A Sneak Peek at My New Project

I have a confession…my attention is easily diverted.

For the weekend cleaning project I was supposed to choose between cleaning a closet, surface cleaning an extra room, or deep cleaning a bedroom.

Instead I started a HUGE project!

Want a sneak peak?

Talk about a huge project! I cannot wait to get it done, unfortunately I have to wait until the weekend to get anymore headway. (Need heavy equipment…)

Have I made you curious? Good, now I HAVE to finish this project (I love that I have a reason to be accountable).

Back to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge. (See how easily my attention is diverted?) I did surface clean the room were I was working on this mammoth project. Not because I was following the challenge, but for the safety of my family. There were so many sharp wires, dust, small pieces and much more laying in the aftermath.

I also forced myself to do the dishes before bed, pick up the living room, and vacuum. After I type it out, it looks like I did more than I thought.

Does the oncoming of spring and sunshine inspire you to tackle huge projects? What big projects have you done recently, or are planning to do soon?

Day 11, Decluttering the Bathroom Closet

Challenge #11 was to clean the bathroom. The bathrooms received their love, which wasn’t a huge task since it was done last week. I did have an extra project on my list though.

Our bathroom storage was getting out of hand, so my goal was to declutter and organize the closet.

This closet is deep, and tends to be yet another piling ground in our house. Everything was taken out of the closet. The shelves were washed, and towels refolded. Things that didn’t belong in there were put in their proper homes. I then threw away the bottles of stuff that have been in there forever, because we don’t need/use it. (L.A. Looks Super Hold Hair Gel? Really?) Finally, everything else (the stuff that belongs in this closet) was put back in the closet.

The sad part? I tackled this project about three months ago. How did it get this bad?

Now that my living room painting is done, I need to catch up on the basics around here (like dishes, laundry, etc.). I plan to tackle these basics, and Day 12-14 projects during naptime so I can enjoy the weekend.

Do you have to declutter the same spots as often as I do? Seriously, stuff multiplies like rabbits around here!

Last Month of Being a Twenty-Something Mama

First piece of business is a 30 day update. Project #10 was to deep clean the living room.

I had planned to remove the wallpaper border, and prep the living room for painting (one of my 30 by 30 goals).

During naptime I took everything off the walls, took down the wallpaper border (using a homemade remover that took the wallpaper off like butter, I’ll share soon), washed the walls, vacuumed behind the furniture, and started taping.

Process photos:

See that sample spot on the wall. That has been there for about six months. I joke with my husband that I was “making sure I could live with it.”

After hubby got home from work we made a stop at our local Ace Hardware and bought some paint. My initial goal was to get the trim painting done after the boys went to sleep, and paint the first coat the next night. Well, I kept going…and going. By 2:30 this morning the first coat is done! (I’ll share the after photo when the living room is completely done.)

On to other business, an update on my list: 

1. purge home, clear clutter {Ongoing. 30 Day House Cleaning Challenge has lit a fire under my rump.}
2. make cleaning a habit {Always ongoing, see above.}
3. make recycling a habit {After a few visits to town council meetings, our town finally started curbside recycling last August!}
4. scan pictures, organize pictures {This goal is crossed off because I know I’m not getting to it in the next 3 months.}
5. organize recipes {I have found a method that seems to be working, will share with you Wednesday.}
6. paint bedroom; decorate {This is not going to happen the next month, maybe in the next year…}
7. paint living room; decorate {Second coat going on tonight, then need to hang pictures, find affordable curtains, maybe even slipcovers for furniture.}
8. learn how to effective manage household, and time {I am happy to say that I am getting much better at this.}
9. make wedding album {See excuse #4}
10. journal for the boys {I am not very consistent, but the journals are started.}
11. journal for my husband {See #10}
12. learn how to use my camera, and take more pictures {Ongoing, getting better.}
13. have monthly date nights with my husband {Christmas gifts have helped us in this department.}
14. go on mini-vacation with hubby {We did go away overnight in September, and December. (not my idea of mini-vacation, but we will take what we can get!)}
15. go on vacation with the family {Thanks to a wonderful Christmas gift last year we took the family to Great Wolf Lodge. This is probably going to have to suffice for this year.}
16. read to the boys every day {I may have figured this out!}
17. learn to/teach the kids to pray (Lord's prayer, and Ten Commandments)
18. teach my step-daughter to sew and/or encourage her creative interests {Sewing will not happen this year, but I have been encouraging her creative spirit!}
19. implement a budget {Nope}
20. start nursing clinicals {Crossed off because I didn't get in this winter, hopefully in fall.}
21. manage time better {Isn’t this the same as #8? Improving greatly!}
22. get up early (like to start day by 6:00) {Boys are early risers. I am no means perfect, but so much better.}
23. dress for my hubby more often (less jeans and t-shirts) {I am struggling in the colder season, but I am crossing it off because 1. I wore skirts/dresses most of summer and 2. hubby likes me in jeans and t-shirts.}
24. style hair more, less ponytails {Since I made the cut, I have been better, not perfect, but better.}
25. blog regularly {Getting better, but I think I need to make myself a schedule.}
26. exercise regularly {You would not believe that one of my previous careers was a full-time fitness instructor and personal trainer.}
27. craft through books; get rid of books not needed {I have not actually been crafting through books, but I have been getting rid of the ones that do not inspire my creativity.}
28. craft through stash {Stash is still here, but getting smaller. The only materials I have bought have been project-specific.}
29. make a dress, and wear it {Made another one, look for it in the future, meanwhile check this one out.}
30. start selling on etsy {Been working on shop, a little. Need to tell my confidence (or lack of) to leave me alone. }
31. do a 365 project {I started. Got 21 days in. And quit. I will restart, after I knock out some of my more important goals.}
32. have a (semi) handmade Christmas {did not finish all I aspired too, but did manage to make a few gifts.}

Have you procrastinated on any Spring overhauls in your home? That is exactly what this paint job was, procrastinating! I am so glad I got my butt in gear!

Crafting With Twin Toddlers (And Day 9 Update)

It is no secret that I am a crafting mama. Sewing, crochet/knitting, refashioning, DIY jewelry, baking, you name it; I love it. (I hope you didn’t name scrapbooking. I am actually afraid to even start scrapbooking, because of my craft supply hoarding issues and all…)

After showing off my latest creations one question usually comes up, “How do you find the time with twins.”

So I have been pondering an answer to this question. I have found a few helpful ideas. I hope you will find one that works for you. Here goes;

My boys take a nap. A long nap. Fortunately for us, they also sleep through the night (most of the time). Most stay at home moms would be cleaning, relaxing, preparing dinner, or even napping themselves.

I do a little cleaning and food prep during naptime. Lately I have found that I can do a decent amount of cleaning while they are awake, with their ‘help’. Whatever housework is left I try to do after dad is home from work, or it simply goes unfinished (this is the reason I am participating in the 30 Day House Cleaning Challenge).

When I have time, I fill my freezer to make meal prep easier. This can also be done while the boys are playing, or after dad is home.

The majority of naptime is reserved for ‘Mama’s Creative Time.” I have found what crafting I feel comfortable to do while they are up and around, and what craft tasks need to be done during naptime. If my projects involve the sewing machine, or ironing board they are done while they sleep.

All other projects are placed in a basket. Hand sewing, crochet projects, gluing, seam ripping, and cutting all go into this basket. I pull the basket out while the boys are playing and work on these projects. By utilizing this method I am able to finish more throughout the day.

*Extra tip: I also have a to-go bag of projects, like a crochet project. I keep this handy in my purse. This project is pulled out while riding in the vehicle, watching games, or waiting for appointments. (I even pulled it out once while waiting for a train!)

How do you ‘get your craft on’ with toddlers? If you are past the toddler stage, share your expertise, I am always looking for ideas.

30 Day House Cleaning Challenge, Day 9:

Today’s task is to surface clean a bedroom. Our spare bedroom closet has become the dumping place. We tend to shove everything that we don’t want to deal with on cleaning day in this closet to “deal with later.”

Not pictured is the hiding space in the back. This secret space is about the size of a dresser (and full to the brim!). This really isn’t a true before either. I had weeded out two huge boxes two weeks ago.

Cannot believe I am posting this for the world, how embarrassing!

I pulled EVERYTHING out, dusted, and vacuumed. Then I ruthlessly weeded through things. If it was a keeper I put it where it belonged. If I felt we didn’t need it, out it went!

So much better! Bonus, this project only took about an hour. (Sorry for the crappy pictures- it is really hard to take pictures of a closet.)

Don’t forget the pile of stuff leaving our home:

Are you cleaning along? Do you have a space like this closet, where everything is thrown right before company arrives?

Day 8 of My 30 Day Clean Home Journey

Today’s task is to vacuum and sweep the floors.

I vacuumed the upstairs, bedrooms and all. I even made our bed. (Yup, I am one of those people who forgets to make the bed.) I spent some time cleaning my sewing dungeon, which needed major attention after my weekend creations. I also finished going through, purging, and switching over the boys’ clothes.

All of this stuff is going in our annual garage sale, otherwise- leaving my house!

Sorry for being so brief, but I have a basketball team to cheer on. Can you guess who?

*hint, camo is our families #1 favorite color, #2 is maize and blue

Sewing Update, Summer Camp Kits

Remember my absence the week before Easter? I had told you I was busy at the sewing machine. Then I promised to give post about it? A week isn’t too long to make you wait, right?
Our older kids go to camp for a week during the summer. This will be their third year. Every year we scramble around to gather everything they need for camp; towels, toiletries, sheets, blankets, etc.
The biggest problem is that we do not always get everything back after camp is over. One parent may help them pack, and the other one picks them up. They may go to their grandparents’, who live within walking distance to camp. Camp gear is usually left at each place along the way. (That is the joy of teens, they always leave a trail…)
I think I may have found a solution! (At least I hope!)

I made them a monogrammed towel, washcloth, and toiletry roll.

I am absolutely thrilled at how this project turned out!
It all started when my sewing machine started clunking. The previous project was with fleece, so I knew lint bunnies were causing my machine to clunk instead of purr. After cleaning out the lint, I decided to oil my machine. During the oiling process, I found a lever. I had no clue what this numbered lever was for, so I pulled out my trusty owner’s manual. This lever controls speed, it is used to make monogramming, applique, and sewing satin or other materials easier. Hmmmm…..
You learn something new everyday! This project looks so professional, and is a heck of a lot better than the hand sewing I was doing for appliques. (This is partially why I never sewed down the appliques on these shirts, or these ones.)
*Spoiler alert! I was so thrilled with the kids’ camp project, that I went and monogrammed something for hubby. (Stay tuned.)
My mind has been swirling with other things to monogram/applique. The next project on my to-do list is matching sheets, and a bag to keep all their gear in.
Did you know about this lever? Or is this just common knowledge, and I’m a little behind?
Have you learned something new that impacted your crafting lately? Please share, and leave a link to your project in the comments. I’d love to check it out!

Taking part in these parties:

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Weekend Update

Are you getting sick of my Cleaning Challenge posts yet? Hope not, we have three weeks left! The challenge for days 5,6,and 7 is posted here. (I kind of did my own thing.)

First off, this is leaving the house:

The guys sorted through their huge hat collection! (Bonus- I found a proper storage technique for the rest of them.) On to the cleaning:

Usually one day every other weekend we have a family cleaning session.

The sad thing is that besides the basics we need to survive (like dishes and laundry), our house doesn’t receive a whole lot of attention until this bi-weekly cleaning day.

This week was different. Because of this 30-day challenge the family only had to clean up their messes (they will learn to clean up after themselves someday, right). I decided to deep clean a little more. No pictures today, but here’s what I did:

• File papers
• Make homemade hot pockets for freezer
• Clear bar properly (this means that I actually put everything in its home!)
• Clean breakfast room
• Clean dining room (dusting and all!)
• Vacuum upstairs and downstairs
• Clean the remaining downstairs interior windows
• Clean boys’ room
• Switch boys’ clothes over (man they grow like weeds!)
• Laundry (this is stellar, I usually spend all day Monday doing laundry!)
• Bake chocolate orange scones (okay, this is not cleaning, but I was so motivated by my clean kitchen that I baked!)

I have plans to get just a little more done this weekend, if time (or energy) permits. If not, no big deal.

I am so tickled with how much I accomplished!

Do you pick up after your family, or do they help? It takes such a conscious effort for me not to constantly pick up trash the kids leave around the house. We are trying to teach them to clean up after themselves, but sometimes it seems easier to do it myself.

Thanks so much for sticking with me! Stop back tomorrow for the promised sewing updates.