WIP Wednesday:: My Home Management Guide

(the above picture has nothing to do with this post, but it was just so pretty I wanted to share!)

Lately things around here have gotten...well, chaotic. In the untidy sense! I hate it when the house gets like this (which lately has been most of the time), but always feel at a loss for what to do about it. I have toyed with the idea of a home binder before (FLYlady calls them control journals) but have never really taken the time to pull together even the basic steps. Mostly because I wasn't sure what they were! Enter this wonderful blog: Want What You Have, particularly This section. My friend shared the link with me and I've been working slowly but surely on it since that night. I have a long way to go, but I think that with the daily schedule and cleaning lists in place I have enough to start putting it into action! So I thought I'd give you a little peak inside what I'm working on... pictures should all be clickable if you want to read what I have.

For starters, my binder is a 3" wide Avery conference D-ring binder, with a one hand ring opener, front and back interior pockets and clear vinyl pockets on the outside. (sounds like a car, huh?)

(the section papers I have are from a system called the Maidservant, I never could get going with this one, but I do love the pages! The booklet that comes with it is helpful too) My first section is "Prayer", but right now it only has a layout of what to read each day to complete the Bible in a year. So I'll show that later when it's more useful. Today is about the "Cleaning" section.

Let me start by saying that I think the key to this thing working is the pretty paper. I got mine at Staples, and for about $14.00 I got 200 sheets and I L-O-V-E it! Opening up to see this really makes a big difference! I put all of my pages into clear page protectors, so they stay nice and neat and tidy. (And if I have changes to make I can either stick a tabby with my notes right onto it, or just write it on with a dry erase marker to be wiped off later.) Okay, where was I....

First I have our new daily schedule. New. Like, I just finished it. We start tomorrow, trying for a half day, and the after dinner part, we'll work our way up from there! It's simple and straight forward, and takes the thinking out of my day. Because really, I'm terribly scatter brained these days and I just can't count on my brain to be there when I need it!

Then I have my day-of-the-week jobs. When you're making up your lists, she actually has you make your daily tasks list first, (which I did) but for a two page layout, I liked having this next. A simple break down of what has to happen each day of the week to avoid a really big cleaning day. That works for some people I realize, but with two small children each day is too much of a variable to be able to say "Friday I scrub my whole house", where as I can plan an hour or two's worth of work and spread it out as I can over the day.

Flip the page and you will see my Daily Tasks. These are those jobs that absolutely must happen or you will be embarrassed to open the door all the way type things. Bare bones, "get these things done and you will be able to sleep at night" type things. I have planned 40 minutes in the morning, and 40 minutes in the afternoon, along with a few reminders of things I should be doing throughout the day.

Thursday is my Kitchen Deep cleaning day, so here I have all of my tasks listed out for that day.

Almost every day, in addition to the day-of-the-week jobs, I have a spot for one monthly/quarterly or bi-annual job. I can just choose which one I feel like doing/have the time for (etc.) and knock it off of my list so that I don't have to have just one giant day to take care of them all. An exciting idea, don't you think?

Now, this isn't in my binder, but it is helpful to me. I have another copy of my daily schedule printed up and in a clear page protector on my fridge. This allows for quick referencing, and serves as a visual reminder to stay on target throughout the day. (Jenny was thrilled that she got a piece of special paper lol)

And this little $5.00 magnetic white board is the best marriage tool ever! Joe likes me to just write what I need him to do/have on his radar down, but we were always loosing the list and it just wasn't working well. Neither was me "reminding" him. So this is great. :) I found it and the day of the week magnets at WalMart. I just jot down what I need him to do that day (a big job on the weekend or something like that), and when he gets home from work he checks it and most days he can get right to it. I don't have to remember (or forget) anything and he doesn't have to be "reminded" whenever I see him. ;)

Look out for some finished project posts coming soon!

WIP Wednesday:: A special hat

This is my current WIP (work in progress), a hat for my Bobby's birthday next week. He is out growing his current favorite, and since he about wont go outside without his hat on, I thought I'd make another before we had a problem. :) The colors are showing up allot lighter in this shot than they actually are, but you get the idea. What looks to be a light spruce green is actually quite dark, and the navy and plum fall into the same boat. I'll get better pictures once it's finished! I'm making the pattern up since I had some difficulty finding a plain, simple beanie pattern on ravelry that used worsted yarn and was free. I'm hoping to turn it into a pdf. file when it's done so that it's available should anyone else want to try it. Other things you should see finished for his birthday include a teddy bear, and his quilt. :)

WIP Wednesday:: Sort of :)

With all of the sickness in this house I haven't had much time for crafting the last few months. Add to that a complete lack of interest, and you get a WIP post without any Works In Progress. :) However, whether from spring fever, or all of my de-cluttering, or maybe just taking a creative break, the bug is back and I've come up with a fresh new list of projects, to be started at the first available minute. I thought I'd share the list, and then we can see how the items compare once I've finished them. These aren't exactly in a prioritized order, but they are in the order that I'm the most excited about. ;) (BTW the place-mat love is inspired from Here and Here.)

1. Set of place-mats-- tan striped ticking, with a pieced scrap fabric border
2. Set of place-mats-- green gingham with brilliant placement of cluny lace ;)
3. Set of place-mats-- light blue, with navy blue running stitch border
4. 3 sets of cloth napkins (unclear on the details until I check my stash) inspired by this post (I like all three kinds)
5. Curtains for Jenny's room (she's requested green)
6. Curtains for Anthony's room (I'm using either blue or red ticking)
7. Snack bags like these...
8. Bread bags like these...
9. New bathmats made out of old towels like this...(from the book Handmade Home by the wonderfully brilliant Amanda Soule) as a side note, look at the inspiration Here!

I feel like that will keep me busy for a while at least. :) Now, with any luck by next Wednesday I'll actually have something post about! I'll leave you with This really great idea for recipe storage from Stitching Under Oaks, I want to make myself some as soon as I can get to staples!

Happy crafting everyone,

Tilly

WIP Wednesday:: Knitting

Socks!! That's right ladies and gentlemen, I can knit socks! I'm so excited, and even better, Jenny loves them. As you can see, I have the second one nearly finished; I'm hoping to get it finished today. I can't wait to cast on a pair for Anthony! I have a great self-striping yarn that I hope he will like. :)

A rather late Christmas gift...it's coming along though! (I promise, Caroline!)

And a yummy hat for myself! I'll share details on each when I post finished pictures, but if you have any questions let me know. :)

WIP Wednesday:: Recently Finished

Yay!! I finally got this sweater finished. :) It is my first, and would have gone quickly if I hadn't taken so much time off to work on Christmas gifts. ;-) It is a simple top down raglan sleeve out of bulky yarn. She wore it all day and declared how much she loved it. I love having kids who appreciate their mama-mades! The pictures aren't the best, but the good light is all outside and it's too cold to take pictures without coats which rather defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

Ravelry link HERE

I am hoping to get pictures of a few more items to share soon, but I'm having a hard time finding a free moment when the sun is still up. ;-)

WIP Wednesday:: A Variation...

The weather here is dark grey and rainy....and I don't have any good pictures for today. I've moved all over the house, turned lights on, turned lights off, flash on, flash off...on and on and on, and not one good picture. :( So, I thought I would just share some of the things that are on my to do list. I have some fun crafting plans for Christmas (aside from gifts) that I can't wait to get started on!

I found this super cute mini mitten ornament pattern (free) that I really want to make...they are super super tiny, I've seen pictures that compare them to a quarter and I'd say that they're probably only twice as big! I'm thinking I might up the yarn and needle size so that they're a wee bit bigger. Or maybe make a little family of them?

I also have a few more gnomes to make, I want to do one with a "light" theme for our nature table, and Bitty wants one just like this one that I made a few weeks ago.

While I was growing up we had a really fun Advent calender that was my mom's growing up. It was a big felt tree and each day you added a new felt ornament, placing the star on the top on the last day. Well, I was thinking of doing something like that, and was looking for free tutorials online when I found this one. I *love* the idea of a garland, and I could fill it with all sorts of tiny things... I really really Really want to make a small nativity set out of my horde of scraps, and I would love to put one piece into each pouch. Nothing too fancy, just something small and friendly to little hands... I think it will be fun! Oh, and I want to make the garland out of fabric on hand too, as wonderful as wool felt would be, I don't think it's in the budget this year.

I collect star ornaments. I love them. I think they are the most beautiful kind of ornaments. Each year I pick out two or three to add to my collection, and our tree just looks so happy! :) When I saw this tutorial, I knew I had to make some! (Although I'll probably use flannel scraps instead of felt.)

I just saw these beautiful mason jar candle holders this morning over at Frontier Dreams, and I can't wait to make them! I'm considering doing three purple and one pink instead of the more traditional taper candles for our Advent wreath this year... I foresee making many of them in different color combinations...they looks so pretty!!

And last but not least, are these Waldorf star lanterns. I really love just about everything Waldorf related, but I really love these lanterns. I'm so excited to make them!

Thanks for looking! What special crafts are on your to do list?

WIP Wednesday: A few firsts

I could probably split this into two posts, but I figured you wouldn't mind me showing off my finished project too? It just so happens to by my first felting project...

Jenny's slippers

At first they looked nothing like slippers and I really had my doubts, despite all of the cute finished project pictures on Ravelry...

But I continued on and after lots of (bad) seaming, I was rewarded with two BIG slippers. I made the children's size, and they were much bigger than my hand before felting. Then came three or four trips through the washer and dryer....

and *poof* they were slippers! :-D I'm not sure who loves them more, Jenny or myself. :)

Her toes go right up to the start of the pointy bit, so there is still some growing room, but they fit her nicely around, and honestly, now that she has them I'm not sure I could get them away for any more felting. :)

I used this pattern: Felted Slippers child sized

With Cascade 220 wool (pink is 7802 and grey is 8400)

They are raveled here

Jenny's Mittens

Now for the WIP's, first up are my first mittens! The pattern is a vintage one my mom found that is like the one her mom used to use. A nice, basic two needle mitten. They are to go with Jenny's hat. The lighting isn't great in this shot, but the yarn is the same as her hat. I am not thrilled with this first thumb, but I'm not sure what I did wrong...if I don't figure it out soon I'll just leave it wonky and fix it for the next one. I d like the pattern over all though, but I think I'll try the version that is knit in the round next time. After I finish this pair, I will be making these brilliant ones for Anthony (maybe with this hat?).

I'm using this pattern: Classic Mittens (two needle version)

With yarn from See Jayne Knit Yarns (Apple of My Sky)

and Knit Picks Shine Shine Worsted in Harbor (discontinued color)

They are raveled here

My 1st Shawl

I'm So excited about this project! I first saw it back in February when SouleMama made hers, and I thought "that looks easy enough for me to do!" I finally got the yarn a few weeks ago, but just got the chance to start it yesterday. The pattern says to split the yarn in to two balls and then you alternate between them for stripes, but I just adore the gradual color changes, so I left mine as one ball. I. Love. It. It is SO easy, and the colors are so magical that it's hard to work on anything else. :) The yarn changes from pinks to browns, to greens, to oranges... <3

I'm using this pattern (rav. link): Simple Yet Effective Shawl (fingering weight)

With this yarn- (not purchased from this link): Noro Silk Garden Sock (color S84)

And it's raveled here

Thank you all for looking! I have a few other things going, but I think that's good for today. :)

WIP Wednesday

I really really wanted to get to do WIP (work in progress) Wednesday this week, but since I had to wait until so late to take the pictures, it has turned into WIP Thursday...which, while not as catchy, will just have to do. :) While I was waiting, one of the WIP's turned into a finished project to share! Anyway, the WIP for the day is pictured above, and is one of two crowns for the prince and princess-ing that will be happening on Saturday. It is a really fun little knit, so I hope the work well! Jenny picked the costume concept this year, which worked perfectly with the supplies I had on hand. Yay for free! :)

And second is my favorite project, um, ever. Please meet our autumn nature table gnome. His name is still to be decided. :) He is SO MUCH FUN! I can't wait to make lots more. :) He is from a fantastic book called All Year Round. I can't wait to do more of their projects now!

Thanks for looking!

Love,

Tilly