ouchies.  This has similar benefits.  I just love stretching, so I should feel good after that.  Why 20 minutes?  I exercise in front of the TV in our attic.  20 minutes is one episode of Seinfeld, Parks & Rec, or 30 Rock.  I'm not watching a clock, and I take my mind off the work.

I'm not posting weights on here (pah-leese), but after each month, I'll post a percentage of weight loss or some other milestone (inches, down a size, what have you).  I'll tag these posts "Just One" so you can find them all later.

Yay health!

- M.

Back to School!

Tomorrow is my first day of being a Ph.D. student.  We have orientation for teaching all week, then classes (both my students' and my own) start up on the 27th.  I spent the weekend relaxing and mentally preparing myself for what is about to happen.  We spent Saturday in Philly (sans Elliott; he spent a night at Chez Nana and Grandpa's for a relaxing night of being spoiled).  It was like being a college student again, but just the fun stuff.  Deep conversations, laughing a lot, playing drinking games, and being around some of my favorite people in the world.  We came home late (or early?) last night because we're old and wanted our own bed.

This morning (a mere 4 1/2 hours after going to bed), I got up and went with my parents to Mt. Gretna's annual Art Show.  It was my mom's birthday present from me and my sister.  Mt. Gretna, for those who are unaware, is a lake community tucked back in the woods of a Chautauqua resort.  The people who live there have these amazing little cottages and homes that are full of character.  My mom always says she wants to live there, and I couldn't disagree with her.  The Art Show (this was its 38th year) is a juried arts and craft fair with music, food, and nature all around.  This isn't a local craft fair; the vendors have to submit pieces and are chosen to have booths.  A more traditional arts and craft fair is across the street.  We had a lovely day shopping, eating ice cream, and trying not to be stung by bees who wanted our ice cream.  If you have never been, it's amazing.  I'll try to give a heads up on here when the 2013 show is.

My t-shirt has a different design, but I couldn't find it online.

Now, I'm at home, Elliott's in bed, and I'm putting the final touches on my office before I pack my school bag.  Most things are put away, but there are always the odds and ends, and I want to be able to sit at my desk tomorrow evening and get my work done.  I'll pick out an outfit tonight and get my things together tonight so there isn't a mad rush in the morning.

What an exciting week!  I'm actually ready for summer to wind down, and for our family to get back on a schedule.  Enjoy the last moments of summer.

- M. & co.

Favorite Blogs.

I'm not the most active blogger (ha!), but I visit my blog everyday to check for comments to moderate and to read my favorite blogs.  There are certain ladies who I want to hear from every single day.  I'm always disappointed when they don't post (which considering my track record is quite hypocritical).  Since I love these ladies' blogs so much, I figured I should pass them along.

*These are people I don't know personally.  I check my friends blogs everyday too, because they are my friends.*

Clover Lane: This mom of 5 (almost 6) has one motto: simple = happiness.  She is the home of hte 40 Day, 40 Bags challenge, as well as a number of great and practical ideas.  She is sending one off to college in a few weeks...just a few days after she is due with number 6!  Her posts are going to get sparse so she can spend time with this new little one, but she has an archive filled with great advice and stories.

Design Mom: She is the queen of mom blogs, in my opinion.  Also a mother of 6 (what a trend), she and her family have lived in France for hte last 18 months.  She always has neat ideas, giveaways, and projects.  Her family has even created a web series called "Olive Us," which shows the kids doing various projects.  They are all adorable characters, and it's so much fun to see these siblings getting along and working together.

MODG: Totally irreverent mom-blog who hails from the Philly area.  She's expecting #2, and she is a lot more open about the imperfections of parenting and life.  She revels in them.  She's a breath of fresh air among the mom blogs who see themselves as beacons of perfect parenting (which I avoid).

Early Mama: I've actually been featured on this blog, but I volunteered because I believe in her mission of bringing together women who have decided to pursue marriage, parenting, and life at an age that is being considered "earlier."  People see me as an "early mom," despite the fact that I was older than my mother had been when I got married and about the same age when I had my first child.  It's a great support system.

You Go Girl!: This is a new favorite.  She doesn't post as often as I wish, but it's because she's working on all kinds of different craft projects and tutorials.  She is also a mom of 5 girls (which includes a set of triplets), all of whom are teenagers.  I'm really enjoying reading her archives right now, and I plan on making some "posh pillowcases" soon.

Check these out the next time you lack quality blog material to read.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

They are always available in the side links marked "Inspiration."

- M.

Crafty Lady Day.

Have I been busy with crafts or what?!  I wanted to get as many in-progress projects completed as possible before school starts.  The best stress reliever for me is to start projects, not finish them, so if I have a clean slate, I can start projects when I need a break.

I'm not even just talking about crochet, but other crafty / DIY projects as well.  Here's what I have been working on:

Commissioned booties, modified for a summer baby.

Hat for Jason to match the scarf I made him last fall.

Booties for the Etsy store!

In progress: Cupcake potholder for me!

Long term project: Hunger Games afghan.  This is the District 8 square.

Office organizer!  Tutorial to come.

Owl hat for my cousin's baby shower.

"Whatever" cotton cloth for my cousin's baby shower.

As you can see, my hooks have been busy.  Overall, I'm just trying to get my house in order and my brain prepared for the new school year.

Most of our summer has looked like this:

Look at this little guy!

We have a full weekend ahead of us, and school starts NEXT WEEK.  It's an orientation week, but I have to be at school every day all day, which is nothing like my schedule come the 27th.  It will probably throw Elliott off, but we'll get him back on track soon.

- M. & co.

At 100.

This is our 100th post!  Considering that I'm not the most consistant blogger, I'm surprised that 100 is already here.

We've been engaged, got a kitten, married, moved, got pregnant, moved, had a baby, got into grad school, moved, and moved.  We've changed jobs, changed careers, and been blessed.

In this next 100, I'm hoping to have more "regular" series so I can plan blogs to post during the busy times of the semester.  We'll talk fall cleaning, Halloween, back-to-school, Christmas, crafts and DIY, 40 Days 40 Bags, and Easter.  Jason has been taking a hiatus from his blog, but has a number of entries in process, so I'll be sure to link up to those.

What would you like to see?

Thanks for sticking with us to 100.  Here's to 100 more!

- M. and co.