The post I was meant to post on Monday

* Funny how this post is about not finishing things. I started this on Monday.


On my quest to becoming a better (and more organised) Housewife/ Domestic Goddess Woman, my weekend was spent cleaning/ arranging/ sorting/

chucking/ organising. Inspired by a Pinterest photo (from this amazing lady) I cleaned out my pantry and then my linen cupboard. For the linen clean up I put sheet sets into the pillow case, a tip I heard somewhere ages ago, and it seriously rocks. Try it. Go on. You know you want to...

 

My Dad used to call me "the un-finisher" when I lived at home. He said I never finished anything. If my memory serves me right it was because I would always leave my drinks of juice or whatever with an inch left in the glass.

 

These days, I am "the sewing un-finisher".

As if the pantry and linen cupboards weren't enough, I began the mammoth task of organising my sewing and craft space. Again. I stopped counting at 9 unfinished projects and 7 un-started projects (not counting the hundred I've seen on Pinterest!). Today there is no "I made it" because I haven't got a single thing finished to show you this week. Totally my own fault, I start projects then I don't finish them because I stop when something goes wrong, or it take so long I miss the event (ie birthday) for which it was meant, or I get bored with stuff and yeah, I have a short attention span!

So instead of a finished project, I shall share My Sewing Commandments:

Thou shalt complete project thy art sewing upon; begin ye no new projects until then.

Thou shalt measure thrice and cut only once.

Thou shalt not pin. Anymore.

Thou shalt not covert thy friends fabric stash.

Thou shalt spread the sewing love. Do you want some?

Thou shalt not enter such premises as here and here to "just look"

Thou shalt embark on projects more complex than a bunch of straight lines

Thou shalt sew for love not money

(I <3 rainbows!)

Commandments 1 and 7 are strictly being adhered to as I'm now part of a little sewing group. Suzi is good for me! I'm working on finishing the mountain of stuff I have started and this month I'm attempting a zip. Eek! I'm off now to help my big girl choose some fabric for project #6!

Be Happy

M

The Great Toy Room Overhaul (Part One)

Last night, I decided to rearrange and sort my children's play space. Great idea to have at 7.45 at night with one crucial element needing more strength than I have alone (I wanted to shift a shelf unit). It took me 4 hours and a good friend (and her man) coming to my rescue!

Just like their parents, my children have a lot a ridiculous amount of toys and things. It was becoming a PITA to keep tidy and they were not respecting their possessions and my efforts of cleaning up after them repeatedly. I had lost count of the times I have warned them that if they didn't pack away, I would pass their toys to children less fortunate. Not to mention the room looking like Fisher Price had vomited everywhere.

Here comes the part where I admit to my children having a "toy room" (the open plan family/games room near the kitchen and meals areas) and then a "spare toy room" (third bedroom) almost full of more crap toys. In our defence I previously ran a Family Day Care business from home and have held onto a lot of the toys/games/activities. I would rotate toys from that room out into the main play space, until they decided that they could just trash use both rooms.

I had to get it sorted. My main focus was to remove the TV and DVD player and pretty much get it back to basics. Toys with scope for endless imaginative play; books, blocks, puzzles, kitchen corner, home made and wooden toys. Out went pretty much everything requiring batteries or a "licenced' brand on it.

Now for the photos. I was so proud of the end result, I took a heap! Don't you just love a before and after...

Before Mumma attacks (and how it usually looks at the end of the day when they don't clean up).

And the "spare" toy room

All this even after one crate of toys went to the grandparent's house and 1 full packing box went to the garage. 

But the moment you have been waiting for (after all that rambling)

Drum roll please...........

TV be gone! Shelving unit now upright!

They can still reach their books!

Black tubs hold musical instruments and dress ups.
There's art and 'Folio' books on the shelves.

White boxes have dolls, puppets and duplo inside.
Small table from the meals area.

   

Home corner moved to opposite side of room. (kitchen makeover coming soon)

I'm so pleased with it! It was well worth the late night.

Click "older posts" for part two.

The Great Toy Room Overhaul (part two)

(I'm attempting to be sneaky and post this one so it follows on from part one! I'm hoping it works, not sure how much Blogger likes me though.) {ETA- Ok so Blogger hates me, it didn't work and won't let me put my photos where I want them, and it's taking sooooo long!, grr}

The new room was a hit this morning. By 9am they'd been playing beautifully for three solid hours (only stopping for brekky) and after each game/toy/activity they put things away! (I wonder how long that will last?) Best of all there was no mention of the missing TV!!

Cuppa tea?

Having babies after breakfast

Less is better. There's more hand made, more wooden and less plastic! More imagining, role playing and togetherness. More crafting in the future.

Here's our morning:

Old friends on the shelf

 

There was building:

Exploring and hiding, changing and fishing:

and lastly, my favourite: 

We are so blessed, The three of them are just wonderful. Having sorted the room, I feel better, lighter, and inspired to get busy with my children (more than usual) and have fun together!

(I do still have to sort the left over toys and then make labels for all the tubs and boxes but today its enough)

Stay happy! xx M