Garage Craft Area

Are you short on space inside your home?  Could you spare some room in your garage?  Well its easy to carve out a craft area just about anywhere.  I took all the craft items from all over the house and made a little spot in our garage to do some creating!  This is just phase one for now.  I thought we would live with the space a little while before we decide to crank it up to the next level! ;)

I already had this shelving unit from our last house stored up in the attic.  It's from container store and has shelf liners to go on each shelf.  It also has handy hooks.  I had left over PVC from a project and decided to use that for my ribbon.  I also had this MDF board from a closet office (I made) in my old house.  I used it over 2 saw horses we had in the garage.   Not to shabby for a 2 hour project!

DVD storage

Don't let DVD's take up valuable real estate in your house!  

Condense them down to cases like these. 

Now when you are going on a road trip you will be one step closer to being packed.

Master closet

This master closet transformation took several hours.  It was a multi-step process that entailed trying on clothes, buying a new double rod and moving everything around.  At least 6 bags to Goodwill and $130 made at the consignment store www.buffaloexchange.com now the female side of this closet is complete!

BEFORE shoes were hidden under clothes and hard to find.

AFTER we added a new shoe organizer up top and a double rod from container store.

BEFORE (sorry I guess I didn't take a good" before" shot all the way to the ceiling)

AFTER!

Home office transformation

This office was so fun to do! My client doesn't have an actual study, so instead of her mom desk being out for everyone to see we moved it to an old storage and game closet in the family's den. Now Mom feels like she can work and still be in the room with the rest of the family watching TV or playing a game. 

office space BEFORE

closet space BEFORE

AFTER!

After

This is my favorite way to get desks organized.  Putting the files this direction helps for speedy filing and quick access to find things.

This hanging pocket is a great way to see things at a glance.

Organized Style by Kari FAN project!

Wow my FAVORITE thing to hear is "YOU INSPIRED ME to do _____!"  I love love love it!  Some people just need a little encouragement and visuals to get their creative juices flowing.  I was contacted by my 2nd grade Teacher.....yes you heard it right MY 2nd grade Teacher who was following my Facebook page and said her and her husband were finally going to get their garage organized after 40 years!  Now being a Teacher she is naturally organized, but getting the hubby on board was the final piece to the puzzle.  She sent me this photo to let me know that I INSPIRED THEM!  Imagine that, the STUDENT finally gets to inspire the Teacher! 

 Join me in saying....JOB WELL DONE Mrs. Reynolds!!

It is stories like this that keep me motivated to keep doing what I do.

What will you get ORGANIZED today??

One hardworking closet!

Do you have a hardworking closet like this one?  One that needs to be so many things?  This closet needed to be a linen closet, a scrapbook supply closet, an overflow of toiletries closet, a medicine cabinet, kids artwork closet, and art supplies closet.  Even though you are short on space it is possible to make a small closet work!

 The medicines are separated by adult, children, and first aide.  Sheet sets are folded inside it's matching pillow case to save room and keep from falling all over the place.  Shelves within the shelf help make room for easy access and stacking.

I love using these art portfolios for my kids large artwork year after year.  The clear and green bins you see house markers, crayons, pencils/pens, and craft supplies.  One type for each bin.  That way when my boys have homework after school they grab the appropriate bin and take it to the table to work.  Afterwards it gets put back in its spot.

Organized School Lunches and After School Snacks

 7 Tips for making lunches smooth sailing in the mornings:

 1.) Designate a drawer in the freezer for all the ice packs for lunches.

 2.) Create a spot in the fridge for all lunch supplies ( ie: bread, turkey, cheese, yogurt, hummus, etc.).

 3.) Concoct a cold pasta, chicken salad, tuna salad, etc. ahead for the week.

 4.) If you use a lunch divider like my favorite, laptop lunchbox (www.laptoplunches.com) make sure    you buy 2 so one is always clean.

 5.) Have a clear bin in the pantry to house all the lunch snacks and treats for easy access.

6.) Talk to your kids about what is an appropriate snack to eat after school.   Then have them at kid level in the pantry or fridge for easy access.

 7.) MOST IMPORTANT TIP: get up at least 10 minutes earlier to allow time for your cup of coffee before starting the crazy job of making lunches and getting kids out the door!

Budget friendly changes:

 Take a Costco or family size chip/cracker bag and portion out into snack size ziplocs for the month as opposed to pre-packaged chips.

Buy bags of carrots wash/slice yourself and separate into snack size ziplocs instead of pre-packaged carrots.

Instead of packaged drink boxes, use a reusable thermos with water, juice, crystal light, etc.

Happy Lunch Making!