scheduling

It's August- school time, and for me, schedule time. 

I think because I was in school for the longest time I was conditioned to cut up my years into semesters, so instead of New Years being the 'new year' for me it's August. Do you think that way or is it just me?

Now that I have a little girl ready for homeschooling I'm getting really excited to get scheduled. Yesterday we took a trip to get some homeschooling supplies and I'm pretty sure I'm more excited than she is! I literally forgot about some subjects that I did when I was little until I was standing there looking at them {social studies for example...}. So here is what I'm doing to get ready for her school, and schedule out our time. {Her's and mine as well}

Our subjects {for Kindergarten}

Calendar Time {Songs, Calendar, Weather: 4 days a week}

Science {Workbook & "Lab": 2 days a week}

Math {4 days a week}

Social Studies {2 days a week}

Writing Practice {4 days a week}

Reading {Phonics & Books: 4 days a week}

Art Project {4 days week}
Field Trip/Outing {once a week: 5th day}

I created this little schedule for every week so I could keep track of what we were doing and how many hours we spent doing it. I'm going to keep a binder with the schedules and some of my favorite things she's done- I plan on doing this for each grade.

Are you homeschooling? Any tips/tricks you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them!

Click here if you'd like to print a schedule of your own {8.5 x 11 pdf document}

tips for organizing a linen closet

As I mentioned the other day I've been nesting like crazy. In my nestings I organized my very tiny linen closet, and I'm happy with how it turned out. In fact I'm surprised with what just a little organizing can do! I'm amazed at the space I have now!

Here are some tips I found helpful in organizing a small space like this:

{1} Minimize! 

I got rid of old sheet sets, blankets, and towels that were old, stained, or unused. Why do I save stuff like that? I'm amazed at how much space I cleared up!

{2} Roll

I decided to roll my towels and sheets- they look cute, organized, and it was much easier rolling a fitted sheet than trying to fold it into a jumbled mess! I'm pretty certain this saves space too.

{3} Label

I created paper labels and pinned them into the fitted and flat sheets. I hate getting them confused so this will be a welcome change! I didn't label them all, only one of each kind, then stacked. 

{4} Baskets

Baskets are an easy way to sort out odds and ends- for example crib sheets. They're much smaller but still need a space. This way they're separate and easy to find. In another basket I stuck sun lotion and baby shampoo.

{5} Candle

I like to put a nearly burned down candle in a small closet like this. Every time I open it I get a wave of the scent and my sheets and towels always smell good! {I've found Yankee candles or strong scented candles work best for this.}

...

Hope that helps and encourages you in organizing a small space! 

nestings & a giveaway

I've been a busy bee {or shall I say bird?} My life is about to be turned upside down by two little boys {not due to come until Nov-Dec}, but I have been going crazy getting everything ready. Is it possible to 'double nest?' I think I'm doing it. So far I've re-organized closets, purged toys and clothes, cleaned up very unorganized {for a looong time} spaces, crafted, and made to-do after to-do list {my poor husband}. I have this mind set of "everything must be done!!" It's sort of consumed me. But I do feel productive!

Some things I've done this week... 

Made a book page wreath {and tutorial- to come later!} 

Organized a small homeschool space {as we were kicked out of the upstairs to-be homeschool room by two bitty babies :) we actually co-sleep but who can resist a twin nursery!?}

Organized a small crafting space- it's so nice to have everything in one spot!

Cleaned out and organized my linen closet

And made an extensive to-do list for my husband, consisting of building bunk beds and cribs within the next few weeks. We shall be busy busy! Can't wait to show you those finished projects!

And just for fun:

. 2 custom silhouettes {with add ons if desired} .

. a set of 4 handmade map coasters .

. 2 baby birth prints {for you or a friend!} .

{I made these silhouettes for a wedding: Alyssa & Tyler, married on August 4th}

see here and here for more silhouette ideas

{see my etsy shop for more birth print ideas}

...

Enter by Wednesday August 17th by leaving a comment on this post.

{for an extra entry, repost on Facebook and leave another comment}

I'll select someone at random and announce the winner on Thursday the 18th. 

flower bow {tutorial}

For my girls' birthday this year my three year old {now four} and I made these cute little flower bows for all the girls.

I think these are the simplest and quickest flower bows! {So simple my three year old did it- and in fact it's her cute little fingers in the tutorial!}

I used duck cloth for the fabric- I started with five squares {they don't have to be perfect}, a circle, and a leaf shape. Unlike the picture shows, I recommend using an alligator clip- the type pictured likes to pop off.

Start by gluing your leaf to the circle with hot glue.

Take a square

Fold it in half

Then in half again.

Glue to your circle.

Do the same for the remaining three, and stick the last folded piece right in the middle.

Stick on your clip and you're done! I like to either secure the clip with thread or stick one end through the flower so it won't come off. Another idea is sewing it to a string of elastic for a headband. Cute, cheap, simple, and quick! The best kind of projects!

a mobile {tutorial}

By now you've probably noticed my obsession with baby things... I blame it on nesting. 

Anyway, last night I mixed a bit of that obsession with crafting {and a BBC miniseries} to make this:

A pinwheel baby mobile, or in this case a pinwheel big girl mobile, as it's hanging above my four-year-old's bed.

I have every intention of replicating this for the boys, although I might used spray painted pine cones. That to come later. {I need to wait until I can actually find pine cones...}

I took my crafting to the couch while my hubby worked late. It was a nice night.

Here's what I used:

Pretty *double sided* scrapbook paper {I love the big books from K&C Company- inexpensive and way cute}

Sewing thread

Paper cutter

Crafting dowel rods

Crafting brads {found in the scrapbook section}

Ribbon

Floral wire

Tape

Needle or something to poke through paper

Aren't these brads cute? I got them at Hobby Lobby on sale. I feel like I could use them for anything!

Start with varying sizes of scrapbook paper squares.

Fold in half, then in half again, to create guides.

Cut 3/4 of the way up each corner

Fold each corner in and tape. Usually I use some type of easy scrapbook tape but I couldn't find it so just used Scotch, and it worked fine, just not as convenient.

Poke through the center with a needle or other pointy thing

Then stick in your brad

And fold the back

All different sizes and colors! Pretty!

Cross two dowel rods together and criss cross floral wire around them to make them secure.

I covered mine with pink ribbon to make it pretty- I left about 2-3 feet of length so I could tie it from the ceiling

Use thread to tie to the back of the pinwheel- make sure to tie a knot in the middle of the brat so the pinwheel will hang straight

Then tie to the rod. I varied the distances and adjusted them in order for the mobile to hang straight.

There you go! 

Pretty like Pottery Barn- many more options to consider! I think paper flowers are beautiful, and I'd love to see airplanes, birds, etc. A fun way to personalize your nursery!

*Note* If hanging in a nursery this is for decoration only. Hang high enough so baby won't grab, or remove if she can stand up to reach. This is very easily broken (as I only used sewing thread) but can be strengthened by using embroidery thread or ribbon.