Day 4 Organization Challenge - cat toy bins

The girls' toy bins are usually overflowing all over the floor. Why? Daphne likes to go into her bin, yes she actually knows which one is her bin, and pull out her toys. I come home from work and find new toys scattered all around the living room floor. She is crazy!

Both girls have their favorite toys. Daphne likes the big toys that she can toss up in the air or the long toys that she can kick with her back feet. Drusilla is the complete opposite. She likes the small, round toys that she can pick up in her mouth and walk around the house.

To keep the toys separated, basically for me so I don't have to go searching for their favorite toys, I made them each a toy bin.

This picture was taken right after I finished their new bins last year. If you want to see my pinspiration for the bins, click here. They were super simple to make, though the chalk seems to have rubbed off over time. I'll have to reapply their names and hearts this weekend.

Before

After

It doesn't look like too big of a difference, but I put each of the girl's favorite toys towards the front of the bins. Daphne was waiting patiently for me to finish so she could grab the blue fish. :)

Crochet Sushi Roll Tutorial

I wanted to keep this project super simple, so everyone can give crochet a try! So, I came up with a basic beginner tutorial for a crocheted sushi roll.

The only stitch you will need to know is the single crochet (sc), which is the most basic crochet stitch. There are many places to learn how to single crochet, but I learned by watching the knit witch on YouTube. Lion Brand Yarn has helpful crochet lessons as well.

Here are the materials you will need :
US G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
black, white, and red yarn
black embroidery thread
embroidery needle

Abbreviations: ch = chain; sc = single crochet; st = stitch

Using black yarn, ch 11.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (sc 10).

Row 2-22: ch.1, sc in each st.

Fasten off

Using white yarn, ch 11.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (sc 10).

Row 2-20: ch 1, sc in each st.

Fasten off

Using red yarn, ch. 11.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (sc 10).

Row 2-5: ch 1, sc in each st.

Fasten off

Roll red crocheted piece into a tube.

Roll white crocheted piece around red piece.

Roll black crocheted piece around white piece.

Using embroidery thread, sew black piece together.

Now you have your very own crocheted sushi roll! Enjoy!!!

Copyright © 2011-2013 Melissa/This Girl Creates. 
All rights reserved. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form. 
The written instructions, photograph, design, and pattern are intended for personal, non-commercial use only.

Day 3 Organization Challenge - handbag

No Yarn Along or Hookin' on Hump Day project today. I've been spending all of my time organizing!

This chore I do bi-monthly, though I really should do it every week. I had actually just cleaned out my purse a few days ago, so it wasn't that bad. But, you can see how much stuff I actually accumulate over a weekend!

Before

After

I'm still using my Cath Kidston purse for a few more weeks. My Sloane Peterson purse is ready to go, but it is white and I am a little concerned about it getting really dirty. Since we are looking at rain for the next week I am going to hold off switching purses until June. Plus, I love my Cath Kidston purse, so I'm not upset. :)

I really only use big purses, I love them, but the only bad thing is I lose stuff at the bottom all of the time. I usually find myself fishing around the bottom of my purse looking for anything small, like my Altoids. I can never find them! 

I was also pleasantly surprised to find so many Ricola. I noticed when I cleaned out my medicine cabinet that I was out of Ricola. I usually always keep a bag in the house for when I get a cough, which seems like every other month lately. So when I found my Ricola, I was so excited. They are now in a ziploc bag in my medicine cabinet!