Monday, December 3, 2007

Overflowing with junk

I would love lots of comments on this one:


I am totally overwhelmed with Olivia's art stuff!  She has coloring books, crayons, markers, sticky notes, a gazillion notepads, pencils, erasers, jewelry crafts, hama beads, you name it, and they are coming out of the walls, floor ducts, and electrical outlets it seems.  It is making me crazy.  Several times per week I clean off the bar, which is where she piles them up, and put them on the shelves in her closet, and then one by one they reappear.  It's a total rat maze for me.  I feel like I am stuck in the movie Groundhog's day!

I live in a tiny house, and I need tips on how to keep down this clutter control.  If I am having this many problems with one little girl, what am I going to do when Max and Molly start having their own "stuff?"

HELP!!!

8 comments:

Itty Bitty Scrap Shack said...

Maybe she needs a desk and an organizational system that she takes part in setting up. This way she's knows where all of her favorite things and can keep them tidy in "her space" without overflowing into the rest of the house.

Kristen said...

I tottaly agree. Any luck finding a desk? It could be her own little space where everything has its place as well as a work station she could use. And if she wants to be downstairs with the rest of the fam (who wouldnt..right?) Maybe you could have a designated basket stored somewhere where she has to keep everything she brings downstairs. Then at the end of the night, she just carries that basket upstairs and puts it away...

Kristen said...

not to tottaly hijack your comments, but I had another thought this morning. If you want to save space, maybe you could try one of those over the door shoe holders. The one we have has 24 pockets and I often thought It would be a great storage for crayons, little knickknacks, whatever..just a thought. (and since its behind the door, you never have to see it..bonus!)

cryssal said...

As you know I am quite the organized girl. My suggestion would be a box of matches, it would also be much cheaper than any other suggestion.

Raina said...

I personally like the matches idea. I love this post, and I love hearing ideas. I wish i were a more organized person and I keep wishing someone could help me with all my little issues. I'll be checking back on this one often. I do have to say that i love Ikea ideas.

Mandy said...

Okay, I am a total Nazi, but here is what I do. I keep paper bags in the living room with everybody's name on them (including hubby's). At bedtime, I throw everything that is left out into the bags. Once something is in the bag it is mine. I can do whatever I want with it. If I want to throw it away, that is my choice. (I usually pile Michael's stuff on his pillow so he has to clean it up before he goes to sleep.) If the kids want their stuff back they have to earn it. I know it sounds harsh, but everyone has been better about cleaning up since I became a tyrant.

Phoebe said...

Tiny? Let's rethink that staement.

I completey agree with the shoe organizers. I love them on the inside of a closet.

j and k said...

Why not just let it collect, stew, and fester, so you can become like a bag lady? Some people look really awesome as bag ladies! Why not join my junk collection! I'm learning to embrace it. Truly, until mine is in good shape-no suggestions come to mind-ok one just did. Set up all the art work in a collage-and take a picture. Then toss the rest? Ok, save a few. BUt, at least you remember the stuff without "the stuff." Who knows?