Maret 2013

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Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Jumat, 29 Maret 2013 0 komentar

well hello weekend. it's so nice to see you.....
i've been having a moment with this song....apparently taylor has too b/c she ask me to play it over and over again.
i want to make this tonight b/c it looks oh so good....to eat of course, while we watch the last homeland of season 1...dying over this show. excited to still have season 2 to watch next!!
tomorrow, i'm putting on my sunday's best to go carolina cup...the last time i went i think i was on a frat bus...i'm thinking this time will be a little different (but you never know).
i hope everyone has a wonderful easter and spring break.....much love!!

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Spring Into Cleaning

Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Kamis, 28 Maret 2013 0 komentar

How excited were you to read Clean Mama's interview last Monday?!! Don't tell me I'm the only one out there that struggles to keep a clean and tidy house. Heh, and with three kids and a hubby working overtime to undo all my work, it's an uphill battle!

I had the pleasure of starting Clean Mama's routine just over a month ago, so while we still have a ways to go, I have to say I am HUGELY impressed at the progress we have made as a family!Everyone is slowly learning to form tidy habits, picking up after themselves, and young to old everyone does their part. Yeah baby! Soon this home will be one well oiled machine! *psyched fist pump* Becky, my house thanks you (and so does my sanity)!!
I have been using the Clean Mama printables and I love the Busy Mama kit, it is easy to use, and covers a wide range of must's that we often overlook. Oh, but then again I also love the Cleaning Kit Brights set! Oh I can't decide! Plus Clean Mama offers all kinds of free printables on her site. Okay, since this post is all about cleaning, if you (much like me) struggle with keeping a clean house I definitely recommend the Cleaning Kit Brights set, it is only $12, and it is great if you need something to keep you on track. Look, I have been lugging Weekly Cleaning Checklist from that kit around with me...it helps massively!

Now that my house is getting a clean makeover, I have also started using all those cleaning tips that get pinned but not employed. You know what I'm talking about... you've done it too. So far, my favorite Pinterest tip is using a dish sponge wand to clean my shower! Blegh, I hated getting my hands wet and grimy cleaning the shower...no more!

My girls like using it too. This is one of my muchkins getting her scrub on!

So if you read the interview with Clean Mama (if you didn't, read it here), then you know that she did not only offer great advice, but a GIVEAWAY!!! Are you doing your happy dance? Well you should be, because she is giving away her Clean + Organized Lifestyle Kit, a $65 value! Yep, I heard you say "um, yes please"... And look at what all it includes.

Oh, and guess what else. Even if you don't win, we all get to be winners...
Becky has created a special 20% off coupon code off for Home Made by Carmona readers!!! Yeah I know, I heard your high pitched "What!!", because her kits are already priced so awesomely, so yeah, dash over to her Etsy Store here and use this special code good off your entire order: 20HOMEMADE

We're all gonna have awesome houses. *satisfied sigh*

~~Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter here and get as many points as you can!! The winner will be announced during next Thursday's link challenge.~~

**Congratulations to our winner Tracey!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now it's time to round up all those fantastic links of bright and clean rooms, tips to keep us tidy, and inspiring can-clean stories!

When you link up, don't forget to grab your special feature button. You can collect all 7 special edition buttons by linking up at the other 7 Incredibles Series link events...see the next interview in the series "The Incredibles: Mini Manor Blog" here.

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Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Selasa, 26 Maret 2013 0 komentar

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Princess Pink Closet

Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier 0 komentar

Yes, I know we are right in the middle of our fantastic Interviewing the Incredibles series, but I just couldn't wait to share my latest project! I mean, with all this great information and inspiration from the superheroes of organization and diy, you wouldn't believe all the things getting done in my house. Plus, one of the upcoming "Incredibles" being featured, Jen from IHeart Organizing, is also sharing my latest project! Eeep! I'm so honored! Her blog is to drool for!!
Well, there may not be skeletons in my little one's closet, but everything else sure is in there! Remember when you were little and cleaning your room was difficult? You would stow that item you had no idea what to do with, and inevitably your mom would check the closet or under the bed, and then you were in trouble and still stuck with those items you didn't know what to do with! It didn't seem fair. Was that only my childhood?

Well, let's see if we can't make keeping a neat closet a bit easier for our kiddos. I wanted this closet to be cute, but very functional and inexpensive. So I am sharing all the details that make this closet work to that end!
Here are a my organizing tips and budget friendly decor fixes...

Assembling For The Perfect Layout
From the very outset it is important to plan your closet layout according to your child's particular needs. Make a checklist of items your child needs to store in their closet, and draw a rough draft of where you want shelving to go. Make sure that you allocate upper shelves for out-of-season storage, or items you are willing to be responsible for, and make everything else within your child's reach or plan to purchase a small step stool.
Keep your costs down when purchasing a closet system by choosing the non name-brand hardware, hang tracks, and standards...these parts tend to be universal. Then if you like a particular brands shelves, rods, and brackets you can opt to purchase those separately to fit on your track and standard.

It's All In The Details...

Clothing Tags: Sometimes it's the littlest things that spark inspiration and motivation. Creating these clothing label tags is what finally set me into motion organizing this closet to begin with!

These tags are made from paint chip swatches...yes I said paint chips! Easy and free is always best, and you can learn how to make them here! in the post I include these same cute font printouts for you to make your own perfectly princess labels!

Now my munchkin knows just where to hang each item so it doesn't get lost in the clothing hubbub. Keep it simple for younger children, I stick to categorizing "dresses", "pants", and "shirts" for my youngest... I added "jackets" for my middle munchkin.
I also use these hanging tags on her dresser...which is why you'll find extra categories on the label printouts.

Purse Hangers: Rather than spending money on purse holding hooks, I picked up some cheap (but pretty) shower curtain hooks at a Goodwill thrift store and simply bent the end tab to face the side. The trick is to find the cheap hooks you can bend by hand... anything else will be too sturdy! At $3 for a bag full of hooks, thrifty can't be beat. I used the rest of these hooks in my entryway closet to store purses...I absolutely love them!

Scarves & Shawls
During the winter months I keep frequently used scarves organized in the entryway closet. Less used scarves, shawls, and fancy neck wraps are kept neatly in this wooden crate. You can find small wooden boxes at your local fabric or craft store and give it a coat of paint, or like me, just scour the thrift stores for little wooden crates. I found this little guy for $1. Extra hats or other miscellaneous out-of-season items could also be kept here.

Canvas Bins

I love canvas bins! Label your bins using a little piece of the paint chip you used to make clothing tags, it adds a pop of color consistent with the rest of your design. Canvas bins make for great storage, I think they are attractive, and the best part...after a little couponing they are just my kind of price! *wink*
I purchased medium canvas bins at JoAnn Fabrics for $3 each, after using their rare and coveted 50% coupons on each item. JoAnn frequently provides 25%-30%coupons through the Sunday papers, but if you are on their mailing list they send much better coupons including the occasional percentage off sale items...plus they accept competitor coupons! Woop!

Watches & Accessories
Often we assemble our closet system for every shelf and bar to line up perfectly... sometimes imperfection is the name of the game for maximum storage! I cut my clothing rods to over lap the shelf just a little. It makes a great place to hang extra hair clips, and watches. My family doesn't do jewelry, but I imagine for those who have other wrist wear, this would be a good place to hang them, just in reach and on display.

Shoe Storage

Were you wondering why I had some shoes up high and some down below? Because my kids are TALENTED at losing shoes. Nothing is more frustrating than rushing around in the moments before you are due to leave for an appointment trying to find "the other foot". NOTHING!!! So I separate to keep it simple for the kids. Rather than a huge messy pile of shoes that magically disappear when you need them, store out-of-season, and special occasion shoes up high and out of reach. Keep only the shoes used regularly during that season within easy reach near the floor. Rather than spending extra money to expand the closet system to accommodate shoes, I saved massively using an inexpensive laminate shoe shelf for the floor.

Belts & Hair Accessories
The most economical hooks I could find were these $3 hooks created for hanging keys. Whatever you decide to use, be sure to find an item with small enough hooks to accommodate a child's belt buckle size. I hung this hook set just below the light switch to the side wall of the closet within easy reach of little ones. My middle munchkin stores her belts, hair clips and bands here.

Plastic Drawers

I admit it, I was loathe to use a couple hideous plastic drawers, but I really needed to focus on the practical solution for helping my child stay organized, and smaller drawers that my kid can't possibly destroy seemed to be the best solution. So plastic it is! It was also the best budget solution at $7 each at Walmart on sale. Well who say's you have to sacrifice style for function? I created a few drawer printouts to hide my child's messy drawer contents, label the drawers for easy separation, and give her closet a little design.

Drawer Printables
As always, I'm happy to make my drawer covers available to you as well. Simply print onto 8.5 x 11 full sheet labels, then cut to size and adhere. There are other more permanent methods, such as printing onto cardstock, and slipping it in from the inside of the drawer. Some use mod podge, others adhere using a spray glue...I opt to keep it simple and changeable by using labels. Flexible is better being that it is a child's room, and the drawers will not always be used for this purpose as I will most likely "grow" her room design with her. I have included two other designs I created while trying to get to my final choice. They are label-less, so you can use a label maker, or download in Word and create a label over top before printing. Enjoy!

Pink Chevron Drawer Printable

Colorful Bubble Drawer Printable - Blank

Pink & Grey Bubble Drawer Printable- Blank

I can't say that my middle munchkin has suddenly become an organizational wonder, but considering her creative and messy ways, she has done a fabulous job keeping her closet up!! Sure, I still suspiciously peek at it after every bedroom "clean up", but little things go a long way to preserving its tidy status!

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The Incredibles: Clean Mama

Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Senin, 25 Maret 2013 0 komentar

When I say the word "clean" it comes out as a dreamy wistful sigh... I love the process of organizing, but UGH I hate cleaning! Weird right? Especially since the two tend to go hand-in-hand. It is clear that I need to get some cleaning love and I'm desperate for a bit of direction and inspiration!

I keep finding myself drawn to one particular blog Clean Mama. The name in itself seems to beckon! Becky, aka Clean Mama has been such a help in getting me motivated and setting me on the right track. If she isn't the queen of clean, well I don't know who is. That makes her an Incredible in my book, so I'm happy that Becky is stopping by Home Made by Carmona today!

Interviewing The Incredibles Part 4:

Spring Into Cleaning

Ursula: I love organizing because it has a beautiful end product, much like decorating. But many of us have a difficult time with cleaning because the results last for what feels like a moment. How do you bring the romance into tasks that seem to be futile? Is cleaning just a dance of futility?

Becky: Honestly, I really enjoy the process of cleaning. I use products that smell yummy and work well - it's fun to me! Much like organizing, cleaning can produce some great results in a hurry. And yes, it is a dance in futility, but with a method and a plan cleaning can be seen as an enjoyable routine with great benefits and quick results.

Ursula: Becky, you have 3 children just like I do. What in the world is a clean house suppose to look like with kids? Is there a different definition of cleanliness for the person with kids, or animals, or a messy spouse or roommate versus those without? Or can we obtain that holy grail of cleanliness in our homes no matter who we live with?

Becky: Cleanliness is something different to everyone. I tend to be on the neat freak side of the scale, but it's what you are comfortable with. If walking into a room that's in complete disarray sets your heart a-flutter, you probably need to pick it up to move on to the next thing. If that doesn't bother you, so be it. With 3 little kids, clean has a different meaning than it did when it was just me and my hubby. Regardless, a couple clean ups before school and bed help the overall 'clean factor'. My main goal is to have the house drop-in guest ready. Not spotless, because that would be intimidating to a drop in guest and who am I kidding, people LIVE here, but a clean bathroom and cleaned up kitchen do the trick for me. Beds are made in the morning and dirty clothes go in hampers - these few things keep the clutter at bay and keep the overall clean factor pretty sweet.

Ursula: You have an entire blog dedicated to the art of cleaning! So I realize this question may be unanswerable in a single take, but if you had to sum up the secret to a clean house, what would it be?

For those of us who are “clean challenged”, put us on a regimen. Where do we start, and how can we stay on task?

Becky: I don't know if it's THE secret to a clean house, but my secret is a cleaning routine - I have 4 daily task that get done every day: check floors (sweep if necessary), wipe counters (kitchen and baths), clutter (quick clean ups during the day), laundry (at least one load from start to finish every day). Then I add one other larger cleaning task every day Monday is bathrooms day, Tuesday is dusting day....Then Friday is catch-all day - a day to catch up on anything not completed during the week. Then the weekends are for fun and family. Start small, one thing each day and if it doesn't get started or finished, try again the next day. Keep a list - use the checkmarks as motivators and complete your tasks little by little.

Ursula: Ok, I admit I’m in awe of you! *Chuckle* Cleaning is my kryptonite... but you make it sound so pleasant and doable! I feel confident I will be able to conquer my house rather than it conquering me moving forward. Thank you for motivating us and giving us the first steps we need Becky! Be sure to visit Becky at her blog Clean Mama, and follow her on Facebook as well, she'll help keep you on task!

What about you? Do you struggle to maintain a hot-mess house in constant chaos mode? Or maybe you’ve already gotten cleaning down pat. Come back this Thursday and join me in my early spring cleaning endeavors. Link up your cleaning tips and tricks, or blog about how you have been inspired by Clean Mama and come back and share! I have been following Clean Mama’s awesome routine, and I can’t wait to share! Oh, and guess what? Clean Mama is sponsoring a giveaway of her fantastic $65 value Clean + Organized Lifestyle Kit!!! Eeeeeeep! I KNOW! I’ve been using it, and my house has never been more perfect! It includes 74 must have documents, and it could be yours! So come back on Thursday for the “Spring Into Cleaning” link challenge, and/or to enter the giveaway! Till then…here's a peak at the giveaway to keep you dreaming and cleaning! And pssssst, there just might be an additional little something-something from Clean Mama for everyone!

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Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Jumat, 22 Maret 2013 0 komentar

i think it's spring outside but it's freezing here!!! this weekend, i'll celebrating w/ my hubbie as he turns a year older tomorrow. and walker has his first soccer game in the AM...so far practice has been a lot of crying and not much kicking of the ball....should be quiet interesting....have a fabulous weekend!!

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Organize Me Pretty

Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Kamis, 21 Maret 2013 0 komentar

Andrea from Simple Organized Living really broke down the principles of having an organized life in Monday's interview (read it here).

I love the idea of having a wonderfully organized house and life, but when it comes to where the rubber meets the road...well, good intentions sometimes fall a little short. Sometimes we need to take a moment to recognize the importance of organizing our lives. Then we can be motivated to do what it takes. One day I sat down and wrote what organization meant to me, and here it is in short:

Ok, now please allow me to expound:

Organization is more than the sum of our orderly cupboards, drawers, and other spaces. It is the careful and precise preparation of our spaces, of creative solutions, of determined efforts, and all our habits in a way that leads to the cultivation of good time management, financial responsibility, the best parenting we have to offer, healthy living, and accomplishment of that which makes our lives, and the lives of those we touch, just that much better.

Clearly I can't wait to share all my organizing endeavors, I started an entire blog just to share! *wink* But I won't take up this post sharing my organized spaces and habits, you'll see enough of that every week! However I want to do something extra special for this link up. Today is more than a link challenge, it is going to be a link round-up!!!

I have started it out by linking up a few of my favorite organization tips and spaces from around the web!

Before you link please remember to select the category that best fits your organizing link, and include a descriptive title under "name". Then grab a feature button while you can! The code will no longer be available when the link-up ends. Collect all 7 special edition feature buttons by linking up to the entire Incredibles Series found here! See the next interview in the series "The Incredibles: Clean Mama" here.

Building Habits of Order

This is your "self help" section... link up all those posts that provide tips & tricks that help the "organizationally challenged" become organized people!

Time Management

The hardest thing for some of us to organize is our time. Link your posts on productivity, time management, prioritizing,

Organizing Kids

Gaaaahhhhh! Anyone with munchkins knows what a challenge this is! We need all the help we can get. Link like crazy people...I'll read every one... twice.

Healthy Living

Let's face it, meals don't make themselves, and fitness doesn't just happen. It takes intentional effort, so let's share organizing tips that help us get it done!

Money Management & Business

If there is any area to be very organized it is in the area of finances and our means of gaining it. Link up all your tips to keep us financial & business savvy... from budgeting, to wallet organization, to couponing, to efficiently organized work spaces, to online planners, to...well, you get the idea.

Free Organizing Printables

While many of the other categories may have posts that contain printables, link them up here again, just so we know!

Organized Spaces

This is your general category, so go wild! I want to see every room, drawer, nook and cranny that you have made orderly.

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Posted by sew4tejhtr6ier Senin, 18 Maret 2013 0 komentar

last night, warren and i started watching homeland. my mom and dad told me we would like it and it is good stuff!! we only watched two but i was on the edge of my seat the entire time (probably b/c i am a scary cat and that stuff freaks me out)! can't wait to watch more tonight!! i hope y'all had a wonderful weekend!! btw, brooke did a post on her favorite foods to cook and i made her salmon recipe...it was amazing!!!

*images courtesy of crush cul de sac, morrison flax interiors, cole chics, la dolce vita, philip house

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