Easter Centerpiece

I saw this adorable Easter centerpiece on Pinterest and knew it would be a  fun project for my children.  There was no name attached to photo so I do not know who to give credit to.  But, here is my version....

Materials:

1. Some kind of basin.  This is a plastic bin that goes under a plant pot (Wal-Mart $.50)
2.Dirt
3.Small clay pot (Dollar Store)
4.Bag of Rocks (Dollar Store)
5. Grass Seed (Wal-Mart  $3)
6. Water Bottle (Dollar Store)
7. Some sticks and string

Total cost of project: $6.50

Directions :
 Place dirt in basin.  (This was my boys favorite part) Place clay pot and rocks in dirt. Sprinkle with grass seed.  Make simple crosses with your sticks and string.  Put crosses in your dirt.  Place basin in sunny spot and spray with water everyday. (I hot glued some burlap around the basin to give it an earthy feel)

It looks kinda lame right now....but it will look so good once the grass starts growing.  We have placed ours in the middle of our kitchen table.  The kids look at it every time we eat.  Tonight they asked " Who were the other two crosses for?"  Its such a great visual and a great reminder that our Savior Lives!

Happy Easter!

Where's my mascara?

This happened about two years ago, but its such a funny story I had to retell it.
Its about 7:30 am and my middle son, Jacob, comes down the stairs looking like this.....

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!   I first thought he had permanent marker all over himself.
But to my delight, it was only mascara.  This little guy got into my makeup bag in the middle of the night.  He went into the corner of his room and colored himself.  He then slept all night.  I can only imagine how itchy it was.  The funniest part of it all, he strolled downstairs like nothing had happened.
I was very surprised at how easy it was to clean him off, but I was pretty upset that I had no mascara to wear that day!  Hope this made you smile....

Week 4 : Mission Organization - the Garage

 Week 4 of Mission Organization is on its way and we are slowly cleaning out the garage.  This was the before:

 I am happy to show you the After:

So we were blessed to get this refrigerator for free, so we had to make room for it.
1. My husband made an extra shelf that my original shoe shelf could stand on.
2. I painted the shelves white and bought three bins to hold my toddlers shoes and boys flip flops.
3. The blue bucket holds all the boys cleats and shin guards.
4. I added an extra hook for my little girl's book bag.
5. Laminated some scrapbook paper and taped them on the wall for something fun.  Don't really know if the tape will hold...but its good for now!
 Total Cost of Project: $19
     - $7 for hook
     - $12 plastic bins

....keep in touch for the next clean peek of my garage.

T-shirt scarf for a $1

This will be the easiest project you have ever done!  It is a scarf made out of an XL t-shirt.  If you want to see this on video, go to www.theDIYdish.com
1. Take an XL t-shirt (100% cotton or cotton blend) and lay it out flat on a table. I bought mine at a thrift store for $1. W Cut the bottom hem off and cut a straight line across the shirt right below the sleeve.

2. You should have a large ring.  Put one side of loop under your foot and pull up as much as you can.
3. Wrap around your neck and you are done.  Wow! If being  fashionable was always so easy....

Fun Spiral Scarf

Everyone is wearing scarfs to spice up an outfit. Make this cute one for $2.00.
No sewing...no skill required...Promise.. I learned how to make this scarf from www.theDIYdish.com.
They have a 5 min video on how to make this scarf.  Very helpful.   Ok....here you go!
1. Get two XL t-shirts.  I bought mine at the thrift store for $1.00 each
2. Use a plate as a stencil and trace a circle on the shirt.

3. Cut out each circle and then cut a spiral swirl (like a snail) in each circle.

4. Repeat this process until you have at least 16 circles.
5. Unwind the spirals and lay them out on a table.

6. Divide the strips into two sections and overlap them by three inches.

7. Tie a knot in the middle and you are finished!

Week 3: Mission Organization

Mission Organization is on full force at the Gammon's House.  This is my third closet that I have organized and I am feeling so great about all that I have cleaned out.  My coat closet is really nothing too special.  It only took about 1 hour to sort and clean.  Here it is:

 Like I said, nothing fancy.  But what I wanted to show you was how I organize all my children's coat.  I bought them at a garage sale for about $2 a piece. (I think they are intended for shoes)  They velcro right onto your closet rod and they are perfect for all their little jackets.  And the best part of it all, my kids can actually put their own coat away.  Anyway to make my life a little easier makes me happy.

Ok.....so the only negative part of all this organization is that my garage is becoming the dump pile for all the closets I am cleaning out. Its getting difficult to walk threw the garage...yikes

Don't judge me by my clutter....this is a process. This is my next challenge.  My garage is pretty big so I will need a few weeks.  I am going to show you my progress along the way.  I hope this is inspiring some of you. or maybe just making you feel normal about your clutter. I can't wait to show you a clean garage.

Week 2 : Operation Organization - My Craft Closet

This was my lovely craft closet.  I hated opening the door because it was such a disaster.  This is home to all my scrap booking stuff, craft supplies, gift wrapping, sewing projects and office papers.  I did have some systems working for me, but it needed some major organization. I have been putting this project off for about two years.  I am so thankful for this blog because I am actually getting things done around my house.
I didn't want to spend any money, so I just used what I had around the house.

Step 1. Used a  garbage can to store my wrapping paper.  Then I took two lg gift bags and filled them with all my gift bags, bows and tissue paper and hung them on hangers.

Step 2.  Sorted threw all the stuff that really didn't belong in the closet and made a hug pile for my garage sale that I will someday have. :)

Step 3.  Rearranged the shelves to make it work better.

Step 4. Set up a practical filing system.
All my papers that need to be filed I place in the wicker basket.  When the basket is full or I have a few extra minutes, I file it.

Step 5. Organized my pictures.
 I printed up my kids names and used scrapbook paper as a border. I used thick packing tape to put labels on drawers.  Inside the drawer will go pictures of that child and his/her artwork.  When the drawer gets full I put it in their artwork book or slip-in picture photo albums.  I use a simple 3 ring binder with plastic sleeves for their artwork book.( I save only their cutest artwork from the year)

Step 5. The fun one....Jazzing up my file cabinet. Apply Mog Podge unto the surface of the drawer with a sponge brush.  Cut the paper to fit around the handles. Lay the paper on the front of the cabinet and apply another layer of Mod Podge.  Allow to dry and apply another layer.

Step 6.  Close and open the door to my new craft closet at least a dozen times to see my new space.

I would someday like to paint the closet or get some fun stuff on the wall, but for now....  I am pretty happy.  I only had to spend $5 on scrapbook paper.  Maybe if I have that garage sale, I can buy something cute for the wall.

Happy Birthday Lily!

So our sweet little Lily turned 2 today.  We decided to do"Date Knight" at Chic-fil-a.  As you can see from the picture, Jacob wasn't crazy about putting on the costume.  I told him he had to put it on and pretend to be happy for the picture.  Ha!  Didn't quite work... Anyways, we had a great dinner and fun times with friends. We love you so much Lily Bug. You continue to bring so much joy and laughter into our lives.