Showing posts with label organize. Show all posts

Monday, January 3, 2011

A Extra Minutes = A Lot of Saved Time

A few years ago, I decided to make coordinating wired bows for my staircase banisters, mantle, grandfather clock, etc. So I took the financial plunge (with coupons, of course) of purchasing quite a lot of good quality ribbon and got busy with my floral wire. Several evenings (and sore fingers) later I was pretty proud of my accomplishment.

So I think it's understandable that I take a bit of extra care in storing them. Each year, when I take them down ("boo" to putting away Christmas decorations!) I stuff them with fresh tissue paper. Any that were made in special sizes (a bit larger for the mantle and clock) are marked with paper tags labeling where they are to be placed the next year. Not as OCD as you might think, really.














I also have numerous garlands that swag up two levels of staircase, and overlook bannister, mantle, playroom windows...you get the idea.
I tag these with placement in the same way as the bows. Long slips of paper slipped through loops or around branches with reminders about where they go. Last year, I even marked the tops of each "swag point" with a colored paper clip. Wow, I loved not having to measure those lengths this year.
I can't tell you how fun it is to open these boxes each fall to find nice, fluffy bows and ready-to-go decorations. It doesn't take much more time than just packing them the old-fashioned way...but it makes them a LOT more fun to open and use the next year!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Send In the Elves!

Ta daaa! My first Christmas craft for 2010....at least it's a start.

 I admit it...even if there were three of me during the holidays, I still wouldn't get everything I plan done (although I would be willing to try!). I would probably just triple my expectations.

Now, attempting to curb my own "planning enthusiasm"is one thing, but it always seems that everyone surrounding us puts even more expectations in-the-works, doesn't it?

So this is going to be my "chill out" motto when people add to my to-do list this season: "I'll get my elves right on that!" It just makes me smile.


Supplies:
Small wood plaques (I found these at Wal-mart for just over $1)
Paint: undercoat (I used white), base (apple green), 
lettering/accent (red, of course!)
Sandpaper
brushes

First I sanded the surfaces and edges of the plaques. Because they're inexpensive (and ya get what ya pay for), there are  usually a few rough spots to smooth out. Then I applied two coats of white, letting the coats dry in between. This step isn't necessary if you're in a hurry, 
but it seems to make the top coat so much smoother 
and helps the final color to "pop".

A little red around the edges...
I used what I thought was slightly child-like writing, since it seems more in the spirit. I may try different styles in the next few days.

A few dots around the perimeter, red crystals at the bottom and two sides, and a polka dot bow hot-glued at the top.

It really doesn't get much simpler than this project, but I really like how it turned out. I'm keeping these in mind for teacher and hostess gifts this year.

Here are a few parties I'm "boogie-ing" to this week:


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