Candy covered box

~thehopefulorganizer

Framed Words

Dollar Tree frames, scrapbook paper, letters printed from computer and cut out. 

Can use any word for any event or season

~thehopefulorganizer

Nutter Butter Snowmen

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Cereal Boxes turned Magazine Holders

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Photo Strip Ornament

 Photo Strip Christmas Ornament

~thehopefulorganizer

Fabric Wreaths

I have been making fabric wreaths since I was a little girl.  My Mom would help us make them for gifts or for our own home.  I have started this tradition with my children.  We made several wreaths last year as gifts.  This year we made a large fall wreath and a pretty christmas wreath for a gift. 

Supplies:
You need a straw wreath (leave the plastic on it), assorted coordinating fabric, ribbon if desired.  How much fabric really varies on the size of your wreath.  I usually get atleast a yard of each kind and sometimed double of a base color of fabric.  As you make the wreath you space the fabric out and you will be able to tell if you need more fabric before its too late.  I have had to go out and get an new color of fabric and fill in holes at the end and the wreaths still turn out great!

You can use pinking shears to have pretty edges, or just cut straight with a rotary cutter.  I do not do exact measurements at all.  Some of my squares are only squares in theory because they are very lopsided.  I usually shoot for about 5 or 6 inches.  Quite a bit of the fabric goes into the wreath. 

A pile of cut squares ready to go

Use a sharpened pencil to push fabric squares into the wreath.  When you first start the underneath "ugly" side of the fabric will show.  By the time its done and filled in it is not noticeable.  For your ribbon you just cut it to whatever length you like and push it in with a pencil as well.  I kind of like when the ribbon hangs out longer than the fabric. 

You can cover the wreath one the chosen front side and then around the edges.  You can leave the back bare or cover it with fabric too.  You want to rotate around the entire wreath and space your colors out. 

~thehopefulorganizer

15 Minute Junk Drawer Update

I have always enjoyed picking a drawer or a shelf to organize. Not only does it make life easier down the road, but for that one moment I am able to put order and control where chaos once ruled.

I was feeling a bit frustrated (possibly even angry) yesterday. I didn't have anything specific to be angry about, but I was anyway. I had to run to the store to get milk and eggs anyway, so I just picked up some plain jane, inexpensive drawer organizers. I have some preferred organizers that I like to get from thecontainerstore, but the generic kind of walmart work just as well!

First I just dumped all the items from the drawer onto the countertop and began to sort. Don't get too worked up in the sorting... and allow for some catch all categories. Decide what gets to keep a home in the drawer and what needs to go live somewhere else.

I started putting stuff into the individual dividers and placing in the drawer.  I am sure I will need to tweak it a few times over the next couple of weeks to fit our living style, but it’s so much better.  And for a 15 minute investment of time and reward was well worth it. 

~thehopefulorganizer