Pantry Makeover!

*UPDATE* When I posted this little project of mine I had no idea how incredibly popular it would be!  Since then I have updated this post a bit and I added the files as a clickable download so no need to request them via email. Also I had not yet been introduced to the amazing command velcro strips (not sure if they were out yet) so I would highly recommend swapping those little velcro dots out for the 3M command strips, they are awesome! Ironically, the very same day I posted this we recieved orders to another state and sure enough we were able to move all of our pantry items easily and the system is still in place in our new home! Enjoy :)

I LOVE to organize...almost as much as I love crafts, almost. One day we'll live in a permant home where we can take time making things our own and just how we want them. For now, we move with the needs of the Army....a lot. I think through everything we bring in our home. From our furniture to the kid's Christmas gifts to make sure there's a spot and it will be ok when we move again. So I'm a little OCD. I don't have a say of where we live or where my husband will be or how long really..but I can keep our own house running smoothly. Back to the pantry - our pantry here is this little skinny closet with shelves. This pantry has always been a pain...we have to cram things in there, I forget to buy this, I bought way too much of this because we already had 3 in the back, the cans never stayed in order, the snacks in the back we forgotten about it and went stale, the hubby complained we never had quick foods, and when hurricane Irene came I realized wow...we do not have a little stock of food incase of an emergency. Sitting things just on the shelf there was barely enough room to stock up on what we needed for the next two weeks. So I decided something had to be done about it. And I'm really loving how it came out! It's not rocket science but it sure has made my life better and my mommy duties much easier.

Here's the pantry all organized!! Why didn't I take a before pic?!!? Oh that's right because it was shamefull :)

I made these sheets to hang inside the door. I laminated them and velcroed them to the door. (with the little circle ones) We've been trying to set our meals in advance for awhile but I figure this will help me stick with it. It's right inside the door so even if I am gone the hubby can follow it. On top I made a "We're out of" sheet. This has helped so much! No more forgetting to put items on the grocery list or hubby writing them on the dry erase board to only get erased. I now sit down every two weeks and fill these out along with the grocery list. I also added a freezer meal spot at the bottom. I am trying to get in the routine of making meals in ziplocks to pull out for those crazy nights.

If you would like a copy of these just click to download :)

 We already had these cereal boxes to keep it fresh. But I added this little basket to store oatmeal and poptarts. My kids think poptarts are a food group.

I added three little sink caddy's to the wall for all those annoying little things! These were less then two bucks.

I posted this long before I fell in love with the amazing velcro command strips. You can attach them and easily pull them off when needed..and no paint peeling. Love them. These little guys can be pulled of easily to pick from.

I used velcro circles to attach these as well so they could be pulled off to pick from. I was a little worried about them taking off the paint but I pulled one off today and it was ok. If your worried about the paint I would prolly skip this. We have to paint anyway when we move so no biggie to me!

Here's my favorite part!!! These storage containers are awesome. I've been wanting some of the Target ones f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But they are like 16.99 a piece (yikes). So when I ran across these at Wal-Mart awhile back I was really happy. They were no more then 6.99 a piece depending on size. So although it was kinda pricey to buy a bunch of them all at once it was well worth it. Now everything is lined up and organized and I can see exactly what we are low on or out of. On the top shelf I put containers for snacks. Snacks are a must with 3 little ones and it seems like we never have enough. On the bottom shelf I put all the staples we generally keep around..noodles, rice, spagehetti etc. This way when I sit down to make a grocery list it's obvious what staples I need to buy and how many snacks. Additionaly these were considered an investment for us. We can now move our food in these containers instead of throwing away everything opened like we've had to do several times before.

For the potatoes I just used my label maker to note the amounts needed of everything.

Another great thing about these. Behind these the shelf is totally empty. Plenty of room to add things and store extras not yet in a container.

I got these baskets for around $2.00 at Wal-Mart. They are great because I can put random things in them and they easily pull out. And I can store things behind them!

And behind these little baskets I found these little wire shelves at the dollar tree!! They will do the trick and again they double the space.

I have always wanted something for the cans. They can be a lot online but I found these for $6.00 at Wal-Mart again..they had a lot of pantry stuff!!

I seriously doubled or if not tripled my pantry space. I feel like I need to buy more food to stock it up! lol. And the hubby is happy there is always quick food on hand. It has finally put grocery buying into a system I don't completely hate! I fill our meal calendar, add our out of's to the list, meats, produce, and then snacks. And they great things is..this stuff will pretty much work where ever we live :) So like I said, it's not rocket science but it's pretty darn helpful if you have a closet like we did! Happy organizing!

Berry Sweet Pants

I'm so excited! I've tackled my first article of kids clothing. Although I love to look at all the beautiful pieces sewn online I have never really had an interest in sewing my own. And we're so blessed to have Grandma Miller who sews up all our cute things so I didn't have to learn ever. I can't sew much more then a straight line! So I keep to blankets and things hehe. But my new machine and my diva four year old has convinced me to try. Cadence saw this vintage strawberry shortcake flanel fabric and had to have it. I really didn't want to get it because it would mean I either had to send it to grandma or make something on my own. I finally caved because it was so cute and I was suprised she picked it since it was the "old strawberry shortcake" I finally attempted them this morning...and go to try them on for size and she wouldn't go near them!!!! "Mommy those are the old Strawberry Shortcake, I only like the new one...like Jadie likes!" (Jadie is her cousin -hero- and the reason why she has always loved Strawberry Shortcake) Seriously child..do you not recall the pleading for this fabric in the store???? Thankfully she finally tried them on and now won't take them off...phew! I'm really happy how they came out. I didn't attempt a top at all since these were just an experiment. I just paired them with a comfy cotton shirt.
I just let her do her own thing when I need to take pics. She's quiet the character.

They fit really well! Nice and comfy and a perfect length.

I wasn't sure how hard the elastic would be but it was easy! They fit her tummy perfect!

Isn't the print cute? I love the patchwork.

She's happy, so mommy's happy. We have dozens of handmade pajamas from Grandma Miller that I will have to share. They are our favorite gift and one of the most useful things you can sew! Since the girls already have so many maybe I can actually make myself some??? hmmm?

I knew many of my mommy friends have been wanting to try some things on the sewing maching. This is a great started project, do it!

Candy Corn Fun!

I totally love all things candy corn. There's something about that so well known pattern of orange, yellow, and white. Candy corn means the fall is officially here :)! A year ago the girl's grandma and I decided to make these dresses....ok I decided she needed to make these dresses is more like it ;). So we went shopping for fabric but then decided to hold on to it for next year. They were worth the wait!!! I was so excited when Grandma Miller brought them to us...but Cadence was devastated their wasn't one for her...so grandma to the rescue whipped one up and shipped it out. Cadence was over the moon. They got to wear them all to church yesterday and when we got home I decided to take a few pics to show Grandma. I justed wanted a couple shots of the girls together.....yeaaaa riiigggghhhht. That's like mission impossible. Sit Cadence down..one twin...the other twin...sit the first twin back down...now the second twin is up...Cadence is now pulling on them...UGH. So I took them out side one by one for a little mini shoot. I think they came out good for 10 minutes and 3 kids. You can't see it very well in the pics but the white fabric has a light polka dot on it and the yellow a strip. Cindy did an awesome job! My favorite picture of Cadence. She has always been our little model.

This was suppose to be a picture of all three....notice the twins are missing? :0

Having a little fun with my favorite photo...She loves how full the skirt is. Great twirl factor!The candy corn necklace came from Joannes a year ago. The top was a little big on her...but that just means we'll add leggings and have it for next year too.

I've been trying to get around to making them bows for weeks...ended up whipping up these a few hours before church.

And here's Miley! Our "middle child" She like pictures too.

That poor pumpkin..she kept wanting to throw the "ball"!I like this tiered dress pattern a lot!Aw are they really this big already???One of my favorite!!! Simply because this is so Miley...from smiles to pout in a flash.

Our smallest Bailey..and least photogenic. I was able to steal some while she played with the "ball".

Can't you just see the evil plans she's brewing? That's why we love her!

My easy going baby.

A little color fun with this one.

Hey there is two kids in this one! And they are smiling....score!

hmmm? Poor Cadence......she was so tired of waiting on the girls to sit still. Just when they do....she's not smiling. :) Love it.

I forgot to ask Grandma Miller what pattern she used for the dresses so I will update with the info. Didn't she do an awesome job???? Thanks!

A new chapter in our Journey...

The military life is unlike any other. We've been so happy here in Virginia I think I forgot we we're "military". Which is why when Ben came home this week and told me he had orders to New York and we would be leaving in less the 90 days....I was in total shock. Ben has been working on another career option that may have had us leave but that was all a big if and a later in the future kinda thing. We've been through all the fun trials of being in the military but other then deployment this has been the hardest news yet. I can't begin to tell you how much we love it here, and ultimately how much we love our friends...no family here. We are so connected here it kinda feels like home. And during the holidays...really? ANY other time of year would be ok...but in the dead of winter in upper New York (who writes these orders?!?!) Everything has kind of came to a hault, and I've spent the weekend in a fog. We have all of these plans for the holidays, commitments, cake orders, and project plans...so much to think about. We took some time to slow down and play with the kids. Enjoy the crisp fall air, let Cadence ride her bike, and play at the park, exactly what I needed...the kids have reminded me that no matter what it's going to be ok. I will spare you the details but there are a lot of things that need to be sorted out. There is still a chance that Ben's other option goes through....but for now we're leaving for New York in the next 90 days and that's what we have to begin to prepare for. I would like to ask for all your prayers that the right path will be obvious and clear to us.

I guess I just needed a little time to be brokenhearted and let it all soak in. At the end of the day I know that God has a plan for us and we just need to have faith. No matter where were are at were going to have a purpose and there is a bigger plan. Our family wants to serve where we are needed and we wouldn't want to miss out on an oppurtunity that God has for us.

Love you all, and thanks for following me on our journey. I'll be back with happy posts tomorrow. God Bless.

Gracies Cookie Monster Party

Good Morning! Today I am doing a little blog catching up. Awhile back I posted a sneak peak of Gracie's cookie monster party. I guess cookie monster parties are really popular because I get SO many hits on that everyday..and I realized I have never posted pictures of the actual party! So here they are!
The party was for my niece who was turning 3. I should add that Gracie is a miracle baby born at 1.8oz, carried for 3.5 weeks after the water broke. Birthdays for her are a huge celebration of life! I was excited to help my sister throw it together. I made some of the printables a few weeks ahead of time and took them to Indiana. All we had to buy was food for the party and a table cloths, cups and plates. An easy but cute party to pull off!? Great for a budget. The pictures are not the greatest :( the lighting was not great.
Here's some of the goodies set out. My sister also ordered pizza for the guest too eat.

The tower of cupcakes.

Here are my sisters three kids in their seasame street shirts.

For the treat bags my sister colored some chocolate chips on the bags. We had different chocolate chip theamed items inside as well as coloring items.

One of my favorite things! We wrapped the silverware in blue ribbon and used icing to glue cookie crisp to them :)

We stuck googly eyes on everything making them cookie monster.

Almond joy pieces!

Here is the cake I made. One of the simplest but cutest cakes I've made! I covered the cake in fondant and then stuck hershy kisses in it.

Another shot of the dessert table. See the crepe paper??? My sister took time to draw brown circles on them making it chocolate chip!

We added eyes to the punch also! The blue paper shred was everywhere it reminded me of cookie monsters fur.

We picked up these cookie jars at either Target or Walmart. They added a great touch to the party! Also the plastic tongs came from the dollar tree. I have had them forever they always come in handy at parties!

We had to have milk! I made the lable to go with the seasame street theme. And then we sat out a jar of unwrapped hershy kisses as "chocolate kisses". That was one of those DUH ideas that came out great!

A local bakery has made these sesame street cookies for years. My mom remebered them and sure enough they had them still! We added some cookie crisp and wrapped them up in favors. These were a great find.

Here's the banner I made..not a very good pic though :/

Here's gracie stealing some milk and cookies before the party!

And Gracie with her big sister! We couldn't find a big bird shirt so the night before the party I drew him on her yellow T-Shirt. She was happy.

My favorite shot of the birthday girl!

And there is the cookie monster party!!! Hope that gives some inspiration to those throwing a cookie monster party!