1 UHeart Organizing: Small Space Storage - Die Cutting Materials

Most often times our favorite hobbies come with a variety of items to organize.  Whether you love to sew, craft, scrapbook, build, paint, bake, play video games, etc...  There is always a need to determine proper storage for the supplies you love and use frequently.

Palak has a love for sewing and shares her projects on her blog Make it Handmade.  She also stops by here on occasion to give us a glimpse at her current projects and organizing solutions.  She recently expanded her sewing hobby inventory with a new toy, a die cutting machine, and in doing so she found that she needed to come up with an inexpensive and space saving storage solution for all of the new pieces.  She is stopping by today to share what she came up with, and even if you don't have one of these sewing tools, her tips can be used for most any organizing project.

I recently made a new investment for my sewing room-- a die cutting machine!  Die cutting machines are fantastic tools for appliques and quilting.  Basically, they can cut shapes (like letters) out of fabric, paper or other material quickly and accurately.

I've been pining for one for ages, and finally got my little mitts on one a few weeks ago.

Since then, I'm ashamed to say, half my dining room table has been covered with the machine and all it's accessories.  Each shape comes with it's own die, and I had zero space to store everything.  I finally decided to clear one cubby from our mudroom (which is across from my sewing space) and figure out a way to make the best use of that tiny 15"x15" inch space.  Even if you don't plan on getting a die cutting machine, I hope you can use these tips to get the most out of storing items in small spaces. (Holiday decorations anyone?)


TIP #1: GET RID OF PACKAGING

The first order of business was getting rid of most of the bulky and odd sized packaging. For these small wafer thin alphabet dies, I placed each set on a magnetic sheet.

A tip for letter dies is to write the letter on each die, since it can sometimes be hard to tell the 'd's and 'p's apart.

After mounting each of the dies on a magnet, I attached a label with info I thought was most important from the packaging and then placed everything in a Ziploc bag.

 This way the dies are easy to use, but take up much less space.

For the larger dies, I used a strip of magnetic tape on card stock instead of using an entire sheet.

TIP #2: MEASURE TO GET THE BEST USE OF YOUR SPACE

I took both sizes of dies and a tape measure to the store to make sure that my containers would fit in my bins and fit the dies.  I was able to get within an inch of both with these stackable containers from the dollar store.

I labeled the top of the container with the name of each of the dies so I can see what I have.

TIP #3: CONSIDER COMPROMISING UTILITY FOR SPACE

In an ideal world, I would have like to have access to all the dies in one container without having to lift out the machine.  However, since I'm working with such a small space, I decided to place these extra large quilting dies at the bottom of my bin all by themselves.  I don't think I'll be using these as often as the others, and it makes use of the vertical space in my bin.

See how well everything fits?

And I was even able to put the entire machine inside as well.  It looks like there might be extra room in there, in case I want to buy more.

I'm thrilled to have my dining table back! I hope these tips help you make use of the small spaces in your home.

"I'm Palak-- a slightly sleep deprived mom who has loved sewing, knitting and crochet for her whole life. When I’m not chasing after my two rambunctious kids, or sitting behind my sewing machine, I write about my DIY exploits at my blog, Make It Handmade. I also own Sewistry, a site dedicated to stretching our sewing dollars with money saving projects, product review and buying guides. Although organizing doesn’t come naturally to me, I’ve been inspired by Jen and her blog to find the joy in making my home beautiful and functional. I’m transforming my home one room at a time and using my sewing machine every chance I get! I’m simply elated to be able share sewing projects for your home as part of the IHeart team! "

19 UHeart Organizing: A Handmade Entry

If you had a total of 8 square feet of entryway space, what would you do with it? 

One thing I love about contributing writer, Palak of Make it Handmade, is that she loves to sew and create storage on a budget.  Her entryway is no exception as she tackled the super small space with a super big heart.  She and her husband took on their first building project to build in a bench and upper storage from scratch, and from there she also created some DIY felt storage bins.  She is stopping by today to share a bit more about how she truly "made" every last bit of her budget friendly entryway.

Hello I Heart Readers! I'm back today with a "tour" of our newly built Mini Mudroom.

It's not much to look at, but right now it's my very favorite 8 square feet in our home.

When we bought our home, there was a small recess right behind the garage door that was perfect for a small bench.  I searched and searched for a bench to fit the area exactly, but couldn't find one that fit with my taste or our budget.

But now that both kids go to school, we really needed a place for them store their bags, folders, show and tells, sneakers etc. So, even though we've only used our jigsaw once, my husband and I set out to make a mud bench.

We roughly followed this plan from Ana White.  I modified the bench plans to fit our IKEA expedit containers and to be deep enough to be comfortable for us to sit on.

We were able to cut costs by using plywood instead of solid wood and omitting the back of the bench, so the whole bench only cost about 40 dollars in wood.

The cubbies on the bottom of the shelf are the DRONA boxes from IKEA. They hold our spare shoes, items that need to be returned to the store or grandmas, and all those hats I knit.

The shelf we cobbled together from scraps from the bench and our garage.

Our big splurge were these hooks from Lowes.  There are wonderful DIY options for hooks and knobs, but at the end of the project these felt like the icing on the cake.

Because the shelf was from scraps I didn't have any baskets shallow enough to fit the upper cubbies.  I really loved these soft baskets from Ikea, but again, they weren't the right size and they were very expensive.  So I had to sew up my own.

These baskets fit perfectly in the space I have, and have an "unique expression" just like the ones in the IKEA catalog.  If you want to make your own in any size, check out my Felt Basket Tutorial.

These are perfect for those items that I want to keep out of sight and out of reach of little hands.  One basket holds our wallets and umbrellas... and there might be a little chocolate tucked in there as well.

In a non cuffed bin I'm keeping all those unsightly grocery bags.  We used to keep these in the pantry and I'm so glad to get them closer to the car so I'll actually remember to take them to the store!

With the leftover felt I made a little homework organizer for the kids.  This way we'll always know where that folder is at the beginning of the week!

For our first big furniture diy project I'm ecstatic with how it turned out!  I still would like to add a few things to make it special -- I'm loving this chalkboard wall in Christie's Magical Mudroom.  I think a small version would be perfect for the space!  How do you dress up your mud room?

Thank you for having me over to share my space, Jen!

"I'm Palak-- a slightly sleep deprived mom who has loved sewing, knitting and crochet for her whole life. When I’m not chasing after my two rambunctious kids, or sitting behind my sewing machine, I write about my DIY exploits at my blog, Make It Handmade. I also own Sewistry, a site dedicated to stretching our sewing dollars with money saving projects, product review and buying guides. Although organizing doesn’t come naturally to me, I’ve been inspired by Jen and her blog to find the joy in making my home beautiful and functional. I’m transforming my home one room at a time and using my sewing machine every chance I get! I’m simply elated to be able share sewing projects for your home as part of the IHeart team! "

9 UHeart Organizing: 5 Sewing Projects to Beautify Your Bath

Sewing is a work in progress for this gal, which is why I love having a sewing fanatic on my team.  Palak, from Make It Handmade, is here today to share some fun ways to utilize darling sewing projects within the bathroom.  I love how she always knows just how to inspire me to go back to my machine for simple sewing projects around the home.

Hello there, iHeart Readers!  Since both Jen and I are updating our baths this week, I decided that it would be fun to round up 5 easy sewing projects that can help dress up a bathroom.  Bathroom linens can be expensive, and sewing your own can help you customize your bath while saving a few pennies.

If you are new to sewing, this Drop Cloth shower curtain from MADE requires only hemming.  The rest is paint and pounding in grommets.

 

These DIY bathmats from I Am Momma... are probably my favorite bath sewing project.  I'm going to make an extra long one to go in front of our soaking tub to catch all those kid splashes.

This ruffled shower curtain from Just Called Me Blessed might take a while to sew up, but it's so gorgeous when you are done!

Speaking of ruffles... I think these ruffled towels from the Craft Snob would be so cute paired with the shower curtain.

And finally-- we can't forget the very smallest of the bath users.  These embellished monster hooded towels from Crazy Little Projects are surprisingly easy to make.  I find that even older kids love having the hooded towel, and if you make your own, you aren't limited to the smallest baby size towels!

And I know that was 5-- but I just had to sneak in this quick tip from Sugar Bee Crafts.  Sew a loop of trim onto each of your kids towels to make them easier to hang on a hook.  Genius!

I hope these projects inspire you to update your bath with a few custom linens!


"I'm Palak-- a slightly sleep deprived mom who has loved sewing, knitting and crochet for her whole life. When I’m not chasing after my two rambunctious kids, or sitting behind my sewing machine, I write about my DIY exploits at my blog, Make It Handmade. I also own Sewistry, a site dedicated to stretching our sewing dollars with money saving projects, product review and buying guides. Although organizing doesn’t come naturally to me, I’ve been inspired by Jen and her blog to find the joy in making my home beautiful and functional. I’m transforming my home one room at a time and using my sewing machine every chance I get! I’m simply elated to be able share sewing projects for your home as part of the IHeart team! "

12 UHeart Organizing: 5 Simple Sewing Projects To Organize Your Home

You all know that I am doing what I can to get acclimated with our sewing machine, which is why I invited my friend Palak from Make It Handmade to be part of the IHeart contributing team.  Not only does it save money to sew your own home accessories {pillows and curtain panels anyone?}, but why not go a step further and save on storage as well?  So many great organizing options can be created with the help of some fabric and a sewing machine.  Here is Palak now to share some of her favorites from around the web.

Hello, I Heart Readers! The first day of spring has passed, and I'm planning my projects for the next few weeks! If you all haven't dusted off your sewing machines yet this year, I have a few very simple organizing projects that will also get you familiar with your sewing machine.  Each of these 5 bag projects is just a teensy bit more advanced than one that comes before, but any of them can be done by a beginner.

First up are these darling Keepsake Bags from 2 Little Hooligans. If you can sew a straight line, you can absolutely do this! The bag could be used to store anything from toys, to towels. The sweet pocket could also be used to slip in a label or even a photo label!

With spring finally here, reusable snack bags are handy for taking to the park, or even on those long, long car rides. These little bags are also just straight line sewing-- with a little bit of velcro added in. This tutorial from Sisters, What? walks you through the entire process.

So lets move away from straight lines!  This Lego Play Mats tutorial from Twin Dragon Fly Designs are just a different kind of drawstring bag. The bag opens completely flat to create a playmat. Once play is finished, the drawstring cinches up tight- trapping all the mess inside!   These would be so useful for all those little toys that seem to be so difficult for little ones to pick up. I want to make one to keep at grandma's so it's easy to clean up when we leave.

Duffle bags are great for overnights or sports gear storage. To be honest, I've always been too intimidated to sew one myself until I saw A Jennuine Life's super simple version.  Her design just requires a circle, a rectangle and some trim. I'm looking forward to making a few to keep our frisbees, kickballs, and sand toys from rolling around in our trunk all spring.

Finally-- a project with a zipper. These Cake Clutches would are great for keeping purses and diaper bags organized {I use one to file away all my important receipts in my purse}. The zipper can be tricky, but with a few pins and a little bit of patience, you'll have a fantastic little multitasker!

I hope that gets the ball rolling for both you and your sewing machine! As always, feel free to stop by Make It Handmade with any questions!
 

"I'm Palak-- a slightly sleep deprived mom who has loved sewing, knitting and crochet for her whole life. When I’m not chasing after my two rambunctious kids, or sitting behind my sewing machine, I write about my DIY exploits at my blog, Make It Handmade. I also own Sewistry, a site dedicated to stretching our sewing dollars with money saving projects, product review and buying guides. Although organizing doesn’t come naturally to me, I’ve been inspired by Jen and her blog to find the joy in making my home beautiful and functional. I’m transforming my home one room at a time and using my sewing machine every chance I get! I’m simply elated to be able share sewing projects for your home as part of the IHeart team! "

13 You Asked: WE Heart Answering!

Welcome to the final round of Ask the IHeart Team!  I polled you all on Facebook to find out your top organizing questions and then the team and I compiled our answers for one, gigantic amazing post!  Are you ready for this?  Start the Pump Up The Jam music and let's get started!

How can I encourage my spouse to keep things tidy after I spend the time organizing them?

This is actually a funny one because of how we handle laundry. I do the laundry for the family and often get irritated when the clothes don't quite make it to the laundry room. We have an upstairs laundry room and it's super easy for everyone to toss their clothes in a hamper. My husband tends to use his closet floor as his "laundry basket." I got tired of nagging and didn't want to cause friction. I made a cute little sign that says, "Your laundry service has been terminated." It's just become a big joke. So if things are really crazy in the closet, I will set that sign on his pile and nothing needs to be said. I'll hear an, "Uh-oh" from the closet and within a day it's totally clean again. The man doesn't want to do his own laundry so he happily complies!
- Courtney, A Thoughtful Place

Whenever I finish organizing a space, I show it to Greg and walk him through where each thing goes. Luckily for me, once there’s a “system” in place, he’s really good about sticking with it and putting things back where they go. I think the main key for making this system work (for us) is having a designated place for everything.
- Ashley, 7th House on the Left

Usually my husband is so impressed by how clean and simple a newly organized space is, that he sticks to it. Labeling everything, like we did in the Pantry, makes it simple to see where something goes.  But if I find PopTarts in the Chip bucket instead of the Breakfast bin, I just move them. Because really, no one else in the family cares as much as I do!

- Cassie, Hi Sugarplum! 



Bribe him?  Hah, just kidding.  Kind of.  If it were my husband, I'd tell and show him how I've worked hard to create the organization system and it would mean a lot to me if he would follow the plan.
- Chelsea, Two Twenty One




Thankfully, I don't have any problems with my spouse keeping things tidy and organized.  He just wants to know where I've moved things!   
- Megan, Honey We're Home 

Oh how I can relate to this question! I still have no idea how Monica and Chandler made it through to the final season of Friends without a organization-themed divorce. Because let's be honest, there's usually one person in a relationship that loves organizing, and the other one that...well...doesn't. AT ALL. I've personally found following 3 steps works the best in getting your spouse on board:

1. Consult them with the problem. Thinking of redoing the pantry or entryway? Talk to your spouse about how they use the space and anything that bugs them about the current set up. That way your spouse has input into the reason for the change and is more likely to stick to the new system.
2. Genuinely explain the importance of an organized home to your spouse. Not to get all Oprah on you, but your spouse needs to know why you like things to be organized - you need to give them that 'Aha Moment'. If you explain how an unorganized home/office/car makes you feel stressed/tired/overwhelmed/hungry/insert-other-frazzled-emotion-here, they will understand why their support is necessary.
3. Let them have their own space. Whether it's a man room, a shed, or a home office in a cupboard under the stairs - let your spouse have an area where they can be an unorganized and messy as they want. That way they have their own messy kingdom that you can shut the door on and never have to worry about.

If all else fails, just be thankful it hasn't come to this. Quiche anyone?

- Serena, Pretty Fluffy 




I know where everything in the house is" said no husband ever. I think that you just need to run your own organizing race and hopefully your spouse will see how nice an organized home is and try to do better. . . Hopefully?
- Ashli, Mini Manor Blog

I try to involve him in the decisions I make when I'm coming up with a new system so that I can make sure that it's something that makes sense & will work for both of us. I try to label stuff (even if it's just a post-it note label) so it's easy to find & easy to remember where to put things back, and I make time to show him how to do stuff if he has to learn something new (like using the delay start on the washing machine, etc.). Keeping the systems as simple & user-friendly as possible make a big difference. For example, when I organized our home brewing kit, we talked about what he wanted out of it, and then when I made it, I labelled everything & traced around each item on the board so that he could instantly see where everything belonged or if anything was missing. He LOVES it now & keeps it organized all the time. We don't go around tracing every item in our house, but the less you have to think about it, the easier it is to maintain!

(Side note: I have also had to learn to be grateful & appreciate help even when it's done differently than I would do things, because I would rather have an imperfectly loaded dishwasher than no help at all!)
- Casey, Pretty Organized 

 

I think I lucked out in that my husband's probably more of a clean freak than me, and that's no understatement. We do however work together a lot to problem solve trouble spots in our home and that makes a huge difference. We both have ownership of it. When we're both on board it's a lot easier, but being patient helps in times of conflict. I love this organizing project we worked on together and I learned a lot.
- Anneke, This, That & Life

Between the two of us, my husband is the more organized one, so he's the one who has to do the encouraging.  We find that humor works far better than nagging in terms of reminding to pick up and put away. It's so much nicer to be asked to do something with a smile. 

- Palak, Make it Handmade 

It has taken me years to finally come to peace with the fact that my hubby just doesn't have the same organizing and cleaning ambitions that I do.  It is such a give and take, as are many things in marriage.  By sitting down and agreeing on which one of us owns specific tasks around the house, we have solved a lot of frustrations and problems.  And when it comes to organizing, I try to put in solutions that work around his daily habits.  I just look at each problematic area as a fun mystery to solve.  And if I try to implement a solution that doesn't seem to be working for him, there is no harm in trying again.  Of course, it is always a good idea to get their ideas and solutions and input as well.  Lastly, it is all about picking your battles.  Some things just are not worth mentioning, I am pretty sure he keeps his lips sealed about a few things I do that drive him crazy, so I try to offer the same respect.  You can catch more of our answer in the video found in our cleaning plan post here. 
- Jen, IHeart Organizing

When it comes to organizing, where do you pinch pennies and where do you splurge?

Gosh. I don't think I really splurge. I tend to use what I have. Although the Ikea Expedit is my all time favorite furniture piece. I use them in various rooms in our house. Here it is in my daughter's room. Keeping all of her toys and fun items in the bins makes cleaning up so much easier.

One of my favorite projects was my laundry room cabinet. I spent very little and it feels like I spent so much more. I think with some imagination, fun wrapping paper, glass containers, and spray paint . . . you can really create a spot that is pretty and functional.

- Courtney, A Thoughtful Place Blog 

I try to pinch pennies wherever I can (it really depends on the project) but I normally splurge on baskets. In my book, a good, well-designiged, well-made basket is invaluable to home organization. Quality baskets last forever and you can always use them in different rooms and move them around the house as your needs change.
- Ashley, 7th House on the Left 

Splurging isn't something I really do, especially if it doesn't make the project better, stronger or more efficient. For instance, I could have bought $100 metal shelves for our Garage, but there was no point when the $20 version from Ikea produced the same results. I'd rather save my pennies everywhere I can at home, so we can spend them on experiences and memories like traveling!

 - Cassie, Hi Sugarplum!

If it's an item I know will get a lot of use or last a long time, I'll spend a little more money.  For small things or things that aren't always visible, like file folders or drawer organizers, I'll save my money and go the inexpensive route.
- Chelsea, Two Twenty One



I like really good, sturdy baskets and have splurged on them in the past.  I think it makes it worth splurging on something when the organizational element becomes part of the decor and you know you'll use it for many years.  For instance, I have for coordinating baskets in our mudroom.  I like the dark color, the large weave, and the baskets were the perfect size and shape.  I bought them at Target.

I like to save money on inexpensive magazine storage because you can paint or cover them anyway.  In my home office, I covered teal magazine holders with floral gift wrap.
- Megan, Honey We're Home

 

Things that I scrimp on: 

Containers - you can often find cheaper containers and storage items at Target, Dollar Stores, Ikea and Stationary Stores. Always think outside the box and see multiple uses for items - like I did with my Stationary Drawer turned Make-Up Kit.

DIY Materials - I'm always working on DIY Projects for Pretty Fluffy. For this reason I HAVE to be frugal when purchasing materials - I always suggest checking out dollar stores for tissue paper, washi tape, glitter etc and buying fabrics and building materials when they're on special (or with a coupon!)

Things that I splurge on:

Linens - nothing beats top quality sheets, towels and home fabrics. They last longer and add an extra bit of luxury to your daily life. 

Unique furniture & decorative items - while I'm a big fan of Ikea and cheaper options for furniture basics, I think by having a few unique pieces of furniture (such as my Entryway Wall Mirror) your home stand out as distinctly you.

Quality Stationery - whether it's a personal organiser, thank you notes, or top quality pens; I like knowing my diary and communications stay organised and looking good.

I splurge on built in organization. If it's a drawer or cupboard you will be in everyday, definitely splurge. Great cutlery trays or a pots and pans organizer are totally worth it. I pinch pennies on things I don't use daily. Like cheap totes for Christmas decorations, or cheap organizing systems in the guest room closet.  
- Ashli, Mini Manor Blog

 

We always try to pinch pennies, but if it's a specialty product that would easily solve a lot of the issues I'm trying to fix, or if it's really beautiful, way more durable than anything I could rig, or more time/cost-effective to buy it, then I'll spend the money. It usually just depends on how many other projects we have going on at the time! I love that we saved so much money fixing up our porch ourselves, but I also really love some of the store-bought solutions we have, like our Ikea storage benches & the pull-out drawers in our kitchen cabinets. I think we usually spend money on the "quick fix" little things & pinch pennies to DIY the bigger projects, where we're saving hundreds of dollars in return for the time we're investing.
- Casey, Pretty Organized 



I think it's safe to say I pinch pennies on furniture when I can. I occasionally buy new items as seen here in our side table and ottoman, but I definitely find used or refinished items when possible. The chairs in this photo were found on Craigslist, but again, they were literally brand new for half the cost. Score! Dressers, hutches, console tables, night stands....that's my thing. With that said, I don't mind splurging on things like clear totes and containers, baskets, buying a nice label machine, etc.  
- Anneke, This, That & Life  



I penny pinch when it comes to containers and baskets. The dollar store is my best friend! I also try and DIY where I can-- like the remote control pillow and sewing caddy. But when it comes to furniture like bookshelves and dressers, I like to spend a little more, knowing that they will last a long time. 
- Palak, Make it Handmade 

 


Although we try and save whenever possible when it comes to storage, there are times when I am recovering boxes and times when I am investing in something that I use on a daily basis.  I ask myself a few simple questions when determining a budget for storage:

1. How often will the item be used?  If it is a low wear item, then I can most likely try my hand at DIYing it and not worrying about it falling apart a few days later.
2. Is the piece versatile?  I am a lot more likely to invest in an item that can work in more than one way or in multiple spaces around the home.  Our storage and organizing needs are constantly changing, so it is important to invest in versatile storage that can evolve with us.  
3. How long will we need/use the storage?  If the storage is something I foresee us needing for 15 years, then I am willing to throw a little money at it.  It is less expensive in the long run if you don't have to replace something every few years.  If it is to solve a problem that is just a "phase" in our life, again, I look for something that will be versatile, or we just get out the hammer and drill.  

There are endless ways to save money on storage, try and pretend to be Sabrina Soto from the High, Low Project for a day.  The Elfa System from The Container Store is great, but there are also pieces at IKEA that function in a very similar way for a fraction of the price.  Custom Closets are fabulous, but you can go to a big box store and purchase stackable Closetmaid pieces to create a custom closet on your own.  Craigslist is becoming a bit of an obsession for me, as is eBay.  Second hand doesn't bother me, I love a good deal and items with a little bit of character.   A little creative thinking will get you a long way!
- Jen, IHeart Organizing

What is your favorite tip for staying organized during the holidays?

Definitely purging. Every year, I take what we did not use {decor wise} and donate it. I have learned that it only takes up space. I also keep a planning binder that helps me for parties, packing and presents. I keep a list each year of what I have bought for people. I like to use it as reference and it keeps tabs of how much I spend as well. My memory just doesn't cut it anymore! The party planning paper saves me time and time again. It keeps track of the  menu and what needs to be done. For instance, I wrote down details of how we cooked our turkey this year so that when we go to do it next year we don't have to do a ton of research again. It really saves us time.

- Courtney, A Thoughtful Place Blog

To be honest, our decor storage needs some attention at the moment (haha!), so I’m excited to hear what the other ladies have to say on this one! When it comes to party planning, my Christmas Party Notebook is my right hand man. Inspired by my Grandma (who is a natural-born party thrower), this notebook is where I keep all of my notes, menus, lists, inspiration and information for past parties in one place. I highly recommend making one of these if you throw a holiday party every year - it’s a life-saver!  
- Ashley, 7th House on the Left 

The day after Christmas, I'm ready to have my house holiday-free, and am always tempted to just chuck things in boxes. But instead, I take the extra time and effort to organize the decor in sturdy, plastic bins. I wrap lights and garlands around paper towel tubes, group like ornaments, etc...then label each of the bins. This makes storing them during the off-season easier, and is so nice to discover when the next holiday season rolls around!
- Cassie, Hi Sugarplum! 

 


When I'm decorating and putting holiday items out, I'll put the everyday decor items in the box the holiday items are stored in.  That way I don't have extra clutter hanging around.  When it's time to store the holiday decor, I get the totes out and put the everyday decor back where it belongs.
- Chelsea, Two Twenty One



I have learned to put away my Christmas decor in a very organized way so that it's not a mess for the next year.  It makes pulling it out that much more fun.  I use giant green tubs with red lids and label them.
- Megan, Honey We're Home 

By personalising online purchases and vouchers you can cut your gift shopping time in half. Remember people LOVE simple, usable gifts. A Netflix or movie voucher in a box of candy is an easy and quick present. The latest edition of their favourite magazine with a subscription filled for 6 months takes 5 minutes to buy and wrap. A voucher for an online cooking school in the pocket of a new apron will be a hit! This way, your friends and family still get thoughtful, personalised presents while you don't have to face the Christmas crowds for days on end.
- Serena, Pretty Fluffy 

I Christmas shop almost all year round. That way I am not forced into the mall in December. Nothing drains you of holiday spirit faster than a mall parking lot in December.  
- Ashli, Mini Manor Blog




We have really simplified gift-giving lately. With friends, we've kind of made a rule that we do experiences, not gifts (go out to dinner, etc). With my hubby's huge family, we just draw one person's name from a hat & spoil the bejeezus out of them. It makes shopping a lot easier when you don't have to stress about finding the perfect, thoughtful gift for all 5,000 people in your life! I have a very easy set-up for my gift wrap station, and everything either gets wrapped in white kraft paper or popped in a bag, then I store each group of gifts in a separate storage tub (one for my family, one for Leif's family), so it's easy to grab & go when we are making our rounds. 

I also try to keep my holiday decorating pretty simple & use things like fabric and printable art that take up almost no storage space. 

For holiday meals, we've started doing a "pot-luck" set-up with our families where each person brings one thing, so no one is stuck doing everything!
- Casey, Pretty Organized
 

I wish I was of more help here, but we keep things pretty minimal and laid back. I limit our Christmas decor to 2-3 Christmas totes. You know the red ones with the green lids? But really you can use any large storage totes. I wrap our lights around cardboard rectangles with notches on each end and saved a ton of money. 
- Anneke, This, That & Life  



As someone who sews and knits, my best advice for staying on top of things during the holidays is to not take on too much. Starting last year, I took the Happy Holidays pledge-- and pledged to not knit or sew gifts for the holidays. This leaves me with much, much less holiday stress, and much more time for hanging out with family. (I still sew gifts through out the rest of the year, though!) 
- Palak, Make it Handmade 




My new Holiday Planning Binder is rockin' it for us this year!  I am loving having everything in one spot, and love even more that I have caught my kiddos and hubby using it and looking through it as well.  Pinterest is a great way to keep gift ideas and home decor ideas organized.  To find all of my favorite holiday storage solutions, check out this post here.
- Jen, IHeart Organizing

What is your favorite tablet or organizing app?

I love my iPhone with all of my being, but I'm just not an app person! Besides email, the calendar and some social media, the only thing I use is the notepad! I'll jot myself notes on projects, restaurants I want to try, and paint colors and measurements for each area in our house.
- Cassie, Hi Sugarplum! 



I like the Keyring app.  It stores all your store loyalty cards so you don't have to fumble through the 50 cards in your purse.
- Chelsea, Two Twenty One

  


I put every important date on my iPhone calendar that syncs to my computer and also to my husband's calendar.  I would be lost without my calendar for sure.
- Megan, Honey We're Home 

  

I've completely fallen for My Fitness Pal recently. It's an online food an exercise diary that allows you to monitor your health and weight. Not only does it do all the hard work of counting calories (you simply type in what you ate or the exercise you did and it works it out), it also provides really handy information as to whether you're getting enough protein, calcium etc or warning you when you're consuming too much sodium, cholesterol or other nasties. As an added bonus, if you're using it to lose a few pounds, you can enter your goals and each day the app tells you how close you are to achieving them. It keeps my health and diet organized and on track!
- Serena, Pretty Fluffy 

Ok, I have three favorites: I love OurGroceries for organizing my shopping lists (and you can share it with other people, so they can add what they need & you don't have to text back and forth a million times). I also live and die by my Google calendar (and Google Drive in general), so I love having access to my calendar at all times. I like the Donna app a lot, because it reminds me of upcoming events in my calendar & it can even give me reminders about when to leave and whether I'll need a coat or umbrella for the weather. It has really helped me get into the habit of checking my calendar every night & I am much more prepared for the next day!
- Casey, Pretty Organized 



I honestly use my basic Notes app just about every day for quick ideas and tasks that need to be done, but I know many that love Remember the Milk and Evernote. My husband and I also use the Mint.com app to stay on the same page with finances since we both manage different areas of our finances. Last but not least for grocery shopping I love Grocery IQ, Meal Planning and Grocery List and Simple Grocery List.
- Anneke, This, That & Life  


 

My favorite phone app is Cozi. It's a great time saver since it syncs up across all devices and family members on one account. Although it has lots of features, we use it to keep track of our grocery lists and appointments. It's so easy to update the app on the go or at home, and the apps will synch up automatically whenever there is internet access.
- Palak, Make it Handmade 

 

I am guilty of not utilizing my technology to its full potential.  As a gal who hates to pay full price for anything, my favorite app for shopping is Retail Me Not, which gives me instant coupons for many of the places we shop.  Otherwise, I am a pen and paper girl at heart.  
- Jen, IHeart Organizing

If you could share one time saving/organizing tip with the world, what would it be?

I really think it's the pocket organizer on our mudroom door. I go to it each and every day. It hosts the children's socks, a hairbrush, my tape measure, a receipt organizer, sunscreen. . . you name it. It keeps us so organized when getting in and out of the house. I switch things out according to the season. Right now a couple of pockets hold winter hats and gloves. I love this organizer and can't imagine our days without it. 

On a larger scale, I think systems save us from falling down the crazy train road. Whether it's a system for going through homework or filing artwork, we really try to have systems in place so that everyone knows how things are done. The systems save us time and keep us from drowning in piles. Silly things such as coming home from school. The children know they have to wash their hands, unpack their backpacks, and hang everything up in the mudroom. While they are doing that, I prepare a snack and they grab a place mat and go straight to the table. Things like that take a couple of weeks to set in place but then everything runs so much more smoothly.
- Courtney, A Thoughtful Place



I love the kitchen timer method. If you’re having trouble designating time to de-cluttering or organizing a space, try setting a timer for 20 minutes and commit to working on it the entire time until the buzzer goes off. Then set it again for five or ten minutes and reward yourself with a little Pinterest action or a change of scenery by taking the dog out for a quick walk. When the timer goes off again, set it for another 20 minutes and get back to work. You’d be surprised what you can get done in 20 minutes!
- Ashley, 7th House on the Left 

There is really no one tip, because what works best for me, might not work for you. So my tip is to find the systems that work for your home and family, a system you will actually use and stick to...and keep doing it! It may take some trial and error, but keep tweaking until it's perfect for you. Our Family Command Center went through a few growing pains before it finally molded into an efficient and helpful space for us!
- Cassie, Hi Sugarplum! 

 

Use a planner, whether it's on your phone or an actual pen and paper planner.  I'd be lost without mine.
- Chelsea, Two Twenty One
 



Hands down, my Master List saves my life on a weekly basis and I calendar everything!  The idea behind the master list is to do a "brain dump" onto paper and then sort it into categories.  The brain dump allows me to stop worrying about one item or whether I'm forgetting something.  I draft mine on the computer, then print it out, updating it weekly.  I'm old fashioned in that I like this paper list and I feel so good crossing things off my list.  
- Megan, Honey We're Home 




Robotic Vacuum Cleaners are a great investment. Truly. I'll admit I used to think that they were some sort of Back-to-the-Future type kitschy invention (thank God they don't run on Plutonium or lightening), but can now say I'm a happy convert. You simply switch them on (or schedule them!) and let them work their magic. My little robot saves me hours per week in cleaning, and keeps my floors looking like new on a daily basis (and with a Border Collie constantly running around, that's no easy feat). I'll admit they are an investment, but I see it as investing in all the time you get back to do other, more enjoyable, things. 
- Serena, Pretty Fluffy 

 


My number one organizing tip would have to be:  organize it where it drops. Putting hooks for backpacks in the mudroom but your kids come through the front door and drop their backpacks makes no sense and you will just end up frustrated.  The best chance is to organize things where they land. A console table with a bowl in the exact spot your husband drops his keys everyday. A hook by the front door to hang your purse. Things like that. 
- Ashli, Mini Manor Blog

Do it when it's easy. Add stuff to your calendar as soon as you find out about it so you don't forget. Fill up your gas tank when you're already out running errands & still have a quarter tank so you don't have to worry about it when you're trying to get somewhere on time. Lay out your clothes & put your stuff by the door the night before so you're not running around grabbing stuff when you have to leave. I'm really working toward becoming more proactive in general -- it requires a lot of willpower, but the payoff is SO worth it when you can feel relaxed and prepared instead of running around putting out fires all day long! (If anyone has any tips for ways that help you work ahead on things, I am all ears!) 
- Casey, Pretty Organized 

As humans, I believe we can feasibly only take on so much. There is a balance of knowing how much you can manage without it managing you. If you're life is being overtaken by the "things" or "tasks" of your life, you need to either reduce those things and/or let something/someone else help you.  Be willing to let go of things or control. I know there's more to the nitty gritty of it all, but for example: 

My husband just last week was going through yet another moving box. He asked if I could go through them, because they had some of my magazines in them. I had to make a choice. We couldn't just let them keep sitting there, I didn't have the time {priorities}, so I told him to just toss them so I couldn't even remember what I was "missing out" on.
- Anneke, This, That & Life  

Stay inspired! Perusing blogs like IHeart Organizing help me keep motivated and keep me from feeling alone in my battle against clutter. I pick up so many great ideas and time saving tips that it brings the joy back into organizing! 
- Palak, Make it Handmade 



Spend 15 minutes at the end of the day to pick up the house.  So simple yet often forgotten and overlooked.  15 minutes is not a lot of time to do a full house sweep, picking up pillows in the living room, wiping down the bathroom with a cleaning wipe, wiping down the kitchen and taking care of any piles.  I like to start my day with a clean slate, it clears my mind and sets me up for success!
- Jen, IHeart Organizing

A giant THANK YOU goes out to each of the contributors who provided so much inspiration to us all in 2013, and for taking time to answer these questions today!  I always say, twelve heads are better than one, and these gals think of everything!  So blessed to have them on my team and part of my life.

Thank YOU to all that participated and took time to ask questions.  I have kept note of all of the commonly asked questions, so if they weren't answered today, that doesn't mean I won't address them in the future.

Now it is your turn to weigh in and share your answers in the comments below.  Any favorite apps?  How about favorite sanity saving tips we should all know about?