28 Day Organizing Challenge

Today, I'm linking to OrgJunkies 28 Day Challenge. Because I was away unexpectedly for a week this month, I put aside my hopes of accomplishing a large area and settled for working on some kitchen drawers. Here's the silverware drawer before:
And here it is after:

My inspiration for this drawer was the two silverware trays that I purchased at IKEA for only 99 cents each!!
Then I moved on to the junk drawer. It was SERIOUSLY, a bunch of JUNK!

Afterwards, it became the towel, hot pad drawer. Again...IKEA!! I purchased some of their wonderful towels...49 cents each. It feels great to have some new, clean towels!!!

The challenge comes with 5 questions...So here we go...

1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?

I'd have to say that just getting started was the hardest part. I had wanted to go BIG and get a lot accomplished in my bedroom, but when I knew that was not going to happen I pretty much wanted to sit back and do nothing. I'm glad that I DID attack something, if only 2 small drawers!! (See my last blog post)

2. Tell us what kind of changes, habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?

I'm trying to be more aware of putting things away and not TOSSING things away! Actually, my theory is that I am finally getting things in order and now that my kids have all moved on, things will stay that way. (We'll see how long that theory holds!)

3. What did you do with your "stuff" you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?

I had three bags...one bag got thrown away (this was most of the stuff!), another went to goodwill, and the third I am going through piece by piece and finding new homes. (Some of that will eventually get thrown too).

4. What creative storage solutions were you able to introduce in order to create additional spaces as well as establish some limits and boundaries?

Nothing too creative here...just a few inexpensive new items to inspire!! (And lots of tossing!!!)

5. Why do you think you should win this challenge?

Well, I'm not too sure about that, but I am glad that I did accomplish something even though I had to give up larger goals. I'm so glad though, that I was able to get away and help out some friends...so worth the time away...my bedroom will still get finished at a later time. Switching to smaller areas instead of focusing on a large area helped me to see my home in more manageable chunks. I'll accomplish order in the bedroom through tackling one small area at a time!!!

This Week...

There has been plenty of activity since my last blog post. The week has absolutely flown by. It began with another trip to Northland for my daughter's final home game of her basketball career.

Then we headed to Minneapolis to help out our good friends. Jason recently spent 23 days in the hospital with a life-threatening abscess. We are so thankful that he is recovering!

We enjoyed their kids!!

Here we are watching a Northland game online!!

We were able to get some work done around the house.
This was a fun project...a chalkboard on the kitchen wall!!!

It turned out great. Beth is going to be putting a border around it and I can't wait to see it finished!

We couldn't go to Minneapolis without stopping in at IKEA!!
We found some useful items and some good deals and ended up spending less than $40!!!
Not bad at all.

Today I spent some time working on my organizing for the 28 Day Organizing Challenge. Due to our unexpected trip out of state, I've had to change my organizing up a bit. I'm now working on several small spaces instead of a major room project. Pics will be coming, soon!

Road Trip!!

Today, my husband and I will be taking off for Minneapolis!! We are going to help out some very dear friends of ours. The husband just spent the past 3 weeks in the hospital fighting a very serious infection. He had three surgeries and now is slowly recovering. He and his wife also had their fourth child 8 weeks ago (the other three are 2, 4, & 6). They both just need to rest. So, I'm going to kick the mom/grandma mode into high gear...and I'm off!!!!!

My Week in Pictures

Welcome Company Girls!! I'm looking forward to making the rounds and seeing how all of you did this week. I have to admit...my week was pretty routine. I tried to get some of the "small things" from Home Sanctuary
accomplished.

Sunday, of course, started out with church. The furnace was not working in the auditorium, so we all went into the gym and had church there. It made things a bit more laid back and we changed up the schedule some, but it still was a blessing and a good time of being together.

On Monday, we headed up to NIU for my daughter's basketball game. Unfortunately, they did not win, but it was a great game!!

Here she is during pregame...

...and in action...

(and yes, she is only wearing one sock...but it's a special sock for some leg problem she is having)

...and here she is with her team - front and center - (well, left and center),

doing I'm not sure what...

On Tuesday I headed in to the library for work. This is behind the circ desk (where I spend most of my time).

Tuesday was story time and we read lots of books about crazy clothes!!

Then we made some cute clothes for some paper dolls. (It's a tough job!)

On Wednesday I was back at the library for most of the day.

On Thursday I was back at the library for ALL of the day.

And today, I will head back to the library for the evening!!!

That pretty much wraps up the week!!

I worked a bit more than usual so I wasn't able to accomplish much around the house.

Working on organizing, purging and simplifying is still high priority around here.

Soon, VERY soon, I am planning on posting some pictures of what I plan on working on for ORG JUNKIES 28 Day Organizing Challenge. I've taken the pictures already. They're not very pretty & definitely embarrassing, but perfect for this challenge!!

What is up with this blog??

I'm sorry!!

I keep changing the layout of my blog...I think I've gone through 3 in the past 2 weeks.

It's just that I can't seem to find "it." You know what I mean???

AND...just what is CRANBERRY COTTAGE?? It doesn't really give anyone a clue as to what this blog is about. Let me explain - several years ago when I began my soap-making business I struggled with a name for it and somehow along the line came up with Cranberry Cottage (I do have several Cranberry scents.) The blog came along with the soap-making, which made "Cranberry Cottage" seem appropriate. The soap business is on the back burner for the time-being, although I still have a bit in my etsy shop. So..that's the story there.

This week was a wonderful week spent enjoying the Woman Inspired Conference on Creativity. Please go to their site and check out all that they have to offer! You won't regret it!!

Before I leave you, I must show you this picture of my grandson that just begs to be shared with the world. Here he is sporting his Mr. Potato Head glasses.