Paper organizer made from a cereal box!

I can't believe it...a paper organizer that's made out of a cereal box!   While searching for inspiration for ways to organize the paper clutter on my counters, I ran across a really cute idea to make an organizer out of a cereal box and scrapbooking paper. So earlier this week, I finished my box of Cheerios and picked up a few new scrapbook paper packs while at Target (8 sheets 12 in x 12 in for 99 cents).  My kids helped me gather the tape, marker, glue stick and ruler.  I got my x-acto knife and followed the Cereal Box Stationary Organizer Tutorial.

As a finishing touch, I cut out a "T" initial and circle on complimentary paper as a decorative accent. OMG - it was so easy to do, very inexpensive and how super cute!  It's the perfect size for notepads, incoming mail or to organize stationary, stamps and address labels. Guess I'll be eating a lot of cereal this week so that I can make a few more!

Giving Flipboard a Try!

I was reading another yet another "simplify your life" article but this time, I think I found something that truly will make a difference for me!  In the February issue of Health, I discovered the customized reading app, Flipboard.  It works like a personal magazine that centralizes articles and images from your social networks, news sources and other content that you can pick from Flipboard's resources.  I've been able to streamline information on my iPhone from my various news apps and social network sites so I don't have to jump from app to app anymore.  I think that this might be just as addictive as Pinterest!

My Flipboard

Personalized Valentines for Kids

Two of my favorite things are Martha Stewart's Living and Pinterest.  Taking ideas from both, I created these valentines for my children's kindergarten and first grade classes.

From this:

To this:

How I did it:
For photos, I had a few foam hearts in our craft-bin and took a picture of each child holding it over their heart. During photo editing, I added a border around each photo.  I created a 3" x 5" portrait Word document, inserted a two column table at the bottom half of the page.  In the right column, I inserted the photo.  In the left column, I typed the Valentine's Day message.

Supplies:

• 3" x 5" plain index cards (no lines)
• Color printer
• 3" x 4" clear plastic baggies - I found these at an office supply store
• 3 bags of miniature candy (we used 2 per packet and made 48 packets)
• stapler

The kids counted, placed the candy in each baggy and sealed them.  I printed each card, folded and stapled them to each baggy.  This was an easy project with no mess, clippings or cuttings!
These valentines are the perfect size for kindergarten and first graders.  I LOVE how these turned out and prefer them over the licensed character cards, stickers and tattoos (are kids really that into those things anyway)?