storage

The Simple Way To Keep Clutter Out Of Your House!

“But, clutter is already in my house!” Well, this new habit will keep clutter out but it also can get clutter out, when it is there. All you have to do is start wherever you are today.

Clutter has a life of its own, doesn’t it? It grows! When left unchecked, soon you will not be able to find your stuff. Hey, there might be places in your home where you cannot MOVE! Last week we talked about organizing with 5 quick steps to take control. They work so, use them! This lesson presents a habit that, if you get serious about it, will keep clutter from piling up ever again.

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Simple Rule = 1 item in? 2 items go out!

I just used this decluttering technique with some towels. Take a look at the frayed edges of my old towels. New ones were long overdue! I love my new, fluffy blue towels. They are luxurious.

Clutter has a life of its own ... it GROWS! #organizing #tips Share on X

Now, do I want to put those old towels back in my closet? No way.

So, I have 3 choices on what to do with them:

Keep them in the garage for rags.
Donate them to an animal shelter or veterinarians office (that’s my preference.)
Or, toss them.

If I cannot get to a donation location in the next week, I will be throwing them out. If I do not get them out of my house quickly, they will stay forever!

Tip: Taking your time can turn this new habit into a nice intention that never comes to pass – beware!

Have you tried the 1 in, 2 out method? How did it go? Fun, isn’t it!

Enjoy!

Using a really great vacuum is inspiring! 🌟 Enjoy using it!

17 Really Cool DIY Mason Jar Projects

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Mason jars are ultra popular for all kinds of DIY and craft projects. [Interesting background => History of Mason Jars] As I was searching for the very best to show you, I found a creative array of DIY projects using mason jars. Here are 17 really cool mason jar projects for a variety of uses including hanging wall organizers, pin cushions, beach décor, vintage pencil holders and more. Take a look!

Burlap Mason Jar Craft – A Proverbs 31 Wife

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Adorable little 4 oz. mini mason jars!

Do you have someone headed for college? This mug would make a great gift!

Graduation Cap Mason Jar Gift with rolled real money inside, like little diplomas!

Precious Moments Brand senior box graduation gift!

Rustic Wall Sconce Mason Jars Ad

Marimekko Mason Jar from Mason Jar Loves

Carrot Mason Jar Craft from Mason Jar Craft Love

Doggie Treat Mason Jar Gift Idea

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Quick & Easy DIY Mason Jar Teacher Gift with FREE printable tag from Hunny I’m Home DIY.

DIY Mason Jar Organizer – The DIY Playbook

How to make Mason Jar Snow Globes from BHG.

Mason Jar Pin Cushion Tutorial – My Blueprint

Cute hedgehog sewing pin cushions! ad

DIY Mason Jar Pencil Holder – Girl Just DIY

DIY Mason Jar Storage – Liz Marie Blog

Set of 30 mason jars – 8 oz size – with labels makes organizing so easy!

Mason Jar Desk Organizer – Eighteen 25

Hanging Painted Mason Jar Wall Sconces – Jarful House

Mosaic Mason Jar Craft – Mason Jar Crafts Love

Rustic DIY Mason Jar Wall Lanterns – A Southern Fairy Tale

Thai Chick Pea Mason Jar Salad – Sweet Peas and Saffron

I am just loving home accent pieces, like this 11.5″ round wooden tray! How about you? Set your mason jar project on it and show off!

Banana Bread in a Jar – This Grandma Is Fun

Mason Jar Beach Decor – [same blogger, new blog name] Kelly Leigh Creates

Real wood lids – airtight glass food jars / set of 6

Rustic DIY Mason Jar Silverware Holder – Tilly’s Nest

12 fabulous must-see DIY mason jar projects and #crafts! #DIY #homedecor Share on X

Have you ever used mason jars for projects? What did you make?

Enjoy!

Do you like Rock Painting as a hobby? Here are some great ideas [Rock Painting Is Fun] and a really cute story book, Scribble Stones, too.

15 Super Homemade Home Decor Ideas You Will Just Love!

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Are you getting a little tired of the same old look where you live? Redecorating can get expensive but you don’t have to invest in a total redo to get a reboot. Here are 15 homemade home decor ideas that will tickle your fancy and inspire lots of creative new ideas for you to try yourself!

So, what room needs sprucing up? Ideas number one through four all focus on the walls. Add wooden framework or use painters tape to guide your brush for a perfect design. The third tip dresses up the walls with DIY wood and leather hanging frames. Number four is an adorable drop space with blue birdhouse designs painted for a really unique look.

1. DIY Home Treatments by Sincerely Sara D.

2. How To Make a Striped Feature Wall from A House Full Of Sunshine

3. DIY Wood & Leather Hanging Frames by Bonnie Christine

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥

Wall mount planter for succulents

4. Recycling Ideas for Home Decor from Crismatec

Do you love rustic? These homemade wooden coasters make a great gift or, of course, use them on your own desk or table.

5. Natural Branch Coasters – how to make them – by Garden Therapy

Wooden Coasters

10 More Awesome Homemade Home Decor:

6. Fall Jars With Dollar Store Flowers from Crafting In The Rain

7. Simple DIY Wall Desk by Remodelaholic

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8. How To Make A Chalkboard Wall by Eryn Whalen Online

Super Fun: Tee Pee Indoor Play Tent for Kids

9. DIY Magnetic Memo Boards by The Pin Junkie

Isn’t this memo board set in strips genius? Oh my goodness. You could even hang jewelry from them! Split them up and use them in different locations or place them together. Go over and check out all the uses, possibilities and all of the COLORS they come in, too!

15 super homemade home decor ideas you will love! #homedecor #DIY #home Share on X

10. Wallpaper The Front of a Chest of Drawer from Good Housekeeping

DWVO Dresser with 9 Drawers – Fabric Storage Tower, Organizer Unit for Living Room, Hallway – Sturdy Steel Frame, Wooden Top & Easy Pull Fabric Bins

11. Good Homes Design shows you how to make these great fresh Fruit & Flowers Centerpieces.

Round deco tray! ad

12. Tree Lovers DIY Wall Sticker Display

13. How To Make Homemade Large Scrabble Tiles by DIY Cozy Home

14. DIY Corner Tray for the Kitchen from Blesser House

15. Drop Zone Ideas by The Harper House

Rustic wooden serving tray!

So, what did you think? Which ones are your favorites?

Trendy tent for the kids – camp out right in your own room!

A vacuum with headlights? Works great for pet hair, too.

How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

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Is your kitchen infested with tiny little brown pantry moths? Ever tried to kill them? Kill one and two take its place. Kill two more, and then there are three. It is an endless cycle and, sadly, could start to feel like the moths are winning! So, what are these little creatures and why are they living in your kitchen?

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥

There is a way to ☑️ get rid of pantry moths !

PANTRY MOTHS – What are they?

Pantry moths got that name for the obvious reason that they live in pantries and kitchen cupboards. I can think of a few more choice names for them…including “The Pests from the Pit of You-Know-Where.” Weren’t they one of the plagues of Egypt? They had to be!

Having had way too much familiarity with them, I decided to learn more about them. Pantry moths most often feed off of grains and cereals, though I’ve found them in the most peculiar places including tea bags. (Maybe they were running out of ideas?) Another name for these moths, by the way, is “Indian Meal Moths.”

One of the reasons that they are so hard to get rid of permanently is their life cycle. The first time that you notice them is likely to be when they are flying around your kitchen. Unfortunately, they’d already set up shop a while ago in your kitchen cupboards and drawers, planning on a long stay.

Pantry moths lay eggs…lots of them. Each moth may lay up to 300 eggs at a given time. That will soon be 300 moths, if they have their way! Yikes! From a few days to two weeks later, larvae emerge from those eggs. Larvae have no social graces and will show up where and when you least expect it. Can I tell you that, horrifyingly, one fell from the ceiling onto my kitchen table?

Keep food safe in these air tight food storage containers with labels AD

Air tight food storage containers – set of 7! ad

How To Keep Pantry Moths Out Of Your Home

Cleanliness is a great start. We can all be in a hurry and, sometimes, leave a counter with crumbs– but that isn’t the best practice. Clean up counters and table-tops after meals and snacks. Sweep the kitchen floor, as well. Don’t give them things to feed on.

The cupboards tend to be the breeding ground. Cleaning cupboards is a long, tedious job and we all lead busy lives. That may explain why more people are complaining about moth infestation than ever. We just don’t have the time. But, once you’ve got moths, your time is going to be taken up by trying to get rid of them and, trust me, you’ll hate every minute of it.

As you are swatting at them, you’ll see the wisdom in spring and fall cleaning! Yes, every spring and every fall our moms [and grandmas] would empty the cupboards and this is what they would do:

They threw out expired food.
Checked the current food for freshness. Stale? It went in the trash, too.
Washed the cupboards: shelves, sides, ceilings. Yes. ALL of it.
Put down shelf paper. What’s that? Shelf paper is literally paper that lays on the shelf and looks pretty. But it’s functional, too. It can be thrown away with the next cleaning or if there is a spill.
And, finally, replaced the old food with new food, in air-tight containers.

Another tip: your kitchen cupboards, themselves, may be making it all-too-easy for the moths to stay. If the cupboards are not flush to the wall, or do not go up to the ceiling, then there are a lot of hiding places that you’ll never get at no matter how well you clean.

Non-toxic, safe for humans and animals, moth traps. They work! Ad

Pantry Moths – How To Get Rid Of Them

And, this is what you’ve been waiting for: how to wipe-them-out forever!

First: get busy and do the “spring or fall cleaning” routine. Forget waiting for the right time of year. Do it now. Empty the cupboards and toss all the infested food out. Play it safe. Don’t try to hang onto anything questionable. You can get more food.

Unless it’s canned soup or tuna, most things will probably have to go. Cereal, mashed potatoes, pancake mix, rice, pasta, packaged mixes like cake mix, tea bags. Say “goodbye” to it all.

Now, scrub! Use lots of soapy hot water to clean those cupboards. Look out…you’ll run into live moths and larvae. This is combat! Be brave. If you find little webs in corners, know that that is where eggs are. Clean it out thoroughly.

Dry: using lots of paper towel, dry the cupboards out.

KILL: now…here’s the deal. You’ve set up a clean environment where you should be able to trust your food to be safe, but it’s not. You cannot possibly seek and destroy ALL of the eggs, larvae and adult moths by just cleaning.

You have to draw them out from their hiding places and destroy them. Trust me on this. I’ve tried spraying the little buggers out of the sky. (By the way, Windex is NOT bug spray! It didn’t work.) I’ve tried more powerful, toxic bug sprays (never a good idea in a kitchen or around people or pets) and it was only a temporary fix, anyway.

The only thing that I have found to work, and work FABULOUSLY, is a moth trap.

How to get rid of pantry moths forever! #tips #cleaning #pests #home Share on X

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Pantry Moth Traps

Desperate, having been under siege for well over a month, I stopped trying home remedies and began to search the internet. The chats and forums all were saying that moth traps were the only thing that actually works.

So, I found a highly recommended brand — Catchmaster –– and called the local home improvement store. They did not have any in stock. I knew that Amazon shipped quickly, so found them online and I placed my order for two packs immediately. Till then, I kept on squirting the little varmints out of the air with glass cleaner until, to my relief, the order arrived.

Moth Traps Are Small Little Tents

The traps are easy to assemble and non-toxic. They are small little tents. I was skeptical that just one trap could do much but I was utterly amazed to watch it work. Literally 30 seconds after I had the trap assembled, the first moth flew into it and got stuck. Then two more arrived. Whoosh. They were gone, caught in its proverbial jaws.

The trap is like “fly paper” inside (very strong adhesive so don’t touch it with your fingers) with a little red square of something that attracts them. Within a few hours, 22 moths had met their demise!

After a couple of days, I replaced it with a new one but only a couple more got trapped. Why? They were all gone! I mean it. I haven’t seen any moths…even larvae…in many weeks. I have a spare set of traps handy for the first sighting, just in case. But I think we’re done with this! And, you will be, too.

Troubled by moths in your kitchen? #pantrymoths #bugs #ad

Trouble with pantry moths? Get rid of them forever! #pests #tips #moths Share on X

Enjoy!

How To Make A Pretty Makeup Bag Without A Zipper

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Need a new makeup bag? Make a pretty makeup bag without a zipper. It is the easiest and so much fun to do you may just want more than one! I purchased this double-sided quilted fabric to do mine. Elegant, huh? I love it!

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥

How To Make A Makeup Bag or Clutch Purse From Quilted Fabric

Supplies

Quilted fabric – double sided

Straight pins

Scissors

Thread
Sewing needle

Button

Sewing machine

How to make your own fabric makeup bag or clutch purse #sewing

1. Make a pattern. I used copier paper and taped it together – one sheet wasn’t quite big enough. This purse pattern is 11″ X 14 1/2″.

2. Place the pattern on the quilted fabric using weights to hold it still. If you do not own garment weights, use salt shakers or other objects to hold it in place. Note: be sure that you have positioned it so that the pattern will be square. You don’t want it to come out crooked unless that is the look you are aiming for.

Cut the fabric along the outside of your paper pattern.

3. Double-fold the edges of the fabric. Note: the side you are turning it in toward will be the lining of your purse. By double-folding it no rough edges will be exposed.

4. Pin the edges.

5 / 6 Sew all of the edges using your sewing machine.

7. Now fold the 14 1/2″ side of the fabric up 2/3 of the way to form the bottom of the purse. Pin and sew the sides on the outside of the fabric (no need to make a seam as the edges are already finished.)

8. Pin the location where you want to put a button hole. The pins will be a guide to keep your stitching straight. Sew the button hole – using a satin stitch on your sewing machine – and then cut the center open.

9. Hand sew the button on. Done!

Elegant DIY makeup bag made from black and gold quilted fabric #sewing #crafts

Wish you had a pretty makeup bag to keep your cosmetics in? They are so easy to make! #DIY #crafts #sewing #cosmetics #accessories Share on X

Enjoy!

Sanwuta 6 Pcs Velvet Makeup Bag Large Capacity Corduroy Cosmetic Bag Canvas Makeup Pouch with Zipper Travel Toiletry Bag Accessories Organizer for Women Girls Gifts, 10 x 7 Inch (Leopard)

Need some help cleaning up PET HAIR in your home? I did!

My Shark vacuum cleaner solved EVERYTHING! ❤️ What a relief.

5 Small Storage Tips That Will Inspire Your Decorating

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What is there about organizing small spaces that appeals to me? I just love maximizing space so that when you walk into the room you say “wow!” Yes, it is the “wow factor” that tickles me.

So, here are 5 small storage tips I found that will allow you to rearrange a room to make it feel larger but with simple changes.

I had so much fun searching out ideas. See what I found and tell me what you like best.

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Small Storage Space Tips

Floating Storage – if you have limited surface space, put your walls to work for you and hang “floating” shelves. They keep your floor space free and direct the eye upward. Those blessed with high ceilings will have lots of fun with this!

Now this is the greatest discovery I made in the “shelving” category: a HIDDEN DESK! There are desks that fold up against the wall when you are not using them and “voila!” fold them down and you have a desk with shelving and storage space, too. One even doubles as a mirror!

I do not want to recommend a specific one, since currently I do not own one yet [I want one, though!] so let me give you the link to a page with many highly recommended folding desks => FOLDING DESKS

Mirrors – properly placed mirrors can optically “enlarge” your space. Bring the outdoors inside.

My mom made great use of this technique. We had a small family room with sliding glass doors going out into a lovely landscaped yard. She mounted two simple but very large mirrors on the wall across from those windows to “bring the outdoors, inside.” It was as if we had that lovely foliage throughout whole room. Just perfect!

Area Rugs – add brightness and definition to spaces with a new rug …. or two! This is a great technique for rooms where you do not want to clutter them up with a lot of furniture. Are you a floor-sitter? Cushy shag rugs make it so comfy!

Hard Working Furniture – use furniture that comes with hidden storage spaces. I love this idea. There are lots of ways that furniture can serve as storage, too. Tables with shelving underneath. Ottomans that double as storage boxes for toys, afghans or whatever. Stylish cabinets with hooks to hang things. Bookcases with removable decorative baskets are trendy.

Wall and Hanging Planters – adding live foliage to a room is invigorating. Rather than taking up counter top or table top space, mount or hang your planters.

Enjoy!

10 Awesome Organizers That Make Organizing So Much Fun

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You just love organizing, don’t you. If you do, I will bet that you also love the organizers that help you to keep things organized. Am I right? Well, here are 10 organizers and organizing ideas for home and office that you will absolutely adore!

I have come to realize that, for me, the real satisfying in organizing my home is having those special little places to keep things. Whether it is dividers, baskets, bins, hangers or shelving, I just LOVE organizers! Here are 10 organizing posts that have the best tools for keeping your stuff organized.

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Too many pairs of shoes to keep neatly? This DIY Under Bed Shoe Organizer from Anika’s DIY Life is inspiring; it looks pretty and, yet, can be rolled away out of sight!

Are you crafty? I just love craft projects that are practical, too. This DIY Embroidery Hoop Wall Organizers from The Scrap Shoppe Blog would look great in my office!

Do you have a way to store your jewelry that you like? Mine has not been great. As soon as I saw this thread rack jewelry organizer, I knew it was for me! Take a look and see if you agree: From Thread Rack To Jewelry Organizer By One Good Thing

DIY Fabric Storage Bins – the Scrap Shoppe Blog

I can tell you for a fact that homemade fabric storage bins are VERY popular. One of the most visited posts on this blog, week after week, is 16 Fabulous FUN DIY Fabric Baskets For You To Make! Now, not everyone wants to make their own but we all love to LOOK at them. If you are not motivated to make your own, buy some! There are lots of styles available to choose from.

Using carts for storage can be challenging. They are handy and easy to move from place to place but they can get cluttered, if you are not careful. These 6 Ways To Use A 3-Tier Cart from The Snyder Family will help you navigate the organization part so you will love it!

These wooden organizers are CUSTOMIZED to fit your own drawers and your particular stuff! See how she planned it out and, with a little help, got them made perfectly. DIY Custom Wooden Kitchen Drawer Organizers by Keys to Inspiration

This nursery organization post will inspire your organizing imagination even if you don’t have a baby at home. Take her ideas and run with them. And, you may just get some baby GIFT ideas for a mom-to-be friend. Organizers for The Baby’s Room – [Nursery Organization 101] – Room For Tuesday

This dresser is so perfect, she has all of the babies supplies orderly in each drawer. Take a look! Nursery Dresser Organization – Two Twenty One

Now, how many of us would LOVE to take a closet and make a pantry out of it? I thought so…. all of us! You are going to want this pantry for your very own! Shawna’s Closet Turned Into A Pantry found on The Kitchen

This laundry room solution from Pin Junkie is stellar. She didn’t have storage space so she improvised with hanging bags! Laundry Room Organizer When You Have NO Storage – The Pin Junkie

Do you have any organizers that are your faves? Tell us about them!

Enjoy!