Some of my hubby's handy work

Just sharing some projects that My husband finished just before our big move.

He finished this beautiful coat/hat rack just before the movers came. Please ignore the piles. It was the easiest way of organizing I could think of so I could tell them, "everything in this room goes to the sea shipment. Everything in that room goes to storage."

He created a stand for the church choir to hang the mic cords on so they would be off the floor and out of the way.

He also remade the stand for the acolyte sticks.

My Linen Closet Solution

Years ago, my mom told me about an article she had read where they suggested putting your folded sheet sets in the the pillowcase to keep them all together in the linen closet. Now I see the same idea all over Pinterest.

Well, the idea is great, but my family is now large enough that having sheets for 5 beds of varying sizes, and a family that doesn't always pay attention to what sheets fit what bed...I needed a simpler answer. I needed an easy way to tell what size the sheets were so sleepy-middle-of-the-night bed changes, or my do-it-my-self 3yo could be sucessful without creating too much extra work for me. I had an abundance of extra pillowcases, so instead of storing sheet sets in the matching pillow case, I put the sheet sets into "color coded" pillowcases. Twins, in white, queen in dark blue. We are preparing for a big move, and I think these are the only sizes of bed we'll have, so the king and full size sheets will be stored (in different colors) till the next move.

* Disclaimer: I am not an expert of folding sheets, this is as neat as my sheets get. Also, these pictures are taken on the floor as these sets are getting ready to go in a box for our move. If you really want to see them in a closet, you'll have to request that after the big move is over.

Taking a break from packing...

We are in the throws of a BIG move and I just had to take a break. Kids are at grandparents for a few weeks so I can get some work done without their well meaning, but not so helpful "help".

I came across, in my cleaning several broken dress-up necklaces that had been hidden in an empty can (sometimes I don't ask why...it's just easier to accept what is). I had a creative inspiration and while my lunch was warming up I grabbed my hot glue gun and had some fun. Now they have a decorated-necklace-treasure-holder to suprise them when we unpack.

Think they'll like it?

Teacher's notebook

A friend recently asked about how I get organized for homeschooling, so I thought some pictures might help.

First let's talk about my notebook. I use a simple 3 ring binder. I've seen people use fancy ones or decorate them, but I'm fine with plain.

I did get these great dividers to put in it that have pockets. These are great for answer sheets or printable that we will need in the next few days/weeks.

The first section I have is a basic blank calender, that I sketch out things like holidays, vacations, and weeks just off school.

Then the other sections are for each child's schedule. In this notebook I only keep 1 quarter of assignments at a time. (This is the section for my 4th grader)

At the back of my 4th and 2nd grader's sections, I have a score sheet just for my own reference. I plan on making changes to this sheet to make it a little easier to use.

This is the 2nd grade's section.

Here is the kindergartner's.

Last is the preschooler's. His schedule is very general and I only follow it as well as he is interested. Some days sorting cars by colors is just right for school - and we toss the schedule.

Each child also has their own notebook with their own copy of their schedule. In their notebook I keep the schedule for the whole year, adding each quarter as we get to it. This serves as our yearly records.

The older two have dividers to add any loose papers. Most of their writing is in spiral notebooks, but there are quizzes and worksheets (and sometimes pages from co-op) that I want to keep in here.

Finally, each kid has a shelf to keep all their books, with exception to their spiral notebooks that stay in a pocket on their chair. (The 4th grader's)

(The 2nd grader's above, and Kindergartner's below)

(and recently added, the Preschooler's) I do find the more kids I add to the mix, the better organized I get. I'd lose my mind if I didn't!

At Home and Travel Brush holders

I made these nice toothbrush/ hairbrush holders for the kids...well two of them; I ran out of velcro so I'll have to make the other two later.

I made them so they could hang on a clothes hanger or a towel rod....

...And when it is time to travel, they can be rolled up.

I had a batch of ribbon given to me some time ago. I wasn't sure what to use it for, but I thought it would work nicely for this project. I'll have to find another project or two to use it all up.

I also had some left over wash clothes from another project that I thought would be bright and cheery for the kids.

I used 1/2 a white cloth for the top and a whole colored cloth for the pockets. The Velcro dots I sewed onto the white first then I sewed the two washcloths together.

Then I marked where to sew the vertical lines for the pockets. I used painters tape and sewed right along the edge. I also used the tape to hold the tie ribbon in place while I stitched up the side.

My older two are excited about these and can't wait till I finish the others and let them hang them up. I also think htese will be great for their trip to Grandparents' in a couple months.

Sewing Machine Turn Table

Hubby finally finished the Lazy Susan for my sewing machine and surger. He made a peg that holds it in place while I use the machine, simply pulls out when I want to switch machines, then slides back in to hold it in place again. We can see there is a little wiggle, but I have yet to notice it while I'm sewing. The whole table and set up has made my limited time I have to sew seem so much more productive!

Yummy Creamy Goodness- without milk

Recently my insides have decided that I can not have a variety of specific foods any more without getting very ill. Milk being one of them, my family has had some concern that I now cannot partake in birthday ice cream. I saw a pin on pintrest about making "ice cream" with just a frozen banana so while they were enjoying a bowl of ice cream from my youngest's birthday, I tried out this banana ice cream- with a twist of my own.

1 frozen banana, 4 frozen strawberries, handful of chopped pecans, 1/2 cup-ish almond milk, Pulse in food processor until smooth. I added the almond milk because I like it creamy - soft serve like. You could add less or more depending on how firm you like it. Mmmmmmm!