Basement Update.

I just work on the basement a little bit every day (or try!) It is coming along...we have made $193 through selling stuff. I created sections...one to sell or donate....one to go through (like papers)...one for trash...then I have added "I'll think about section"...This section is for odds and ends, I've been trying to figure out what I could make with these items or reuse for something else.

I hope that maybe you have started to look around your house, and think of new organizing ideas or projects that need to be done. Maybe you will share those ideas with me because I need tons! :) If you don't remember how to comment....check back through older posts there is one post that will tell you how to comment on the blog.  Any questions just email me brandi51008@hotmail.com I really look forward to hearing as I post because through this journey I want others' help. Don't be scared...I won't let me ferocious dog bite you....too hard :)

recipe book.

I have tons of recipe magazines. I would just find myself making the same meals because I didn't want to spend the time going through every magazine. I kept trying to figure out something to do with all the magazines....a basket? a rack? just pile them on a shelf? but nothing was really organized. I saw on the Internet some lady made a recipe book with a 3 ring binder and clear sleeves. It was a cute idea, but I didn't want to spend the time gluing or taping all the recipes on paper. As I am cleaning out the basement, I am finding more stuff to use for other projects. It is exciting, making a lot of stuff without spending any money! :)

Here is my new recipe book! Ah, the little things in life that make me happy!!

One pile of my magazines. Who wants to go through all those every time you cook??

I found picture albums that I wasn't using...I have two of these picture albums. So my idea was to make two recipe books...one with all dinner recipes (meats, pasta, soups, casserole) and the other recipe book for bread, breakfast, side dishes, desserts, and anything else!

I like using the picture albums because...

-I am a visual person..I don't have to dig through

papers for a recipe.

-The recipes slide in the pockets so they can be easily removed. I'm sure I will find new recipes and then get rid of some old recipes.

-Index cards fit great in the pockets.

This is very organized which makes my life soo much easier. I already used two recipes last night for dinner!

I went through all the magazines...which really didn't take much time...I cut out all the recipes I wanted. Then Heath went through and picked out a couple more recipes that he wanted. So I am cooking things he likes too.

This picture keeps uploading upside down...but you get the idea.

I did keep three magazines that are a 'collection of best recipes.'

Instead of having like 20 magazines, I now have two recipe books all organized. If I need a recipe for chicken, I can just flip to the chicken section...and pick out one.

flashcard book.

I wanted to make Mason a flashcard/picture book with images that relate to his life...A lot of the books will say "mom" but then it has a picture of some random woman. I found a couple cute ideas...then I looked around the house to see what I had...here's what I came up with.

-Ziploc bags (I bought a brand of these, but they make the food taste weird so I was trying to figure out what to do with them) Ziploc bags are good because at this age, Mason is putting everything in his mouth...Ziploc bags will keep the paper dry!

-Construction Paper (or any scrap paper you may have)

-A Marker

-Rubber Cement (You can use glue/tape/or whatever you have)

-Pictures....I had banners from KinderMusik so I cut the animals out to make an animal book. Then I have one with different plants that I am going to use for a color book. Then I am using copies of pictures I have for dad, mom, grandparents, maci dog for the people book. I have found pictures of different body parts from an old anatomy book. Heath did print a few images for me (like ball, car) that I couldn't find in magazines at our house.

So I have easily made 4 books....at no cost, just using stuff at the house! I am currently working on these books. I just have to actually put all the "Ziploc pages" together to make a book! I will take pictures of the finished products.

Basement Update

I've been working every day in the basement while Mason takes a nap. So far I have several books on http://www.half.com/ and clothes/purses on Craigslist. We have made $69.00 so far and the basement is looking better and better! Yay! I started a trash section, a sale or donate section, and a needs to be organized section.

My Plans.
1. Papers...I sat down and went through every paper we had....shred, file, toss. That was a boring afternoon.
2. Clothes...Organize all of my clothes, Heath's clothes, and clothes we are keeping in case we have another baby one day. AND get rid of a lot of clothes. I really don't know why my parents did not turn me into some kind of rehab for shopping....I currently own four 18 gallon totes of shoes, 3 totes of handbags/purses/other bags, and I will not mention the clothes :)
3. Organize Holiday decorations.
4. Figure out something to do with all of Heath's hunting gear.
5. Keep asking "do we really need this?"
6. Take pictures of a well organized clutter free basement! (WoOhOo)

clean out.

As we begin this journey, it begins to be overwhelming. There is so much one can do, but I want to start by taking small steps, completing those goals (the feeling of accomplishment is great fuel for continuing). I don't want this to be just one of those ideas we came up with but never did anything with it.

My first goal is to get rid of a lot of unused stuff in our basement. I am so overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we have accumulated since getting married two years ago! As a newly married couple, we have the "well what if we need it one day" mentality. My mom always said if you haven't used it in six months, then you don't need it. I think this is pretty true (unless it is seasonal like Christmas decor or outside furniture) I was not going to take pictures of our basement. I am actually embarrassed by how much stuff we have stored down there. BUT if I don't take pictures, I will not be as accountable. Please do not turn me into the show hoarders (haha).

Questions for this Project.

1. What are some great local places to donate to?

2. How much stuff should I keep for, if there is another baby?

3. Any advice for filling documents?

4. What are some places like Craigslist that I can sell some stuff?