IHeart Kitchen Reno: An Organized Pantry

Don't get me wrong, I have been loving <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/p/quick-tip-gallery.html" target="_blank">this year's weekly Quick Tip series</a>.  It has been fun focusing on bite size organizing to get us by while we work on a much bigger project.  But come on!  This girl has been so patiently waiting to move on to bigger and better organizing projects.  The kind that fuel my organizing fire.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKJOi-c3cQtwSjipPn6nCHTun47XSbpLkDT_dnFcyq09VrjJ6Jox4N6Y-y5mclDytlyZIQzlLIB8zrvhsbOg75ahWxqibgjX754m3UoiIKNyHFN38D_rdz3N27CvrfMdMt5_S_3KuQM0O/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKJOi-c3cQtwSjipPn6nCHTun47XSbpLkDT_dnFcyq09VrjJ6Jox4N6Y-y5mclDytlyZIQzlLIB8zrvhsbOg75ahWxqibgjX754m3UoiIKNyHFN38D_rdz3N27CvrfMdMt5_S_3KuQM0O/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_Header.png" /></a></div><br />I am not ready to fill all of the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen quite yet... I am trying to wait for the center island to arrive first.  Although we have already assigned a function to each cabinet and drawer on paper, I won't really know what we have available until everything is assembled and in place.  But one thing that won't be changing, island or no island, is the pantry.  <br /><br /><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/02/kitchen-pantry-update-part-3-reveal.html" target="_blank">Our previous pantry</a> was a bit of a struggle in that it was deep, and the interior was wider than the door opening by a couple of inches on both sides.  Also, anything above the door opening was a challenge to see or access.  We made the most of the space, and when paired with a kitchen cabinet across the way, we had plenty of dry food storage.  Little did I know the difference ONE cabinet would make in how we store all of those items now.  The new pantry cabinet is a a 30" wide, floor to ceiling unit with zero clearance hinges.  That means the doors don't get in the way of the opening and allow the most possible access to drawers and shelves.  Little things, big difference.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV61-HAWt0fRSpQp0LKx_h5I9gR614zfYIEi5cEyFmPCqEaLlLOp7adVSoVLEkuBsdfo26A-5ZfaG5A9XGZaRheZryoQhNbKHXkkYGkswQALrjuXmQr8sdB25tr11JXMX5rhvvK_0Q_2S/s1600/IKEA_Kitchen_Cabinet_Install_Tips_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV61-HAWt0fRSpQp0LKx_h5I9gR614zfYIEi5cEyFmPCqEaLlLOp7adVSoVLEkuBsdfo26A-5ZfaG5A9XGZaRheZryoQhNbKHXkkYGkswQALrjuXmQr8sdB25tr11JXMX5rhvvK_0Q_2S/s1600/IKEA_Kitchen_Cabinet_Install_Tips_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />We made sure to have electrical added to allow us to conceal our microwave within the new cabinet.  I LOVE this!  First, the stainless finish is always covered in finger prints and it is so nice not to care.  And second, it frees up counter space which is always prime real estate in a kitchen.<br /><br />The microwave alone is fantastic, but I couldn't wait to get my paws on those deep drawers below.  However, those shelves above left me scratching my scalp a bit.   24" deep shelves are not easy to maximize unless you can pull them out.  Only problem is that IKEA didn't offer pull out drawers/shelves for their 30" pantry when we ordered from their old Akurum line.  Their new Sektion line <i>does</i> offer pull out options for the 30" pantry, however, the kitchen associate informed us that the new system doesn't work with the old system.  #boo<br /><br />We started looking at some pull out drawer options online, and another boo hoo slipped through my lips.  So expensive.  Then I remembered that the IKEA Pax wardrobe system offered drawers, in fact, we had just used them in <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-coat-closet-makeover-again.html" target="_blank">our coat closet update</a> and loved them!  The measurements were close enough to make us believe that we could make them work, coming in at 29 1/2" wide x 22 7/8" deep.  And with their IKEA Family sale, we paid just $25 per <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10246308/#/10246332" target="_blank">drawer set</a>, soft close hardware included.<br /><br />We are not the tallest family on the block, so we only needed two pull out drawer options.  The entire pantry was designed with height in mind.  A lower drawer for the kids, microwave at boy's level, one more drawer dedicated to the kids and then baking and boxed/canned goods above.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAom2oqdXCIyHEIUUEDO1P3BSRXcoQojFicCWePNb8-LTLn2IvftCBFPyHaTfSSN4dEOHpZuFhVsGQO_wVRCsITnWs7Tt0TYHYDHq3hdF4zNLfJ6JoqsNPKvHoz-qUHyYnlR7gbsx_2Paa/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_2-labeled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAom2oqdXCIyHEIUUEDO1P3BSRXcoQojFicCWePNb8-LTLn2IvftCBFPyHaTfSSN4dEOHpZuFhVsGQO_wVRCsITnWs7Tt0TYHYDHq3hdF4zNLfJ6JoqsNPKvHoz-qUHyYnlR7gbsx_2Paa/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_2-labeled.png" /></a></div><br />And yeah.... those are jogging pants... moving on.<br /><br />As you can see, the drawers for the IKEA wardrobe did end up fitting inside of our pantry!  To make everything line up just right, we added a strip of 1/4" thick MDF behind each rail to get to the 30" width of the pantry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxzTB3Do-NhKWxoFzGDxbwuS0rtrbGvldL_MRc90wm0ubJyl0yCO9Dlj56inZBFONMkO1I5n7l3wXR5NUlgjvTyGtILFNNxI2cnzwPkMh9KdsSVrwdGjwMh89TTs-9wmqG7ES90ga1FfB/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxzTB3Do-NhKWxoFzGDxbwuS0rtrbGvldL_MRc90wm0ubJyl0yCO9Dlj56inZBFONMkO1I5n7l3wXR5NUlgjvTyGtILFNNxI2cnzwPkMh9KdsSVrwdGjwMh89TTs-9wmqG7ES90ga1FfB/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once we did a test run, we removed the strip and I painted them white to match the cabinet.  Back in place and you would never even know they are there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL9bDTtjEI9iefqeJcqtNm-tTjEB9ZZdhAVHC7YGqnUjG4Slx9kc2AekZzlAwhaIcm-R2NV7o-wx8OifepsuKWz30rWf7Llod6YSsaGCY-vzc-xg6-4kCRlz4qJrHKk2LYY-JSujiQTZS/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL9bDTtjEI9iefqeJcqtNm-tTjEB9ZZdhAVHC7YGqnUjG4Slx9kc2AekZzlAwhaIcm-R2NV7o-wx8OifepsuKWz30rWf7Llod6YSsaGCY-vzc-xg6-4kCRlz4qJrHKk2LYY-JSujiQTZS/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_16.jpg" /></a></div><br />We still may router out a groove in the taller drawers to better see the contents, we haven't quite decided on that yet as we figure we should live with them "as-is" for awhile.<br /><br />So let's take a closer look at how I organized each zone.  I have quite a few favorite moments happening inside, so I will try to keep the obnoxious over-excitement to a minimum.  It will be hard though, I mean, check out the bottom drawer!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cjYQzOOPy_Jn45r29y7cZ6YB9MTV87syvyL9QdH504syULVJ-bU7FAHxORZfKjX7MYnQDJx_pXbNhLgSs1uNnp5Z-ivKsAp52BPJUvh2d4U3zo9Uk6ja7m3V425iWsapFeH7bKIpzL7Y/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cjYQzOOPy_Jn45r29y7cZ6YB9MTV87syvyL9QdH504syULVJ-bU7FAHxORZfKjX7MYnQDJx_pXbNhLgSs1uNnp5Z-ivKsAp52BPJUvh2d4U3zo9Uk6ja7m3V425iWsapFeH7bKIpzL7Y/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_5.jpg" /></a></div><br />I couldn't wait to go to the grocery store and stock the pantry, and this drawer is one of the main reasons.  I have always loved the <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/paperFileStorage/portable?productId=10022942" target="_blank">Multi-Purpose Bins from The Container Store</a>; they are the shining stars in our <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/03/monthly-clean-home-challenge_7.html" target="_blank">fridge</a> and <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2014/03/monthly-clean-home-challenge-clean-out_24.html" target="_blank">freezer</a>.  Now, they are also steeling the show in the pantry!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_HhOfDQfywVLxaKlbUaKXCAXvSQyRaa4h6JZta8Cj-vsiBY-iF36_sZtWOOL_MNwIozkXSJIXnrjM6rsPHL1iFGxKoUr_Vl73mzMTDA7RxqxyTQLd55WVWqW-XG_KaWeVjDBffGGAjTt/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_HhOfDQfywVLxaKlbUaKXCAXvSQyRaa4h6JZta8Cj-vsiBY-iF36_sZtWOOL_MNwIozkXSJIXnrjM6rsPHL1iFGxKoUr_Vl73mzMTDA7RxqxyTQLd55WVWqW-XG_KaWeVjDBffGGAjTt/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_3.jpg" /></a></div><br />For the drawers, I used 4 large bins and 2 medium bins.  We had a lot of conversation about the type of baskets/bins to use in the drawers for our produce.  As much as I love the look of a woven or wire basket, they are not easy to keep clean, especially when flaky, dirty and juicy produce is involved.  These plastic options are light weight, easy to clean, yet offer a ton of storage space.  I truly couldn't be happier with how they worked out.  I used my Silhouette to cut some labels out of vinyl for each bin, which can also be washed without worry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaZTMNjOqxORHWLEvua4Mt5lkZ-Icz8PGZmemV0sVAppRhGos6MfZV2BeNzezmGyLcDNJqHetRMlkqEH5TDKSE0qAIGI0LKz8ONpU7_R2pWoYLz10U75AgtmXPP8dEOecAJ1GfTuGpwTr/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaZTMNjOqxORHWLEvua4Mt5lkZ-Icz8PGZmemV0sVAppRhGos6MfZV2BeNzezmGyLcDNJqHetRMlkqEH5TDKSE0qAIGI0LKz8ONpU7_R2pWoYLz10U75AgtmXPP8dEOecAJ1GfTuGpwTr/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />I could gush all day, but it is time to move on.  Next drawer up is the boy's lunch drawer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi710-bCjgYN5pp92gCfY4d6HPascdBHTfl61ZVmjiJMwNVOnCoIuVZDtgo47CocDIjLUPf3dw_KrsJuY5JzCpC0_j3x9957N8o90Y0FxBUzI8hB9lFQrugqpRkD2arqUKzWWOtnXOyg4Z2/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi710-bCjgYN5pp92gCfY4d6HPascdBHTfl61ZVmjiJMwNVOnCoIuVZDtgo47CocDIjLUPf3dw_KrsJuY5JzCpC0_j3x9957N8o90Y0FxBUzI8hB9lFQrugqpRkD2arqUKzWWOtnXOyg4Z2/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_8.jpg" /></a></div><br />This drawer fit the kid's lunch bags and reusable containers beautifully.  I started with <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/04/snack-attack-part-2.html" target="_blank">our snack bin</a> and then just filled the space around it.  Everything that use to live up high in <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/08/back-to-school-organization.html" target="_blank">our lunch cabinet</a>, now couldn't be easier for the boys to use each day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-ktH3Rl_9jwGUD8CMUyaJT3v8fNfSAsOU14iOUHhvh4PKpbpgfvQ5p1LP9kiGjQHPFtwD-VagMhNAmHpHWEJuo8uHAyfEl2aM_zkgjMxY1BPJcYyTR3LJ0coEM273alcEz_pnfajYth_/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-ktH3Rl_9jwGUD8CMUyaJT3v8fNfSAsOU14iOUHhvh4PKpbpgfvQ5p1LP9kiGjQHPFtwD-VagMhNAmHpHWEJuo8uHAyfEl2aM_zkgjMxY1BPJcYyTR3LJ0coEM273alcEz_pnfajYth_/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_7.jpg" /></a></div><br />Just above the microwave is our snack and breakfast drawer.  Many of the snacks are also used in the boy's lunches as well.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbj0eQODQemkJ9c7QiuEC-JMaQeiNk2Ih8-pPd4t1nhXn4qR880d9FuHKOzsCr6US2UPXMM1-nAQlYo1PobC_hpEjHYEE1-QK-DPunVBqRw9NqAgUQ6RG0vhsdcRWFDKu_if9yNT8mUyx/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbj0eQODQemkJ9c7QiuEC-JMaQeiNk2Ih8-pPd4t1nhXn4qR880d9FuHKOzsCr6US2UPXMM1-nAQlYo1PobC_hpEjHYEE1-QK-DPunVBqRw9NqAgUQ6RG0vhsdcRWFDKu_if9yNT8mUyx/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_13.jpg" /></a></div><br />We already had all of the containers, they were just reconfigured in the new drawers.  I decided to skip the labels this time as we had eventually stopped using them in our previous setup.  We wash the bins prior to refilling them with any new snacks and tend to change the types of snacks we eat from week to week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPjQc4givTq9PYs4xG6O_yv2yRvTpSW8ns7PZ5RaUC6K2qvmZZP4hjoBUpLilttrOqoc0gZIc_aErsQ8PoGe8aJ9TPoUVOzAXQXke3c4vqI0qhXZ1sTqXpIIDMjFXvU4wdFSh2KrGmbKA/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPjQc4givTq9PYs4xG6O_yv2yRvTpSW8ns7PZ5RaUC6K2qvmZZP4hjoBUpLilttrOqoc0gZIc_aErsQ8PoGe8aJ9TPoUVOzAXQXke3c4vqI0qhXZ1sTqXpIIDMjFXvU4wdFSh2KrGmbKA/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_15.jpg" /></a></div><br />The small baskets work great for holding our oatmeal packets and breakfast bar options.  I still believe in ditching the off-the-shelf packaging whenever possible.  You really save so much room.  One of those small baskets holds about four boxes of bars.<br /><br />I don't bake more than boxed goods, but my hubby does (making me a lucky wife).  However, after organizing the next drawer, I can't wait to take a baking class or ten.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCm8ROqAEVLeYbYvaAPTgwFChdsRzxZjhc2_DTCCgCIIhIb2EAdKR6d61fBqkH1OxZ5gnRIRtk5IL912Hm2xahUsIpH7l3jrM-bm5dtTAOov-4vz9WQcIpMfM1ZLLD9FyDa7BItSLLY2V/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCm8ROqAEVLeYbYvaAPTgwFChdsRzxZjhc2_DTCCgCIIhIb2EAdKR6d61fBqkH1OxZ5gnRIRtk5IL912Hm2xahUsIpH7l3jrM-bm5dtTAOov-4vz9WQcIpMfM1ZLLD9FyDa7BItSLLY2V/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_20.jpg" /></a></div><br />Since I adore <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodStorage/canisters?productId=10029789&N=74062" target="_blank">our snack containers</a> so much, I invested in a few more for our baking products.  After they stacked nicely inside of the drawers, there was only a small amount of room left to add a label to the faces.  I did decide to label these containers because baking powders and sugars are not as easy to differentiate as snacks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrgLlj-MLThN-LI2CViZFg2j_Re3AXXuyIhyphenhyphenZmB4n2_aoHvAlrUmm48RNJxhSynKKFNg4hCKYjbd1tJhufREvdr-R7iePvinxh-TQVYuSbIWGTFp8qeOR75gFC44_VLNUccaXUebAat5q/s1600/Baking_Labels_Avery-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrgLlj-MLThN-LI2CViZFg2j_Re3AXXuyIhyphenhyphenZmB4n2_aoHvAlrUmm48RNJxhSynKKFNg4hCKYjbd1tJhufREvdr-R7iePvinxh-TQVYuSbIWGTFp8qeOR75gFC44_VLNUccaXUebAat5q/s1600/Baking_Labels_Avery-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />Although only a small part of the label would be visible, the labels I had on hand at home were larger clear options.  So, I made the most of the area by adding a sweet little cupcake and a quote.  Super easy to design using the <a href="http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Templates-%26-Software/Software/Avery-Design--Print-Online.htm" target="_blank">Avery online label template</a>... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9J-fGYypHjnfkQb8bwMZGMzFiDvZTyRmEemvSBZ89chKBfcGblvutJbkZK6EMoF9f18v9K1u2NGTbOae5AXiuUDfXNHLuVpRYQKLIPjyUECvOByWl9IU33SpA3pKxBO-KVS8zIHyJG6C/s1600/Baking_Labels_Avery-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9J-fGYypHjnfkQb8bwMZGMzFiDvZTyRmEemvSBZ89chKBfcGblvutJbkZK6EMoF9f18v9K1u2NGTbOae5AXiuUDfXNHLuVpRYQKLIPjyUECvOByWl9IU33SpA3pKxBO-KVS8zIHyJG6C/s1600/Baking_Labels_Avery-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />I mean, totally adorable right?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR34HrYFqr_EG8yX8yPaTW8IBWmbAzOUnG4Ghm2NK79r3XYWOhluzqvw5xcsNKjQ8YGb5U4-bIU8SosWiUbF9GfFJulmZMX1sIT1IYqQls4IHsgypa6Dm3KGU4KE5Yz1Z46f_aBPlHxLud/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR34HrYFqr_EG8yX8yPaTW8IBWmbAzOUnG4Ghm2NK79r3XYWOhluzqvw5xcsNKjQ8YGb5U4-bIU8SosWiUbF9GfFJulmZMX1sIT1IYqQls4IHsgypa6Dm3KGU4KE5Yz1Z46f_aBPlHxLud/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_18.jpg" /></a></div><br />Big cupcake fans in this house.<br /><br />To make the most of the drawer, I decided to put many of our baking tools in with the mixes and essential powders.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmw8ANio_3rAN9Q7a6wO1AP8t-fnqbpPq-7H-b8I5PgnDqaKVTbuzYUwELXlu0OncvFv5yhzz5E88DFj3T82JDrs-HiNOk6vnbERr5iB5fZT_70lSoyyH38G2hfbLvPYSQt2f0KlzwB7Q/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmw8ANio_3rAN9Q7a6wO1AP8t-fnqbpPq-7H-b8I5PgnDqaKVTbuzYUwELXlu0OncvFv5yhzz5E88DFj3T82JDrs-HiNOk6vnbERr5iB5fZT_70lSoyyH38G2hfbLvPYSQt2f0KlzwB7Q/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_21.jpg" /></a></div><br />Again, the acrylic organizers are from our previous kitchen drawers, I just transplanted them here.  I love the idea of everything being in one single hot spot.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcPO4A0KOMamMZaS4k8nRDKW93wxaYEW7gNnX2FXzgbY5WHvfd2ESWCfCGPqKVvxIys9PWvVB4xB9TtpWwfvdfQkFr_tXPt9si2-81oZTYyBU4b3RdI2cxAuqg8p7Mk2edWPoMG9Ru5Vi/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcPO4A0KOMamMZaS4k8nRDKW93wxaYEW7gNnX2FXzgbY5WHvfd2ESWCfCGPqKVvxIys9PWvVB4xB9TtpWwfvdfQkFr_tXPt9si2-81oZTYyBU4b3RdI2cxAuqg8p7Mk2edWPoMG9Ru5Vi/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_25.jpg" /></a></div><br />The next shelf is where things we eat less frequently live.  Canned goods, rice, noodles, sauces, etc...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM5NEhDdTh7Al5uPHMgIr4PgXjYgqWUyCjH5S-v6g5H9knf6F0MrOyzQ09vfayLNT0reP5ZHca2_Rh5tfdLmKoWFduEWqUjoVNNCPXID9opZMf6DCjtsWvuBjDLRphyphenhyphen5k-TSQKJX_rK3Z/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM5NEhDdTh7Al5uPHMgIr4PgXjYgqWUyCjH5S-v6g5H9knf6F0MrOyzQ09vfayLNT0reP5ZHca2_Rh5tfdLmKoWFduEWqUjoVNNCPXID9opZMf6DCjtsWvuBjDLRphyphenhyphen5k-TSQKJX_rK3Z/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_22.jpg" /></a></div><br />Given the height, it didn't make sense to do another pull out drawer, or we would never be able to see/reach.  However, to be sure nothing is lost in the far back, I snagged one of <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/cabinetOrganizers/upperCabinets?productId=10000696&N=185" target="_blank">these tiered organizers</a>.  I appreciate that it can be adjusted as our inventory changes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J6yYExaHrduExtz9PWaR9AY0TAXYwcEP5nhZ36c2IqK8JGlU_Gd9LU0uCL4FLXZeTIGJizBP7dlvTPDJaHoO28ZVTqkbjFiU0v6HzP0vD_y0xRZ6ZpPFAajAOYK5G1zoKutsArZBpMpq/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J6yYExaHrduExtz9PWaR9AY0TAXYwcEP5nhZ36c2IqK8JGlU_Gd9LU0uCL4FLXZeTIGJizBP7dlvTPDJaHoO28ZVTqkbjFiU0v6HzP0vD_y0xRZ6ZpPFAajAOYK5G1zoKutsArZBpMpq/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_23.jpg" /></a></div><br />As I was organizing and putting all of our canned goods away, I started to feel like I was verging on <i>Sleeping with the Enemy</i> territory.  Although, I know it won't take more than a couple of minutes for our fam to mess it up a bit.<br /><br />The top shelf is for any overflow, bulk items, etc... and it will also store a few of our favorite small appliances.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlR37NcZFCv_Ty8rP4s5EsF68M181laZkBhJo5KE2tHSi-lOw0tfojj6bgJXbhPXT0WVVV41ysYaIW3nOnB-Tv4jZadCEmmUyU8s1VCz_LGzLJP4_bgGan-8GIfY8tV_79YNDkb7_Gbvz/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlR37NcZFCv_Ty8rP4s5EsF68M181laZkBhJo5KE2tHSi-lOw0tfojj6bgJXbhPXT0WVVV41ysYaIW3nOnB-Tv4jZadCEmmUyU8s1VCz_LGzLJP4_bgGan-8GIfY8tV_79YNDkb7_Gbvz/s1600/IKEA_Pantry_Organization_Drawer_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />And that completes the tour!  My kids were circling like sharks as I was taking the photos of the freshly stocked pantry, but even after they ransacked it, it was able to maintain a nice level of order.  Yahoo!<br /><br />I am so excited that we were able to condense an entire pantry, double wide cabinet <i>and</i> lunch cabinet from our previous setup, into a single floor to ceiling pantry in the new kitchen.  With a microwave too!  <br /><br />Feels good to scratch the organizing itch.  Now... back to installing the flooring in <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2015/04/one-room-challenge-week-1-iheart-living.html" target="_blank">the living area</a>...<br /><br /><br /><i>You can follow all of the kitchen progress <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/search/label/IHeart%20Kitchen%20Reno" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br /><br /><i>P.S.  WE WON!  Last week we were notified that you all voted us as the <a href="http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-blogger-awards-/top-diy-blogs/" target="_blank">Better Homes & Garden's Top DIY blog</a>.  I owe you all an iHeart gratitude hug and so much more.  I know I say it frequently, but I couldn't believe it more, we have THE BEST readers ever!  You guys are always so supportive, encouraging and HELPFUL!  I truly learn so much from y'all and just hanging out with you each day is a dream.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to vote and for cheering us on as we work on this place we call home.  The other nominees are all superstar blogs and I highly recommend checking each one out for even more DIY love.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

IHeart Kitchen Reno: An Organized Pantry

Don't get me wrong, I have been loving this year's weekly Quick Tip series .  It has been fun focusing on bite size organizing to ge...

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UHeart Organizing: Putting a "Stamp" on Craft Organization

Over the past few years, Sarah has been stopping by to share her secrets for smart craft and scrapbooking organization.  She really has it to a science.  I always love how much thought she puts into executing each area of her craft room and reading about the process she takes with each type of supply.<br /><br />I am grateful to have her back today sharing her tips and tricks for stamp organization.  She really put her "stamp" on this project!  Take it away Sarah!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d2a64pCz6ahw7m1WBZH34riBGDdotY88YCUSAp4uP1TucemDoPloyUJq3cvk40K1MKKv81NBlsrwNE1FEGwv6pmmoNYAKgEP-OzuFhIr33bLxemTMadA0_dEP6nhxmYgWIbN35nrvS4s/s1600/Craft-Stamp-Organization-Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d2a64pCz6ahw7m1WBZH34riBGDdotY88YCUSAp4uP1TucemDoPloyUJq3cvk40K1MKKv81NBlsrwNE1FEGwv6pmmoNYAKgEP-OzuFhIr33bLxemTMadA0_dEP6nhxmYgWIbN35nrvS4s/s1600/Craft-Stamp-Organization-Header.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Happy Spring, everyone! I hope it’s starting to blossom in your corner of the world. I’m excited to be back today sharing my latest brainstorm, and it’s all about stamps.<br /><br />While finding the perfect box, bin or bag is an important part of organizing, and I’ll own to more than one impulse buy of a cute container purchased without a designated purpose, for me organizing is focused first on process. How do I really live in a space and what am I trying to accomplish? I’ll know I’ve designed an organizational system or solution right when I find myself feeling both productive and serene in the space.<br /><br />When it comes to scrapbooking and other craft projects, my process rarely starts with supplies. Rather, my first step is to choose my photos and pick a layout from my <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/10/uheart-organizing-organized-inspiration.html" target="_blank">Inspiration Binder</a>. Then I move onto selecting the paper, embellishments and techniques that best suit my chosen design. Once I identify what I’m looking for — quote, graphic, journaling spot, etc. — I want to know all the options within my collection of supplies and tools that fit the bill. The problem: <i>I was always forgetting the great options I have for stamps.</i><br /><br />While I can (and do) store stamps according to themes, like baby or travel, I find that almost every multi-stamp set includes elements that I could put into multiple categories. For example, this travel set can be used in a variety of ways.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmLeCbHCj1eetwpV0aBUz2XoyyZdCAWlgbTgR-gXIp5ToViI9DUHktpQI4_U1daJ3r3FW00q5sWfMW_3NXo2su4XkaqIx4KvJWGS_l2_KfU8FgTrx2Jue2T0Fv4_-Ew-63gfecUJhJxw7/s1600/PICTURE+1+Stamp+Set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmLeCbHCj1eetwpV0aBUz2XoyyZdCAWlgbTgR-gXIp5ToViI9DUHktpQI4_U1daJ3r3FW00q5sWfMW_3NXo2su4XkaqIx4KvJWGS_l2_KfU8FgTrx2Jue2T0Fv4_-Ew-63gfecUJhJxw7/s1600/PICTURE+1+Stamp+Set.jpg" /></a></div><br />If I just “filed” it under travel, I would forget that this set has calendar stamps I love, as well as some great journaling options. I wanted a way to categorize all my stamps in addition to storing them, so that when I’m looking for something specific, I know all my options. Ultimately, I decided the best way to categorize them was to create a catalog.<br /><br />My initial idea was to label cardstock for each category, and then stamp each image in as many categories as it applied. For example, I could stamp this one in travel, since it’s technically a luggage tag, and then re-ink and stamp again in the journal section.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLAsK3spnIT09mFeC5HPDtIsW6mqCS4vE2VOqKha6CAWdpXDn0yHegA6Fr79dDgKFz68S93Iy6y4ruaBLpbFvo7DoIMrsYVxRmb7MnuOt8BkLrNfPy7PzV8ySOxDPKIqRucoz_FJs6r_1/s1600/PICTURE+2+Luggage+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLAsK3spnIT09mFeC5HPDtIsW6mqCS4vE2VOqKha6CAWdpXDn0yHegA6Fr79dDgKFz68S93Iy6y4ruaBLpbFvo7DoIMrsYVxRmb7MnuOt8BkLrNfPy7PzV8ySOxDPKIqRucoz_FJs6r_1/s1600/PICTURE+2+Luggage+Tag.jpg" /></a></div><br />But that seemed like a lot of wasted ink, a lot of time spent cleaning stamps {and some of them are still so pristine!} and an awful lot of work. While it would be cute, I want to spend my time stamping for projects, not for organization. Then inspiration hit. Why not scan the images instead? While I wouldn’t have the lots of colorful inks to jazz up the catalog, I would have a much quicker and easier job ahead of me and could get back to the fun of crafting so much sooner.<br /><br />To get started, I scanned the printed image of the stamp, not the stamps themselves, since scanning the stamp itself would result in a backward image. I put two and sometimes three stamps or stamp sets on the scanner at a time, to minimize the number of scans. Once all the stamps were scanned, I opened all of the jpegs I had just created so I could toggle between images in creating my catalog.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFhs-lO1h9FgnUawcEgHOnEPLlJ4u1Th6XQX7grZZdDqWEMYqyGng_bzQK8a5n_qCJlnFJ8ihzCgumTauJiXDk4qaKNQ5gEyUQ7D7-tmMkD1n3GsMUYaeJHRJpC1W-WMrJLFsAwYHrDif/s1600/PICTURE+3+Jpegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFhs-lO1h9FgnUawcEgHOnEPLlJ4u1Th6XQX7grZZdDqWEMYqyGng_bzQK8a5n_qCJlnFJ8ihzCgumTauJiXDk4qaKNQ5gEyUQ7D7-tmMkD1n3GsMUYaeJHRJpC1W-WMrJLFsAwYHrDif/s1600/PICTURE+3+Jpegs.jpg" /></a></div><br />Next, I opened Word and added a category name at the top of each page using a fun font: Calendar, Travel, Baby, etc. I went through each scanned image, and using the Snipping Tool {Paint or some other screen grab tool would work just as well}, I took a screen shot of each individual stamp and pasted the image into each page where it applied.<br /><br />This cute set got pasted in its entirety onto the Symbols page. But I also pulled out individual stamps, pasting some onto the Arrows, Punctuation and Images pages, too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAB_K4K2EFdmrtikPdGjz6UVEK3JRe04B1s_TFDGKJk3TJJgeGmeZzqh_fUoDpe6AsAmk7NePUSOJKaT0iGzs2A4iNbFzsoDQw-4o1ZPDdDuQIiRWuobHTuZJMKNhwqzv47qOpYQEh4TT/s1600/PICTURE+4+Symbols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAB_K4K2EFdmrtikPdGjz6UVEK3JRe04B1s_TFDGKJk3TJJgeGmeZzqh_fUoDpe6AsAmk7NePUSOJKaT0iGzs2A4iNbFzsoDQw-4o1ZPDdDuQIiRWuobHTuZJMKNhwqzv47qOpYQEh4TT/s1600/PICTURE+4+Symbols.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once I had transferred all the images to their appropriate pages, I went through the catalog and organized the images, conserving space and putting like images together. For example, on this travel page I put all the airplane stamps in a row. This helps in a couple ways. First, if I want to add an image of an airplane, I can easily pick out the one that works best with the page style. Or, I might decide upon seeing my options that I should instead do a sweet cluster of 3 airplanes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9jpGsp7BbjTcbEcdx9yeQmCsd-_YWUF5S1X1Z9bVpkZgc-eFdcpecYbJxnA6STFLGX13zrySQeBd-fCbO67tsiR20Mya0qWy36oLWJU6aEVQjA1dlRv8IFoL5PhSgUUX7Svbsp3C3r7B/s1600/PICTURE+5+Airplanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9jpGsp7BbjTcbEcdx9yeQmCsd-_YWUF5S1X1Z9bVpkZgc-eFdcpecYbJxnA6STFLGX13zrySQeBd-fCbO67tsiR20Mya0qWy36oLWJU6aEVQjA1dlRv8IFoL5PhSgUUX7Svbsp3C3r7B/s1600/PICTURE+5+Airplanes.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once I was happy with the placement and organization of everything, I printed out a copy, slipped the sheets into page protectors and inserted them into my <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/11/uheart-organizing-binder-bliss-for.html" target="_blank">Embellishment binder</a>. That way when I go looking for themed embellishments, I’ll remember that I always have the option to create my own using stamps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbg2d37xw_aUXqqRELcFH9VDvs2fGOqbeGM39n8QcUrOvfPtPAXsOhv04MJ53_re5sgDfx34jTViWexJ5gpHOFH-mEno10rM90AlwjbAyyo-WutyFGikvjBYsN78bOEghIV2wM9sEY3SQ/s1600/PICTURE+7+Embellishment+Binder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbg2d37xw_aUXqqRELcFH9VDvs2fGOqbeGM39n8QcUrOvfPtPAXsOhv04MJ53_re5sgDfx34jTViWexJ5gpHOFH-mEno10rM90AlwjbAyyo-WutyFGikvjBYsN78bOEghIV2wM9sEY3SQ/s1600/PICTURE+7+Embellishment+Binder.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This binder is organized by… you guessed it, categories! So each page protector got placed into the appropriate section of the binder.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN37xd1TuoXbrOZUC-uVS-biCnAfj6NXmi3FSXlnUjb0Ee4YlGAQ53dHpsjaEd7_j8ZG1Y5CK2cjMczSZsAkqxjoPlY8bvaiJAo-XMX8lIyja9j8_beAOQVgmeQYjqWuDwtYQVik_C_0CJ/s1600/PICTURE+8+Embellishment+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN37xd1TuoXbrOZUC-uVS-biCnAfj6NXmi3FSXlnUjb0Ee4YlGAQ53dHpsjaEd7_j8ZG1Y5CK2cjMczSZsAkqxjoPlY8bvaiJAo-XMX8lIyja9j8_beAOQVgmeQYjqWuDwtYQVik_C_0CJ/s1600/PICTURE+8+Embellishment+page.jpg" /></a></div><br />Right now all my cling stamps live in a binder, too. It would not be an overstatement to say I love binders for craft storage… ☺ But I have big plans to borrow this brilliant storage solution in the near future and transfer my cling stamps to jewel cases, once we move into our new house and I can liberate those millions of old CDs from storage {that’s right folks, I will be sharing new craft room shenanigans in the near future…}.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_poitVroUxWmRo98nBOPEjy9NEBg167GFQX8Z8jb4JiQMe1n6zlL0SUTrEjHmoTUlD-Uqg3SZUxnnsh2FHJqCboIZVU2pU8QeO9cRgSDVNIc5fHB21mCB1rxfTiHSAK6vpokZhvrPK5EC/s1600/Wow_Embossing_Powder_AUG2012_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_poitVroUxWmRo98nBOPEjy9NEBg167GFQX8Z8jb4JiQMe1n6zlL0SUTrEjHmoTUlD-Uqg3SZUxnnsh2FHJqCboIZVU2pU8QeO9cRgSDVNIc5fHB21mCB1rxfTiHSAK6vpokZhvrPK5EC/s1600/Wow_Embossing_Powder_AUG2012_d.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://wowembossingpowder.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/handy-stamp-storage-idea.html" target="_blank">via</a>}</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I just love when organization evolves beyond storage into a resource that helps me make choices in the creative process. In the end, it was not only easier to create this project by scanning versus stamping the images, taking this approach will make it easier to maintain the system moving forward, another key priority when designing organization. When I get new stamps {‘cause let’s be honest, that’s gonna happen!}, I just need to scan the set, paste the images into the catalog and slip the updated pages in the binder. So much easier than stamping the new images and potentially having to restamp an entire page to achieve the optimal organization. <br /><br />So that’s all she wrote, er, stamped…? Thank you to Jen and all you lovely iHeart readers for letting me visit again, it is always such a pleasure for me. Hopefully you found an idea or two that might be helpful for your craft or other organization projects.<br /><br />Have you had a recent success with an organizing project that evolved beyond storage into a game changer? Have you identified a perfect solution that allowed you to maximize your stamp stash? <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UdpUR0Sm2pP2nxQCK0NGRYHXdYYlfgKec0LkamQNHy2RKaqKBU4q_3dTLtPcQGmyKkX-0JlyH9y0sHV6TQjXzUqTPOYCLIO8gml_FvHsObm7tsPawB5Zn35hHx5GT2pPEH2kWcB39tNX/s1600/Pics+for+Jen_1+150.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UdpUR0Sm2pP2nxQCK0NGRYHXdYYlfgKec0LkamQNHy2RKaqKBU4q_3dTLtPcQGmyKkX-0JlyH9y0sHV6TQjXzUqTPOYCLIO8gml_FvHsObm7tsPawB5Zn35hHx5GT2pPEH2kWcB39tNX/s1600/Pics+for+Jen_1+150.png" /></a><i>"My name is Sarah and I live in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN with my husband of almost two years, Eric, and our two adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Hermes and Brontë. I am a Communications Consultant by day and by night/weekend/any spare moment, I indulge in my passion for writing, crafting and organizing. I am honored to share with all you dedicated iHeart fans my tips, tricks and secrets for organized crafting, which will not only help you get control of your craft clutter but also allow you to make more efficient and productive use of your precious crafting time. While I am blessed with an entire craft room, I promise to explain how all the solutions I share can be tailored to your specific situation, whether it be a dedicated room, a small storage space or mobile crafting. In the meantime, Happy Crafting!" </i><br /><br />

UHeart Organizing: Putting a "Stamp" on Craft Organization

Over the past few years, Sarah has been stopping by to share her secrets for smart craft and scrapbooking organization.  She really has it t...

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One Room Challenge Week 1 - IHeart Living Room Plans

I typed the intro to this post about 62 times and each time sounded equally as crazy.  Things like, "YOU GUYS!" and "Oh My Greatness!" and "Squeal!" and "Holy Bananas Batman!"...  I just had to give up and come to the conclusion that I am harboring a boatload of excitement about today's announcement and dive right in.  So here it is.  I was asked to participate in the One Room Challenge hosted by Linda of <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/" target="_blank">Calling it Home</a>!  #gleefulcheeringcommences<br /><br /><i>What is the One Room Challenge?</i>  I am SO happy you asked!<br /><br />The short version - 20 bloggers have exactly six quick weeks to completely transform a space.   And really, it is more like five weeks.  This is where the, "Holy bananas batman!" comes in.<br /><br />When Linda sent over the invite, I took some time to really go through the decision process because I knew we were in the beginning stages of <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/search/label/IHeart%20Kitchen%20Reno" target="_blank">our kitchen renovation</a>.  After a lot of back and forth between the red horned version of Jen on my left shoulder and the halo adorned Jen on my right shoulder, I said yes.  Surely we would be done with our kitchen by the first of April right?<br /><br />The one stipulation of this challenge is that we had to select a space that needed an overhaul.  Oh, and it had to be a space that we hadn't already shared our plans for or started working on.  That is why our living room suddenly went dark on the blog.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiG7crIvtFKpiaIIZ0Rn4rvJ95fykSOpVn7JdV1j5Il0frwog3cC_E0aFuJv3IqbVArRhGOQRRef9qJkU81aLUVkOFhaM_pNX5LEaJsmGACacgG3bErQG4jcgzO_b0Yb1wPzihLr97j4Z/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiG7crIvtFKpiaIIZ0Rn4rvJ95fykSOpVn7JdV1j5Il0frwog3cC_E0aFuJv3IqbVArRhGOQRRef9qJkU81aLUVkOFhaM_pNX5LEaJsmGACacgG3bErQG4jcgzO_b0Yb1wPzihLr97j4Z/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />I thought when I initially accepted that I would maybe renovate our lower level bathroom or finally finish our oldest son's bedroom, but as the start date for the challenge continued getting closer and closer, I knew I had to do our living room.  It is now wide open to our kitchen, and being that the kitchen is still far from finished, there was absolutely no way I was going to start on another giant project that had nothing to do with said kitchen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFV9TGSR4NMqYqWtSvSSjfQ-l-aryNkUROxScIVkRJlL98cIzEuoAoQvmPdGWXEJaoupVpezTuHriLmvXFiYnd-wIhZ95z1sIiFpOwOuVGKymTLO5SU11TI_Xz_Q0PxCxMgpRMrZhPkty/s1600/IHeart_Kitchen_Reno_Hardware_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFV9TGSR4NMqYqWtSvSSjfQ-l-aryNkUROxScIVkRJlL98cIzEuoAoQvmPdGWXEJaoupVpezTuHriLmvXFiYnd-wIhZ95z1sIiFpOwOuVGKymTLO5SU11TI_Xz_Q0PxCxMgpRMrZhPkty/s1600/IHeart_Kitchen_Reno_Hardware_17.jpg" /></a></div><br />Plus, the living room is about the blankest slate in our home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIIIRFzn1hPafkF_4DU6YmRuhSrAz6SpQBd1RWYaQde1m7p7NORt-1xW803kn0inYYSP2dv39Mg7A7YFd-AYOj6zAaTX7m1gQVDSeZKFowt5LwFXEqpyHx3MYf4Hnsc_woSKQKcECXv9T/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIIIRFzn1hPafkF_4DU6YmRuhSrAz6SpQBd1RWYaQde1m7p7NORt-1xW803kn0inYYSP2dv39Mg7A7YFd-AYOj6zAaTX7m1gQVDSeZKFowt5LwFXEqpyHx3MYf4Hnsc_woSKQKcECXv9T/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_4.jpg" /></a></div><br />Another plus?  We had already budgeted and planned for updates to the living room with the kitchen, so it really just makes sense.  So now, you will be getting weekly living room updates each Wednesday until the final reveal in six short and sweet weeks from now.  And just because we are about to tackle this fantastically fun family space, that doesn't mean we are stopping with the kitchen.  In fact, it means we are about to work in overdrive double-time.  So fingers crossed we will also continue to have weekly kitchen check-ins as well.  Wish us luck, it's about to get CRAZY exciting around here.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XL6mYpy3n8B37a1TAc5mGDAYGHttSsjkLJ6ED3mx2CDkQ4WCLTYpjuSejZJDeFKTGLvYn6gHQf8A0Hev0jhaI65EeeP-OvKYpOttALFBBWNgfJg4r1de94p7f3aLXKv-zO-kfHAyjCqD/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XL6mYpy3n8B37a1TAc5mGDAYGHttSsjkLJ6ED3mx2CDkQ4WCLTYpjuSejZJDeFKTGLvYn6gHQf8A0Hev0jhaI65EeeP-OvKYpOttALFBBWNgfJg4r1de94p7f3aLXKv-zO-kfHAyjCqD/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i>So what do we have planned for this space?</i>  Well, floors would be nice. And so would trim.  Ha!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSsTNBTlmMV_rh3vIdwAHT-q_EzXXbNR4ExqOhgEwnDEbJgGG9Kh3j6adof93ceLRCZwKY7xBTd0Dhq2FIDlOl3H1kQTFoHcxAxO_FP1BnVykjLCNx-BJDJbwtCmu-kNCo_-_9eOg7jHe/s1600/OB-Living+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSsTNBTlmMV_rh3vIdwAHT-q_EzXXbNR4ExqOhgEwnDEbJgGG9Kh3j6adof93ceLRCZwKY7xBTd0Dhq2FIDlOl3H1kQTFoHcxAxO_FP1BnVykjLCNx-BJDJbwtCmu-kNCo_-_9eOg7jHe/s1600/OB-Living+Room.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{sources: <a href="http://www.tonicliving.com/" target="_blank">curtains</a>, <a href="http://www.tonicliving.com/Monarch-Trellis-Meadow-P2902.aspx" target="_blank">chair fabric</a>, <a href="http://lsfabrics.com/fabric/claribel-che00" target="_blank">floral fabric</a>, <a href="http://www.loomdecor.com/black-and-white-optical-diamond-custom-lumbar-pillow-ep68" target="_blank">lumbar pillow</a>, <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/StyleCraft-Adjustable-Pharmacy-Floor-Lamp-L715-SYL1199.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lamp</a>, <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/OC-Fun-Saks-Cabana-Bean-Bag-Ottoman-HRH-C0-OCFS1008.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ottomans</a>, <a href="http://www.homedecorators.com/p/watkins-sofa/00/810/" target="_blank">sofa</a>, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40216908/#/20169559" target="_blank">shoe cabinet</a>, <a href="http://www.minted.com/product/wall-art-prints/MIN-GHR-GNA/sail?org=photo" target="_blank">art</a>, <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/lander-brass-sconce/s605816" target="_blank">sconce</a>} </td></tr></tbody></table><br />My vision for the space has been changing by the minute, but at the very moment, it looks a little like the grouping above.   <br /><br />Ultimately, I have a few goals for the end result of the space:<br /><ul><li>To finish on time (I am totally biting my nails).</li><li>To remember that this space is about family first, design second.  Challenges like this are sure to make someone put on a decorating cap and have fun completely transforming a space, but we have to <i>live</i> in this space after the six weeks are up.  So sure, I want it to look good, but more importantly, I want it to function good.  </li><li>That said, I do want this space to reflect our style.  I hope to keep the final room youthful, family friendly and colorful.</li><li>And finally, to be resourceful.  We sold our lower level sectional and moved all of our previous upstairs furnishings to our downstairs family room.  We have a few new pieces coming in to the new living room, but everything else has to be done by reusing what we have, getting creative, scouring thrift stores and DIY'ing our hearts out.</li></ul><br />Keeping those goals in mind, the first step will be to install the flooring and trim.  From there, the plans are to completely revamp our bookcase and build it up to the ceiling.  I think that is what I am most excited about, I have been wanting to do that for years now!  I found a fabulous spindle chair last summer that I am planning to have re-upholstered, and we put our old sectional moolah towards a smaller, apartment sized sofa (our space is only 12 feet wide).  I really wanted to replace our windows with beautiful, black paned options, but we didn't really have a need other than aesthetics so it didn't make the budget cut.  To bring in the dramatics I heart in those black paned windows, we will do simple linen drapes adorned with beautiful black banding.  I am also hoping that the black accents ground all of the soft gray-blue on the walls.  The rooms needs a little drama.   <br /><br />The rest of the pieces are all items we had prior to our gut job.  We still have our IKEA shoe cabinet and <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-our-organized-entry.html" target="_blank">school cubby credenza</a>, but it would be fun to find a way to dress those up a bit more.  And now that we finally did our major furniture swap, we can <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/11/secret-stairs-no-longer-secret.html" target="_blank">wrap up our stairway project</a> as well.  Finish it all off with some throw pillows, accessories and lots of love, and we have ourselves a living room makeover!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiG4veEBSNHlw0K-7lt5eVD02LsMRnBxeDPqKnh8LLndPk_VHsGs8ipFFIFKb6ScMvtsvEbCNJqM7Yp3cmHwlnP9BUbaXX4fBoXRKR6n7RafhtNK1XLXasCEo-iRe-tlUgeL3vJGkboE4P/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiG4veEBSNHlw0K-7lt5eVD02LsMRnBxeDPqKnh8LLndPk_VHsGs8ipFFIFKb6ScMvtsvEbCNJqM7Yp3cmHwlnP9BUbaXX4fBoXRKR6n7RafhtNK1XLXasCEo-iRe-tlUgeL3vJGkboE4P/s1600/ORC_Living_Room_Before_3.jpg" /></a></div><br />So many ideas, projects and ambitions, so little time.  I hope the adrenaline from our excitement stays strong!<br /><br /><i>What do we win at the end of this challenge?</i>  Our finished space of course!  The goal is to have fun, share our story of a total transformation, and take part in a really fun challenge with fellow bloggers.   <br /><br />Speaking of other bloggers, are you ready to see the incredible lineup?  I am trying my darnedest to not feel intimidated by all of the awesomeness!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYohyphenhypheneBNc4COO6G5qUMjxdGbLQiVIPCGVC3y5uAyrDVegqbcegURJaL-7x0Vyaf9mk-4gs8YtZ0BJRrltRP-r7rys5rCdIedLMKi2kTnGeAmN5EG9Hjp_sy7recLwZi_K3KRxQ3V3yZN7/s1600/ORC-500px.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYohyphenhypheneBNc4COO6G5qUMjxdGbLQiVIPCGVC3y5uAyrDVegqbcegURJaL-7x0Vyaf9mk-4gs8YtZ0BJRrltRP-r7rys5rCdIedLMKi2kTnGeAmN5EG9Hjp_sy7recLwZi_K3KRxQ3V3yZN7/s1600/ORC-500px.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="http://janabek.com/blog/" target="_blank">Jana Bek</a></div><div><a href="http://mydesigndump.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Autumn Clemons</a></div><div><a href="http://www.cocokelley.com/" target="_blank">Coco+Kelley</a></div><div><a href="http://www.theenglishroom.biz/blog/" target="_blank">The English Room</a></div><div><a href="http://www.vanessafrancis.com/blog/" target="_blank">Vanessa Francis</a></div><div><a href="http://www.greigedesign.com/blogs/blog" target="_blank">Greige Design</a></div><div><a href="http://www.hisugarplumsblog.com/" target="_blank">Hi Sugarplum</a></div><div><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I Heart Organizing</a></div><div><a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/blog/" target="_blank">Jenna Sue Design</a></div><div><a href="http://stephaniekraussdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie Kraus</a></div><div><a href="http://www.thepursuitofstyle.com/" target="_blank">The Pursuit of Style</a></div><div><a href="http://pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Julia Ryan</a></div><div><a href="http://www.savvyhomeblog.com/blog/" target="_blank">Savvy Home</a></div><div><a href="http://simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Simple Details</a></div><div><a href="http://www.simplygrove.com/" target="_blank">Simply Grove</a></div><div><a href="http://6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">6th Street Design</a></div><div><a href="http://jillsorensen.com/livelikeyou/" target="_blank">Jill Sorensen</a></div><div><a href="http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/blog/" target="_blank">Swoon Worthy</a></div><div><a href="http://waitingonmartha.com/" target="_blank">Waiting on Martha</a></div><div><a href="http://kimberlyschlegelwhitman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kimberly Schlegel Whitman</a></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Trademarked by <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/" target="_blank">Calling it Home</a></span></div></div><br /><br />Each of the bloggers listed above will also be taking on a total makeover over the next six weeks as well.  Each Wednesday I will update you on our progress, and also include their links so you can catch up on A LOT of room makeover goodness.  I think it is time for me to purchase stock in coffee beans,  I can't even begin to imagine how amazing this all is going to be. #oneroomchallenge<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /><br />Want to participate?  I sure hope so!  You can share your weekly updates as part of this challenge also, Linda has all of the details for you on her blog <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2015/03/one-room-challenge-participating.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br />I wish I could think of something better to say than, "Oh My Greatness!" and "Squeal!" but I think they sum things up perfectly!<br /><br /><br />

One Room Challenge Week 1 - IHeart Living Room Plans

I typed the intro to this post about 62 times and each time sounded equally as crazy.  Things like, "YOU GUYS!" and "Oh My Gr...

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