Command Center and Rewards System

Alrighty!  Round 2 of voting is up at American Crafters.  I would so appreciate it if you would go vote!  Maybe I can make it to another round?

Honestly, I'm quite happy to be done with this project.  I would have liked to do something a little more elaborate and super organized, but we rent and are in school, so I am kind of limited with resources and space.  I'm not limited in ideas for organization, though.  I found it a little frustrating coming up with something I was satisfied with.  

Still, here's what I did.  

First of all, my desk was in desperate need of some organization.

I know!  You can scroll down quickly if you want so you don't have to look at that!

It sits right inside our front door and has become a drop point for the mail and whatever else we don't want to put away (like the girl's shoes).  I have to clean it off on a daily basis because this is also where I work in the evenings.

So, first I took the opportunity to go to the discount store to see what kind of organization inspiration I could find.  Here's what I came back with:

And here's what I did with it.

First, I cleaned everything off the desk, cleaned it, and took a picture before the cleaner dried. 

Then, I took the fun contact paper and covered the desktop with it. 

I didn't get it on super straight (because super straight and I are NOT friends), so I ran an Xacto knife along the edges that were hanging off and made them nice and clean. 

Oooh pretty!  (That paper chain, by the way, is from a date night with my husband; each chain has written on it a reason he loves me.)

Next, I pulled out some cork board tiles I had on hand and nailed them to the desk. 

Yup, I just nailed them right on there (which bent a lot of my nails because that is one hard desktop!)

I also put a basket underneath to hold my new inbox/bills to be paid box.

This is where we put the mail now. 

I traced the frame in the center of the cork and then cut that space out, like so: 

I put some pretty paper in the frame and then glued the frame into it's customized space. 

It's my new dry erase board.

I spray painted those green bowls so they are now a pretty chocolate brown and they are my clutter catchers and outgoing mail "box."

And, here are my "after" pictures:

It's a much happier space now!

For the rest of my project, I'm just going to include an abridged version of the post I submitted to explain my system.

You see, in theory, I am a very organized person.  I have a book full of schedules, plans, and to do lists.  It is beautiful and works fairly well for me.  The problem is, I still have a hard time finding motivation to complete my chores.  

In the center of the cork board, I glued a dry erase board for my Weekly To Do list and beside that is pinned my Daily To Do list and Bonus chores (these are chores that I typically have a harder time doing).

Now, my thinking is that if we motivate kids to do their chores by giving them rewards or special privileges, why shouldn't I reward myself for doing my chores?  And, what is the best reward for myself (aside from a clean house)?  Projects.

So, I now have a shelf in my craft room devoted to my weekly projects.  Each container or basket holds the supplies needed to complete a project.  Once my chores are all checked off for the day, I now have a project waiting for me.  The red basket holds a special weekly reward (such as a good book or fuzzy socks, maybe some occasional chocolate) if I finish my bonus chores.  Now, I have something to look forward to and I may even enjoy the housework more!

There you go!  Now, please go vote!  Thank you so much for your support!

Woo!

I made it into round 2 of American Crafter!!!

I have to be honest, I worried waaaaay too much about it over the weekend.  I've had to remind myself that nothing important rides on this.  I've made my goal (to have a project worth submitting for audition) and now I'm just going to enjoy the ride.  
This is a good place to be since I have absolutely no idea where I'm going to go with "House of Order!"
So, I'm off to the dollar store for some inspiration!!  Wish me luck.  
(p.s.  I've hit 50 followers!  I'm so excited.  You guys are awesome.  =))

Halloween Wreath: Round 1 of American Crafter

Hello!

Did you guys get a chance to get over to Naptime Crafters and vote?  Voting closes Sunday at 8:00 p.m. MDT.  Don't miss it!

Here is the project that I submitted for the Halloween theme.  I left the text in there, because that's part of the experience.

Halloween:  The word usually brings to mind creepy images of ghosts, witches, mummies, skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, werewolves, zombies, vampires.  It's all good and fun, but, when it comes down to it, isn't the best part of Halloween the night of free candy?  So, here I have designed a soft, fluffy Halloween wreath with an enticing offering of candy.

Those fruity candies are pretty easy to get to, but the good stuff is up a little higher.  It needs to be reached for...earned.  So, you stretch out your hand, barely able to reach; you grab a firmer hold on that beautiful chocolate (why is that spooky music playing in the background?) and pull down firmly (wee, wee, wee, wee--read that like Psycho music)!  

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!  

It's the dreaded Monster Wreath!!!!

Now, here is the backstage pass to see how it was done.  Well...kind of see how it was done.  This was kind of a figure-it-out-as-you-go kind of project and I got so involved in it, that I forgot to take pictures once I figured something out.

I'll tell you what I can, though.

I started with a yarn wreath, using the same technique I did before, but the form was a styrofoam form I found in my craft room (good fortune!).  

Next, I found this yarn:  Fun Fur. 

It's really hard to crochet with (possible, but hard) but it works beautifully on a wreath...especially a monster wreath.  I have 2 skeins there because I wasn't sure how many it would take to cover the wreath.  It turned out that 1 covered it exactly.  I didn't glue this on the wreath, because I wanted the hair to stick out.  Tying it on worked very well.

This is the only after picture I got of it once all the yarn was wrapped. 

You can see my sketches on paper for the teeth and I was experimenting with paper to figure out how to get the eyes just right.  I'll tell you what I came up with in just a second.

To make the "Free Candy" pouch, I took a piece of felt and folded it in half lengthwise. 

Then I sewed up the two ends, creating a pocket. 

On the corners of the bottom of the pouch, I sewed a diagonal line, like this: 

That way when I turned it right side out, it stayed open a bit.

For the lettering, I free-handed the embroidery, starting with the "N" in "candy" so I could make sure it was all centered. 

Now, I cut the teeth out of craft foam. 

I did this free hand as well because I wanted them to be crooked and jagged.  

If you are doing something like this, make sure the teeth are long enough that they can be seen when they are pulled down, but short enough to not be seen when they are behind the wreath.

Also, I ended up not using these teeth because they didn't pull right.  I used 3 sets of teeth, with 2 or 3 teeth per set, tying 1 set to each eye.

To make the eyes, I ended up using 2 circles of felt, one colored to match the yarn and one white (for the eyeball).   

I stitched all the way around the top, for show, but only attached the two at the top.

That way it opens. 

They googly eye is hot glued in and the whole eye is hot glued in place.

The whole thing is rigged with fishing line.

Note:  Don't let your 3-year-old play with the fishing line when you're not watching.   

Unless you're good at untangling hard-to-see knots.

The teeth hang behind the wreath and are attached to the eyelids so that when you pull the teeth down and out of hiding, the eyes pop open.

The teeth are then attached with the fishing line to the ribbon and the candy bars (which, by the way, are just the wrappers.  I ate the chocolate.) so that when you grab the ribbon/chocolate decoy the teeth come out and the eyes pop open.  (You can see the line in these pictures.)  

The ribbon is wired.  I folded its ends and pinned it to the back, leaving enough of the fold unpinned so that it would come unfolded with it got pulled without tearing or ruining the wreath.  (Does that make sense?)  Also, wired ribbon holds the shape better.

BOO!

heehee.

There, now you have the basics.  Enough, I hope, to attempt your own and let your own creativity take over! Let me know how it goes!

Oh, and thanks for voting!

Linking up to my parties!

Round 1 Voting is up!

Alright, lovely bloggy friends.  The round 1 voting is up over at Naptime Crafters is up!

You can vote for your 3 favorites.  Mine is the Monster Wreath and I would be ever so grateful if you would include me in your vote.  I desperately want to make it to the next round and the competition is pretty darn stiff!

If you don't mind, do what you can to spread the word (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, whatever).  I'm so nervous, can you tell?

Also, I'll have a tutorial up tomorrow for the wreath I made!

Thanks!

Hi!  I'm featured/introduced over at Naptime Crafters today.  Go check it out if you want to!

Thanks!

Holy Cow!!!!

Did you see the results for the American Crafter auditions?

No?

Ok, click on the link (here it is again) and check it out.  I'll wait for you....

Back so soon?

Good.

Did you see it?  Contestant #10?  Eeeheehee!

It's me!!!!

I'm so excited!  I don't even have words for it.  I'm just amazed.  There is a lot of talent in those other 14 contestants.  This is going to be a fun season!

Now, here's the thing.  I'm going to need your support.  The results of each round are based on reader votes. I would really appreciate it if you would take some time each week (voting is on Friday) to check out the projects and vote.  I would love it if you voted for me, but please don't feel obligated (except for you, Mom and sisters).  Vote for the projects you like best.  

The theme for Round 1 is Halloween.

Here we go!!!!