I love the feeling of getting my home back in order again, after the holidays are over.
I’ve been talking to my friends, and my mom (who is also my friend), and it seems like most of us are in the mood to organize.
My problem with organization is that I lack inner inspiration and creativity, and that’s when I turn to books and magazines, and my journals.
I got a book out of the library, Style for Living, by Alexandra Stoddard. I first heard of this designer from my friend Joanna, years ago. I now turn to Stoddard’s books when I need a little push to clean up, make my home beautiful, and organize.
Our surroundings are of prime importance to our sense of well-being and contentment. They can make all the difference in the quality of our lives.
It is actually in your hands to create a dynamic, uplifting place where happiness is a natural state of mind.
Alexandra Stoddard
As a Christian, I believe that my home should reflect the inner peace and beauty of a soul saved by Christ…that our homes should ooze the love of life, the enjoyment of a life that was given to us abundantly, from God Himself. It’s not a waste of time, and can actually push us onward to a greater relationship with Him, as we work to create, just like He also creates. God is orderly, He pays attention to details, loves beauty and cleanliness.
I tend to get impatient about it all, though, and find myself upset at times with the mess and all the stuff we have accumulated through the years. However, little by little we are working on cleaning up. We’ve made good progress on the children’s bedrooms and the master bedroom is looking good, too. I’m trying to concentrate on one room at a time. It’s a lot of work, but the end results are very rewarding. I’m not looking for a perfect home, I like the lived in look, but it is nice to freshen things up now and then.
To challenge myself, and to also avoid the stress that comes with shopping and making decisions how to spend my money, I am trying to use what I have around the house to help us organize.
For instance, I saved a few containers and let Grace cover them yesterday, with pretty scrapbook paper. Ethan ended up doing one for her, too. Jacob was inspired and started covering one of his cardboard boxes with a plain, but attractive maroon paper (the box holds his Star Wars figurines, but was originally used to ship coffee).
Grace can use these containers to store her little things in. And she made them herself, I don’t care that they aren’t “Pottery Barn” perfect…..I love to see her handwriting, and her own style of doing things as a 10 year old. And she had such a good time figuring out just what to put in them.
*Reading and studying my Tasha Tudor books always inspires me.
*Country Living magazine, both the USA and the British ones (I prefer the British and buy a copy now and then from Barnes and Noble as a very special treat).
*My own journal, that I’ve been putting together for probably 6 years now, reminds me of certain things that always appeal to me; baskets, old canning jars, vintage lace, anything homemade, interesting arrangements of bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, the colors I am drawn to, etc.
*Books, books, books (I like to browse the home and craft shelves at the library)
This time of year, when the busyness of the holidays is behind me, I also enjoy the extra time to try my hand at crafty things, too. As a mother of six, I don’t have a lot of free time, but I think it’s important for my health and well-being to take the time to create SOMETHING now and then. Grace and I were both inspired by a book that I checked out of the library, about making cloth dolls.
And so, we each made one!
I was really proud of Grace because she sewed hers almost entirely herself. She even used the sewing machine for the first time, and I loved glancing up at her now and then as she worked.
This one is mine, and I’m not quite done with her hair. She’s still bald in back.
And here is Grace’s.
Good to be Home 
Your dolls are dear! Maybe Seth will be carrying them?
Happy organizing!! Those little dolls are so sweet — good job Grace!! (and Mommy!)
I still have, somewhere packed away safe, a cloth doll I made when I was a kid. Sometimes I get a little embarrassed when I look at her, her eyes are set on opposite sides of her face, and her smile pretty well covers the entire bottom half … but I made her all by myself, every stitch, making up my own pattern and everything, and then I made clothes for her, so even though she’s kinda ugly, she’s still an accomplishment! I love the containers in Grace’s room, such a good idea, and so lovely! I’ll have to check out that Style For Living book, as I have absolutely no inspiration when it comes to the home!
It does provide a push after Christmas doesn’t it?! I have several of Alexandra Stoddard’s books, I will have to pull one this week and enjoy it. My bedroom closet needs some serious work…it is almost loosing its walk-in ability. It is long and narrow and some suitcases and things are stacked at the end. We have been spending our free time trying to dismantle at Nana and Grandpa’s house, so ours isn’t getting enough of my energy. But that is only for a season.Love how the dolls turned out! The only one I have ever made is one of our Christmas decorations. He turned out cute, but his head is wobbly and his hair is rather sad, but he wears a hat Tell Grace I love those sparkly eyes on her doll.
Those dolls are adorable:). I love looking at those magazines with designs for the “everyday” home. I just lack the creativity to actually do it most of the time. Xanga also offers so much creativity. I love your post about the common things in our lives/homes and how to enjoy THOSE. Thanks.
Love you new ideas! I’m glad to know theres someone besides me who makes a scrapbook of “HOME Stuff” well I think you called yours a journal, but anyway… I do that same thing!
Doing the freshen up thing here as well. Great idea’s you have! The containers are very cute and such pretty colors too! Journeling is also a joy of mine. Have a blessed day ~ Di
The dolls turned out great!!!Oh Tasha Tudor, she will always be one of my favorites!I took a break from tearing apart my study (trying to organize) to read your post!The containers look perfect, how kind of Ethan to help make some!
I like grace’s doll best…you can tell her:)Good luck with the organizing. I get into the organizing mode once in a while too and it feels good to get it done….not so good to get it messed up again but that’s another story:):)
What adorable dolls ~
The dolls are sweet! Rachel said she thought you would make the one with cherries, but I told her Grace probably likes cherries just like her mama. I had Jake cleaning out his room yesterday. He was so industrious! He would come to me and ask if he could take certain things to the second-hand store. So now we can see his floor again (I still need to “polish” it up a bit), and he had a good sense of accomplishment for doing so much himself.
Love the dolls! I’ve been in kind of an organizing mood too…though it has fizzled out recently as I’ve been feeling more tired….I love your thoughts and quotes on homekeeping…I agree! That’s why the mess and clutter bothers me sooooo much.
I like the dress on Grace’s doll. 🙂 Both dolls are very cute.I envy your creative photographer’s eye and I’m always impressed with how cleverly displayed and appealing your photos are.
Morgan says she loves the dolls. She loves making things like that as well. ~ so cute. thanks for sharing.
Country Living is my MOST FAVORITE magazine!! 🙂
Love it!!!
I loved this post. We’re in the process of going through things here, too. The canisters are a great idea. Sometimes I think I need to run to Target for containers and such but I need to look around the house for ideas.Do I spy a little kids fiestaware tea set? I was talking to my mom about the special fiesta finds and she said she had a little tea set from years ago. She is going to try and look for it…I’m hoping they didn’t accidentally sell it at a yard sale. Thanks for inspiring me today.
What a wonderful post,Shanda. I am also organizing, which I seem to need to do quite often. I LOVE Grace’s decorated containers!! I’ve been looking for something for Sean to keep his army men and little Star Wars guys in, I am off to buy some “cool” scrapbook paper for him. I also love Country Living. I may splurge and buy the UK issue soon. Great job on the dolls too! May I ask what book you used.Have a wonderful night~Cindy
I don’t think my house will ever be the same . . .sigh . . .but I do love that feeling too. I’m still trying to figure out how to manage everything with four kids. Most people have at least four years to figure this out gradually and I’m constitently getting down on myself because I can’t figure out how life should be now but I keep saying “Elisha, its only been two weeks. It will get better. Don’t worry.” I enjoyed your post. Love you, Lish
grace, what a beautiful job you did on your doll and canisters. good for you!!
shanda, i love to organize, too. what great inspiration you’ve found to guide you.
You guys did a great job on the dolls! I know what you mean about the organization aspect:) You guys have done a great job!
You are always full of good book titles! I read many of the things you mention. I (for one) appreciate you taking time to list titles and authors! The homemade dolls are something to keep and hand down! VERY creative.
I was inspired by your post. I am also trying to get more order and a bit of decorating happening in our home. I love your ideas of covering the containers and the homemade dolls are beautiful. Angela
I am also trying to get motivated to organize. I agree, I think everyone does after the holidays. 🙂 However, I keep putting mine off. They will be here to pack us up in a few months, so that is my excuse. I still have time! 🙂 LOLCare to share the pattern for the dolls? I think that would be something fun to make for my little girl. :)Thanks! :)~HUGS~Lanitha
Grace did a terrific job on all her projects! I look forward to my daughter being old enough to sew with me. Even though she’s only 5 now, she does participate when she can. I often give her some scrap fabric with a needle and thread and let her do her thing.
Love the dolls their so sweet!
Ahh…the dolls are just cute as can be and Ethan ~ what a sweet big brother! Always seems to be helping out his siblings! PS – I have a couple journals like that too – I let what creative juices I have in me flow in those – using crayons, markers, and sometimes the fingerprint of my youngest daughter :o) Blessings!
Hi Shanda,I think Alexandra Stoddard overstated the case ,”Our surroundings are of prime importance to our sense of well-being and contentment.” It might sound good, but even pleasant surroundings are vanity. Only The Lord and His presence can bring complete contentment. We have to be vigilant to properly order our enjoyments. They must all rest upon the foundation that is Christ.You know that. You practice spreading His love. That makes you and your family emanate contentment. Fiestaware is an embellishment, Jesus is the fiesta of prime importance.Lots of hugs to all – keep on projecting with those kiddos,Bob