Pine Creek Style: Closets to Cupboards

Showing posts with label Closets to Cupboards. Show all posts

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Time to pack up the Decorations...

Everyone has their own schedule and traditions when it comes to putting away the Christmas decorations.

I take everything down and put it away before New Year's Eve.

We like a clean start for the New Year.

Below are a few packing and storage ideas for your Christmas items...

Now if I could only find some Magic Elf's to pack up everything!

My new storage room is "still" being built. I can hardly wait to get everything organized. I will finally have everything (Holiday Decor) in one place. YEAH!!!

Store your Decor with Style...

*All photos are courtesy of Google Free Images

Thursday, September 29, 2011

My Colander is Flat?...

A NEW favorite kitchen tool... is my food strainer/colander. This kitchen tool is usually a bowl shape, used to strain or wash foods. That allows food to drain whether it is hot or cold. Well,... I found an awesome new strainer while strolling through TJ Maxx! Take a look....I love that I am able to store it without taking up a lot of space in the cupboard!

Flat...

Ready in a snap...

Love these colander's...

A classic kitchen tool with new found Style...

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Artfully Organized...

Kids love to share their art work. But it can pile up fast!

Create a filing system that works best for you and your family. Organize items in folders, binders, baskets, chest of drawers, whatever looks stylish and is efficient.

A Precious rendition of Nana & Papa
Prize drawings, awards, school work, photos from school or home projects.

Just about anything you want to save and protect.

Proud Achievements
Below is a (past) school homework assignment.

Great idea, fun to keep and look back on years later.

Homework Assignment
This project is great for all of the treasured trinkets and papers that accumulate from your children, grand children, yourselves or your travels. When they are organized, neatly put away or stored in a clever way, the historical account of your family and their life will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

One of many crayon drawings

I have a box started for each of my grand kids. I've saved all the color crayon pictures, watercolors, home made gifts, photos, school work and awards they have given me over the years. I've included (from my house) their favorite bibs, toys, milk bottles and rattles, etc. Multi-copies of family photos get filed in too! I have in mind trunks or a dresser to store all the treasures. I haven't found what I'm looking for yet (it needs to be Special)..., so until then I will leave them in the clear storage boxes with each child's name on the lid.

"When you have nine grand-kids, you gotta have a PLAN!", NeeCee;)

Holiday Baking Party...
Taking a trip down Memory Lane, while going though the family artifacts, can be awesome. It's a great way to spend quality time together.

School Projects
When my children were small, I bought them each a trunk. Over the years we filled the trunks with all of their treasures. Years later, when the kids were adults, we gave them the trunks as a Christmas present. They had fun reliving their childhood that Christmas. And, they share the contents with their own children often.
Treasure your memories with Style...

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Handbag Haven...

Proper storage of your handbags extends their life...

In the short term, handbags may be hung by a hook. But after a few days it could cause wear and tear on your handles. So try to use hooks only for temporary storage.

Everyone's storage is different, so determine what works best for you.

Closet shelves, drawers, boxes, baskets etc., decide before you start.

Sort handbags by size, style, fabric and season. Leather and natural fibers need to breathe, don't crowd together. If they come with a storage bag, use them. Do not store vinyl bags next to leather bags. Do not use plastic bins or boxes with lids.

Handbags may be laid flat in storage bags or stored standing. If stored flat sort by size, starting with large on the bottom. If standing your purses, use white balls of tissue paper to help hold their shape.

Choose what works best for you, arrange by color or casual to dressy, etc. Develop a system to help you locate the handbag you want without a lot of searching.

Before you store your bags, empty completely and quickly clean or wipe down. Use your vacuum attachments to remove lint and such from your bags. When wiping down bags with a cloth, use your hair dryer if the area is too wet to store. This will help prevent moisture rings too. Wipe the bottom of your purse, as this is the area that gathers the most germs. If storing in bags, make storage bags for the purses that were not supplied with one. (See instructions below)

I bought inexpensive muslin, you may (use flannel), cut material to fit the purse. Example: 52" x 26", fold in half and sew sides into a pillowcase style sack. Turn over the top, making a casing for a long shoe lace or cord to go through. The cord should be 56" long. Thread through the casing and knot the end. This creates a sack to slip the purse into. You could purchase inexpensive pillow cases too!

I used labels to describe the bags inside. This saves time, opening and searching each one! I used a luggage tag look, Wal Mart had name badge plastic sleeves, I used some blank business cards to write on and slipped into the sleeve. Then I cut some twine and tied them on! Easy and quick!
*Specific cleaning for various materials are listed below.

Leather:
Clean Leather bags easily with a damp clean cloth use warm water, squeeze excess water out. Lather the cloth with a a bar of moisturizing face soap, such as Dove. Rub well, removing all of the dirt. Buff well with a clean soft cloth.
You may also use leather polish or cream, follow the directions on the label. Lay the bag in a warm area allowing the polish to absorb.

Suede:
Brush suede bags with a suede brush. Grease marks may be removed with a little dry cleaning fluid. Or try undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth. Brush the nap into position and allow to dry (out of direct sun light), then brush again. ***Test first in an area that is not seen. Bags may be taken to a professional dry cleaners also.

Evening Bags:
Use a soft cloth with dry cleaning fluid. Dry well by blotting or use a hair dryer on low and warm. Beaded bags may be dusted with a light coating of talcum powder, which loosens and lifts dirt. Enclose the bag in a towel and let sit for 24 hours, then remove and brush gently. Be careful not to brush the beading too hard.
Patent Leather Bags:
Use petroleum jelly on a soft cloth to buff and shine. Buff a second time with a new clean cloth.
Plastic or Vinyl: These bags should be washed with a soft cloth or sponge and a mild soap. Rinse well and buff dry. Furniture polish (spray type) on a soft cloth, will polish and shine when buffing.
Show-off your Purse-sonality with Style...