The Inventory

 

Welcome to another Manic Monday. Does it seem like Mondays come around WAY too fast these days?

Well, around here Mondays are "Laundry Days". Anyway, it's scheduled to be that way. However, I may...or may not....have spent some of "laundry day" at Hobby Lobby. Shhhhh.....


I thought I'd share a little tip with you today about laundry though. (and then get to my own.)

This time of year is a perfect time to make sure you put focus on getting the laundry done. All of it.  Washed, dried, folded AND put away.  Once.

Now some of you are like.....
"what the heck? I do all of my laundry all the time."
I might have bad feelings toward you.

Not because I dislike you, but because that so rarely happens around here.

But there is a method to my madness.

Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I find myself thinking, "my daughter needs new pants."  Or, "my son doesn't have enough socks."

When, in fact, they actually have enough.  They're just never in the same place at one time.

I feel it is super important to have a good grasp on what you have, what you need, and what you WANT.

{that last thing is the kicker....isn't it?}

This is a great time to have an accurate inventory of "who's got what" so you can start making Christmas purchases.  I hate spending money on things we didn't really need.  Just to put a check mark next to "socks".  If you can look at everything together, you will be able to buy useful gifts.

You know, so someone can open up their box and say "Look, it's a sweater!"   
{name the movie!}

When I got everything together, I was able to make a list of what people actually were in need of.




If you have a little girl, this is a great time to clean out her hair-bow selection as well.  I spent several hours last week going through the bows.  I made sure we had two of things, and repaired broken ones, and threw out anything that wasn't being used.

I don't have a ton of store bought bows and flowers.  I usually make them.  I'm way too cheap to spend $5 or more on one hair thing.

{Plus I like having bows that match exactly what we have.}

( you can see more about my favorite way to store bows HERE)

How do I make those?  It's so easy I'm almost not gonna share it.....but just in case you hadn't considered....

• Start with ribbon.  I make all sorts of widths and colors.  And whatever is left over becomes part of my gift wrapping collection.  Be sure to only buy ribbon on sale!!

• Tie a bow.  This might be harder than it sounds, if you've never tied a free standing bow.  It took me a little practice.  
• If your ribbon has a pattern on only one side....make sure there is a side where all the pattern is showing.  {This will take some twisting and turning on your part.}
• If you'd like a pair, use your first bow as a guide, and make a second one the exact same size.
• Put Fray-Check on the cuts.  They WILL eventually fray out if you don't.

•  I buy large quantities of clips at the Beauty Supply store.  You want the smallest ones you can find.  They are really cheap, and there's nothing worse than needing a new bow....and having to go buy clips.  So, I like to have them on hand.
• Cut a small piece of felt just bigger than your clip.  This will be the barrier between your clip, and the hot glue.
• Put hot glue on the top, and then press your bow into the glue.

You're done!!


I can make these in about the time it takes for the hot glue gun to warm up.  And they probably cost about $.50 each.  Maybe.

I'm off to continue my laundry and "inventory".  Good luck with yours!