6 Easy Ways to Organize Your Home

I am a big fan of using my label maker to organize almost every room in my home, but sometimes you need labels that are larger, a different shape, easier to read from a distance, or just labels that are more decorative.  That's why I think these new household labels from Mabel's Labels are so smart.  Some of them are custom printed to fit your needs and some of them come in preprinted sets, which contain every label you might need for that area of your home and then some.  I have selected 6 types of labels to share that I think would be most useful for my own household . . .


1.  Bin Labels ($21) - These are custom printed labels that are microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and UV resistant.  There are 4 designs to choose from.  Each set contains 27 labels.

2.  Spice Labels ($21) - These kitchen labels are perfect for labeling spice jars and other small containers. This set is also microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and UV resistant.  There are 4 designs to choose from.  This is a set of 45 custom printed labels.

3.  Canister Labels ($21) - These custom labels have all the features of the Spice Labels, but are designed for labeling dry goods.  There are 4 designs to choose from.  These labels come in a set of 30.

4.  Cord Control Labels ($12) - This is a set of 54 preprinted waterproof labels designed for organizing all the cords and wires in your home office, family room, kitchen, and any other room that houses electronics.  These labels only come in Navy blue and are water-resistant.

5.  Crafter's Label Pack ($12) - This is a set of 49 preprinted labels designed for organizing craft supplies.  These water-resistant labels only come in Red.

6.  Curbsides Labels ($21) - This is a set of 6 weather-proof, waterproof, UV resistant labels designed for labeling your trash cans and recycling bins.  These labels are custom printed with your street address.

I'll be daydreaming about having my very own super-organized craft room in my future (much larger) house now . . .

How to Make Easy Interchangeable Labels for Canvas Bins

For the past few weeks, I have been slowly reclaiming the living room.  What does that mean?  I am attempting to remove all of the toys that had overrun the room, making it appear to be a playroom rather than a living room.  If you take a look at the type of toy storage we were previously using, then you will likely agree that this Guidecraft Espresso Bookshelf paired with the Set of 5 Canvas Storage Bins is a huge improvement.

These shelves blend much better with the rest of our dark wood living room furniture and will allow our children to keep some toys close at hand in the living room.  The only problem is that our children would throw anything and everything into these bins unless each bin has a designated purpose.  I had to come up with a way to label canvas bins without permanently altering the bins, like using fabric markers would.  The reason why this is important is that the bins' labels would need to change as our needs change.


Canvas Bin Labels Craft . . .

SUPPLIES NEEDED

1 Wooden Shape Per Bin (I chose oval, but you can choose almost any shape)

Thin Permanent Markers (Choose colors that will match your decor)

Mini Wooden Clothes Pins  (I bought a package in assorted colors at A.C. Moore)

NOTE:  These wooden shapes are unfinished, so the markers may bleed anywhere from a tiny bit to quite a lot.  You may want to test your markers out on the backside of one shape or on a scrap piece of unfinished wood before proceeding.  To avoid bleeding, you can finish or paint the wooden shapes.

Step 1.  Create a border for your shape.  The possibilities are endless.  I chose to draw lines around the edge alternating between two colors.  Then I added fine dots around the inside of the border to add a little whimsy.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

Step 2.    Add the lettering for each label.  I chose to print uneven letters in all caps to make the labels more interesting, but still easy to read at the same time.

Step 3.  Clip the wooden labels onto the canvas bins.  Using one or two mini clothespin, secure the wooden shapes onto the outward-facing side of each bin.  Our bins have cutout handles, but you can also clip the shape to the top edges of your canvas bins.

If you make a mistake or change your mind about a label, the wooden shapes are double-sided, so you can just flip it over and start again.  As a precaution, I did purchase a few extra shapes, but I did not end up needing them.  These labels were quick and easy to make, but you can spend more time on yours by using paint, stencils, stamps, sponges, or any of your favorite wooden craft supplies.  These labels would also work on vinyl or leather bins as long as the walls of the bins are not too thick for the clothespins, which do come in a variety of sizes.


Thank you to Guidecraft for providing a complimentary product sample for this project.

Review: DYMO LabelManager Plug N Play LabelMaker (for PC or Mac)

For the past 2 or 3 weeks or so, I have been on a reorganizing rampage.  I started with the kitchen because we really needed to free up some counter space, as well as cabinet space.  I still have the spice cabinet and the kitchen drawers to go through, but I got a good start with the help of my new DYMO LabelManager PnP LabelMaker.  My previous DYMO LabelMaker was about 10 years old and weighed about 15lbs, but I still loved it.  This new LabelMaker really made my old DYMO seem like an ancient relic.

The PnP LabelMaker could not be more easy to set up and use.  It comes with a lithium-ion battery, a USB cable, and one label cartridge . . . everything you need to get started.  Once you pop in the battery and cartridge, you only need to plug the USB cable into the back of the LabelMaker and connect it to a powered USB port.  This prompts a window to open on its own, where you can open the LabelMaker software.

The software is extremely user-friendly.  It is very intuitive.  You only need to type in what you would like your label to say and click "Print".  Then the label immediately prints out of the LabelMaker.  When the label is done printing, just press the button with the scissors symbol to cut your label.  There is an option to print more than one of the same label, but the LabelMaker prints them consecutively without stopping to let you cut each individual label.  It does, however, print a dotted line between each label so that you have a guide when you cut the labels with scissors.  I found it to be easier just to print the same label individually to eliminate the need for scissors.

Here are some examples of how I used my PnP LabelMaker . . . 

(Click any image to enlarge)

Our children's toy bins were all jumbled and overflowing with their small toys.  Hopefully, these labels will help to keep the bins in better order so that my children are not always complaining that they cannot find a specific toy.

Since the children were infants, we purchased baby wipes from a warehouse store.  Each case of wipes came with another wipes bin, so I have always used them to hold small toys.  The bins look much better with the printed labels than they do written on with a Sharpie.

This is one of our kitchen drawers that needed the most help.  Underneath the oven mitts and boxes of storage bags were a wide array of items, ranging from Post-Its to toothpicks.  Again using empty wipes bins, I was able to save some space by eliminating the half empty boxes of sandwich and storage bags and consolidating them into one wipes bin.

Two other things I love about the DYMO PnP LabelMaker are that the ink is quick-drying, so I did not experience any smudging while handling the labels immediately after printing.  Also, I found out that the labels are repositionable on plastic.  Twice I had placed the labels a little less than straight and I was very pleased that I could peel them off to make another attempt.

You can learn more about the DYMO LabelManager Plug N Play LabelMaker by visiting Dymo.com.  This LabelMaker retails for $64.99 and can be purchased on Dymo.com, Amazon.com, the Apple Store online, Staples, and other select retailers of DYMO products.

Thank you to DYMO for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Giveaway & Review: 152ct "Label Daddy" Labels [CLOSED]

In Fall 2010, our twins will be starting preschool. Luckily, we already had one child go through preschool, so we know what to expect. One thing we hear again and again is "Label everything!" When I did not know better, I just took a Sharpie and wrote my son's name on everything. Now I do know better and use clothing labels and zipper tags.

Label Daddy was nice enough to send us some of their licensed Disney labels and zipper tags to try for ourselves. Our 6yr old son chose Disney Pixar Cars for his extra small clothing labels. These labels are so easy to apply. You just peel, stick, and press firmly. It is recommended to wait 24 hours before putting the piece of clothing through the wash. The label below has been machine washed and dried and still looks good as new. It shows no signs of peeling or fading.

For these particular Disney labels, you are able to choose the design, the personalization, and the font. The choices include most of the Disney favorites, including Mickey, Minnie, the Disney Princesses, Buzz Lightyear, Tinkerbell, Winnie the Pooh, Hannah Montana, and more.

There are so many items these extra small labels will be used on. Off the top of my head, I will be using them on all my son's coats and hoodies, inside his baseball caps, his winter gloves and hat, inside his shoes and snow boots, his swim trunks, and his nylon wallet.

The laminated zipper tags we received for the twins were also Disney-themed. Our 3yr old son is a huge fan of Mickey Mouse and his twin sister loves anything to do with princesses. The ordering process for the zipper tags is the same as for the labels.

I love that these tags have a lobster claw clasp. It made it so much easier to attach the tags than it would have been with jumprings. These tags will not only be used on the twins' backpacks, but also on their coats, zip-front sweatshirts, zip-up snow boots, and zip-close pencil cases.

I am extremely happy with my Label Daddy products. The only thing I would have possibly changed is to have my daughter's last initial put on a second line since her name is so long. That would have made the tag slightly easier to read.

Visit LabelDaddy.com to view their full line of labels, which are not just limited to clothing labels, but also includes all-purpose labels, allergy labels, address labels, photo stickers, luggage tags, and much more.

Thank you to Label Daddy for sending us sample labels and tags free of charge to base this review upon and for providing additional product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a 152pc Label Daddy Camp Pack (ARV $50).

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of Label Daddy products. Then leave a comment telling me which product you would find most useful (aside from the two reviewed in the above article). You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND LabelDaddy.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For one extra entry each, "Like" Label Daddy on Facebook and/or follow Label Daddy on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook or Twitter profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, June 7th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

"Get Cool For School" Giveaway #20: Radio Flyer Pack 'n' Go Canopy Wagon, SafetyTats, Outdoor Blanket (3 Winners) [CLOSED]

Get Cool For School! Giveaway #20

Go to all Get Cool For School Contests

Please take a moment to meet our sponsors . . .

Radio Flyer, who has been delighting children since the year 1917, is a household name when it comes to outdoor toys. Whether you are purchasing a tricycle, a ride-on toy, a toy scooter, or a red wagon, you know to expect quality from Radio Flyer.

It is never intentional, but adults do lose sight of their children now and then . . . especially in crowds. That is why SafetyTats came up with a way for adults to put their phone numbers or other important information on their child. These are a modern-day take on the ID bracelet, which are not flexible about what information you would like to include on them for your child's identification.

Bunnytail Blankets is a Massachusetts-based business who offers kids outdoor blankets that are water resistant and wind resistant. These Polartec fleece blankets come in many fun colors and prints and bear a reflective strip on the outer nylon shell for add safety during evening outdoor activities.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will win ALL the items listed below. Two additional readers will each receive a set of SafetyTats.

Radio Flyer Pack & Go Canopy Wagon

Radio Flyer Pack & Go Canopy Wagon Review

• 2-IN-1 WAGON: SEATS FOLD FLAT FOR FLATBED AND FOLD UP FOR CHILD COMFORT WHILE RIDING
• REMOVABLE SOFT SIDED STORAGE BAG, INCLUDES INSULATED COMPARTMENT FOR COLD ITEMS
• EXCLUSIVE STORAGE BAG IS EXPANDABLE AND ZIPS AWAY FOR EASY STORAGE
• 2 CHILD CUP HOLDERS INSIDE THE WAGON + 2 ADULT CUP HOLDERS IN THE FRONT
• CHILD SEAT BELTS
• FOLD OVER HANDLE FOR EASY STORAGE
• FRONT AXLES DESIGNED FOR NON-TIP TURNING
• SOFT QUIET RIDE TIRES
• UV PROTECTION CANOPY REMOVES IN SECONDS WITH QUICK-CLIP™ ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
• FOR AGES OVER 1 1/2 YEARS

SafetyTats

SafetyTats Quick Stick Write-On Review

Quick Stick Write-On! Allergy Alert 4-pack

Quick Stick Write-On! Multi-Design 4-pack

Outdoor Blanket from Bunnytail Blankets

Bunnytail Blankets Review

The winner will receive one in-stock blanket of their choice from Bunnytail Blankets. These washable Polartec fleece wind and water-resistant blankets measure 30” x 36”.

These are the 8 blogs participating in this giveaway event. You can gain additional entries for this contest by entering on all 8 blogs.

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

As They Grow Up

Blessings Abound Mommy

Experimental Mommy

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Momstart

The Shopping Mama

What Mommies Need

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, we will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:
1) Browse the selection of items available on RadioFlyer.com . Then leave a comment telling us about one item you would love to buy for a child in your life.

2) Leave a comment telling us one example of when you think SafetyTats would come in handy.

3) Browse the selection of outdoor blankets on BunnytailBlankets.com . Then leave a comment telling us which blanket you would choose if you won this contest.

You MUST do ALL THREE to be eligible to win this contest, but you will receive one entry for each completed mandatory entry provided you leave a separate comment for each.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments telling me the title of the post you left your comment on. You will earn 5 extra entries for each non-giveaway post you leave a comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites

4) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

5) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this as often as you wish until the end of the contest.

7) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

8) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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9) Add my "Get Cool For School" giveaway event button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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10) Add my "Monterey Car Seat" giveaway button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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Now go visit the other participating blogs to obtain additional entries for this contest!

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)

Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!