IDEA 24
PHOTO ORG

Feb
2010

Photo_Org_1

If you are looking for a photo album solution, it means you probably have boxes (or drawers, or computer files) of photos that have piled up. This tidbit is not exactly about organizing those. For now, I would either ignore them or if they have been printed, buy a whole bunch of matching photo boxes and at least get them all in one place. Once you have seen how clever you can be at photo org, you can go back and tackle them.

This is about This Day Forward. Because if the very next time you take pictures you start doing this, the number of organized pictures will eventually surpass the number of disorganized ones. And hopefully you will inspire yourself to one day work on the others. (Besides, by then you’ll be a pro).

Here’s the first key: In most of our lives there are really only a handful of photo events in any year. OK, if you have a newborn, there is a photo event every day. But generally, most of us haul the camera out a half a dozen times a year, usually centering on holidays or other significant ceremonies, etc. Even if you do snap away every day, use the big picture events to do this.

As soon as possible after the next picture event, download your camera to your computer. Right now, before getting up, you are going to decide which ones to print. Just start going through them. If you like the picture, either name it or put it in a folder (whichever works for you). If you don’t like the photo, just skip to the next one. Don’t worry about throwing it out. (That’s the part that makes it way too hard). All you’re doing is identifying the ones you LIKE. Once you are sure the files are all in your computer, delete everything on the camera.

Now, go to a photofinishing website. I use my local drugstore. On the site you will learn to send your photos to the store (you’ve just identified which ones to print with your naming or file system) and they will make prints which you will go pick up. There will be options for paying online and/or having the prints sent to you. Do as you wish, but I find checking the box that says I will pay when I pick up is the easiest.

This next part can be done at the same drugstore, or in my case I like the big box stores: Find some reasonably priced photo albums and buy as many as you are comfortable, like a row as wide as your shelf. Do the albums HAVE to be the same? No. Get what you want. Sometimes sameness helps one to feel organized. And a whole row of identical albums is beautiful. My collection consists of chunks of like albums interspersed with the occasional fun surprise, partly because I like a little variety, and partly because of the way the collection has taken years to grow. Purchase a sheet of letters of the alphabet from the scrapbook aisle and letter the spines of the albums starting with A.

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Then, attach a “sticky note” inside the cover of album “A” and write the month and year of the photo event followed by a dash. Now put in all those photos you picked up.

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Repeat the process immediately after each picture event, with all shots that are in the camera, deleting the camera files when you have downloaded them to your computer. When the album is filled, write the current month and year on the sticky note (after the dash) and move on to album “B.” Once you’re sure the album is done, if you like, you can write the dates directly on the album page and scrap the sticky.

I have used this system for years. The resulting books are a constant source of joy for me and for anyone who comes in my kitchen (where the albums are stored, taking up more shelf space than the cookbooks). Of course I started the system long before there was digital photography. The main thing is to just start putting the pictures in books. And making it part of the photo-taking experience. You don’t have to feel bad if you don’t want to print them all, or put them all in the book. I’ve had occasions where I used most of an album on one single occasion. And others where there were only one or two photos that told the whole story. Since you don’t throw out the computer files, you will always have them as back-up. So you can proceed without feeling the burden of getting it exactly right. You rest assured knowing you can always go back in for “revisions” if you want to. Although we both know, you never will!

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IDEA 23
FOREVER VALENTINE

Feb
2010

Val_4

My daughter was born in February, which meant I had one very pregnant Valentine’s Day. So that may have been the reason I got this idea. But never-the-less it’s one worth sharing. Who, but your new born baby could possibly be your best Valentine ever?

Val_2

Look for some sweet old fashioned Valentines at an antiques shop and frame two of them for the nursery wall. Frames are available everywhere, but I liked these vintage gold leafed ones. Many come equipped with a mat, but since I wanted very small pictures, I took mats from a larger frame and cut them down to fit small frames. This way I got the fine professional bevel of the mat and I just had to cut the outside to make it fit my small frame. You can also have small mats custom cut at the craft and floral store. Or, cut your own mat from a piece of wrapping or wallpaper. I used another matching solid white piece of mat board under the card and stuck it down with a little double stick tape.

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Of course you don’t have to use antique cards for this. Any Valentine you love will do. And when it comes to your little one, it’s sweet sentiment really does last all year long!

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IDEA 22
CURE FOR CABIN FEVER

Feb
2010

Snow_flake_1

In many places across the nation, this winter has been one of the most, well, wintery on record. Some of us are having weather we’ve never seen before. Here in Minnesota the snow came early and stayed. Well, in true BellaPamella fashion, the following suggestion (on the order of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”) is to embrace the weather. Celebrate the flakes.

Once we take down all the holiday stuff, the house takes on a certain simplicity, and I love that. For about a month. Then I start to wonder how long winter is going to linger. This year my daughter brought home a lovely snowflake project that she taught me how to do. We hung the flakes in the window in celebration (or was it defiance?) of a bright white yard that just refuses to melt.

It’s one of my favorite kinds of projects because it requires only things we already have around: 8 1/2″ x 11″ white paper (printer paper is perfect), scissors or a rotary cutter and mat, tape and/or glue, and string or ribbon. We have a supply of fabric ribbon and so we used red grosgrain. You will also need a pen with a smooth, even barrel on it to form the first loop. For this size snowflake, a pen that’s a little fatter than a pencil works well.

SFP_1

Start by cutting the paper into six 3 1/2 inch squares. Each snowflake will take one sheet of paper.

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Fold each square in half diagonally, into a triangle.

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Then fold each in half again.

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With scissors or the cutter, cut three slits on each triangle. Cut parallel to the cut edges (not the folded ones) and cut to about 1/4 inch before you reach the fold.

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Carefully open the triangles back into squares. Each square should have six “V”s cut into it.

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And gently smooth your finger along the middle crease to help flatten the paper. It’s best if you do the steps to each piece at the same time. You will have six squares for each snowflake.

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Now, wrap the two corners of the innermost square around the pen and secure it with tape.

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When you pull the pen out it looks like this.

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Turn the square over and loop the next two corners and secure with tape. This loop will be bigger than the first, AND FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AS THE FIRST.

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Turn over again, and tape the next corners the same direction you did the first loop.

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They now look like this.

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Now turn them over again and tape the last two (largest) corners.

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From the side, your squares should now look like this

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Notice how each piece has become a point of your flake. And also that each one has a large “V” on one side and a small “V” on the other side. Line up the six points with the large “V”s on the right. Now start to turn the points into a star. Make sure that each point is oriented the same way so that a large “V” is always next to a small “V”.

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We found the easiest way to attach the points together was to first tape two “pairs” together as shown.

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Fasten the pairs together.

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And then, tape on the last two points. You now have a full snowflake. But you will probably find if you try to hang it, gaps will form between the points that are pointing up. Hold the snowflake by it’s top point and let it hang. Where you see the gaps, put a dot of glue or a dab of glue stick, and pinch the spot together until it holds.

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Finally, cut a small slit in the top point and lace your ribbon through.

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Make as many snowflakes as will brighten your room and stave off the winter blues!

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We have one snowflake hanging in each window. They make me smile every time I see them against that snowy yard. They serve as a reminder that there is beauty in all the seasons. You just have to look for it.

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IDEA 21
IDENTIFY WITH SOMETHING

Jan
2010

Paint_number

One day I discovered that you could order a Paint-by-number kit of your own photos. I sent in a picture of my daughter and the resulting painting was so beautiful and fun to do, I did the rest of our family. Now, the five portraits identify the hooks in our mudroom. Each picture sits above two hooks belonging to the person in the picture.

Of course it would have been much easier to write their names. But, that’s not the point is it?!

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IDEA 20
JUNK DRAWER RESCUE

Jan
2010

Junk_drawer

Here’s a test for you: Open your kitchen junk drawer. Now, does it make you feel all happy and on top of things? Or is it just another reminder of the myriad of things that need your attention? My theory is that something as simple as organizing your junk drawer can have a halo effect on your general well being that will last you until spring.

So, how does one even begin this horrendous task? And even if you do, how will it STAY organized? We all know, the more people in your family, the quicker the organized junk drawer turns into chaos.

I’m at the time in my life that I need glasses, “readers” at every turn throughout the day. I tried to house a pair in the kitchen junk drawer for those moments when I needed to read a recipe, or the microscopic print on the back of a package. And inevitably they would end up on top of my head where they would travel to various parts of the house so that next time I opened the drawer they would not be there. So one day I bought a pair of red glasses. This is a color that looks fab in my kitchen, but not very good on my face. Amazingly, whenever I would begin to take the red glasses to another part of the house I would either stop and deposit them in the drawer, or, if I happened to see them say sitting on my desk, I’d bring them back to their place. And thus was born an inspiration. Like most junk drawers ours was full of the miscellaneous bits and pieces people find and stash but never have a use for. What it did NOT EVER have was a working writing utensil, paper, tape, scissors, you get the idea. The junk drawer was a place you went to to look for something, and never found it.

Try this and see if it makes life just a little better: First of all, empty the junk drawer and wipe it clean. If it doesn’t have dividers you may want to purchase an insert at one of those “get organized” stores. Now, (this is the fun part), whenever you are out at the grocery, drugstore, office supply or big box store, start collecting red stuff. Yes, you can choose a different color if you like. The point is that everyone in the family knows that that particular color stuff goes in the drawer. If you use the scissors, they go back. If you find them around the house, bring them back. You would be amazed at how this simple rule helps keep the drawer full of its useful stuff.

So, what did I find in red? Pens and pencils, scissors, tape dispenser, stapler and staple remover, paperclips, rubber bands, those gripper clips (great for closing chip bags) a ruler, list pad and last but not least…my glasses!

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IDEA 19
SANTA MANTEL

Dec
2009

 

Santa_mantel

If you have been taking and saving photos of your child with Santa, you may have been looking, like I was, for a way to use them. (And if you haven’t been, maybe this will inspire you to do so!) This little idea seems so perfect you might wonder, why didn’t I think of that?

While you are perusing discount and craft stores, start collecting interesting gold (or silver) frames. I would buy one when it was on sale, or caught my eye. Size can vary from tiny to about 5”x 7”. Then, each year when you photograph your child with Santa, frame it in one of the frames. Make sure to write the year on the back side. These treasures are packed in a box all year, but at Christmas time, they come out to fill the fireplace mantel.

This will be a holiday tradition you will treasure long after your kids have moved away.

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IDEA 18
BEDROOM WREATHS

Dec
2009

Door_Wreath_1

A simple and beautiful tradition to add to your holiday ready-making is the bedroom wreath. We do one for each child’s door. You’ll need a plain evergreen wreath, (you can use artificial wreaths if you prefer), about a yard and a half of 3” wide grosgrain ribbon per wreath, and some smaller, 1/4 inch wide red grosgrain or curling ribbon.

Gather a collection of small toys from each child’s stuff. From my son’s room I collected all red things: A building block, a red crayon, a truck, and red plastic army men. I even made a small red paper airplane. From my daughter’s room I collected tiny wooden spoons and a rolling pin, a small doll, a tiny bear, red plastic toys, even a red pacifier.

Using the narrow ribbon, tie the objects onto the wreaths. Loop the 3” wide ribbon through the center and line up the two raw ends. Thumbtack through both layers to the top edge (horizontal surface) of the door. Use very flat tacks so the door can open and close freely. If you like, embellish with a bow.

If you happened to have installed a hook as suggested in Idea #5 “Saving Private Places,” forgo the wide ribbon. Just hang the wreath right on the hook!

Door_Wreath_2


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IDEA 17
HOLIDAY TO-DO NECKLACE

Nov
2009

Holiday_To_Do

 

I’m pretty sure it has to do with having multiple kids, but sometimes, especially at the holidays, I really need a good way to jot down my thoughts. Just any old list will not do, since I think of things at the most inconvenient times (like when I’m out shopping, or taking a walk to clear my head). I found that I just needed a pen and paper handy all the time.

The solution? The To-Do list necklace. Buy one of those tiny lined notebooks (I like red) and about 1 1/4 yards red ribbon. Slip the ribbon through the hole and knot it to form a long notebook necklace. Clip on the shortest (red) pen you can find and if you like, embellish with a jingle bell. Now you are ready to record every fabulous thought.

Write each family member’s name on it’s own page. Then when a gift idea pops into your head record it on that page. Use a page for your own wish list (in case anyone asks) and one for food or other house stuff you are thinking about. You’ll be more organized if different type tasks are on different pages. And since the book is just for the holidays, you won’t worry about using lots of the pages.

You will be the most organized person you know this season. That’s so BellaPamella!

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IDEA 16
THANKSGIVING PLAN

Nov
2009

Thanks_plan

Here is what I have come to believe about the Thanksgiving holiday:

The best part of this holiday is cooking the big meal with ones you love. And not only does it not matter if you make the same meal every year, everyone actually likes that. If you buy into these two things, Thanksgiving really can be the wonderful, not too stressful tradition you wish it were.

Here are some tips for cooking with a big group in your house:

1. Make YOUR quintessential Thanksgiving meal. Of course this means all recipes you like to eat, and equally important, you understand how to make. Mine is Roast Turkey, butter & sage stuffing, braided egg bread, ginger/pear cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, baked squash with molasses, tarragon green beans, pumpkin pie and apple pie. It’s pretty much always the same meal and my kids have come to believe that braided egg bread (for example) is what one makes at Thanksgiving.

2. Record all the above recipes in a spiral notebook titled THANKSGIVING. Next year you will be so glad you did this. If you are really industrious, add the shopping list in the front. Honestly, you only have to do this once. Every year after that just pull out the notebook and make the same meal. Why reinvent the wheel?

3. When you get up on the big day (at the crack of dawn) make Belgian waffle batter (Yes, you can use the box kind). Get the waffle iron set up and the minute your family starts arriving put as many guests as necessary on waffle duty. Making, distributing, and munching on waffles is great because it creates easy jobs (which you need with a kitchen full of guests), and you won’t starve as you spend all day creating the big meal. No syrup necessary, just dust with powdered sugar and serve on a napkin.

4. Unless you are big football fans, buy a big jigsaw puzzle and have the kids start it on the coffee table. It’s more social than TV and doesn’t require non-interrupted time.

5. After dinner, invite everyone outside for a big family walk. 

Nothing too fancy, but it covers the important stuff.  You’ll be creating good memories. And with any luck you can manage being together without being at each other’s throats! Have a wonderful holiday. And don’t forget to say thank you!

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IDEA 15
WEAR AN APRON

Nov
2009

WEARANAPRON

When you are a mom and wear an apron, you and your kids are making a pact of sorts. The pact says to the kids, this will always be your home, and I will always be your mother. It does not matter if work takes you away from your home all day. It does not matter if the meals are prepared in 45 seconds in the microwave. The kids, for their part, will never question or judge, They will simply understand that they are loved.

So, where should you get the apron? Hmmm. Let’s see. How about here?

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