Essentials For A {NewNew} School Year

This fall I'm gearing up for my return to college as a full time student to get my teaching certification. It's been 8 years since I lived the student life and recently I've had to think about all of the essentials I'll need to be a prepared and organized student. Here is my list of some {NewNew} team goods that will start any student out on the right foot this school year.

Since I'll be taking my lunch everyday, this bright lunch bag will be perfect to carry my food:
Oil Cloth Lunch Bag by copabananas


I know I'll be taking lots and lots of notes - a durable and cute notebook will do the trick:
Blue Flowers Notebook by JournalisticTendency


I love my pens, pencils, and highlighters so a pouch like this will fit them all:
Kelp Zipper Bag in Marine by RedBridge


And my laptop will need to be by my side at all times - a tote like this would fit my trusty computer:
Owl on Branch Laptop Tote by muppetloon


I hope my essentials will help give you some ideas about what you'll need to get through this semester.

-Misty
http://www.lapistolera.net/

Organizing, A Crafter's Nightmare

I decided I had too much stuff when even my husband, renowned pack-rat that he is, started to complain about the fabric, boxes, even monsters that were everywhere. Unfortunately we don't have a lot of money for fancy organizing mechanisms or a new house or apartment that comes with rooms of shelves and gigantic closets. We live in Brooklyn, and while it's a bit better than a Manhattan apartment, it's only a small step up on the totem pole.

I had to completely rethink how to organize. Craig's List was the best help, providing me with inexpensive shelves and those big plastic drawers. But wanted something fancy if it was going to be out and about. Something that actually felt like it was a part of the rest of the room, not just something functional.

I had this:

It wasn't pretty and it needed to go.

I found a pretty cube shelving system, not too expensive (especially if you get them on sale), but the price starts to go up if you want the baskets for each cube, or the fancy doors and backs. After a bit of internet searching, I found some GREAT tutorials for fabric baskets. Using a combination of this and this, and a few of my own tweaks (hello pockets!) I made enough fabric baskets in fun colors to store that big pile of junk and could use the tubs in a few more out of the way places.





And now I think maybe running my own crafting business out of my small, Brooklyn apartment might just be possible.


By Karen
of Karen's Monsters

Crafting tip: use what's in your kitchen

Using tiny seed beads used to drive me crazy... not bad when I was using them for a jewelry project but horrible to clean up.

Now when I use seed beads, glitter, or other small crafting supplies I pour the supplies out into paper muffin cups. This keeps everything organized and contained. When I finish the project I fold the edge of the muffin cup into a spout shape and pour everything back into the original container.

--Joanne-------