Reclaiming Our Spaces Recap!

It's time to conclude the Reclaiming Our Spaces series.  I have enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed working alongside the sweet Jacqueline from Creative-Outpour.

I learned a lot doing this series.  

I learned how to use PicMonkey and that editing photos takes a lot of blogging time, especially when you are adding your watermark.
I learned that Pinterest is a great place to share organizing ideas I share here.
I learned that working alongside someone keeps me on target.
I learned to work ahead of the deadline so I could easily meet the deadline.
I learned that the system I have in place for my kids' clothing works like a charm.
I learned I have a leaky sink in the girls' bathroom.
I learned that everything behind my kitchen cabinets is superbly organized.
I learned that using a tub system for toys works better for my family in this stage.
I learned that my seven year is a collector and wants to keep everything, even favorite t-shirts she can no longer wear.
I learned that you don't always need a new gadget or container, but you always need to purge.
I learned that I have more craft stuff than I remembered.
I learned that each organized space needs to be hit again in about 4 months (one space a day) to maintain this house with this family in this stage.  Plus, everyone is always evolving so systems constantly need to be tweaked.

Reclaiming Our Spaces re-cap:

Reclaiming my kids spaces:
7 year old
3 year old
playroom
creative area

Family space:
kitchen
laundry
garage
vehicle

closets:
hall
entry closet
kids closet
master closet

My space:
time 
office area
holiday decor
jewelry

I really hope you've enjoyed this series.  I hope you got a few ideas for your own clutter traps.  I hope you are motivated to either get started one space at a time or if you worked alongside me, I hope you are now better equipped to maintain your organized space.

Now, I'm off to maintain the first space I reclaimed, my office.

Organizing the kitchen: Reclaiming Our Spaces Series

I don't know if anyone else is having as much fun as I am with this Reclaiming Our Spaces series.

Sometimes I choose the reclaimed space, sometimes it chooses me.  It chose me this time.  I had the day off on Tuesday so I set to work cleaning my kitchen.  I really hate to clean.  No, I REALLY hate it. That means I'm easily distracted.  I think I am passionate about organizing simply because it's a perfect distraction from actually cleaning.

While I was cleaning my kitchen I realized it had been years - eww! far too long since I'd made time to thoroughly clean my Pampered Chef Turn-About.  Originally I was not interested in this product.  I only envisioned it as a clutter eyesore.  But 10 years ago I hosted a huge Pampered Chef party and I got it for free.  So I decided to try it and figured with only four drawers in my kitchen it might come in handy.  It hasn't left my counter since that first day!  And all my tools are always organized!  I took a little time on this week to de-clutter the tools, clean the organizer, and re-organize it.

I laid out and grouped all of my tools I wanted to store, after I culled the tools of course.

Next I filled the turn-about based on these groupings.  I put my tall and most used spatulas in the middle so I never have to turn it to grab one.  I use at least one of these every day.

I continued on filling the spaces with like-grouped items.

I will also let you in on a little distracted-from-cleaning fun.  This turn-about has been solid white for ten years.  I always thought it would be fun to add some charm to it, but I never took the time or had a simple idea.  If you follow me on Pinterest you know I am wild about Washi Tape.  So, I decorated this tool holder with super cute Washi Tape! More details here.

While I was having fun with washi tape I added a little cuteness to a few shelves.

My next goal for this cabinet is to line the back with pretty paper or fabric.

My kitchen honestly stays pretty organized.  Everything has a home.  Smaller bowls are nestled inside larger ones.  Like items are stored together.  My kitchen only has five overhead cabinets.

I have about seven lower cabinets and only four drawers.  And those drawers are little ones!  Also, I am only five feet tall.  Working in a kitchen is a height challenge for me.  I can barely reach my second shelves so anything above what I can easily reach is storage for items I very seldom use.  

Below are some older photos to show you how I have created more work and storage space on the other side of my kitchen.  

I found the wall ladder and the stair-stepped cubes at a flea market on the same day, in different booths. You could do the wall ladder idea with an old baby bed side gate, that might be what this is.  Or you could create something similar with pegboard.  I hung it with L brackets and ribbon.  I used s hooks to hang everything.  You could also use cute ribbon!

 I love this non-traditional paper towel holder!  It's a simple wire basket.

 The menu board is an etsy purchase.  I like that it's magnetic because I can post a recipe card on it while I'm cooking.

 I like having often-used tools out but separated into compartments.  It makes the cooking process so efficient.

So, there's a tour of my kitchen!  I didn't really reclaim much.  But, I enjoyed what did.  Now, if I could just keep it clean!

See what's going on with Jacqueline this week in this series.

Leave a comment letting me know you are enjoying this series.  I'd love to know if you've been inspired to reclaim some of your space.  

An organized laundry room - Reclaiming Our Spaces series

Welcome back to the Reclaiming Our Spaces series!  This week I focused on organizing the laundry room.  Here is what it looked before I gave this room some love.  

Managing clothes

 Here is the area I tackled first.  I was using mismatched tubs.  I kind of liked the clear ones because I could see what was in them.  But it made my space feel super cluttered in an already naturally cluttery (is that a word?) room.

So, I fixed it.

I added three of these shelf basket thingy-ma-bobs in here about two months ago and they are working out well.  This one holds socks who have lost their mates.  My kids somehow lose them.  I have the lost socks stacked and organized so I can find mates very easily.  Lost socks aren't as big a deal as they used to be.

I've had a specific cheap laundry sorter for at least 15 years.  Once my husband glued the "PCish" parts together I started liking the laundry chore more.  For 15 years is would fall apart if any pressure was applied. I am only 5 feet tall and it's difficult for me to be reach the bottom and be weightless at the same time.  

Since my oldest's room is right next to the laundry room she has a part of the sorter as her laundry basket.  To solve the problem of people's clothes not getting treated for stains I have been using this little label to help over the past 3 years (my laundry room seems to be the ideal place for vinyl chalkboard labels).  And of course, towels and sheets always need a home. 

Managing laundry supplies

 I make my own liquid laundry detergent.  This slim jim really helps with space and does it's job.

I got this laundry tower in 2009 at Lowe's for about $30.  The wheels fall off when I move it and it makes me mad, but I only move it about once a year.  I spent a good amount of time this week trying to glue them on.  One, maybe two, of the four wheels cooperated, so the next time I move it I will be angry again.  But hey, at least it got a super duper good cleaning.  

 Here's what it contains:  1. Lint (kept inside a kid's size shoe box), scissors, safety pins, money, buttons etc.  2. Lingerie washing bags. 3. Rags and wood cleaner 4. More laundry supplies and the manual to the washing machine and dryer.

Storage

I have been to Lowe's three times in the past year to buy another shelf and brackets.  Each time they either have the right size shelf or the right size bracket but not at the same time.  Or they have no shelves and have brackets, etc.  I was dead set on having that all installed before I finished for this post.  Grrr!   You see though that I still have a lot of storage potential going on in here.

 Having a temporary home for the clothes my kids outgrow is really helpful.

Hooks to hang clothes on are so helpful so I use them on both doors so that laundry doesn't spill out.

Lovelies

I have this cute free printable hanging in here to remind me that dirty clothes are not all bad.  I'm sorry I don't remember where I got it.

And I have a cheerful little work elf in here reminding me I'm not the only one working my tail off.  Thanks Mary Engelbreit!  You make my days bright.

Read the process of how I actually do laundry here, as doing it this way was a totally new concept to me, but I still do it this way.

See what Jacqueline worked on at Creative Outpour!
What works in your laundry room?
What doesn't?
What problem do you need to solve?
 Leave a comment!

How to organize a kid's room - Reclaiming Our Spaces

Start with a good and open attitude

My oldest princess is only 7.  She likes it when her room is clean but she doesn't like the work it involves.  Sound familiar?  I am often the same way and my husband feels it even deeper.  It's her space and most of the time she is allowed to keep it however she wants.  But I also recognize it is my job to teach her how to clean a room.  It's my job help her break the overwhelming down into manageable jobs - into chunks she can accomplish after the initial "I don't want to clean my room" tears subside.

Keep healthy expectations 

Obviously, I don't insist on a clean room or a made bed.  We talk about how we can't walk in here.  I call her attention to when a toy is broken because it was stepped on.  As long as she doesn't have food or drinks laying around here, isn't doing drugs or having sex (I realize this stuff is just around the corner), I'm okay with her keeping her room how she wants.  But that also means that from time to time we have a clean your room Saturday followed by the promise of a reward for hard work.

I stumbled upon this thoughtful article on the topic of kids' clean rooms that you might appreciate.  Much of this resonates with me.  I don't tell my kids to go clean their rooms.  I might say things like, "Please go to your room and put all of your shoes where they belong."  They have a small mission they truly can accomplish.

Pick up, sort, and cull

In this week's Reclaiming Our Spaces post I worked alongside my 7 year old.  Some of this was really hard for me because I want to get rid of so much stuff.  Last Fall I was teaching a class and one of our assignments was culling our book collections.  I got my daughter in on the action.  It seems six and a half years old was a good time to do this.  Her taste in books had changed and she had opinions. We donated about 1/3 of her book collection which was a  LOT!  Because of that, we didn't touch the books this weeks.

Our first step was simply picking up the floor and desk.  When we do tasks like this I tell her it is a productive way to spend time together and I learn a lot about her buy helping her clean her room.  She usually has a good attitude about it once we get started.

In the above photo from left to right you'll see a hand-me-down tv on a microwave cart found at a yard sale.  The next shelf was something I put in there for this project.  It's the shelf system I tried out in here and it wasn't a good fit.  I set up some book collections, and some paper systems on this shelf. My daughter cleared off her desk and I had her go through the inside drawer too.  Her desk is the only item in this room I purchased for her (oh wait, my husband bought her the floor blocks).  I found it at In Retrospect in Fayetteville about a year ago. After the big pick up, we took a break for the day.  I had ordered some organizing cubes from Clever Container so I wanted to wait and finish up this room once they arrived.

Organize and set up systems

The movie collection is now in one of the super cute Clever Container bins.  VHS is on the bottom layer and the DVDs are on the top layer.  And now the items that need to go back to the library have a designated spot too.

Below is the addition to the room.

1. I used a clear Fridge Cube from Clever Container to corral her CDs. She put an old birthday invite in front of it to "decorate it".

2. I used the bottom of an empty shoe box to corral her notebooks.  We discussed how this is her boundary and if she gets another notebook she has to get rid of one.

3. I used a Wire Chrome Divider from Clever Container for a few book collections.  I had never thought of using it like this before but it is doing exactly what I needed!  

 4.  One Clever Container cube has drawing paper and a box my daughter wants to use for a project.  Inside this cube is also a magazine holder (also from Clever Container) which is home to her completed works of art.  5. The last cube is filled with audio books handed down to her from her retired Kindergarten teacher Nana.  Each book and tape has its own bag.

Acknowledge the desire to collect

If you'll search this blog for the "Smarter Spaces" series you'll see short posts that will give you some organizing perspective based on the age of your kids.  Reading child development articles based on your child's age will also give you insight into why they become obsessed with collecting and that it's normal.  This aspect of child-rearing is hard for me.  It is all a bunch of clutter when I look at it.  But it means something to her.  

I offered her two items (spice steps) designed for the kitchen that would at least enable her to see her collections a little better.  I asked her if she wanted to keep each item.  If I at least asked her, I knew that I was training her to think that not everything has to stay just because it's here already.  

Let them make decisions

My daughter decided to make this corner her studio corner. How perfect, considering the beautiful landscape right outside the window.  (By the way, I spent a good 30 minutes or more of my life rehanging the curtains so they wouldn't touch the floor, I despise hanging curtain rods and shelves on the wall.  I needed an icecream cone attitude adjustment after that.)

Six months ago I asked my daughter if she wanted to move any furniture in her room, or if she thought things were working fine.  She wanted to move her desk, so we did.  Working alongside each other really can be fun.  We walked through the steps of making her bed (again).  And she started doing something very clever.  She put all of her extra pillows and stuffies at the foot of the bed.  I told her how clever I thought that was because she didn't have to move them just to go to sleep.  She felt proud and smart because that was just her instinct.  

Know when it's good enough

We are not striving for HGTV or pinterest perfect here.  We are striving for workable systems in real life and enabling room to spread out, create, and just be who we are.  She thought she did a spectacular job making her bed, I didn't tell her otherwise.  

She loves her room.  I am so happy to give my daughter a home and place where she is free to be. 

Do you need to help your child clean up their room?  Do it before school starts!

I can't wait to see what Jacqueline works on this week.  Go see!

Clever Container items used in this room:  Double Duty in pink and green, medium Chrome divider, Desk Envy and medium clear Fridge Cube. Purchase them any time at www.CleverHolly.com An empty cute shoe box and a shelf I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond years ago came in quite handy!  

Organizing the craft closet: Reclaiming Our Spaces series

It's Thursday.  But not just any old Thursday.  I am having oral surgery today.  I thought about calling in sick to the blogworld but in spite of an abscessed tooth and prep for a dental implant I have a goodie to share with you today! Pardon the poor photo editing & any text that doesn't make complete sense. I am graced with a codeine induced fog!  

I tackled my "everything" closet.  This closet rests at the end of our small hallway.  I use to store glass vases, candles and candle holders in here along with this other stuff. But this closet also serves as our safe closet and the thought of all that glass resting above our heads just left me edgy.  So I moved them, but I shoved more stuff in here knowing I'd be tackling this space soon.  

Before we delve into the details let me remind you that I'm the first to wave my hand shouting, "I am not a crafty person."  Oh. the. irony.

In an attempt to find a place to store our bike helmets during tornado season I put this Gear Pocket from Clever Container on the door.  Only my closet door is really skinny so it wasn't a good fit.  Once again all is solved by a good de-cluttering of the space.  I started by removing the Gear Pocket.  and I moved the Fall decorations that are pictured here on the top shelf to the top shelf in my daughter's closet (the largest closet in the house).  One day I'd like to add one more layer shelving on the top in my laundry room and store holiday decor there.  One day.

  

Currently the top shelf in this closet holds old photos and negatives, jewelry-making supplies and card making supplies.  I haven't made jewelry in a long, long time.  But I have some quality tools I might need one day.  They don't take up much space so I'm keeping them in this orange document box from Clever Container. I donated all the other jewelry-making supplies. I love to make cards but I haven't made any in a long, long time.  I know that this is the one creative thing I always enjoy so I'm keeping all of these card supplies for a happy card-making day.  

I put the white matching baskets all on the second shelf.  I have had them for over ten years.  One stores rubber stamps and ink.  One stores Christmas card making supplies.  One stores stickers and such.  When I say "and such" I also mean materials to make a scrapbook for my high school years.  I don't do scrapbooks much.  But my Senior book, I graduated in 1990, completely fell apart last week in 1998 and I plan to put it all in a scrapbook.  For real, it will happen.  Every year I save the best Christmas card fronts and I remake them into cards.  Except, I haven't done that the last four years, I've just done photo cards because our family photo sessions have been too good to choose just one photo to tuck into a card.  So, I sorted and threw away the ones I don't love any more.  

The third shelf is within easy reach for me.  So on the left I have some recent trips in their completed scrapbooks.  I enjoyed looking at our Boston and most recent cruise pictures.  I was thrilled to be able to place two of Clever Container's Double Duty cubes one behind the other.  I have always kept small ready-to-give presents in these boxes, but I spent some time to see what's in there and sort them better. Now one box has kids gifts and the other has grow-up gifts.  One day maybe I'll paint or cover them. But honestly, this is good enough and it's been good enough for ten years! There's also room on this shelf to store our bike helmets.

On the bottom shelf of this closet I'm storing a small amount of home decor - Fall mantel dressings mostly.  My seven year old has her own box of craft supplies in here that we used a few years ago for Advent. She occasionally needs supplies for a craft project and she knows this box is all hers. I created a projects-in-progress basket like I do with many of our clients.  I also used an old basket to store the Newspaper funnies we use as a table protector when we paint and the actual painting paper is also stored here.  This closet is right next to the playroom where the paints are stored up high.  There was just no good shelf to store this paper in the playroom.  

This closet is also where I store my Clever Container inventory.  Follow me on my CleverHolly facebook page so you don't miss my upcoming inventory sale.  

When we have a tornado warning in our county my seven year old asks me to prepare the closet.  So I simply pull out the black cargo tote and the bags and it's ready.

For years I have had these Cargo Pockets from Clever Container mounted in this closet to store emergency supplies without taking up our floor space.  While this is intended for the back of a Van or SUV, it works great here.  All four of us can fit into this closet together.  And honestly, my girls love it when we have a warning because an empty closet floor is nothing but fun!

(This product should roll back out for purchase in January 2014.)

So, that's the closet.  While I "am not crafty" I have to fully admit that this closet is full of craft supplies that I like using!

And I love this closet now. Do you have an "everything" closet?  What's in it?  Does it need to be reclaimed?

Are you keeping up with Jacqueline? Because she reclaimed her large hall closet as part of this series:

*I didn't purchase anything for my closet make-over.
**Clever Container products used: 3 black and white double duty cubes, 1 document box, and cargo pockets
***Yay for chalkboard labels again.