Oh yes Ma'am... time for another Swap and Hop. Today's theme--- organization.But based on a few of your comments from earlier this week, if you don't want to share an organization tip, you can still participate. You can share where you hide things when company comes.
So, here's the deal...
1. Put something on your blog today about organization... or your lack thereof. Pictures are great but just telling about a good idea is fine as well.
2. Feel free to capture the button above and post it. The button is not required but please do link back to this post on my site so others can enjoy our fun.
3. Once your post is ready, come back to my site and sign up in the Mr. Linky box below. You may want to put your name and then a one or two word description of your organization idea in parenthesis. For example: Lysa TerKeurst (organizing jewelry)
4. If you don't have a blog, you can leave your organization tip in the comment box. Even if you have a blog and do the Mr. Linky--- still leave a comment. I will be drawing 3 WINNERS from the comments and the links to get an autographed copy of Karen Ehman's new book, "The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized."
I will announce the winner of my CD from yesterday's post and the three winners from today's post on my blog this weekend. Have FUN!!!
Here's my tip:
If you have a tangled mess of necklaces and bracelets here is an affordable solution: a jewelry board! I can't take credit for this... it's my organized friend Debbie's idea.
These are black framed bulletin boards that you can find at Walmart or Target. We simply placed plastic pushpins in spaced out intervals and then hung the necklaces and bracelets in place. I have two jewelry type belts hanging on the wall beside the boards. All of this hangs on a wall inside my closet. I love it!!!
Now, for the place I hide things if I'm in a pinch and company is coming... the upstairs hall way. Oh dear. Shhh... don't tell anyone.
52 Comments:
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Lysa:
We are leaving for Spring Break tomorrow and I don't have time to write a post since EVERYONE in my house wants ME to wash AND pack for them. :) What is a mother to do? haha
My hiding place - THE GARAGE!!!! Oh and you should see me get all the stuff out there AND all the stuff back in the house so hubby won't see his man cave all in disarray! HAHAHA
I did this early so I wouldn't forget! I love the boards, will share the idea!
Be blessed!
What a great idea! It even looks like a piece of artwork in your closet!
Thanks Lysa for your ideas and for providing this forum. I have a huge round basket given as a wedding gift, and it has stored numberous things. Currently it has all my fabric pieces and scraps, filled to overflowing. I put a throw rug or piece of fabric over and tuck it in around the edges. Looks like a cushion on top and goes with the living room furniture.
Hi Lysa,
This sounds like fun. I try and stay organized as my Mom taught me at an early age - "A place for everything, and everything in it's place" - yes - sadly I AM one of THOSE!
A friend did give me a great tip though, for when you suddenly need to hide unwashed pots and pans that don't fit into your dishwasher - throw them in your oven as long as it's not ON! Maybe not the safest of ideas, but it gives the semblance of having a clean kitchen!
Looking forward to reading some great ideas! Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Joy
I organized my freezer yesterday when it got to the point that it started to bean people on the head everytime they opened the door!
The big change wasn't just stacking things properly. It was making a list of what's in there, especially the small leftover containers. Now I know what goes in and what comes out.
Read about it more at To Love, Honor and Vacuum!
Love it Lysa! These Swap and Hops are fun! Thanks for "organizing" this!!
Thanks for posting BOTH pictures. Leave it to Lysa to keep it real. I mostly have photos of the second type, but I might have an organizational idea or two as well.
Hey Lysa..this is so fun... I wish I could leave a picture,but no blog.
Ok.. here is my tip. You know all those cook book type magazines.. Taste of Home, Quick Cooking, Paula Deen, etc... Well.. If you are like me and have subscriptions to many of those, its kinda of messy to have lots of magazines piling up. What I've done for years is filed them in binders. At the back of each issue is an index of recipies. I take a 1" 3ring binder, clear sheet protectors and the magazines with the index page folded over so that is the page you see. Put the sheet protectors in the binders, then slide the magazines in the sheet protector. I've got a year to 2 years worth in one binder. I have them labeled on the outside as to the title of the magazine and the dates of issues. When I want to search for a recipe, I can just pull out my binders and flip through them, searching the index pages. This way you don't have piles of magazines and you can easily find a recipe w/ out searching the whole magazine.
When company comes..I have a closet under our stairs.. I keep empty laundry baskets in there, I can go around and "pick up" the house and put stuff in the basket, then set that in the closet.
Thanks again Lysa..
Alyce
Lysa, What a simple, fantastic idea! I sooo wish I had read it before I plunked down $40 for THIS! Another suggestion I've read for jewelry organization is to thread the chains through a drinking straw and store them in a dresser drawer.
I hope there are LOTS of ideas this week--simple, helpful, tried-and-true tips really make a difference. Thanks for hosting again :).
What about UNDER the BED?, that is my child favorate place to hide a mess.
I can share my hiding places, because I'm not organized! I really need Karen's book...
And while you're there, please read my post about my friend Cheryl. Thanks!
I love to read everyone's ideas!
I really love the picture boards with the crossed ribbons! I have one on the side of my cabinet as you walk in the kitchen. When I receive pictures at Christmas, etc. I just remove the old pics and put in the new ones. Every time I walk by the board it makes me smile to see my family and friends! Hidden in an album, how can I enjoy them??
These boards are great for different rooms in your house - put a small in the bathroom with pictures and prayer reminders as you get ready in the morning. Use one in the kitchen for recipes and lists (keeps the frig front clean), let your kids put their friends pics and "stuff" on a board in their room.
The boards come in many varieties, and you can even make your own - it's that easy!
PS If company is coming, I put dirty laundry in the washer or dryer - at least it's not on the floor.
I've unfortunately had to hide the mess on too many occasions - that's what happens when you are a working mom with 3 little ones and a busy husband! (I'm going to be back at home after May 30, phew). I've stashed dirty dishes under the sink and handwash-onlys in the dishwasher. I've gone around and collected all of the stray stuff - toys, dirty socks, books, mail, whatever is laying around and thrown it all in a garbage bag and put it upstairs in our master bedroom (which is also the place we stash other stuff - it's pretty rare that it's open for tours). I've stashed dirty clothes in the washer and under the basement stairs. I've thrown every bit of paper clutter into a drawer in my hallway, important or not.
Despite this, I love to be organized. The best way is to de-clutter so you don't have excess floating around. And also employ the kids for just about everything - from doing dishes to scrubbing floors, dusting, putting things away, cleaning their rooms, etc. I found that if you give little girls buckets with soapy water and sponges and tell them they are Cinderella, they will have a lot of fun scrubbing! My biggest organizing tip, though, is to have containers for everything - and labels!
Ok I have my tip up!
Thanks for the fun idea and I love the necklace idea. We may have to do that for a weekend project!
Have a great weekend!
Being a homeschooling Mom with 3 children I have found that color coding my girls has help me keep their school stuff and my office stuff organized. They have learned to leave things with the green dot alone - that is moms!
Anita
Lysa, I just WISH I had that much jewelry to organize! :)
I am so NOT organized. I read Karen's article in the latest edition of the P31 magazine and I am what she refers to as the "laid back" kind of gal. I need the perfectionist in my life to help me! hahaha I'm going to take Karen's advice and break my junk down into bite sized chunks that I can handle. Pray for me to be proactive!!! :)
And the place to hide things in a pinch?? I've only done this once...but the dryer is a very handy dandy hiding place!
Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca
tiggerdaisy@gmail.com
Really like your jewelry idea, Lysa. Can't wait to get some new organization ideas - I need them!
Lysa,
Great tip! I also wanted to thank Alyce for her tip. I have two years worth of Taste of Home magazines cluttering my pantry. I'm going to go buy a binder and sheet protectors right away. : ) I especially like the idea of having it open to the index page. Thanks, Alyce!
<>< Becky
Every time I try to put my two cents' worth in (it seems, anyway), Satan does his best to whisper to me "Nobody cares about what you have to say."
I created a blog this morning specifically for this organization thingy, so I could show a cool tip I use and love. But, the blog post and picture won't show up. I get so irritated and down on myself.
I'll try it again later, when I get some down time, I guess.
I am expecting my parents in from the coast this afternoon and I am scrambling around frantically trying to get everything ready!! I should definitely not be taking the time to even BE on this computer! Anyway, I have such a pile of dirty laundry, there is no hiding place large enough! I guess I will have to try to wash and dry it. Imagine that!!
I am going to do your jewelry storing trick. That is AWESOME!!!! and, the best part..... CHEAP! I can certainly afford a couple of corkboards.
Thanks for the ideas. Everone is so creative! I am going to try and get something up on my blog, but if I don't, I will enjoy reading everyone's elses posts.
Blessings!
Thanks Lysa!
I've added my two cents and blog entry hope someone finds it useful! I love this new thing you're doing on Fridays Lysa great idea!!
Janet
What a great idea about the jewerly!
I skim through so many books and magazines looking for practical ideas on organization that are economical too.
We need to get your books and Karen's at our local library.
I have 3 ideas. My daughter takes piano lessons and I was frustrated with music books all around and her assignment notebook so I found a leather looking round basket with handle. They are everywhere but the best price I found at TJMaxx for 16.00. It all fits, looks great and no more getting on her to straighten up her music.
2nd idea is my laundry space is off my kitchen and very small. There is one wire shelf over washer and dryer I was determined to find a neater way to store rags,laundry soap, light bulbs, and other supplies. So I found to large bins in red canvas and 2 small ones in brown. They hide everything and
the shelf is neat with nothing falling off.
3rd idea
We were trying to make more space in our bedroom and our closet is not huge. I bought california concepts 3drawers piece at Target and it fits under hanging shirts and holds pajamas, socks, underwear etc. We have a smaller armoire in bedroom that holds hubby's stuff and a small tv. What I love is that we were able to get rid of 2 huge dressers and put a comfy chair and footstool. We use it alot as a quiet place to read.
I am always looking for new ideas so I can't wait to read more ideas!
Darla
What are some ways you have organized under kitchen or bathroom sinks?
I am also looking for new ways to use a closet under the stairs. It has been storage for videos and art supplies but kids aren't really using using it and I would like to make better use of it?
Darla
Lysa,
I have just checked out all the tips (and hiding places). There are some really great ideas here! Not the least of which is your jewelry board. I love that idea. I have all my necklaces and bracelets silverware containers (you know like that holds knives, forks, spoons, etc) but they tend to get tangled at times.
We are in the process of building a house, so I will just leave my best organization tip right here in the comments.....here it is: When your house gets too cluttered - MOVE!
Now as for pictures of my hiding places, you really dont want to go there - I promise!
Thankfully the master closet in our new house is as big as the bedroom in our old one - Praise the Lord who knows our needs!
I happened to have some pics I took of my teen daughter's room before and after she "cleaned" it. The surprise was what was waiting for me out in her hallway. Baby steps!
Hello Ladies!
My blog is only in my mind and not yet developed...their has been discussing of it with a friend that will be helping me create it...so until then I am signing in under Anonymous...oooh sounds kind of mysterious!
Anyways, I love this topic and all the conversation and helps it brings...But to those who have struggled with consuming materials and not ridding as quick as you gather...thus becoming disorganized...I want to encourage you today!
I am a former pack rat...When I discovered I had a problem forming - well, I was a little over my head! It was easier to just keep the closets closed...or in "Lock Down"..instead of organizing it!
My closets were packed so there was no place to "hide" what was cluttered on the steps.
It was at the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference that the Lord spoke to me and had me examine my life (And I thought I was there to learn more about Speaking!) It was a beautiful experience...I even nailed my problem to the cross on the last night! His peace took the place of the overwhelming frustration that was starting to affect me.
One of the things He showed me was it wasn't just my closets that were cluttered but the closet of my heart...ugh...good intentions and over commitments kept me busy that my very environment of shelter began to be affected. I would look at the stacks and think - "When will I have time to tackle that?!" ( I had groups to lead and people to help!)(Trust me He helped me with that too!)
Through humble,authentic prayer and surrendering...I gave it to Him and He is helping me delete things in my life...getting my heart closet cleaned out was the first step...It feels so good you all! Now I am organizing my home in ways that brings much order and peace to our home and especially my heart and joy to His!
Here is a question the Lord had me answer...
What kind of life do you want?
And then He gave me solutions and provisions to overcome.
I wish I could tell you everthing was better in 2 weeks or a month ...But one thing He showed me was these things did not get cluttered over night...it was a process and it will be a process to rid of it and get things in order.
I encourage all you ladies that feel discouraged by the mess in your closets, laundry room or even your heart...Here is one of my tips...I worship Him with my cleaning and organizing and Get MY PRAISE ON while doing it! (It is good exercise too!)
If you really think about...it is all His turf! Why not give Him that area to reign over too?
Just today I conquered the laundry room, downstairs bathroom and kitchen while listening to a new CD called - The Beginnings Concert by Ten Legendary Artists...(www.thebeginningsconcert.com)...
Wow! I feel good! You should try it!
One More Thing...Since I didn't like to throw things out...I discovered ways to recycle or re-use an item again...like dryer sheets...before throwing them away...use them to swipe over frames and lamps to remove dust.
Doubly Good!
Dreaming of the day I can park my car in the garage...
Be Inspired,
Pack Rat Unpacked
aka Vern
Inspired Looks Ministries
inspiredlooks@satx.rr.com
been looking for a good excuse to start a blog... thanks for the jumpstart.
I did it..I did it.. I established a blog!
I linked it w/ the others on the site.. no pics though..sorry.. I need help with this bloggy thing..
Butanyway..just wanted to say that I did do it.. yay me!
Alyce
loving the ideas! not brave enough to post pictures of the layers and layers of re-located clutter...it was going in the bedroom, but now it's in the garage
Thanks for letting us non organized people play too! Hope you are having a great weekend. It's sunny here. :-)
I think it worked this time!
If you have magazines that you keep, here's a way to keep them neat--just like a library does!
♥Susan
I am inspired that you, Lysa, are inspiring folks to blog.
And Susan, it did work. Great job! I like your cereal box idea and your 'pretend' blog. Don't let Satan tell you lies. He is the King of those things!
Chatty Mom
(my log in won't work for some reason.)
Have you lost your mitten? A great idea when so many folks live in a house, put a small round laundry basket in the downstairs hall closet or utility room and let everyone put gloves, hats and scarves in the laundry basket. Keep them there and everyone will always know where they are. This works like a charm,even when they come in from the snow for a second pair of gloves, everyone knows where they are!
Aloha, I don't have a blog but I do have an idea.
I color code the calendar using highlighters since I have "issues" and only like it to be written with blue ing, everyone has their own color. Like me I have green and the whole family would be orange. I have done this for years and when my kids were little(they are now 15.5,13.5 & 11.5) and even they knew they had somewhere to be & do!
Thanks for letting me post!
Bobbie Jo
BJGDiva@aol.com
I loooove this! I have had so much fun reading about everything!
My tip...is organizing words. Any time I see a quote that I love, or a sign or get a card or the kids say something cute or awful I write it in this little book. Its fun to look back and see all the stuff I have written.
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Okay, okay. I confess. I have been avoiding you today. Unable to come by and face how disorganized I am. :)
But, alas, I could not stay away. And you sweet thing, you! You included those of us who are...um...slightly (greatly) organizationally challenged! If I had known this earlier I could have posted pictures of where I hide stuff. No, nevermind. It would take too long to photograph every square inch of my home!
You are a gem!
And I love your jewelry organizer. I won't show my jewelry, though. I don't want any of it to know that such beauty exists. Then I would be forced to organize.:)
Love,
K
I love this idea, thank you! I have seen some great ideas and posted a couple of my own. I am a little OCD about things but with small children I have to obsess while at work. I have learned over the last 8 years to let the house go and focus on the family!
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing both sides.
Thanks for the great blog idea!! I can't wait to finish reading everyone's organization tips!
I don't have a blog so will leave my tip here...I got tired of looking for my kids' shoes when it was time to go somewhere. Tried one of those hanging shoe organizers but sending my children(or, even worse, me!) back upstairs to get a pair of shoes was torture. So I bought two flat baskets, one for each child, and put them by the back door. When we come in, the shoes go in the basket. When we are ready to leave, shoes are ready and waiting. The only hazards? Fishing out the dirty (and smelly!) socks that also seem to go in the basket with the shoes and keeping my seven-year-old son from fishing out dirty (and smelly!) socks to put back on with clean clothes!!!
Lysa, thanks so much for hosting these organizing tips. You've gotten some great responses and I'll be implementing some of them today. This is such a big help for those of us who are only "selectively" organized.
Lysa, your swap and hops are so much fun! Thanks for doing them. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's tips.
What an aawesome idea! Cool organizing.
Hi Everyone!
I'm having so much fun reading all of these. Thanks for the great tips!
Here are mine:
1. I bought some adorable rectangle baskets from Target, one for each kid, That go on my steps leading upstairs. Now as I find things of theirs, I just toss it in their basket. At the end of the night, one of their responsibilities is to clean out the basket and return it empty to the steps. They match the decor of my house and my steps and house always look clean. It also makes it much easier for my kids to carry their stuff upstairs.
2. I read this in a book (don't remember what one), so I can't take credit...but I use this tip everywhere in my home. I group like things together.
For example, in my kitchen, my coffee maker sits on the counter. Next to it is my sugar and honey. Below it in a drawer are the spoons. Above it in the cabinet are coffee cups, mugs, saucers, coffee filters and tea bags. If you want coffee or tea, everything you need is right there.
Another example is that I bought an extra set of school supplies and put them all in a basket in the kitchen. When the kids sit down to do homework they don't need to go running upstairs to get crayons, to the pen drawer to get a pen, to the computer to get paper...everything they need is in the basket.
I do the same thing with bills. I bought a little desk organizer from Office Max and put in it my calculator, stamps, pens, pencils, address labels, blank envelopes and all the bills that come throughout the month. Then when I sit down to do the bills, everything is in one place. I set it on my little desk in the kitchen. When I come in with the mail, I immediately go through it, toss everything I don't need and put my bills in the organizer.
3. Speaking of mail, I have an organizer for that, too. I bought a thing with 4 slots, where I put the kids' daily school work and the new mail. When my husband comes home from work, he only needs to check the slots to see what came in new today.
4. And last but not least, since I hang most of my family's clothes (as opposed to using drawers), I finally bought a garment rack (Target again!) with wheels. When I take the laundry out of the dryer, I immediately hang it up, wheel the garment rack to the right room and put it away. Then when the garment rack is empty, I store it in my closet to collect hangers...handy for the next laundry day!!
OK...that's all I have.
I do have a blog, however this topic wouldn't really fit well...but please visit me there anyway!
I'm dicussing "Hearing God's Voice"!!!
~Sandy
www.godspeakstoday.blogspot.com
Wow everyone has such great tips! In summary, my tip was color coordinating your closet.
Just got back from a 10 day trip to Florida and do not have time to write about organization because I am swamped with trying to unpack. Sure would like the opportunity to win Karen's new book though! :)
white socks x 3 men in the house = lots of sorting/washing/drying/pairing etc.
come see my blog for my tip on making this chore not so much a chore!
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