decorating your small space: pt. 1

I started talking about organizing a small space- but what about taking a cramped space and making it feel cozy?  I thought I'd take some time to go over a few ways to make your space feel more like a home.

First thing's first- make it feel like you! What is your style?  What makes you feel the most at-ease? need inspiration? take this fun quiz for some ideas!

Ways to make it your own

1. Throw pillows
throw pillows on chairs and couches is an easy accent piece that can be interchanged for different occasions and holidays!  Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns and colors- just try to keep a similar theme throughout your decorating!  My couch has a mixture of gold, brown, and leopard print pillows, just as an example!

2. Pictures
hang up those pictures! Family photos, or even paintings!
I have family pictures all over the place.  I'll also be hanging the following prints soon!

My son's room:
I created both of these using images I captured during the super moon, as well as two sky pictures taken on different days! His bedspread is dinosaurs, so I wanted to incorporate them in his room more!

The kitchen

I made these two from various pictures I've taken- for my kitchen!

(custom artistic prints are available through chase photography or by emailing schase1212@gmail.com)

stay tuned for part two! as well as organization updates! the big move is tomorrow/ monday- so I'll be taking plenty of pictures of my new organization tricks and tips!

xo

SC

Sensory Bins for $5 or LESS!

Who doesn't want to save money?  I have found plenty of crafts and activities at my local dollar store! I decided while browsing one afternoon that I should finally make one for my son. (I've been meaning to for months!)

So, what is a sensory bin?  A sensory bin, is a box or bin filled with things to engage a child's senses! Sight, sound, touch- but lets stay away from taste! (parental supervision is always a good idea).  They can help with motor skills, identifying objects, patterns, sorting, counting- the list goes on! It is a fun (and sometimes cheap) way to entertain and teach!

Well, I've been collecting ideas for a while now, and I finally made my son one!  I searched the isles of the dollar store and collected items for his very first bin.  I like the idea of theming each bin- so I tried to keep the objects within the same idea.

BUGS

For $4 I got the bin, the bugs, the moss, and the plastic "grass" for this bin!  He loves it.  I will say- the moss is pretty messy... I wouldn't recommend it.. but the rest has been a hit with him!  He sits with this for a while and plays with the bugs, touches the grass, and even does a little pretend play!

you can buy various toys (be wary of choking hazards- and again- supervise) and textures at the dollar store, or use natural bottoms like sand or dirt! I would LOVE to make a construction bin with trucks and dirt and rocks!

You want to go even cheaper?

here is another idea I plan to use soon:  nature bin

-grab a bin at the dollar store (with a lid) or use one you already have!

-take your little one outside and let them collect rocks, grass, twigs, flowers, etc! They can have fun creating the bin with you, and look at it/ play with it later on. All for $1! (unless you have the bin)

let me know what you try! enjoy!

xo 

SC

Rainy Day Box

I love exploring the outdoors with my son!  We walk on trails, look for bugs, and take plenty of pictures!  Every sunny day, we just throw on our shoes and go out the door.

holding my hand on the trail

But what do we do when it rains?  Well, after reading a couple of books and searching pinterest I found the idea of creating a rainy day box!  So, what is it?  Simply put: It's a box filled with activities for a rainy day.  I keep new and different items inside the box, so it becomes an exciting moment when I bring it out!

What do you put inside the box?  Anything, really.  Random craft supplies, "busy bags," puzzles, new books, paper and crayons- the list goes on!

I have been slowly adding to my box.  Most items are found around the home, or bought at the dollar store! You don't have to spend a lot to have fun!  Every time I shop, I look for clearance craft items to add to our box.

New crayons are kept in this cup!  We got it while we were out for breakfast (for my birthday)!  This doubles as an activity when we're finished coloring.

Oh! and that book in the middle...........?

THE TODDLER'S BUSY BOOK

by Trish Kuffner, Liya Lev Oertel

I have found tons of ideas inside for activities with my son!  I highly recommend it! click here to purchase the book from biblio.com!

enjoy your rainy days! 

xo SC

click here to follow my pinterest boards, and view more craft ideas!

Organize a Small Space- Part 1

My husband and I have decided to downsize in order to save money and allow me to continue to stay home with our son.  The problem? We are going from a large, three-floor condo with a garage to a smaller, two-bedroom apartment, and we have acquired a lot of.... stuff.... in our large place.  We have already done a yard sale, and plan to put some things into storage, but I realized that I need to re approach how I organize our living space in order to not be overrun by toys and overwhelmed with cleaning.  I have been finding ways to help the transition before the move, and I thought I'd share my new tips with you!

Problem One: The Bookshelf

Between the three of us, we have a lot of books!  My husband and I have filled two large bookshelves in our den area with our collection, and our son has a small, three shelf one in his room.  However, the large bookshelves belong to the condo.  Most of the books will go into storage, but we would like to keep some of ours at hand.  So, in other words, we will use the small shelf for our adult books, but we needed to find another place for our son's books, puzzles, and craft supplies.

The solution

His toys were kept in black, milk crates.  I emptied them out (more on that later) and stacked them in his room.  I then sorted through his books; any books that would not be read until he is older were put into storage, as well as seasonal and holiday books.  With the remaining pile, I organized them in their new home!

The stack is masculine and cute, as well as a major space saver! Another plus? When we're ready to move the books are already packed!  But what about the third shelf with the craft supplies and puzzles?

 I rearranged my son's dresser.  I packed away clothes that were too big and too small, and put away clothes that were out of season, and voila! An available drawer! All of his supplies and puzzles are now neatly tucked away.  That box on the right holds all of the puzzle pieces to avoid losing any.



Problem Two: The Toys

Now, what to do with the pile of toys in my living area?

I looked around, and found two large bins in the garage that I had completely forgotten about!  My mom had bought diapers in bulk with a coupon, and they came in these big bins!  One holds his small toys, and the other has his larger toys.  They're stackable, and again- the toys are already "packed."

His soft toys are kept in these cloth bins. They're small, and won't take up much room in the new place.  I think they'll even fit underneath his bed!

Other: the top drawer

The top drawer of his dresser is where I keep his diapers, wipes, and accessories. (The middle drawer and closet has his clothes).

Between him taking off while I reach for a new diaper, and the wipes container being left on the floor, I wanted to find something with easy access that didn't take up much room.

I found this basket in our storage, and decided to use it in his room! It has diapers and wipes, and sits nicely on top of his dresser!

I hope you enjoyed part one!  Keep an eye out for part two!

xo SC

Home made paint

Today,  I taped some paper onto my son's high chair and gave him a marker while I made him some paint. He was busy scribbling while I mixed. I have been trying different recipes for paint.  Since my son is only 18 months old, I prefer his paint to be made with edible material.

Today's recipe: flour,  water, food coloring. Mix the flour and water until you have a runny paste. I made mine similar to acrilic paint. You can add more water for a runnier consistency.

For his paint brush, I clipped a clothes pin to a cotton ball.

He really enjoyed himself, and I am impressed with the results! He pointed to his finished work of art and said "flower."

"Flower" - BCC

Xo SC

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

from my family to yours

My husband has been an amazing father since the day I saw those first two lines.  He was supportive throughout my pregnancy.  He attended doctors appointments, helped with cooking and cleaning, and even tied my shoes for me when I couldn't bend! He held my hand throughout my c-section, and took pictures of our son while he was being weighed (etc).

He loves to play with our son and teach him about the world.  He'll sing and dance and act silly, rub his back and sooth him, and he'll sit on the floor and play. He works incredibly hard for us every day, also.  My husband has been amazing, and I feel really lucky to have him in our lives.
xoSC

Photography as Art

As my photography begins to form into a business, I am spending a lot of time with my camera in my hand.  I enjoy photographing families, children, and models.  Scheduled photo shoots are fun, and it warms my heart to hear back from happy clients.  The time I spend photographing and editing is my way to relax and enter into a magical, fantasy world where the rules can bend.

But what happens in between shoots?  

art.

I am constantly taking pictures of things in nature, and other things that interest me.  On top of local photo shoots, I am now offering photography as art prints!  Some are touched up with color, others are made to look like paintings, and some are more graphic!  It is a lot of fun, using my creativity beyond the click of the lens. 

I have noticed a change in the way I see the wold, too.  Every day, I look at my surroundings and can picture how they would look framed in someones home.  I imagine the angle I could use, which editing techniques would work best, and perhaps a texture finish.  Of course, I don't always have my camera with me. But, when I do, I create these pieces.  

I also wanted to be able to offer a product those those who aren't local, yet enjoy my work.  After I made the decision to offer printing packages to clients, I decided to offer my more artistic pieces as well! 

 I offer prints on several types of paper, as well as canvas!

click here to see more!

<3

SC