Air Conditioner Cover

My husband made this awesome cover for our air conditioning unit.  It was a must have with 3 young children who play around it in our back yard, and a 20 month old boy who kept wanting to touch it.  Now he doesn't even remember its there!

  It turned out awesome.  It will be easy to store during the winter months as well.

Chevron Tote Bags: for a friend

I have a dear friend that I grew up with that I love dearly.  She and I and a few of our other close friends that I love just as much got together over the holidays and had a gift exchange.  It was fun.  The gift I  made was a chevron tote bag and a cake stand.  Well, there was some stealing that happened....for fun of course and this one friend who had opened my gift went home without the tote and cake stand.  

 I heard her say how much she loved chevron and how perfect that tote would be to help carry some of her boys things around.  She has a special needs child......and so do I and so my heart can relate.  So I told her that I would make her one.  So she and I hopped in the car and we went to find fabric.  She is just like me....could not decide on just one so I told her to buy the fabric and I would make her 2 totes.  Now she has one in red and one in yellow!  

I hope they come in handy Shellise!  Thanks so much for letting me make them for you!

Love ya!

Happy Birthday Card Organizer Binder

 As part of my Homemade Christmas Challenge I made up one of these fabulous card organizers for a special family member for Christmas this year.  I made a cute fabric cover for the binder, bought pencil holders from the office supply store and filled them with a bunch of homemade cards and envelopes.  I printed out a calendar for the year where I then filled in all of the families birthdays.  

 The printable calendar I used is from HERE

Add some stamps and it's ready to go!

 It's a fun and easy way of staying organized and on top of all those special birthdays!

Organize your Sewing Machine Thread

 All you need is a storage box like this from any craft store.  Make sure that the spaces are large enough to fit your spools of thread and you have an easy and practical way of storing your thread and your bobbins!

A lid keeps it all together too.

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Wood Rack ( 2 ) Ribbon Storage

I love a bargain find at the thrift store..... especially if I can change it up a bit to make it just how I want or need.  I found 2 awesome wood racks for $3.00 and thought they would be perfect for holding my ribbon.  And since I am not in a permanent spot to make myself a craft room, they sit nicely on top of a table or dresser or shelf.

 This is how they looked before.  Take a look at the double dowels.....they are perfect for holding the ribbon. The spools sit right on them, the ribbon does not unravel and I do not have to take all the spools off when one spool runs out.  I love that. I also love how the bottom is also a shelf for buttons.

So with a little bit of spray paint....

 I have a great home for all of my ribbon.

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2012 Family Planner Journal

2012 is here and in full force.

And because of that it was time to make a new 

family planner.

 I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea.

I also know that it works great for me because this is the 4th year that I have done it.
(and because I am so far behind in my other scrap booking) 

You can check out my previous posts about these Family Planners HERE.

But go ahead and take a sneak peak into this one.

**All of the FREE printable's to put together one for you
are all available at McKay Designs.

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2011 Family Journal

 For the 3rd year in a row I have kept a Family Journal. 

Here is my 2011 Family Journal!

 Here is a look inside:

 Each month has a calendar to write down the little important events that happen, then on the opposite side is a page to write a monthly summary.  Then I have left 2 pages after each month to add pictures.

I love how simple this journal is to keep up with all year long.  I am so far behind on all my other scrap booking but I have kept up with this with no stress!

 I have put mine together using these wonderful helps!

The calendars and journal pages are free to print out HERE.

I use this art journal and I use spray adhesive to adhere the pages and scrapbook paper to the journal.

I tie fun ribbon to the binding of the journal for a fun touch.

If you have any other questions check out

THIS post and THIS post

on my other Yearly Journals.

Jewelry Pendant Organizer

It was time to make a home for all of my newly made pendents

So I turned this $1.00 thrift find

Into this pendent holder for my jewelry!!

All I did was spray paint the wood box, let it dry, then mod podge fabric to the bottom.

It fits perfect ontop of my dresser as well as in the top drawer of my dresser!

I also found one of these beauties at the thrift store as well.  A great addition for holding my rings and flower clips.  I also just made THIS for my necklaces.  Check it out too :)

Bathroom Towel CAR ORGANIZER

Take bath towels and turn them into a car organizer!!

I found a set of bath towels and a set of hand towels

at Target for $5 total! 

(Can't beat $5.00 for 2 car organizers)

You will need to measure the seats in your own car before getting started so you know were you need to put your pockets.  I have large seats, therefore I did not have to cut my towels.

Lay out your bath towel.  Fold up the bottom for a large pocket.

I then took the hand towel, folded it in half and layed that on the bath towel were I wanted the pocket to be.

I did this, instead of cutting the hand towel, to make it a double pocket for extra storage.

Pin everything in place.  I then took ribbon I had and pined that to the towels were I wanted to make the seperate compartments. Now sew down the sides and the bottom of the towels and then the ribbon and it is all done!

Now, depending on how your seat works, you will have to make a couple of holes in the top of your towel so the head rest can be put through the towel to hold it in place. 

Be aware... that if you have seatbelts on your seat like I do you will need to make a few extra adjustments :)

It really made it simple using towels.  I also love the idea they are very washable as well. 

These are perfect to help keep the upcoming summer busy -ness better organized and help keep my car clean!!

Full Year Card Organizer

It's time to refill my card organizer so I decided to share what works for me.  I have used this for several years now......I think it's time I make a cute fabric cover to make it pretty.......but until then this is what I use.

What you need: 3 ring binder, several pencil pockets with a zipper (found in the school supplies), a monthly template to write down dates of birthdays, stamps and and address list, clear page protectors and of course cards!

I simply put ready made cards in each pocket, fill out all the birthdays or other dates that I have to keep track of throughout the year, buy stamps and update my address list and put it all in the binder and I am all set for the year.  I make a few extra blank cards and put them in the front pocket for all those other extra times I need a card.  I believe in keeping oraganization simple and practical and of course usable.  Have fun!

**Since I did this a few years ago I couldn't find the same template I am using but here is another one that can work.

2010 Family Planner Journal

I made this family journal last year for 2009 and with just the December summery left to write I am SO EXCITED to say that it's the fullest journal I have completed in many years! I have loved doing this all year long and will now enjoy going back and readying in it over and over. I have even added pictures to it and it's fun to see how we have changed as a family over the past year.

Christmas to myself for sure!

And this is my new 2010 Family Journal, all ready to go for this next year! I am so excited about this. Since I am pregnant again and sicker then I thought I would be this will be a great way to stay up on my scrap booking that has definitely taken a back seat :) It's full of month to month calendars and a page to write a monthly summary and pages to write fun things your kids say to just random thoughts and notes!

So go and check out one of my most favorite sites that I have to give all the credit too for such a fabulous idea and one that has become my lifesaver over the year!!! You will love it too!

Oh and it's free to print it out!!! She knows how to take care of us mom's :)

I use this notebook to put it together but any would do.