Bookcase Shades

This is featured in bhg.com as a weekend project.

Looks very easy to do but here's how it is to do:

Decide where you want the canvas cover on the shelves.

For each shade, cut the canvas to the length and width of the space you wish to cover, leaving room for hems along three sides and a 1-inch rod pocket at the top.

Hem three sides.

Sew a rod pocket into the top large enough to fit the tension rod.

Place the tension rod through the rod pocket.

Install the tension rod into the desired space.

What you need
Modular shelf unit
Cotton canvas or twill
Scissors
Sewing machine or needle
Thread
Tension rods

It looks stylish isn't it? If you haven't got a modular shelf unit, you don't have to buy a new one. Check out your local second hand shop.

Transparent Shoe Box

I first saw it in telly. One of the entrepreneur Mums was selling it online. I wanted to get some. They're quite handy if you have several pairs of shoes and at times might find it hard to look for them in the boxes. It always happened to me because my shoes that came with me from the Philippines have no boxes. I found several big shoe boxes (from Mcj's shoes) and they can fit at least 3 pairs of my shoes. Truth be known, I sometime have to open several boxes before I'll be able to get what I want. That's where this transparent shoe boxes come in handy. Problem was, the seller only accept credit card payment. Darn, I don't use credit card when shopping online.

Then, MIL one day gave me one of those transparent boxes. I didn't know what was it. I was thinking, gee, she's giving me some of her unwanted gifts again. But it was a collapsible transparent box. She got them from ALDI for $8 a dozen or a half (not sure). She's offering me more but I might just be needing a couple.

They're not dear and certainly, they are very handy in organising your shoe collections.

Use Pillow Cases

You're out of washing bag for your delicates, little items like socks, underwear or just like me there are clothes that you don't want to be stretch or could just be for handwashing but too lazy to hand-wash them? Throw them in your pillow cases. It is better if they are those odd pairs that you have in your linen cupboard. It is also handy if they have zips so you won't have a problem tying the open end and find out at the end of the wash that the tie had come lose and all your delicates were actually thrown out of the safety net and been whirled around. It happened to me several times.

Also, you can throw in those little stuffed toys that are grubby from being toyed while the little ones are eating or just being towed anywhere around the house. They'll be safe in the washing.

So don't throw those odds pillow cases. You wouldn't know when you will need them.

Easy Storage Ideas

It’s a problem for us at home. Storage space. And everyday, I am trying to conceive ideas on how to solve it. It is fun as it is frustrating. My constant search for solution to this problem has led me to several tips online including these, from bhg.com:

Toss It in a Case

Make cleanup a breeze by converting ready-made pillow cases into storage bags.

How to Make It

-- Stitch a casing a couple inches from the case's top edge.

-- Thread cording through the casing.

-- Clinch bags and hang.

Perfect Shower Storage
Tuck kids' bath toys and gear into a liner that hangs out of sight behind the shower curtain. Made from athletic mesh, this bag drip-dies fast.

How to Make It

-- Size the liner to one width of mesh.
-- Sew a strip of fabric along the top edge for a stable surface. Add slots for shower curtain pins.
-- Customize the lines by making a series of mesh pockets to hold gear.
-- Cut mesh to size for pockets, then stitch a length of contrasting fabric, at the top, to create a casing.
-- Thread elastic through the casing and pull to gather.

Toss It Over the Couch
Create a place for everything with this fun throw. It tucks under the sofa cushions and lifts off at a moment's notice.

How to Make It

-- Sew large pockets to a sturdy throw.
-- Add 3-inch panels to the sides and bottom.
-- Add embellishments such as ribbons, buttons, and zippers to complete the look.

Hanging Storage
Oilcloth bags hanging on the back of the door corral blocks, Barbies, and other small toys. Zippers on the sides of each bag let a child open it for use as a play surface.

How to Make It

-- Cut two rectangles (one for facing, one for lining) with a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all sides.
-- Sew zippers into the sides of the bag.
-- To make the tabs, cut a fabric strip 5-1/2 inches wide.
-- Fold the long edges in so they slightly overlap and machine stitch.
-- Cut tabs to fit over rod.
-- Top off with a snap to hold the ends together.

These sure are quite handy. I'll try them if I got the time to use my sewing machine. One for the TODO basket.
More here.

Hello World!

This is blog is concieved in a spur of the moment while I was surfing for organisation tips. You see, we are running out of room in the house and I must start thinking of efficient storing system lest we'll all be buried with stuff that we don't necessarily need.

Living in a seasonal country makes storing of seasonal stuff necessary especially if you are like us - having small safe and clean storage space. We are living in a big property but I don't really like keeping important stuff in the shed that dust are creeping in or there's a possibility of mites to gnaw on them.

This blog will include tips from myself and from others that I may deem helpful. So, please check out often.