My type of disclaimer

Hi All,

I have decided to start my first "crafting" activity, tonight , at 6pm. The mood just struck so I went with it.

Now before I launch into crafty talk I need to explain something. This is my first DIY project, ever, in my whole life. I have never made something from something else, never tried my hand at interior decorating, never helped to fix anything in a family garage, nothing.
This is it, ground level. I have no previous gems of knowledge to draw on, if its not on Pinterest then I don't know it.
This means that everything from this point onward is experimental, from technique to tools.

When I started with this idea we didn't run out and buy a bunch of new tools and a work bench. My DIY area is also our dining room and our bar area. Now don't get me wrong, we have some tools, we even have a "man draw" that holds everything from hammers, beading wire, sewing kits, batteries, string, a screwdriver and even a hammer in it. this means that our tool kit is a bit lacking, the plan is to build on the supplies as I need them. After all this is meant to be a money saving activity, not a money burning activity! In the meantime, I make do...

My spatchula / paint scraper

I'm alright with that, as N said when I started this, he doesn't understand why I want to do this, maybe I'm soul searching, maybe I have lost my mind , the jury is still out on that one but I'm excited to see where Crayons and Crafting will take me so for now, that's enough for me!

Until next time,
Love Alex

Polka dot theme organisers

Hi All,

I have been busy thinking about how to organise the paperwork in my house, my task for the month of January. As the bills side of things already has a system that we are pretty happy with and works for us, I started examining the other paperwork in my house...school stuff! Somehow it's everywhere! Thankfully my man is tolerant  about the explosion of papers that seem to follow me around!

I have been working on finding a system that works for me and I think I have finally found one that I quite like, but it requires clear labelling to work. I am using plastic folders with a stud to close it and each theme gets its own folder. I have found this to be a good system because art, worksheets, flashcards, theme planners etc. all fit into one place then as each theme comes up I just whip out the folder and have easy access to all my information and master sheets related to the theme. The folders all live in a plastic box which clips shut and has wheels. The boxes can be found at most plastic shops and the folders from Waltons or other stationary shops typically stock them. They can be quite expensive (R12.50 each!) so shop around, I have found them for less than half of this.

I have created A4 labels that I printed and slotted into each file. As my files are tinted I printed these on white paper but if you like it could be printed on coloured card.

Sample

 If you would like a copy of these, please just leave your email address in the comments and I will email it to you. It is 51 pages of all the themes I have used in previous years and some others I thought of so its quite a collection! I have also included some blanks for you to create your own sheets and I will gladly create any for you that I have left out so please feel free to use this!

This is the box I keep my folders in.
It has a secure lid too so it can be stacked easily for storage .

A look at my folders. Blue are theme folders and orange are literacy lessons.

Each theme page has the theme written small in the top left hand corner so I can easily flip through them when I am looking for something without having to lift each file out of the box (like my system at the moment!)

This is the front of the folders I use...

...and the back!

I hope you have found this helpful! 

Happy organising!

Love Alex

EDIT NOTE:
 I have managed to create a link for this resource in my Dropbox! All you need to do is click on the link below and download it! You will need a Dropbox account (which is free and easy to sign up for...and totally revolutionised my life. No more carrying around flash sticks, which I lose at least 3 times a day at school!). Dropbox is a bit like Google Drive...similar concept...I, personally, have had a better experience in Dropbox, but each to their own I guess.

Click here to download my theme headings document:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5oknx1erndahjai/Theme%20headings%20%28b%26w%20polkadot%29.pdf

Monthly organisation challenge 2013

Hi All,

Well as I'm still on school holidays until the 14 January and I figure 2 weeks is plenty of time to get myself ready for my new bunch of kids (our school year runs from January to December here in South Africa). I know, who am I kidding right, there is never enough time to prep in a teachers life! but in an effort to achieve a few non work-related things this year I though I should get started on one of my resolutions for 2013, getting my home organised! 

I found this really great monthly challenge over at Delightful Order which I think will get me going in a good direction. It was a bit daunting to think about organising a whole house by myself...but hopefully by following some of the guidelines from this challenge I'll be able to do it!
Look out for some "before and after" photos of this adventure here on my blog.


Here is the button for the challenge, id love to hear about you joining up with us to do this!