Category Archives: Organizing

Alphabet Book

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

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This alphabet book is one of my favorite projects for preschoolers.  We started about a year ago and add to it as we get catalogs or magazines to cut up.  Each letter has a page or two where we paste in different fonts as well as pictures of things that start with the letter.  (P for Peanut, Popsicle, Parrot).  You will need:

*Big notebook.  We used this one by Art Alternatives,  but any large blank book will work.  I like the spiral because it makes room for bulky pages.

*Gluestick

*Scissors.  (I initially cut out the pictures, but now Ada likes to use the scissors).

*Recycled magazines, catalogs, grocery circulars, stickers, etc.  We LOVE these Eyelike sticker books because smaller kids can help without the use of glue or scissors.  The Eyelike images are amazingly detailed and the stickers are reusable.

This book is a great way to make learning letters and the initial concepts of reading more like a treasure hunt.  I love the collage aesthetic and that one of  the books Ada likes to look at on her shelf was made by her.

Window Hearts

03 Friday Feb 2012

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We made these wax paper and melted crayon hearts last year and have been waiting to hang them back up. The original project is Martha Stewart’s, (Oh Martha how I love you).  Ours came out a bit differently because we only had washable crayons at the time and Ada insisted on working the crayon sharpener.  They packed away beautifully and we were happy to see them brighten the windows of our new house!

Mitten Bowl

30 Monday Jan 2012

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A bowl near the front door helps keep mittens, hats and scarves organized.  The kids can help take care of their own things when they come in from outside, and you will always know where mittens are on your rush out the door.

We found this vintage Pyrex bowl at a stoop sale, but they abound on Ebay.  The scarf pattern is adapted from one by Pat Feeley for High Country Knit Wear.  You can also find super cute animal scarves at Acorn Toys in Brooklyn if you are more of a shopper than a DIYer.

Drying

27 Friday Jan 2012

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I love my drying rack.  I searched for the perfect large wooden clothes rack that would fold down to fit in our closet and this is it.  It is made by Robbins Home Goods, a multi-generational family business.  They make their products in Maine from recycled and sustainable wood.  We have had this for years and there are no signs of warping or strange stains like cheap drying racks seem to gather.  The design is simple and beautiful  and it is well worth the price.

Cabinet

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

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Vintage bowls, cups, flower pots and glasses are great organizers for the medicine cabinet.  I like to group things by when and how they are used: jewelry in one , nail polish and makeup in others.  It is easy to pull out each group as you need,  and the pretty containers make me happy when I open the door.

Barrettes

23 Monday Jan 2012

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Ada’s barrettes were taking over the closet, so we lined them up on a piece of ribbon and pinned it inside the door.  Smaller bobby pins and hair ties are stored in a bowl on the closet shelf.  Now we can see all the choices and pick out a pair for the morning.  I love that Goody still makes the same barrettes I had when I was three.

Family Portrait

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

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This drawing was Ada’s first family portrait, (which of course made me cry).  I wanted to save it and was pretty sure the ripped newsprint it was made on was not archival.  So, we scanned the drawing and sent the jpeg out to Cafe Press to be made into an ornament.  Any of the photo sites can reproduce jpegs, and there are a lot of finished product options- from t-shirts to playing cards.  Cafe Press got these back to us in under a week, and Ada was very proud to give them as gifts for the holiday.

Red

13 Friday Jan 2012

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I found these red silk slippers upstairs in my stash of clothes for the kids to grow into.  I had forgotten about them, and Ada will finally fit into them.  They originally had fabric soles, for inside the house.  I had our shoe repair man add a layer of rubber to the bottom so Ada wouldn’t slip on our steep stairs.  The red kimono is another Pearl River Mart find.  Thanks Aunt Vasna!  It is not fair that the adult version of these are not half as cute.

Winter Collage

12 Thursday Jan 2012

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We have finally taken down the holiday cards from the mantels.  Instead of throwing them away, I like to cut out the images for Ada to make into collages.  The finished pieces are great as thank you cards too (if you haven’t yet gotten around to those).

Ada’s Mantel

04 Wednesday Jan 2012

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We stripped off 100 years of paint before we moved in, and there is still cleaning to do.  Why would anyone paint over marble?  Ada’s group of three metal statues.  Aunt Sandy told us it is good feng shui for a horse to be running out of a room.  We aren’t sure about whales.