{project - week 2}

So I have NOT been slacking on my projects, quite the opposite! This week has been filled with fun projects that I've been so glad to mark off my list!

I got this idea from my MIL who is so clever! I've been struggling with what to do with all of the papers, art, and stuff that my kids bring home from school. I'm not a scrapbooker and won't ever put it all in a book but really just want to have it all together.

I started with this...



Please tell me I'm not the only one who stores my kids art and papers this way! Since we've started Pre-K this has really gotten out of hand. The amount of papers that she comes home with every week is amazing and overwhelming!




First thing I had to do was sort them! I picked out the special ones that had her first letters, a handprint, ones that I really liked and put them in stacks by grade.



My MIL found these large envelopes at Michaels and they are perfect in size! 12" x 12" and can expand pretty wide. I used some scrapbooking paper that I already had and made a cover sheet for every grade.




Behind each cover sheet is all of the art, report cards, and memorabilia.

The best part is there were 10 in a pack so I had enough for her through 5th grade. And I love that they fit perfectly in a plastic storage bin that will fit on the top shelf in the closet.

I meant to take a picture of that to show you because it's the best part, but I will have to post that next week when we return from vacation!

What projects have you completed this week?

{Even more}

Here are a few more projects from a few of you out there who have joined me on the Stop Planning, Start Doing Challenge.

Shar had an incredible before and after of her daughters room! Here's the before:



She said it took a few hours and she got 3 bags of trash, a bag to donate, and a bag to go to grandma's!

Here's the after:



Looks incredible and I'm sure it feels good to have that marked off her list!!

Then, there is Shanae. She just moved into their new home that has been completely remodeled! She said her major project are going to be getting everything put away and if you've ever moved you know that takes a lot of time and work!

After a electrician found the following in her attic, cleaning quickly moved to the top of her list. This is too good not to share!

Nothing like a petrified cat to get you to scrub your house from top to bottom! :)



I want to puke every time I look at it but I can't divert my eyes!!

What have you been working on?? Send me your pics and I'll share them to provide motivation for all!

{Another Project to Share}

I had the privilege of going to a few garage sales and estate sales without my kiddos this weekend and I throughly enjoyed it!  It has been a long time since I've had the opportunity to go without my kids!

I found a great Estate Sale and bought a few things, but one of the items that caught my eye was a lone dining chair that was in great shape and seemed virtually new.  The only thing that really needed to be replaced was the cushion, but I'm on a mission to completely change everything about my house and style (that's a whole other post that I'll share sometime) so I decided to give it a little paint job too!

Here is the before:

Not bad, with the except of the moth ball stench that was coming from the cushion!  Parker kept saying "what is that smell mom?"

I had my kids help me remove the cushion.  Aren't they just gems?

Then I did something I've never done.  Cut some fabric on the BIAS and made some cording. Can I get a WHAT, WHAT!! Terrible iphone pic but I had to show my cording. 

After I primed, waited, painted, waited, sewed, waited, sanded, sealed, reassembled this is the final product:

I love the curves and the fabric is a microsuede which is a must the a 2 and 4 year old.  No, it's not already dirty, it's just not brushed in the same direction.

 I also love the light distressing.  It's subtle but makes it look worn and much loved!  For just a fraction of the cost of a new chair, I have a custom chair that is going to fit in great in our home!

{Stop planning, start doing- Project 1}

WOW!! So many of you have sent me messages, emails, texts that you have finished your week 1 project! I am loving all the productivity going on around here because it has helped me stay motivated!  I had a super productive weekend and am glad to say that I finished my project and even got in a bonus one too which I will show you tomorrow!

My first project was to clean off our desk.  First thing I will point out is that this desk is in the "Man Cave".  This was instituted as my man's designated space about a year ago when he was fed up with all of the Bravo and Real Housewives.  I have to say I am a sucker for some good reality TV.

The Man Cave consists of his big leather recliner, his big tv, and the family computer.  Not many people see this room and seeing that there is only one real chair, no one else hangs out in this room.  BUT now that I am a "work" at home mom, I do find myself at our family computer more and more.  So here is the before:

It was a complete disaster to say the least! Notice the 4 cups, stacks and stacks of papers and not just on the desk but also on the floor.  The nice cabinet door that won't even close.  Who wants to sit here and do anything??

Let the cleaning and organizing begin, right Hayes?   Doesn't he look pumped?

First things first, remove the "extra" computer that is a backup but doesn't get "used" on a daily basis.  Why do I need to have it up on the desk taking up space? Clean up the piles, FILE, straighten up, DUST and about an hour later, viola.....

The completed project!! I'm so happy to sit here now and it took me about an hour! Granted it was not a major transformation but it did wonders for ME! There are still a few things I would like to add like a cord cover for the strand of cords going across the desk and possibly some more/different "decor" on the shelves, but for now I am happy with what I have! AND I even cleaned out the drawers too!

So, here are a few other completed projects that have been shared with me:

Brooke had a bit of closet overload (man this makes me feel good that I'm not the only one!) This is her spare storage closet. What a blessing to have!

Here are here before pics:

 She was glad this was her first project because she found 10 christmas gifts that she had  purchased and forgot about!!

HERE IS HER AFTER:

That's AWESOME Brooke!! And no guilt for the rest of you, but she just had a baby about 5 minutes ago and he was Number 4 and she has a broken toe!

NEXT is a few pics from Becky's major closet transformation.  I don't have any before pics but check out the after...

Who would not LOVE to have a closet like that! I want to go shopping there!

 AMAZING!!!

Let me know if there are any more and I will post them! Thanks friends!!

Now on to week 2....join us in the 7 week Stop Planning, Start Doing Challenge!

{So encouraged...}

I'm so encouraged by those of you who are joining me on my 7 week "Stop Planning, Start Doing Challenge"!  There have been so many of you that have "named" the projects you want to tackle which is great!  We can keep each other accountable.


Here are a few that have been named:

• Cleaning out the Girls playroom and getting rid of toys before Christmas! ACCOMPLISHED!! Way to go Lisa!
• Organize house for Zach's return- mainly closet space for him, clean desk
• Work on 2009 Photo Album .  Becky, this may require a GYST (Get Your Stuff Together) Party!  I need to work on my Albums too!
• Clean out closets for upcoming construction
• Refinish AWESOME armoire.  Shar, I can't wait to see this!!

There are only 3 more days before the first project is supposed to be complete!  Pick something small and easy for this first week.  Don't overwhelm yourself before you even get started.

Maybe your first task needs to be clean out your car, go through the mounds of papers that your kids bring home from school, make a list of things to do, organize one drawer.  Pick something and get started.

I have to admit that today was a great motivation knowing there were many of you out there working on your projects, so on this cold and rainy day I got off my bum and got to work on Week 1 project and it's COMPLETE!!  (or as complete as its going to be for now) And man, it feels great! (Pics to come on Monday as promised)

Another completed project that someone sent me... This person will remain nameless unless they want to come forward :)

Her nemesis....socks!  They rarely get matched and have been taking up home in some baskets and remained unmatched for an undisclosed amount of time.

After a few hours....

 They were all matched and the sock owner felt SO much better!  Way to go!!

Now, your turn! Get to it!!

{my baby is growing up}

When we were riding in the car yesterday Parker said "mom, I need to stop liking the things I like and start liking other things." I said "what do you mean?". She said "like horses and dolls. I'm too old to like that stuff. I'm in Pre-k"

Since when does that make you too old to like dolls? It made me so sad that my little girl is growing up! Next thing you know she will want me to drop her off around the corner for school because I'm just too embarrassing!




My little girl is all grown up!

{Stop planning, start doing!}

 I've talked about how many "projects" I have that I want to complete around the house and although I've made a little progress it seems that the list keeps getting longer!  I've become overwhelmed with the amount of things I want to accomplish and have almost given up before I've really even started!  I keep planning more and more projects before completing any of the existing projects I have.

Like this project that has been waiting....

I have decided that I have 7 weeks until the end of the year and can accomplish one project a week (at least) and have a good chunk of them complete by the time January rolls around.  That will give me a boost to mark things off my list instead of continuing to add.

As an accountability, I am going to post each project I complete, no matter how big or small it is, on Monday of each week.  I will have to force myself to mark something off my list because I am promising to post my progress here,  BUT I want all of you to join me on this quest!

So here is the plan, send me a picture of your project and I'll post them here, or post a comment on Monday's post of what you have completed, or link to your blog so we can see how much we can accomplish in the next 7 weeks!  It doesn't have to be a project around the house.  It can be finishing a good book, catching up on your 3 year olds baby book, connecting with a long lost friend.  Just about anything that has been hanging over your head that you just need motivation to finish!
Are you with me??  Ready, Set, GO!!


Some of my projects MIGHT include this or this....

I'm hoping this guys will be a good helper! 

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3

{Fall}

I just love this time of year!  I love how the weather begins to change and the leaves are changing everyday!  I feel Christmas is nearing and I get almost giddy, like I'm a kid all over again.  I can't wait to decorate the house and have twinkle lights on every surface.  BUT I must restrain myself and not even think about it until after thanksgiving (or maybe the week before).

So Parker and I made a Fall project the other day and I think it turned out super cute and it was super easy!

It's a banner that says "Be Thankful"

I love this phrase because it reminds us everyday to thank God for all of the amazing blessings he has bestowed upon us!  I feel so extremely blessed by all that I have been given and I don't want to ever take it for granted because I know it is earthly and a gift from God!

We basically used scrapbook paper and construction paper.  I printed the letters right on the construction paper because I do not have the knack for writing to scale and spatially on a piece of paper!

We tied it up and added some ribbon for a cute trim and hung it in the kitchen window.  It was a fun, easy and cheap project that we have fun working on together!

Happy Fall!

"Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."  Psalm 95:2

{paint}

The paint is going up on the house! I love my husband! He's so handy and can do anything. I'm excited to get this project underway. We have been needing to paint the house for a while. Next is a roof and then much later a fence.




I just need some motivation to get the inside transformation going. One step at a time!

{HALLOWEEN}

We had a fun Halloween and have probably gained 5 pound to prove it.  Here are a few pictures of the activities...

It all started with a fun night of roasting hotdogs and Smores and Pumpkin carving at BG and Grandads!

We had every space covered with a pumpkin and in all carved 8 pumpkins.  The kids were great and had a blast (so did the grownups)!

Here we are with our pumpkins.  Disregard Hayes's outfit.  (He accidentally fell in the pool...again)

Hayes the Builder or Engineer.

Parker as a princess.  She insisted that she had to wear a different costume for every Halloween event so this is number 3! Straight out of the dress up box and entirely too small, but the girl is so stubborn I could not change her mind!

So big!  I just LOVE these two!