Our school room was the first priority. We needed to get our area set up so we could get back to schooling. I have a bit of a problem when it comes to picking up boxes of crayons in the fall when they are 10 cents or those pencil boxes when they are half a buck. But I have learned to resist and instead, organize our own things, rather than buy more.
Let me just say...I am not even close to having it ALL organized. I am just beginning, but that is at least a place to start. Here is my "how to" when I organize.
First I sort. I dump it all out and sort it in to groups. Pencils, crayons, pens, markers, scissors, and such. This is a great time to include the kids. Grouping like items together.
Then I find containers. Anything from those pencil boxes to magazine holders to shoe boxes. My containers aren't all matchy matchy. Wish they were, but I have collected over the years. I am all about reusing what I have, way to be green.
In the process of this, I put one of the kids on "testing pens and markers". Why store stuff that doesn't work anymore. Make sure and keep a box or bag handy to toss the junk.
Next comes labeling the containers. My newest favorite toy is my $20 label maker from Target. In the past, I have made labels with card stock or post its (what ever works). I find labeling it makes a HUGE difference. That way Daddy or baby sitter or friends who are there to play know where things go when it is time to clean up.
More organizing to come. We have done the medicine cabinet and the girls toys and closets and the pony holders and clips. They turned out pretty good. Maybe some of it was just for an excuse to use the new label maker...but maybe not. =)
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15 comments:
Looks great! I think I need a label maker!
I may have to get me one o' them label makers.
Though my tendency is to get (buy, accept) things to organize but not do the nitty-gritty organizing. We do a marker test-and-pitch 2-3 times per year, so the markers we have usually work.
Right now I'd like about a week in my house alone with NO HEADACHES (they sap my focus, and if I medicate, I'm totally loopy) to do some major organizing.
Thanks for the tips... I think I need to invest $20 and get myself one of those label makers. I have this thing about crayons oned they get borken and all the paper is peeled off... it bugs me. Sooo.. I took all those crayons last year and Emma and I made heart-shaped, multi-colored crayons for her entire pre-school class. Then I had an excuse to buy some new boxes for 22cents. I'm thinking that maybe you posted about the same thing recently... did you?
Maybe I need an organizer! Looks like it adds more fun to the project. I am tackling my son's bedroom with him this weekend. I can only take "your room, your mess, you clean" for so long...now he just needs some serious help! :)
I love this...post more! I collect storage boxes :) But I really do use them. My new favorite "green" container is the Jiff peanut butter jar! You can connect the lid to the side of the jar with a colorful ribbon and never lose the top! The smaller size is perfect for crayons and the bigger ones work well for all sorts of little toys or beads or buttons or counting bears..etc. And since they are clear, I never wonder what is in there! I keep one for Nate in the car with interesting little toys in it. We have a Brother label printer on our computer and I went a little crazy with it after Christmas this year :)
Wanna come over to my house and hang out? I've got tons of things you could sort and label once you run out.
I sometime think I like organizing a little too much. I really could do it as a job. Like mission organization. And K-Sue, I would love to come and work for a week at your place. The girls would love the visit as much as I would.
Rachael, I can only imagine that your place is organized. The things that you get accomplished in a day always amazes me. =) I mean, I could never perform surgery in heels.
Can hardly wait to do my stuff. I really need to get lots of plastic boxes and bins first - rather than just using old cardboard boxes.
I love my label maker.
that's exciting! I love gettting organized.
OOH nothing excites me more than organizing! I just love it and can't understand why people don't do it!!! You've done a great job and I love your label thingy. I need one of those! Way to go and doesn't it just feel good to get things in order, and to know that its really easy to keep it that way too?
sorry may have posted under my husbands blog! OOPS!
Boy, our boys closet could use some major organizing...but just the thought of attacking it makes me tired...Hey, I should put "queen organizer" (A.K.A. Mom-smile!!!) here to work. That labeler sounds great. We always are organizing AND reorganizing our stuff in Japan since we have such a little place and we are trying to fit it all it. I usually use little white address labels and a permanent marker to label our plastic bins and drawers. Hmmmmm. Birthday present idea. (smile)
That is soo YOU! Love it!
Super - some of your containers look just like ours. And I have had the kids do the marker test once in a while, too. I love sorting through our junk (excuse me, stuff) periodically and getting rid of what doesn't work. Then I simultaneously make a list of things we need to replace.
Great minds think alike! ;)
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