Challenge 9--Arts and Crafts Supplies

Week 9--Arts and Craft Supplies Challenge! I want to provide supplies, space and opportunity for my boys to create. I do not want to be overrun by glitter, glue, feathers and construction paper. Below are a few suggestions for keeping supplies close by without drowning in them!

Step 1--Keep like things together, in a stackable container with a lid. Uniform containers are very helpful, but not a must. I have found different sized totes and divided boxes and I make them work! Put all paint supplies in one box, all beaded crafts together, all play dough in one box, all crayons in a space saver with an attached lid, etc.

Step 2--Paper can be a challenge! Purchase a hanging file box with folders and organize sheets and scraps in rainbow order, followed by neutrals. Teach your kids to clean up after each project and leave a clean space behind. This will help to keep piles from overtaking!

Step 3--Feature one or two art projects/child on your fridge at one time. As new ones are created, file old ones in the boxes mentioned in week 7's challenge. Be sure to give some away to grandparents and special friends too!

Step 4--If possible, keep frequently used items at arms length, tucked into decorative baskets. I am able to keep most of my Creative Memories tools out where the boys (and my customers) can get to them.

Challenge 8--What to do with Shoes?

When we enter our front door, these steps lead up...since we outgrew our shoe basket, we decided to build a drawer right here...it is four feet deep, so it holds many pairs of shoes!

Week 8--Shoes, shoes and more shoes! If you are anything like me, you appreciate when folks remove their shoes before entering your home. I have visions of all the places I've walked and it gives me shivers to think of public restroom germs and etc. walking into my home. For many years, we simply placed a basket by our front door. The boys slipped off their shoes and left them in a contained spot. Recently, we saw an idea for a drawer that was built into a step. This is a perfect solution for us, as the stairs are inside our front door. If you are blessed with a mudroom, use cubicles that can also double as a place to sit while putting on shoes. Send me your ideas!

Challenge 7--Back to School Challenge

Week 7--Back to school challenge! I know so many moms who feel overwhelmed each week as the backpacks and binders come home, filled with important papers, fundraisers, menus, fee schedules, etc. Use steps below to stay on top and not UNDER the piles of paperwork!

Step 1--Purchase one large plastic container with a lid for each child. Store away special art projects, samples of school work (especially the subjects that child enjoys and/or excels in), report cards, etc. For bulkier items, it is easier to take a photo of projects and keep that. At the start of each new year, go through the box with your child, and determine if anything can be disposed of to make room for new treasures.

Step 2--Time sensitive paperwork needs to be kept near by, in a high traffic area. Use a basket, hanging organizer or other container to keep these papers close, but not right on a table or counter top.

Step 3--Post menus and schedules on your fridge so that your kids can refer to them as needed.

Step 4--Store backpacks and lunch boxes within reach of your children. This allows them to be part of the loading/unloading process. As soon as they walk in the door, ask them to unpack and present you with all the papers they have for that day/week. This is also a great time to look over school work, sign the papers that need your signature and get an idea of what assignments they have that evening.

Challenge 6--Mail Sorting Challenge

Week 6--Mail Sorting Challenge. I hope that this one will become a DAILY challenge, so that mail, papers and bills do not overwhelm you. I do these things each day and when I follow this system, I no longer have piles of paperwork laying around.

Step 1--When bringing in the mail (daily), immediately shred and dispose of junk mail, unwanted credit card offers, etc. IMMEDIATELY!

Step 2--Gather bills, invitations and other needed mail into one small box, basket or folder. Arrange by ...due date, placing the ones that are due the soonest in the front. (*I also use a small calendar to keep bill due dates straight, this helps me to pay them on time*)

Step 3--Keep a small basket with current, relevant magazines or publications. Throw away old ones, or donate to the children's museum, library, offices, etc.

Step 4--Unsubscribe to any publication that you no longer wish to receive. (Good luck with colleges, etc. You may ask to be removed from those mailing lists and they may keep sending the publications. I think it is such a WASTE, but if I ask them to and they refuse, it's their waste and I cannot feel guilty about throwing it away!)

Step 5--File coupons, rebates and other offers in a location where you will see them again. BE SURE TO USE THEM BEFORE THEY EXPIRE! (*an entire post will one day be devoted to clipping and organizing coupons!*)

Step 6--Once a bill is paid, shred the remaining paperwork. This is for any bill that can be tracked online. For bills that cannot be tracked, file paperwork as soon as the bill is paid.

Step 7--File all legal documents (birth certificates, social security cards, car titles, etc.) in one folder that is easy to find by you and your spouse.

Step 8--Use a decorative photo box, small hanging file box, etc. to file away special sentimental keepsakes (cards, wedding announcements and programs, graduation announcements, funeral programs, Christmas letters and photos. ( *I will post a project for some of these at a later date!*)

If you follow these simple steps, day by day, the piles will not grow to overtake you!

Challenge 5--Media Organization

Week 5--New challenge! This week's challenge involves media items. Choose one area to focus on (CD's, DVD's, VHS, cassettes--if you still have such things!). Purchase a basket, container or media storage solution (we used Case Logic's option). We have over 100 DVD's stored in one binder and they take up so much less space. We did hold onto the cases, they are stored in our attic.

http://www.caselogic.com/index.cfm?sub_site_id=1

Challenge 4--Review Week

Week 4--REVIEW WEEK! That's right! Go back over weeks 1-3 and pick up a challenge that you missed or complete one you began! These challenges are meant to bring peace and order, not to bog you down! I will be finishing up Week 3's challenge...I cleaned and sorted, posted pics of items to sell, but I have several more PILES to go through in my room.

Feel free to visit this group on Facebook. It is fun to see the stories of success as ladies are taking these challenges and finding the open spaces in their homes. Blessings!

Challenge 3--Tackle One Area At A Time

Week 3--This week's challenge is one that I need to jump on. CLEAN/SORT/ORGANIZE one ROOM/CLOSET/DRAWER this week that is driving you crazy. Start with ONE. If time and energy allows, move on to another. For me it's my bedroom, which has become my catch all room as I am preparing for the upcoming school year. Choose ONE area to focus on follow steps below...

‎1.) Consider taking before/after photos.

2.) Get rid of anything that you have not used in the last year. REALLY. If you haven't used it in the last year, chances are you won't use it now. Consider the challenge from Week 2 and list it o...nline for someone else to purchase.

3.) Group papers/letters/programs/sentimental items in a pile...we'll work on those another week!

4.) Make a pile for the trash of items that are too worn out, broken or old to pass on.

5.) Gather other items to be donated to a local thrift store. Drop them off within the next 7 days.

Challenge 2--Facebook Yardsale

Week 2--This week's challenge...find items in your home that you do not need, but would hold value to others. For me, it has been piles and piles of books, toys, games and learning activities that my boys have outgrown. Take photos and post an album on Facebook, with a description of the item, the retail value and the price you want. It is also helpful to post a like to an online review so your friends can check that item out. One friend is using the money she makes to invest in storage units/solutions for upcoming challenges.

I have sold hundreds of dollars worth of items on Facebook since April. It's so much more fun to sell to people I know, rather than total strangers. Folks who live near by will meet me somewhere that is convenient to both of us and no one pays shipping charges. Many items were taken to a yard sale with me and folks stopped by there to pick them up. Make it work for you!

Challenge 1--Rain Gutter Book Shelves

Week 1--Last week I remembered a shelving solution that I saw a year ago. I googled it and within 24 hours, my husband had installed rain gutter shelves for our home school room. Cost was about $35 and installation time was about 20 minutes. For a complete tutorial, go to the link below.

http://raisingolives.com/2009.../07/raingutter-book-shelves-tutorial/