Friday, April 8, 2011

An Accidental Clean Leading to a Marker Roll

Have you noticed I haven't written about zone cleaning for a while?  It's just the dailies getting done around here recently - meals, laundry, Sparkle & Shine.  But sometimes the messes push me right over the edge and I find myself doing An Accidental Clean (Rebecca's term).


Last Saturday, I needed the hole punch and I was afraid that it was at the bottom of the children's drawer.


I meant to have Genevieve work with me, to show her a little organizational methodology, but I just couldn't bear it any longer so I ripped into it and made a very efficient job of it. . . .

until I realized the markers had no boxes or containers anymore.  The short story is that the markers remained on top of the dining room buffet, a visual to-do list, until I sewed a marker roll for them.


  The colored pencil wrap/roll was moderately successful, but I am pleased to say that this one is wholly successful. 


And cute, in my opinion.  And nice to sew something for my family for a change.

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11 comments:

  1. life in this 1880 farmhouseApril 8, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Great idea, as long as they follow the rule of putting them back away. Organized mom's are one thing, keeping the children on the same page is the challenge.

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  2. MargoApril 8, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    I hope they partly learn by example! My approach is to let them make messes as long as the messes get cleaned up. . .but sometimes that doesn't happen.

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  3. BethApril 8, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    I WANT ONE OF THOSE!!! For real. I'll email you about it! :-) Great work, as usual. I know it feels great to have that area under control...always helps me breathe easier!

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  4. Jennifer JoApril 8, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    You could sell those in your etsy shop, you know.

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  5. MargoApril 8, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    JJ, there are a ton on etsy already. I tried to stick with unique things - there aren't any hanging hand towels made with vintage/upcycled linens on etsy except mine. And the ruffle scarves are my own design too. I scheduled a photo shoot this morning so I could put more in the shop, but alas, it is raining.

    But, all that to say that I do special commissions for family and friends (the orange wrap, for example; and I've done baby wipes, a quilt, and just got a request for an apron).

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  6. Christian - Modobject@HomeApril 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Very cute! A lot of "accidental cleaning" happens at my house.

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  7. TracyApril 8, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    I do loads of accidental cleaning, too. One thing leads to another...

    I never understood the idea behind the marker/crayon wraps until this post. Of course! The boxes get broken and go missing, and this way they can all stay together. LIGHT BULB!

    I think it's sweet that you recognized yourself from my post. And yes, you have been in my prayers, continually. I admire the strength that you all have displayed in the face of adversity.

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  8. MichelleZApril 8, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Great Idea! I think that accidental cleaning happens most often here these days. Cleaning on purpose has really become a chore. ;)

    I have always liked the rolls that had crayons in them. Maybe one day I will find a spare moment or break down and buy one one day.

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  9. MargoApril 8, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Tracy, I *thought* that was us :) It really made my day. I can tell by the extra measures of grace that people are praying for us.

    Another nice thing about wraps like this is that they travel so nicely. I used to round up some pencils and crayons and put them in a ziploc bag. Now I can scoop up the wrap and go! (and so much more pleasing to look at and touch than a plastic bag, wouldn't you agree?)

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  10. MiriApril 9, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    I love making pencil and crayon and marker rolls... and then I *always* somehow give them away! My own children don't own any. Isn't that silly?!

    And might I add that your blog is a blessing to me. What a lovely mix of all things thrifty and homemakery and beautiful. Thanks for writing.

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  11. GinaApril 14, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    I want to do this too! I'm so tired of a particular little girl dumping the whole container! But I'm not sure my little guys would replace the markers. Too much effort!

    And I'm an accidental cleaner as well! I can let things go for a while until it drives me crazy and motivates me to do something about it!
    Gina

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