In the midst of our mini flood, I didn’t get as much organizing done as I would have liked. But since then, I’ve been working on a few different organizing projects around here. I swear, I can’t stay focused on one project at a time. It’s something I struggle with all the time and I try very hard to focus on just one project at a time. And when I succeed in doing that, it takes so much energy and concentration to stay on task!
First on the agenda…A School Work Memento Box
Now that my oldest is in preschool, he gets sent home with a ton of whimsical and (I think) beautiful artwork every week. I keep a lot of it on the fridge, but I was in need of something to corral all his masterpieces. About a year ago I saw a post on the IHeart Organizing blog about school paper work storage and decided to download the printables that were available. I didn’t need them then, but I knew I would need them soon enough!
I started with a plastic file box and colorful hanging folders…One for every year from preschool to 12th grade. Unfortunately I didn’t do my math right and ended up short 2! Story of my life these days. So next time I am at The Container Store (which shouldn’t be too long) I will pick up another packet.
Then I printed out the “cover sheets” for each year and I added my little man’s first school picture for preschool and the info about that year.
Although I downloaded the free printable, you could easily make a version of this yourself either on your computer or with scrapbook goodies.
I did it a little differently than was originally shown by just labeling each file with my label maker with the year and the corresponding number. Nothing fancy. I used little photo sticker squares to adhere the cover page to the front of the file folder and I was all set.
I love that there is so much room to fill with fabulous school work and at the same time, it’s a contained space so I can only save so much!
And here’s just a sampling of some of the amazing masterpieces that will be filling the “PRESCHOOL” section :)
I plan on doing one just exactly the same for little man #2 and storing them on their closet shelf. I’m debating whether or not to order some vinyl letters from Etsy to stick on the front with each of their first initials or make some simple labels and laminate them with my laminator that I had to have a year ago and still haven’t taken out of the box. We’ll see. But for now, I’m just happy that I have a contained, functional place for school work that we want to keep.
I have heard of all different ideas on storing school work, but the most unique one I have heard about is using pizza boxes for each year. Apparently you can get clean new boxes at pizza joints and with them not being too deep, you can stack quite a few of them for easy storage.
Next on the agenda…Making a photo book out of Christmas cards
Another little “organizing” project I did this weekend was pull down all of my Christmas cards and make a little book. {On a side note, I had moved them from above my kitchen nook window onto my pantry door so we could enjoy them through Valentine’s Day}. I kept only the photo cards and categorized them in order of size (some I trimmed down).
Then I just punched holes on the sides with a hole punch and used some silver binder rings I had laying around. Now we can go through these just like a photo album! I plan on doing this every year with the cards we receive.
{And see that cute family on the top?!?! That’s one of my besties and she’s coming to visit next week with her little boy! I can. not. wait!!!!!}
And with recent meetings with our accountant, a new soft ware program for the business, and Project Organizing One Step at a Time going on, I’ve been busy revamping our filing system. It’s a time consuming process but I’m so excited about how it’s coming along! I’m sure I’ll bore you with the details when it’s all completed!
We made the cover! Love these ideas! Do you know if the printable for the school organization is still available? I love this idea with the Christmas cards… will you make a front cover? My cards are still in my Christmas box – can’t wait to tackle this fun project.
It’s still available for free. If you go to the IHeart Organizing blog and click on project gallery and it’s #17 under Kids and School, you can find it there! I hadn’t thought of making a front cover for the cards…That’s a great idea!