Storing your Winter Gear for an Emergency
Summer Grab & Go Bags! Are you ready?
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Royal Design Studio Stencil Review & Closet Makeover
A closet Makeover is just what I need! These past few weeks have been crazy busy for me. My kids have been out of school for spring break and that alone makes life crazy. I have had an itch to work on my closet. It is crazy unorganized, dark and blah. It is huge and can fit 2 full sized mattresses end to end. Let me also say “I am a blogger and I am unorganized”. There I said it. I may need an 8 step program or something. I am a blogger and I am unorganized. My house is rarely tidy. I have 4 kids and projects to do. Much more fun than walking around with a dish cloth in my hand all ..day…long. Bless those of you who do. I am just not that type of person. I would like to be but not enough to give up what makes me happy! So onto my unorganized closet… and a giveaway!
My closet was, well, out of control. The lights did not work. Just cheap contactor lights. To many clothes. I have been hoarding them since I got pregnant (3 years ago). You know wishing, hoping & praying that someday I would fit into them again. And a bunch of other things that don’t belong in a closet. I just decided that it was time to purge the old stuff. I was inspired by this E-book to get my fashion on. Here. And Royal Design Studio stencil to make my closet beautiful.
Here is a picture of my closet before. I had to use a flash due to a broken light fixture.
See how crazy it was! I really needed an intervention.
Royal Design Studio graciously sent me a Stencil to try out. They have tons of choices. One for every style. You will get lost in all the patterns they have. Here is the one I picked:
Casbah Trellis Moroccan Stencil from the Allover Moroccan Stencils Collection… I have been in love with this stencil for along time. I love its simplicity.
I started with painting my wall with an all over mint color from Lowes. I used Lowes white for the stenciled color. I used one of there sample cans for the white. I had plenty to spare. It was delivered lighting fast. Only 4 days and it was knocking at my door. The stencil was much larger than I thought. Which I was grateful for. I had a big wall to cover! It came rolled up in a large box ready to use. The instruction sheet included was very helpful to me. It included tricks and information on using there stencils. I also checked out there HowTo Stencil on there website. The stencil was made of thick flexible plastic and was very light weight. Definitely a quality product. Made to be reused.
I started along the top of wall and worked my way down and across. Matching up the edges. I used painters tape to hang my stencil. I wish I would have gotten the spray adhesive to hold my stencil on the wall. It still turned out great but having the adhesive would have been nice. Isn’t this stencil beautiful. This picture, taken from my phone, it’s a little grainy. (Sorry) I used a small rolling foam brush to roll on the stencil. Some places are lighter than others. I love it that way. It gives it a weathered look. It is very subtle on the wall but packs a punch. Over all it was simple to use. After each section I used a wet rag to wipe the back of the stencil for any residual paint. My stencil is still in great condition and ready to use again. Maybe another project in the future???
So here is my finished closet. I am in love with the stencil. At first you almost think its wallpaper. Until you are up close. I decided to go with an accessory wall. I had 2 matching frames made. One for a mirror and one for a peg board to hold my necklaces. I also used a bathroom towel rod for my scarves and 2 cabinet knobs for hanging purses.
Isn’t it amazing?! I cleaned out 3 garbage bags worth of clothing. Got rid of the things that just don’t belong. I got a new light fixture at Lowes. Along with some wicked amazing daylight light bulbs
For my bins I got them at Wal-Mart for $5 each. I used my Silhouette to label the bins according to what am keeping in them. Just in case my husband decides to do laundry. He will know where everything goes.
I love My closet makeover so much I just want to sit on the floor of my closet and listen to music as I enjoy the beauty. Here is my view from the floor!
Let’s talk toilet paper holder covers…
So tell me if this is you. You go to the bathroom for a self imposed time out. You should have been put in time out and hour ago, but alas the kids wouldn’t allow it. You finally get your time out and you realize part way through you are out of toilet paper. Sound familiar??? Then you have to all to one of your kids…to interrupt you time out to bring you some toilet paper. Well your quiet time out is over..
This is a weekly problem at my house. My Master Bath is about the only place I get a little quiet during the day. Maybe 5 minutes a few times a day.
So one day I was perusing my local Ross and found this… A toilet paper holder tower.
An answer to my problem. But it created a new problem. Every once in a while a boy uses my Master Bath. And sometime their aim isn’t so great. Can you see my problem?? I kind of have issues. Its like not lifting the toilet seat or not putting it down. Just plain gross. ( I have a printable for that issue click here)
So I came up with this quick and easy project to remedy the problem.
First you need to pick up a few things:
Toilet paper holder ( I got mine at Ross for under $10)
Decorator fabric to match you bathroom.
Iron on laminate for fabrics I found mine at Walmart
Measure you circumference of your Toilet paper holder and add 1 inch.Measure from top to bottom and add 2 inches.
Cut according to size.
If you are using laminate cover fabric move to the next step. If you are making your own follow the instructions that come with your laminate.
Stitch down your long seam. Ensure it fits around your holder before moving to the next step. Also you don’t want it to tights. It may stretch you fabric and tear the laminate.
Fold over top seam 1/2 inch then another 1/2 inch. Stitch into place. Repeat for the bottom.
Before After
Slide it over the top and your finished.
Command Center {Chore Cards}
I started buy making my chore cards in Microsoft Word. {Really advanced I know.} I made 4 to a page. I tried to make the card lists in logical order of the chore being done. Here is an example.
Bathroom:
clean mirror
clear & wipe counter
scrub toilet & wipe down toilet bowl
sweep floor
mope floor
take out trash
I teach my kids to start with the mirror and end with the floor so they only need to use 1 cleaning towel.
My boys have a group of chores that they do each week. Then they switch on Monday Mornings. These chores include dishes (load and put away), vacuuming, bathrooms and garbage. Some are done everyday and others are once a week. It just depends on the chore. I also included a check list for their bedroom. Just in case they have a question on what needs to be cleaned.
If you would like to print my chore cards for your kids please do. I printed mine in 2 different colors so my boys don’t get confused who’s chores are done. Click on the link for a printable copy.
Chore Card 1 Chore Card 2 Chore Card 3
Next I cut them up and laminated them. This makes it so your kids can check off the chore with a dry erase marker when they get their chores done. It always feels good to check off a finished chore. It also makes it easy for Dad to check that chores are done!
Many of my chores come from a book called the Parenting Breakthrough by Merrilee Boyack. She is the amazing mother of 4 boys. If you ever wonder when your kids should start certain chores, which chores or how much to pay for chores, this book has the answers for you. I love this book to reference as my kids grow up. You will not be disappointed.
Parenting Breakthrough on Amazon
Here is another look at my command center center. The links are below if you want to check them out. For more information on my 5 week meal plan (Yes I plan for 5 weeks, My life is so much easier) please see the link below. I even shared how I do it on a local lifestyle show, KPVI.
For more about my command center check out these links.
Command center
5 Week Meal Rotation Plan
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions about how I did it please feel free to send me an email or comment. Be sure I can write you back!!
Command Center {My Style}
For my clip board calendar I took a wood clip board and modge podged a piece of pretty paper onto it. This is a calendar just for my kids to document their reading for the month. If they reach there goal they get a special outing with dad.
For the magnetic chalkboard I used this tutorial from My Sister’s Suitcase {Here}
Chore Cards