Jumat, 31 Mei 2013
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*images courtesy of carolines mode, casa tres chic, birch and bird, atlanta homes, studio m, a lovely being, a perfect gray
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*images courtesy of carolines mode, casa tres chic, birch and bird, atlanta homes, studio m, a lovely being, a perfect gray
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For The Love of Plano Boxes
Senin, 27 Mei 2013
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Ahhh, there is nothing better than seeing small things organized in clear containers with dividers. It is positively yummy, so when one of my fav organizers Alejandra Costello shared how she organizes her nails and batteries, I thought "oh duhh, why haven't I already done that?". Sometimes, it's the obvious that eludes me *airhead moment?*. Organizing your little things in plano boxes is the perfect afternoon organizing project. Short and sweet, but leaves you feeling a great sense of accomplishment!
Purchasing Plano Boxes
A couple quick tips when purchasing plano boxes:
1. Search different departments of the store for the best plano storage. Sometimes the bead & sewing department will have what you are looking for, but the fishing and tackle department will have something cheaper. The hardware department will often have better adjustable plano options, and occasionally I'll find something in the office supply department! Scour the store before choosing.
Purchasing Plano Boxes
A couple quick tips when purchasing plano boxes:
1. Search different departments of the store for the best plano storage. Sometimes the bead & sewing department will have what you are looking for, but the fishing and tackle department will have something cheaper. The hardware department will often have better adjustable plano options, and occasionally I'll find something in the office supply department! Scour the store before choosing.
Organizing Picture Hanging Tools
From hooks and sawtooth hangers, to rubber grips and command strips...keep everything you need to hang a picture or decorative accessory all together in one storage container. Rather than running back and forth to find something that works better, everything can be right there with you while you work on dressing your walls!
Organizing Batteries
Nothing is worst than searching high and low for several elusive packages of varying sized batteries. It seems like everyday someone is asking "mooom, my toy isn't working again, where can we find the AA batteries?"..."Honey, I need the size C batteries, I found the D's and the AAA's, but where is the package of C's???" ... blegh! I don't know. I never know. Well darlings, now I always know! The battery storage box stay's in one place, and if some munchkin hijacked it and it isn't were it belongs, at least this huge box is easy to find and all the sizes are all together! I used a regular large sized plano box, but only because I found a bunch at a thrift store for a steal. If you are purchasing a storage box for your batteries, I suggest you go online and purchase one specifically designed to fit batteries upright. It is a better use of space, and money!
Organizing Nails
Again, not having to run back to the garage to find a different size nail for my projects is...well, just plain old smart! It saves time and money, and although I salvage everything I can, it is important to be able to see just what I have at a glance so I'm not wasting money buying things twice over.
Again, not having to run back to the garage to find a different size nail for my projects is...well, just plain old smart! It saves time and money, and although I salvage everything I can, it is important to be able to see just what I have at a glance so I'm not wasting money buying things twice over.
Organizing Screws
I organize my screws, nuts, bolts, and washers in separate storage boxes as well. It is helpful to keep them organized by size and type when you use them frequently or salvage them.
I organize my screws, nuts, bolts, and washers in separate storage boxes as well. It is helpful to keep them organized by size and type when you use them frequently or salvage them.
Organizing Miscellaneous Bits
You know all those miscellaneous little parts you're not sure where to put, or there is only a few (if not one) of a kind? Yep! Create a "hardware junkie" plano box storage! I am creative, which means that not all of these parts will be used as intended but will solve some problem, and I am always happy I kept it!
You can usually buy plano boxes + carrier in the hardware or fishing section of your store, and it is worth the extra couple bucks if you have lots of planos!
Keeping your plano boxes containing companion materials together is helpful! If I store my nuts, bolts, and washers separately, then I will need to carry them all together when tackling a project that requires all parts.
The handle folds down flush with the box when sitting sideways, then can easily be swung out when carried upright.
So go, take a moment to organize your little things that are easily lost. Those beads and crafty bits, your screws and hardware, batteries, a junk drawer! Any and every thing you can think of!
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All Purpose Storage Pantry
Rabu, 22 Mei 2013
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The best part of organizing an all-purpose closet or pantry is tackling all those little knick knacks that often get overlooked! I'm doing a ton of tiny organizing tasks and getting a big return! This narrow little closet just wasn't helpful for storing cleaning supplies or food items, it was just too small! So why not make the best use of those miscellaneous spaces?
Now I can grab this kit or that kit, place it on the kitchen counter right nearby, and pull out whatever little item I need at that moment. Keeping things organized in this cabinet is a breeze! Let me show all the fantastic things I store in my all-purpose storage pantry.
Before & After
Before, these dirty little shelves sported a slightly sticky contact paper, and stained wood interior. All it needed was a little tlc, a coat of paint, some trim, and a little more organization than my plastic purple bins could contain. And that before was me keeping it "organized"! Ewww. Not to mention how eager I was to paint those nasty pink-yellow sponged exterior walls. Double ewww!
Pantry Storage Overview
(& Printables!):
Hmmm, rather than list the items I store in this all-purpose pantry, let me show you... now, there are a couple labels of things I hope to do in this pantry in the near future.
I created custom labels for my all purpose pantry, which you can print or download here and customize. Just print onto an 8.5 x 11" label and cut individual labels.
Trash Bag Storage
I don't know why, but I hate seeing a trash can out in the open in a kitchen, so I stash the can in in this slim storage space, along with the bags and disinfectant/air freshener. I like being able to grab everything I need after taking out the trash...it just makes sense to have it in close proximity to one another. I coupon, so I stock up on items, and I was hating the pile of boxes and the rolls of trash bags that was constantly rolling off the shelf. My solution? I decided to store them in a container, just like everything else! I simply scored the container with a sharp exacto knife until a deep enough groove allowed me to poke my way through. Set the trash bags inside your storage container in the same way they come when purchased, folded into one another...you want the next one to pull through with each bag.
Bandages & Tape
This is probably the primary use of this pantry. To fix all the little boo boo's and bigger emergencies. Our clearly clumsy family often finds ourselves rushing to the pantry to patch ourselves up. Keep a variety of bandages, wraps, tape, and band-aid types on hand.
It is super important to keep some basic size band-aids and neosporin close at hand in an open bin. Nothing is worst than digging through a container with a bloody finger! And having the trash can located just under...well it couldn't be more perfect!
*Yes, that is real blood on my finger. Either I'm really dedicated to showing you how things work on my blog, or I'm really clumsy and shredded my finger during a dinner prep break in the photo shoot, and so grabbed my camera before patching myself up...you decide. ;)
Medicine & Medical Tools
In our family we employ natural remedies before resorting to medication. But I do keep medicines on hand we have never used, just in case. Guests often find a need for it, and keeping a variety of over-the-counter medication helps curb those late night emergency runs to the drug store!
So I have three categories for how I store common medications as well as alternative natural options:
1. Pain Management: aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol, childrens pain meds, etc.
2. Miscellaneous Medication: Allergy, gas, stomach acid, foot remedies, anti itch meds, etc.
3. Cold Care: Zinc throat lozenges, cough drops, nasal sprays, etc.
When it comes to colds and sore throats I often employ a compress to help with what ails us. So I also keep my sore throat neck compresses handy! They work by wetting the inner liner, and wrapping it around the neck, then adding the outside liner. Sounds crazy right? Well you wouldn't believe how well hydrotherapy methods work! I also like to keep an empty rice pack handy to warm and set on sore muscles and more.
In addition to medication, as well as natural remedies, it is important to remember to keep useful tools on hand. Even though my kids are no longer babies, we have discovered many times we needed to employ a bit of ingenuity, and the proper tools always help! Keep thermometers, various suction tools (worked great when my 5 year old decided to stick something up her nose (Really munchkin?? kids...), syringes, droppers & cups, tweezers, scrapers, and more! I also keep a second bin for breathing treatment tools...my youngest needed a nebulizer and later an inhaler a few years back and we keep it around just in case.
Vitamins & Supplements
The top shelf, just out of reach is the perfect place for vitamins and other supplements. Unfortunately, the top shelf isn't just out of the kids reach, it is juuuuust out of mine! Easily solved using a Rubbermaid brand pull-out shelf. I love this thing!
Glasses Kit
Well, as of this year it's official...blind runs in our genes. All 5 family members now have glasses *weepy face* . That makes keeping track of repair kits and cleaning tools vitally important. Plus, my husband (the most blind of all of us) needs to be able to fumble around and know that the repair kit will be where he feels for it.
Shoe Shine Kit
Why is it we can never find the specific shoe polish we need when we need it? Scuffs were always winning. *sigh* The answer is organization. Keep every color polish, extra laces, a shoe brush, heel repair materials, and occasionally I cut pieces of Mr. Clean magic eraser for those emergency scuffs!
My favorite part of this pantry is knowing exactly where all of these items are when we need them. No searching, no pulling our hair out, every family member knows just where these necessary items are in a pickle!
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Selasa, 21 Mei 2013
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*images courtesy of pretty stuff, birch and bird, creative index, philip gorrivan
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Garden Fever Prt. 3: Building Raised Sub-Irrigation Beds
Jumat, 17 Mei 2013
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Why Raised? Why Sub-Irrigated?
Do you really have to ask? My raised beds sit on my deck and are as work-free as a garden can get! They are self watering, requiring a refill once every two months, and they help extend my summer planting season. Oh, and as for weeding, well...what weeding? *swoon* I love my little deck garden! I promise to give you another peak later in the summer when all my little seedlings are fully grown.
Soooo, have you created your self-watering container garden yet? Wait what? You didn't see that post? Well ok, then you must start with Part 1: Starting Seedlings of my Garden Fever series, then go to Part 2: Container Gardening, and this is the last post in this 3 part series. If you have, then please, by all means...onward!
Necessary Materials
Bed Building Materials
These are the materials I used to build one raised bed, however you can simply adjust the dimensions to suit materials on sale or your desired height, length, and width. There is one reason alone why I chose the type of wood I did...it was cheap. It was $1.89 per 8 ft. board cheap!!! So believe me, if I could have found taller cedar boards at that smashtastic price, I would have used them. *wink* Basically I spent $12 to build two raised beds after purchasing 4 - 8 ft. boards, one piece of framing wood, and some soil . I used leftover deck stain & seal left in my garage by the previous owners, and I salvaged castors from a piece of roadside furniture.
To Build One Raised Bed
Sub-Irrigation System Materials
How-To Build Your Own Raised Sub-Irrigation Bed
Again, some things are just better shown in action...so I will show you via video how to build your bed, and install the sub-irrigation system. If you watched the video I did on how to create self-watering planters here then you should know the idea is the same, however the materials are a little different.
Drainage Tip
If your garden is on a second story deck, or you just don't want it draining all over your deck floor, be sure to place a plastic drip pan under your vinyl drain tube. Or you can just do what I do, allow it to overflow into one of my planters.
Create a Shade/Greenhouse Covering
I saw this idea on Pinterest and it really appealed to me.
Use the leftover PVC pipe to create holders for a "shade" useful for those especially hot days.
This will be very helpful for your transplanted seedlings as they acclimate. They usually can't withstand an entire day of sun, but now that they are being kept moist from the roots up, and have a shade until they are ready, nothing can get them down!
Even better, late fall replace the garden cloth with the leftover plastic sheeting to transform your bed into a greenhouse and extend your growing season. Use your plastic sheeting in the early spring and even into the summer for heat-loving plants... it also can help to warm the soil up in spring before seeding into it.
Do you really have to ask? My raised beds sit on my deck and are as work-free as a garden can get! They are self watering, requiring a refill once every two months, and they help extend my summer planting season. Oh, and as for weeding, well...what weeding? *swoon* I love my little deck garden! I promise to give you another peak later in the summer when all my little seedlings are fully grown.
Soooo, have you created your self-watering container garden yet? Wait what? You didn't see that post? Well ok, then you must start with Part 1: Starting Seedlings of my Garden Fever series, then go to Part 2: Container Gardening, and this is the last post in this 3 part series. If you have, then please, by all means...onward!
Necessary Materials
Bed Building Materials
These are the materials I used to build one raised bed, however you can simply adjust the dimensions to suit materials on sale or your desired height, length, and width. There is one reason alone why I chose the type of wood I did...it was cheap. It was $1.89 per 8 ft. board cheap!!! So believe me, if I could have found taller cedar boards at that smashtastic price, I would have used them. *wink* Basically I spent $12 to build two raised beds after purchasing 4 - 8 ft. boards, one piece of framing wood, and some soil . I used leftover deck stain & seal left in my garage by the previous owners, and I salvaged castors from a piece of roadside furniture.
To Build One Raised Bed
- 2 - 1 in. x 7.25 in. x 8 ft. Cedar Board
- 1 - 1 in. x 1.5 in. x 8 ft. Framing Lumber
- One Salvaged Pallet
- 1 1/2 in. Deck Screws
- Deck Stain & Seal
- Castors (optional)
Sub-Irrigation System Materials
- 3/4" PVC Pipe & Cap
- 4" Drain Pipe
- Thick Plastic Sheeting (vapor barrier)
- 1/2" Vinyl Tubing
- Top Soil
- Garden Soil
How-To Build Your Own Raised Sub-Irrigation Bed
Again, some things are just better shown in action...so I will show you via video how to build your bed, and install the sub-irrigation system. If you watched the video I did on how to create self-watering planters here then you should know the idea is the same, however the materials are a little different.
Drainage Tip
If your garden is on a second story deck, or you just don't want it draining all over your deck floor, be sure to place a plastic drip pan under your vinyl drain tube. Or you can just do what I do, allow it to overflow into one of my planters.
Create a Shade/Greenhouse Covering
I saw this idea on Pinterest and it really appealed to me.Use the leftover PVC pipe to create holders for a "shade" useful for those especially hot days.
This will be very helpful for your transplanted seedlings as they acclimate. They usually can't withstand an entire day of sun, but now that they are being kept moist from the roots up, and have a shade until they are ready, nothing can get them down!
- Use Two Hole Straps to attach the PVC to your beds. You can attach them to the outside of your bed. Or attach them hidden on the inside of your bed before filling with garden soil.
- Purchase a thinner bendable PVC that can loop over top of your raised bed.
- Create a shade by cutting garden cloth to size over the loops.
- **TIP: if you created long narrow beds like I did, push them side by side and loop your shade over both as in the picture below.
Even better, late fall replace the garden cloth with the leftover plastic sheeting to transform your bed into a greenhouse and extend your growing season. Use your plastic sheeting in the early spring and even into the summer for heat-loving plants... it also can help to warm the soil up in spring before seeding into it.
Enjoy your raised beds! I know I will...
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*images courtesy of modern hepburn, anetteshus, philip gorrivan
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