Be Gone, Winter Clothes!

I am so excited!  It's finally spring-time!  Winter didn't last long here, I think I wore a sweater all of four times the entire season, and tennis shoes a handful of times, but it's finally getting to the warm weather that I looove!

Living in a not-so-tiny tiny house ( we went from almost 3000 square feet of space to 1000), I have to be creative with storage solutions.

We're currently working on renovating, and incorporating storage solutions that are inspired by those tiny house shows on TV.

Until then, here's how I pack up the winter sweaters to get them out of the way.  I used a large garbage bag for the jackets, but the shirts are a different story. 

Have you heard of those bags that you can vacuum out the air, leaving a flat plastic bag full of clothes?  Those came in very handy when we moved (more moving tips to come!), and I saved them for just such an occasion.

If you can roll up the garments, I've found it will hold more!  Start at the bottom of the shirt, and just roll. 

Once you've rolled them up, stack them Tetris-style in the bag (don't over-fill!  It can rupture the bag).  I ran out of room with three shirts left, so I put them in flat on top of the rolled up shirts. 

Ta da!  Now all you have to do is vacuum out the air.  (I found a hole in the bag, so mine didn't vacuum out, but it still works great to hold the clothes so I can get them stored out of the way!

Do you have any secret tips for storing away winter clothes?

Packing for Kids - Quick Tip

Packing for kids is the fun part of vacation packing.  You have to remember all the special things they will need to make the trip comfortable, but not over pack.

My kids have their own bags that I dig out for them to pack stuff to keep them comfortable on the trip.  Most of it is stuff for the car, but sometimes it's stuff that can make them feel more at home in the hotel.  A stuffed animal, or a special action figure.

Make sure you remember your child's special item!  It can make all the difference!

Keep 'Em Busy

I've never flown with kids before, so I really don't have any advice.  I've heard of parents putting together a little baggie for their fellow passengers, outlining the situation, and giving out ear plugs and pieces of candy.

As for road trips, though, I have a few tips.  My kids are older now, so it's easier to travel with them.

Here are some of my tips for travelling with littles:

• DVD player.  It's just one of those things that I have learned to love.  
• Coloring Books and crayons - just don't leave the crayons in the car for too long!
• Road trip games.  There are games that can be purchased at the store that are magnetic, so they can be played in the car, or you could play games like 'I Spy' or the license plate game (which I've never played, so don't ask me how).
• Snacks.  I don't know how you feel about eating in the car, but we've tried road trips without eating in the car, and it just doesn't work.  One of my littles gets car sick, so I make sure to keep crackers and peanut butter on hand.  
• Stretch your legs.  It may not sound like much, but leg stretching can bring renewed excitement to your road trip.  My knees get stiff (my right knee will probably need to be replaced, it's so bad, so I have to work it more than the other), and it always makes me feel better to stop and take a minute to step out of the car.
• Music.  Make sure to bring music with you!  When we went on vacation the last time, there was a stretch when we didn't have music we cared for.  It made it a very long few hours!

That's all I can think of right now.  Check out my Pinterest board "Road Tripping" for some more ideas!

Vacation Packing Checklist

It's March!  You know what that means?  Spring break is right around the corner, and just around the corner from that is Summer vacation!  In honor of road trip season coming soon, I am going to cover different ways to make road tripping easier with kids.  I'll publish a post each Sunday (except for Easter), so, here goes:

Are you a list maker, like me?  Someone who has to write a list to write a list?  Well, this is the post for you.  I put together a vacation packing checklist to help you get it all in order before your big trip.

I call it the Vacation Helper.  The printable has two versions, a version for one individual, and another with a grid for families.

Let me know if you think of any ways I can improve the Vacation Helper!

See ya later, and happy vacationing!

Yarn Projects Part 3: Tension

Good morning!  I hope you are doing well!  Today's lesson is on tension.  Not the tension you get from work, or school, but the tension you put on your yarn when making those gorgeous yarny goodies.

When I first started crocheting, my tension was ridiculous!  It's no wonder I have arthritis in my poor hand!  I would hold the yarn with a grip like a life line.

I am still a tight crocheter, but I have let up on the tension somewhat.  Here are two examples of what I'm talking about.

I totally ran out of yarn on the larger
swatch, but I think I got my point across.

These swatches are both made with the same number of stitches, the same number of rows, the same hook, and the same yarn.  The only difference in the two is the tension (and the one I ran out of yarn).

In the top swatch, the tension is so tight.  Probably exaggerated, but still, that's how I used to crochet.

In the bottom swatch I barely held the yarn.  That was difficult. 

See?  Big difference.  The tension you use in your yarn endeavors will affect the outcome of a pattern, just as much as the hook and yarn sizes.

I hope you've found this little series to be informative and fun!  I have a great time doing stuff like this, and I'm thinking of doing more crochet type posts.  What do you think?  Any ideas?

Yarn Projects Part 2: Hook Size

Hello!!  I'm back with part two of the Yarn Projects series.  The other day I talked about yarn size, and how it can affect a project.  If you missed out on that one, check it out here.

This week, I want to show you how hook size can really do an number on your project.

Like I said in the last post, my patterns aren't specific when it comes to type of yarn or hook size.  I tend to stick with patterns that don't require a gauge.  Other patterns will specify a type of yarn and hook to work it up correctly.

Take a look at these granny squares.  They are all the same pattern, same yarn, just different hooks (the letters next to the squares are the hook sizes).

I sure hope these posts are informative for you!  I am enjoying writing them.  Is there anything else you would like to see me write about?

I'll see you guys next time for the last installment of my crochet series: Tension!

Yarn Projects Part 1: Yarn Size

Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk about yarn sizes. 

As you may know, I'm terrible at writing crochet patterns.  I enjoy making new things and sharing them with you, but I just can't seem to write them very well.

So, I just want to explain that {most of} my patterns are subject to interpretation.  They are completely customizable, and gauge  is not always imprtant.  That us not always the case with pattern, though.  Especially if you're making clothing.

The photo below shows how different yarns can work up very differently.

These circles were made using the first five rounds of the pattern from my HDC Bag, and each one was made with a 4.5mm hook.  The only difference in each I'd the type of yarn.

{I don't know the type of yarn for the green circles, one is thin, the other chunky.  The blue and white is 100% cotton, the purple I'd 100% acrylic.}

As you can see, these circles are all different sizes, and this will affect your yarny  projects.

For sweaters, or such, the pattern will specify the type of yarn to use, so the correct gauge is achieved.  For projects like the ones I write up, you can adjust the patterns to accommodate your yarn size, making the finished product the size you want.

*I started out writing this post with yarn size in mind, and it exploded into a three part article!  The next post is going to be about hook size, I hope you'll stop back by for that!*

It's a Tough One

Thank you, Target, for
the awesome dollar
aisle finds!

Do you guys have people on your Holiday shopping lists that are super hard to buy for?  I do.  I stress and stress about what to get them, or what to make (since I really love giving handmade gifts).

I have a simple idea that I'm going to try out this year.  I'm going to make a list, and for each person that is difficult to buy for, I'm going to list their likes and hobbies.  I'm going to creep Pinterest for ideas from their boards, and hopefully score "best gift giver" this year (yeah, I know it isn't about being the best at it, but it feels pretty great to know you hit a home run with the gift, right?)

What about yourself?  Are you difficult to shop for?  Who said that wish lists are reserved for only the children?  I see no harm in writing out a wish list, so when asked, you can go to that list.  Or you can use it as a way to drop hints.  Just hang it on the fridge ;)

Let's give it a try!  Happy shopping!!

Ostrich Day

Do you ever just have one of those days where you want to pull a full on ostrich and stick your head in the sand and never bring it back out?  Where you just can't take it anymore, and you're stressed and want to scream and cry and have a meltdown?  I see you nodding your head!  I'm so glad I'm not alone!  Welcome to the Ostrich Club!

I had a day like that not long ago.  Actually, in the past six months I've had a lot of days like that.  Something about trying to buy a house (looooong story.  I'll fill you in later on all the deets.), while living in a house that I am allergic to (no kidding, I have had the worst allergies since we moved in here, and I have no idea what could be causing it!), and trying to keep some order in our chaotic lives...

Sorry.  I think I got a little out of control there.

Where was I?  Oh, yes.  I've had several Ostrich Days.  That's when I figured out that I need to stop and take time for myself.  It's not selfish, it's necessary.

How helpful am I going to be during homework if I'm a weepy mess on the floor?  Is dinner going to be cooked correctly if I'm jumping up and down and turning red in the face (to be honest, I often wonder if dinner will be cooked correctly because I'm a horrible cook)?  Probably not.  All I'll manage to do is upset everyone else.

I know that everyone else in the world has those days.  No one is immune to a day that feels so overwhelming that they just want to quit their job and run away!

So, what should one do when having an Ostrich Day?  Take a break.  Bury your head in the proverbial sand.  Take a nap, if necessary, or a long bath.  It doesn't have to be an all day break.  Even an hour or two of Pinterest and hot tea (or coffee, or whatever).  Maybe Journaling is your thing, or running (my personal favorite).

Whatever makes you feel better, more like a human.  Yes, the worries and irritations will still be there when you're done in the sand, but they may be easier to handle.  A clear head and a refreshed body will make it seem a little less daunting.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!  (And, if today is your Ostrich Day, it will get better!)

See ya!
Amanda

A Little Bit More...

Ginkgo Biloba is going to become my best friend, if it can deliver on its promises.  According to an article on Web MD, Ginkgo can be attributed to increasing bloodflow to the brain, possibly increasing memory, among other interesting {possible} benefits. 

I am terribly forgetful!   I mean, I forget my age!  

I compensate for my forgetfulness by leaving notes and reminders everywhere.  I'll leave lists on my desk and alerts on my phone.  Hubby has to call and remind me every so often, also. 

Frustrating!! {For all involved}

Here's the newest way I've come up with to remind myself of upcoming events:

Hanging right by the door so I pass it every day...  Until I quit looking at it, then I have to come up with something else :)

And, that's another Little Bit of how I keep my sanity (hahahahahahaha).

See ya!

~Amanda~

A Little Bit...

I always welcome ways to make every day life a little easier.  School-time is a particularly stressful time for me, at least in the mornings.  Most mornings I don't even get to brush my hair and teeth.  I'll throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt or my workout clothes just to get the kids to school.

I realized over the weekend that I lose a ton of time packing lunches in the mornings.  My solution seems very obvious.  I'm going to assume that most people would have thought of this sooner, but I felt like I had discovered the secrets of the universe when it dawned on me.

Why not pack lunches on Sunday?  My kids don't take a regular lunch box to school, so I buy brown bags in bulk.  I put a name on the front, throw the chips, gummies, and whatever they are taking for snack into the bag.  I store the bags in an unused cabinet until the morning they are needed. 

It seems very simple:  pack the lunches before-hand, add a sandwich that morning, and voila.  It also seems like it wouldn't save too much time, but it shaves off about 5-10 minutes of lunch packing, which can make all the difference if I oversleep (been happening more this week), or if I'm just moving kind of slow.  Perhaps it's all in my head, but it gives me a sense of having my crap together.  I feel like I'm starting out a step ahead, having most of it done ahead of time. 

How do you cut down on stresses in the mornings before school/work?  I'd love to hear more suggestions!

~Amanda~

{I'm thinking of doing a little section called "Little Bits" where I just add little blurbs about my time-saving ideas, or even just a little "Hi".  Not an all out post, but a quick stop-in.  What do you think?  I'm trying to get to a point where I'm posting at least once a week.  I have big plans, lets just hope I have the umph to follow through!!}