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Each month in this newsletter I share organizing tips to use in your
home. Try some projects alone or ask for help from our friendly
professional staff.
We have great ideas for improving the use of all sizes of spaces.
Cheers!
Pierrette Ashcroft |
TRADING UP
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Hold A Party To Swap Unwanteds For Novelties
 The economy is slow. You have home items that you no longer use. Here is a great solution -- hold a swap party!
Invite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers
for a lively evening of exchange. You may want to give invitees a
limit, such as three items, to avoid a party that lasts too late into
the night. Guests get one coupon for each brought item; each
"sale" item costs one coupon.
You could select a theme
like "Kitchen Items Swap Party" or "Women's Clothes Swap Party."
More swap ideas: DVDs, CDs, books, toys, games, hand tools.
Warning: Do not swap something given to you by one of the invited guests. Otherwise, there may be hurt feelings.
How it works:
Set up a display area. Serve light food, beverages and play
instrumental music -- maybe soft jazz, classical. At one point, for
humor, you could play the Cher song "Believe," which includes the
refrain "I don't need you anymore." Yes, our homes have things we don't
need anymore.
Encourage mingling,
talking and viewing items for 30 or more minutes. No swaps until you
say so. Write last names on coupons. Later, for multiple bids, put
coupons in a hat to draw the winner. Start with seemingly popular
items first because losing bidders will want to focus on 2nd and 3rd
choices.
When swaps are completed, tell guests they can take their unclaimed items or leave them and you will take them to a charity.
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ASK PIERRETTE:
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How Do I Tame Free-Range Drawers?
 Question:
I
finally organized my kitchen drawers but the items that I kept slide
around and can be hard to locate quickly. Some will not fit in drawer
dividers. Is there an alternative to this annoyance?
Pierrette:
Yes, open and close the drawers very, very slowly. I'm kidding. What you need is a non-skid surface.
One option is the same product you use under area rugs to keep them in
place (available at hardware and home accessories stores). It is
inexpensive, easy to cut and prevents rolling. If you don't like this
look, you could use a vinyl board cover, made to protect drafting
tables or other heavy-use surfaces. It can be purchased from some art
supply stores. It also has a non-skid surface. It is a little pricier
but is easy to wipe clean and comes in different colors. |
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GARDEN TOOLS
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End The Treasure Hunts For Them
 Spring has arrived and it's time to start planning and digging your garden.
Some keep their tools in various places. Others drop them in a big container or pile them onto a shelf.
Here is a clever way to store the hand tools and supplies to make them easy to sort and locate. An over-the-door shoe holder, which is very reasonably priced, has plenty of perfect-sized pockets that leave the tops of tools peeping out.
Looking for your four sizes of digging tools? There they are sitting side by side
in your checkerboard of shoe pockets waiting like energetic puppies for
directions on where to go. "Dig boy, dig! Good job!"
Hang it on a wall or door
of your tool shed or a garage wall. Other tools for these holders:
little rake, dandelion digger, grass trimmer, pruning shears, measuring
tape, stake markers and line, garden gloves and maybe the measuring
spoons/cups for mixing garden fertilizer and insecticides for sprayers.
Keep your tools together, like a family, and it will make your gardening projects much easier.
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| SCRAPBOOKS
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Organize Before Starting The Project
 Scrapbooking is a growing hobby where you preserve memories on creative pages with photos, words and embellishments.
There are many kinds of supplies available, so consider the best way to store them.
If you have a limited, temporary workspace, keep it simple. You can create beautiful album pages
with photos, paper and hand-written words. Or you can go digital,
creating albums on your computer and printing them via Shutterfly or
Snapfish.
If you have enough room, dedicate a work area solely to this hobby.
Paper storage -- Maybe use hanging files or accordion folders with papers sorted by color, pattern or theme. Label each section.
Tools
-- Store in a small tool box or in stackable, clear plastic boxes. For
writing instruments, store in a pencil box or a colorful coffee mug.
Embellishments
-- These items, such as ribbons, flowers, buttons and stickers, store
well in clear plastic, labeled containers or clear zipper bags, which
make it easy to check inventory. Group by style or color.
Photos -- store in photo boxes grouped by event or subject matter.
For a project in the works, store all components in a large, clear plastic envelope. Then it is easy to resume work when you are ready.
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Gift Certificates
Available
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Are
you trying to shop for that hard-to-find recipient? Or do you need a
gift for a new mom, a housewarming gift or have anyone on your list who
could use an extra set of hands? What would be more appreciated than a
gift certificate for help from a professional organizer? You decide the
dollar amount and the recipient can decide the services that they want.
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A gift for others... peace of mind
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Pierrette Ashcroft, founder of getOrganizedDC, has more than 20 years
of business experience organizing events and providing innovative
solutions in homes and offices. In 2007 she was in the first group to
receive credentials as a Certified Professional Organizer, CPOÆ,
earning her a top distinction in the organizing industry. She continues
her education and training and in 2009 became a Certified Relocation
and Transition Specialist (CRTS™). As a senior move manager she takes
the worry and work out of the moving process by helping seniors and their
families with their needs for a seamless and successful transition.
To learn more, call or write for a free telephone consultation at: 202-537-9705 or pierrette@getorganizeddc.com. Or visit our Web site.
The
hardest part of organizing is developing an attractive plan. We are
happy to help you with challenges large or small. Expect efficient and
reliable service from our staff, who promise to keep your personal
information confidential. Read what our clients are saying about us.
Enjoy your organizing projects this spring! |
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