Taming the Paper Clutter

Paper clutter makes me crazy!!  If I do not stay on top of it daily, it has a tendency to take up the counter space, end tables and anywhere little hands can drop it on their way to whatever they are doing at the time.  As a busy Mom, I find that if I stay on top of clutter, it becomes a much less daunting task.  Taming the paper clutter is a high priority.

Magazine-worthy closets are not something I aspire to achieve.  In an ideal world, I would love to have everything match and be so cute.  Instead, I look at organization as a great opportunity to use what I have on hand.  If it is in a closet or cabinet, it does not need to be fancy or decorative.  If you decide to set up organization bins in an office or where it will be visible, you may want to opt for the more magazine-worthy bins.

*This post contains affiliate links.  Purchasing from these links provides me with a small commission at no cost to you.*

Examples of Daily Paper Clutter

• Kids’ completed homework and class work
• Kids’ artwork
• Teacher notes or School event fliers
• Junk mail
• Bills
• Store ads
• Letters, cards and personal greetings
• Receipts
• Medical summaries from doctor visits
• Warranties from products purchased
• Coupons

Organizing Tips

• Group like items together, as they enter the house, and put them in their designated place.  For instance, I save the current year’s school papers for the whole school year.  This saves an issue if something is “missing” from a grade report or something needs to be used to study for a test.  

• Recycle or trash anything you will definitely not use or need immediately. 

• Put things in their designated place immediately.  Make sure the storage space is easily accessible or chances are it will not be used.  

Example Organization Containers

Use what you have on hand when possible to save money and time.

• Small plastic tote for completed homework.  I keep all completed work for the duration of the school year in case a grade is not recorded or review of something is needed at the end of the year.  Once the school year is complete, I go through all of the work and keep an example of their handwriting from the year and anything special from the year.  The rest gets recycled.

• Bins for artwork through the year.  I used inserts from Amazon Pantry orders which worked perfectly as a temporary holder in the closet.  You can use large cereal boxes, plastic magazine holders, etc.  When the bins are full, I go through the artwork and keep the things that I know I will cherish for years and add it to a bin I keep for each child.  You can make that decision as it enters the house, too.  If it is a coloring page from a coloring book, it has little long term value.  It is likely the page will yellow and be gross over time.  Of course, if it has a painted hand print of your little one, it is something to treasure.  This can go directly into the file tote.  
  • Each child has a file folder tote with legal size folders, https://amzn.to/2IONXAG.  Each folder is noted with a school year or year of age.  I add examples of their handwriting, notes from teachers/friends and artwork from each grade or year of age.

• Folder for Bills that need to be paid. 

• Accordion file folder for receipts with at least 12 folder slots (https://amzn.to/2GRs2r3).  I label each folder section with a month and year to keep bill stubs that are paid and receipts from the month.

• Small Tote or accordion folder for cards, letters, etc. that you choose to keep.  

• 3-Ring binder with page protectors for medical information.  We have a binder for each member of the family which includes:
  • Immunization record copies for each year
  • Medical visit summaries where follow up care or instructions are given.
  • Family medical history is listed.

• Folder or binder for warranties and operating instructions.  Currently, this is just a plastic pouch.  I only keep warranty information for major appliances and operating instructions for things that are difficult to use or maintain.  I typically do not keep this information for inexpensive toys or appliances.  

• Zipper pouch for coupons or binder if you are a major coupon clipper.  I am a coupon clipper when it is convenient.  I do not search for coupons or anything.  If they come attached to something purchased or are for a store that I love, they go in a zippered pencil pouch in my purse so that I have them handy.  This is also where I store gift cards so that I carry them with me as I run errands.  

Create a Kids Craft Tote

Creating crafts with kids can be cherished memories and tons of fun.  In the winter, while we’re watching two feet of snow fall outside, the kids love to gather around our kitchen table and cover it with craft supplies.  They will sit and create “masterpieces” for hours.  We all love every minute!  In order for them to create their best work, I like to have an essential list of craft supplies on hand at all times.  I add to this weekly it seems, sometimes with something as minor as a paper towel roll.  Nonetheless, I want to be prepared when the next paper towel roll rocket or pipe cleaner queen’s crown is created.

We use a large plastic tote that I keep on a high shelf in their play room.  Since we often have friends visiting with smaller children, I do not want to have it where everyone can get into paint or markers without preparing a space first.  You can certainly get fancier, but I find that the plastic tote provides easy clean up should something be spilled in the tote or not capped correctly.   Now, grab your essentials and get crafting with those kiddos, they won’t be little for long!   

This post contains affiliate links.  Purchase of any product will provide me with a commission at no cost to you.  

Essentials List

• Pom Pom balls–https://amzn.to/2rO3ryw   

• Foam shapes, sheets and stickers–https://amzn.to/2rQdpP4 

• Kids washable paint–https://amzn.to/2Kyqap8

• Dot painters–https://amzn.to/2It6Clx 

• Tons of paint brushes, foam brushes and uniquely shaped brushes–https://amzn.to/2rP4H3C or https://amzn.to/2IqxnHq

• Card stock (better quality) or construction paper–https://amzn.to/2rPDFZX 

• Washable markers-https://amzn.to/2ItfXd3 and https://amzn.to/2rOS6hL

• Crayons–https://amzn.to/2IwWDvm

• Pipe cleaners (chenille wire stems)–https://amzn.to/2Kyz8ms

• Glue and glue sticks–https://amzn.to/2Ku5WwI and 

• Tape–https://amzn.to/2LbArJ5

• Painter’s tape–https://amzn.to/2L8kMdL

• Old t-shirts or smock to protect their clothing–https://amzn.to/2Lb4OiU

• Googly eyes–https://amzn.to/2wP0oLt

• Craft sticks–https://amzn.to/2IvKJSJ

• Empty and cleaned cream cheese bowls, butter tubs, oatmeal canisters, cheap paper plates, paper towel rolls, ketchup containers, lids to large bottles (if age appropriate), etc.

• Chalk–https://amzn.to/2IpTIsI

• Q-tips and cotton balls (great for paint)-https://amzn.to/2IOHOrr and https://amzn.to/2IIdpLJ

Simple Farmhouse Decor 

The best part about farmhouse decor is that it is easy to reuse things you already have on hand and make them new again.

When we moved almost two years ago, I left a great deal of our decor boxed in the basement. Recently, while going through a box of glassware my grandmother had given me over a decade ago, I found an adorable vase in the bottom of the box.  I had no idea it was there.  What a find!  It immediately became a part of our decor.  It is a cute white vase that looks great on a metal charger.  I add greens to give it dimension.  

I use faux floral arrangements all year round.  While it brings me joy to use fresh cut daisies, lilacs or azaleas during the spring and summer in vases, the faux stuff wreaks less havoc on my seasonal allergies and are consistently beautiful.  I also really enjoy sticking with one color palette when arranging flowers.  I tend not to mix a bunch of colors.  That’s a matter of preference though and you want to work with your home color scheme.  Aqua blue and orange are in most of our living spaces.

Simple pieces that can be used and reused can be found in your basement, in your pantry (spaghetti sauce jars/mason jars) and in discount bins at your favorite store.  Examples of things to use in your decor: 

• Chargers (simple one color or metal)-https://amzn.to/2Ij4sZI 
• Simple greens-https://amzn.to/2Ijtw2M 
• Faux florals 
• Mason jars or sauce jars-https://amzn.to/2jWYyPs 
• Rocks and shells
• Cactus or other succulents (the ones pictured are faux), https://amzn.to/2IjaM3r 
• Wooden spoons-https://amzn.to/2L037Vj 
• Pitchers-https://amzn.to/2rI5yE4   
• Old windows (yard sale finds) 
• Galvanized metal vases like this one https://amzn.to/2IneM37 

**This post contains affiliate links.  Purchase of these products provides me with a commission at no cost to you.**

Get Crafting with Kiddos

Kids naturally love to create and make things for the people they love.  There is nothing better than to see your kids’ faces light up when they have created something.  My son will use everything that’s not nailed down in our house to create something else.  Paper towel rolls and milk jug caps become cars or airplanes.  My daughter will take a pair of scissors and some cardstock and make confetti for hours.  Of course, we would then glue that to another cardstock and make a mosaic picture.  There are always things that I have on hand for the kids to ensure they can create something wonderful.  Attached is my go to shopping and gathering list.  Our craft bin always has these items.

The Simple Green Wreath

Simple green wreaths are my go to wreath all year.  It can be kept as just a simple green wreath which adds richness and beauty to any door or decor.  However, adding goodies based on the season or occasion makes it fun.  Best of all, they are so simple and inexpensive to put together and change quickly.

The wreath in its simplest form:

• Wire wreath form
• Greens (This wreath is made from faux eucalyptus branches-sold in a large bunch)
• Floral wire
• Ribbon of choice

Start by taking your bunch of branches apart so that you have separate branches to work with.  These eucalyptus bunches had four long branches together on one stem. Then, wire them to the wreath form in the shape and direction desired.  You can add as many branches as you choose, covering the wreath form.  Leave a small space in the wreath form to allow you to tie your ribbon of choice for hanging the wreath.  That’s the wreath in its simplest form which is perfect for every day use.

Pink and Aqua Wreath for Spring

While I enjoy simple green wreaths by themselves, I think aqua blue and pink make a beautiful pairing for spring.  With this, I took floral wire and attached pink silk flowers to the wreath form on top of the eucalyptus.  I then clipped in one bird to add the blue color.  It took just a few minutes and few dollars to change the look of the wreath completely.

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Blue Birds on a Green Wreath

This is the wreath currently on my front door for spring.  While I would not want a real bird to nest in my wreath (been there and done that–tragic results for the birdie).  I love the idea of adding these cute little blue birds and some simple brown grasses as a nest.  These items were less than $5 to add and made an adorable display to my simple wreath.

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Valentine’s Day Heart Wreath

This is more of a Valentine’s Day specialty.  But, I just love it.  I took red and white striped wrapping twine leftover from Christmas and tied it to the wreath form.  I then took red felt and cut out heart shapes.  I stuffed each heart with a little polyfill and sewed two hearts together.  I found some miniature clothespins in my craft supply storage to hang the hearts on the twine.  Voila!  I had all of the supplies for this one in my collection (#hoardingtendencies), so I did not need to purchase anything.  However, the supplies for this could be purchased for less than $10.

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Fall Wreath

Fall colors add warmth to this wreath.  I like to keep my green wreath simple, so I just wired on some fall flowers that I had on hand.  I did not spend any additional money on this wreath.  I repurposed flowers I had used on a project the year prior.  It’s a great way to use what you have to create something adorable for your decor.

Most Important Information to Keep for Kids

Paper clutter drives me crazy!!  Yikes!  It’s so easy for a stack of mail to turn into an avalanche of papers ready to take over my kitchen counter.  For my sanity, it’s important to tackle that stuff as it comes into my house or I get overwhelmed.  There is so much important information that we need to keep for our kids.  I like to have it in one place so that I can easily put my hands on it when it is needed.  And, if your kiddos are like mine, you are not told a form is needed until the day it is due.  It’s always helpful to know where to find it quickly.

The most efficient way to keep this organized is with a 3-ring binder and sheet protectors.  I keep most documents in their own individual sheet protectors.  However, I have also put folders with velcro flaps and binder holes in it as well.  These are useful to hold sports information that you do not access daily, multiple letters from teachers or awards, etc.  I also use these to group each school year’s report cards once the year is finished.  You can also add tabs and cover sheets to each section if you find this helpful.

Most Important Information to Keep for your Kids Binder 

• Immunization Records (updated with print out from the doctor’s office yearly) 
• School Physical Form (or copy) and Athletic physical form 
• School Dental Form (or copy) 
• Medical Summaries from yearly check-ups or from special visits requiring follow-up care 
• Report Cards (printed from school website if electronic) 
• Letters from Teachers 
• Awards and Recognition 
• Sports/Activities contact information, league info., etc.