Organize for CreativityWritten by Kathleen Wilson
OK, well, I know organization isn't really decorating, now is it? But, let's face it, what good is all effort to create a nice home when it's hidden behind mess and clutter? So in order to help us all prevail over chaos, here are some great hints for putting everything in its place! (On a budget, of course!) The number one way to reduce clutter and mess? Deal with things as they occur, don't save it for later! File mail (or throw it away) as soon as it comes out of mailbox! Don't step over a small mess thinking you'll do whole room later. Get idea? File your paperwork. Make a file/correspondence box with file folders. I just covered a sturdy cardboard box with some contact paper, turned it on its side, and glued a piece of miniature picket fence (cut out of leftover foam core) onto front to hold in bills! You could save lightweight cardboard for dividers, make a "to pay" file and a "to keep" file, and perhaps a school file for kids, and whatever else fits your household! Hide stuff! Yes, there are times when we don't want our living room to look like Disneyland! Floor length cloths on end tables are a great place to shove a toy box or unusually shaped toys when not needed. If you have open shelving or a pantry area, consider sewing a gathered curtain panel to cover clutter. Install it with a
| | Scents for the Holiday Season Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
Wreaths that welcome your guests with wonderful scents of season - a hint of wonders inside as they step through your doorway - a bit of spice, a touch of pine, and gentle chime of tiny bells. Naturally Christmas - Using a grapevine wreath, a branch of pine with small pinecones, floral wire, a moss-covered branch, snow birds, tiny clay pot, dried berries, or artificial raspberries, cranberries, silk holly, a red bandana, tiny jingle bells, additional pinecones, dried bay leaves, spanish moss, miniature poinsettias, chenille wire, a bit of "snow" textured paint - Decorate and add as much or as little as you like - give your entranceway a touch of Season. If you live in warmer climates, change decor to suit area you live in, or use winter touches to add nostalgia and storybook touches to your door. There is a White Christmas in hearts of everyone! ***************************** Goose Wreath: grapevine wreath, sphagnum moss, a burgundy ribbed velvet ribbon, a tiny bird next and goose figurine, bracken ferns, white German statice, red berries, dried apple, orange, and lemon slices, cut in half. This "nature" wreath emits a fragrance of fruit and spice - a wonderful combination for this time of year. ***************************** Pumpkins still can highlight some of your Holiday decor - Try a truly rustic pumpkin basket trio: Three pumpkins of varying size, hollowed out and cleaned of seeds and pulp. Colros: bittersweet orange, black and trail tan and antiquing paint, an old toothbrush, grapevine, 2-guage wire. Poke two small holes with a pick opposite each other near top of pumpkin, about 1 inch below rim. Cut three or four grapevine lengths, depending on thickness of vine for each pumpkin as a handle. Cut grapevines 28" for large pumpkin, 20" for medium, and 16" for small. Cut two 12" lengths of wire to attach to handle. Run end of one wire through a hole and center wire in hole. Gather grapevine and place one side next to outside of basket with ends hanging about 2" below hole. Tightly wrap wire tails around vine. Attach other end of handle in same manner. Repeat for all your pumpkins.
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