Sunday, December 16, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Extremely Inexpensive Garage Organization
It took half the day, but we cleared out our garage recently, decluttering 15 years of accumulation, and freeing up a lot of space in the process. We took everything out, swept the floors, and then did some extreme purging. We filled up our vehicle and donated all the stuff to a local thrift store which takes hardware type items.
For an efficient bare budget garden tool organization, we used this method:
We used leftover wood from other projects, and we already had nails and screws, so it cost us no additional money. Sometimes you can find long pieces of wood for free(with permission) in the trash bins at the end of the lumber aisles. These long thin pallet type scrap wood is easy to come by at big box stores.
We were able to hang bulkier items like the electric clippers and the weed wacker from hooks screwed in under a high shelf. I put all the hand tools and tinier items in a giant rubbermaid container with smaller containers from the dollar store inside to organize the "smalls". It's all contained in one, and simple to clean and move around.
There are no more hiding places for overwintering palmettos bugs and spiders! The floor is clear to sweep and occasionally spray down with soapy water.
For an efficient bare budget garden tool organization, we used this method:
We used leftover wood from other projects, and we already had nails and screws, so it cost us no additional money. Sometimes you can find long pieces of wood for free(with permission) in the trash bins at the end of the lumber aisles. These long thin pallet type scrap wood is easy to come by at big box stores.
We were able to hang bulkier items like the electric clippers and the weed wacker from hooks screwed in under a high shelf. I put all the hand tools and tinier items in a giant rubbermaid container with smaller containers from the dollar store inside to organize the "smalls". It's all contained in one, and simple to clean and move around.
There are no more hiding places for overwintering palmettos bugs and spiders! The floor is clear to sweep and occasionally spray down with soapy water.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Coffee Filter Cut-out Snowflakes
A bag of coffee filters from the dollar store go a long way! These make the easiest snowflakes - no rounding off the ends. More here.
Children's Viking Ship Cut-out
We are using this as an ornament on our Christmas tree this year because everyone needs a viking ship on their tree. ;)
DIY Disposable Stick Branch Christmas Tree
The branches can be held in place with large rocks in a bucket. We took our rocks from the garden.
Here's a pretty one that has been painted white:
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Make an Easy Sparkly Cat Ornament - Free Cat Outline
Use this outline as a template for a glittery cat ornament. I plan to cut it out on black paper, glue to recycled cardboard, and cover with glitter. I'll add a pretty pink bow and hang it on the tree with my pet's name on it.
Friday, December 07, 2012
Some Simple Vintage Christmas Designs for Drawing, Cuttings, Etc.
From The Kindergarten-primary Magazine, 1914
Free Pearl Harbor Day Educational Printables for Children
Activity ranger book from the World War II Pacific National Monument(USS Arizona). PDF here for younger children and for older children here(answers could be looked up on Google).
Pearl Harbor Day printable here.
Monday, December 03, 2012
Poor Grammar in Modern Educational Items
It is getting more and more difficult to find educational freebies(and paid) that use proper grammar. I am not a gifted grammarian. In fact, I often have to look things up. Going through my son's Rod & Staff English with him for eight years helped a lot! Mostly, I am punctuation challenged. So if I notice mistakes, it's moderately obvious. Anyway, I was browsing a teacher authored curriculum site for first grade freebies when I came across some really nice packets for language arts. It was disappointing to see run-on sentences and incorrect grammar(colloquialisms) such as confusing "was"and "were" - "If I was a cat" instead of " If I were cat" . You can never be a cat, so "were" is correct." I feel badly for the children whose teachers are purchasing these items.I wonder if the parent's notice?! What's weirder is the perfect feedback from almost a hundred buyers. I guess if Justin Bieber says it in a song, it's okay?Educational items offered by individuals, even if they are certified teachers, should be reviewed thoroughly before purchase. If you are poor at proof reading, I'd avoid these and go for professionally edited curriculum. There can still be mistakes, but they correct them upon notice, and errors are less frequent. While content is very important, it is also crucial that children are challenged with learning proper English.
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Saturday, December 01, 2012
DIY Modern Lumber Furniture
We seem to making a lot of lumber furniture these days! The more pieces we make, the more we like it. As furniture wears out, we are replacing it with homemade lumber furniture. I liken the style to be somewhere between IKEA style pine and rustic pallet furniture. You certainly can't beat the price! Rough pine lumber is very inexpensive.
Here's what we've made so far. I hope this inspires someone to try this for themselves. It takes very little skill. We are complete amateurs, and yes, it is not fine carpentry work, but we weren't going for this, nor did we expect this.
My daughter's bed with room for storage underneath.
Tall table...we are using this as a kitchen island now.
Young children's pallet book shelf
Cat ladder and sleeping box
Pallet/scrap wood toy shelf
Entertainment center or bookshelves
Platform bed and DIY mattress
Sectional sofa
Not lumber, but free - stump side table/stool
Free standing kitchen(full pictures will come later...we are still putting on the final touches.)
12/9/12: Okay, here is the rough unfinished version of our DIY kitchen:
My husband recently made a child sized computer table with bench for my daughter which I'll add here later.
Here's what we've made so far. I hope this inspires someone to try this for themselves. It takes very little skill. We are complete amateurs, and yes, it is not fine carpentry work, but we weren't going for this, nor did we expect this.
My daughter's bed with room for storage underneath.
Tall table...we are using this as a kitchen island now.
Young children's pallet book shelf
Cat ladder and sleeping boxPallet/scrap wood toy shelf
Entertainment center or bookshelves
Platform bed and DIY mattress
Sectional sofa
Not lumber, but free - stump side table/stool
Free standing kitchen(full pictures will come later...we are still putting on the final touches.)
12/9/12: Okay, here is the rough unfinished version of our DIY kitchen:
My husband recently made a child sized computer table with bench for my daughter which I'll add here later.
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