Ellabella Designs

14 Back to School Organization Tips to Simplify Your Life

2020-08-10T10:24:00.004-07:00

It’s time to start thinking about organizing for the busy school season ahead and prepping for new routines & schedules!

It may not be the back to school season we are used to, but whatever it may look like for you, it can still be an amazing time to document your kids during this pandemic-stye back to school season!

For the kids, it can be a tough transition to move from the unstructured days of summer, so I have gathered 14 back to school organizing tips & ideas to help you during this time.

And if your household is anything like mine, I need all the help I can get to bring some order to my household! Hopefully these tips will help you, too!

14 BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZING TIPS

1. SCHOOL PAPERS & ARTWORK

Get those school papers organized and contained by choosing containers for collecting this year’s school work & art projects.

Once the containers are full, go through the papers and artwork together with your kids and select and keep only the best examples and the things that mean the most to your kids and yourself.

We store these papers in their school memory box, and the ones that don’t make the final cut are either recycled or gifted to family after taking photos of them.

Consider making a digital photo book of their artwork - what a great keepsake that would be! Grab a FREE 8 x 8 photo book from Shutterfly!

One of the things I love to do is display my kids’ artwork and projects on our kitchen walls and/or the large cork board in the playroom and change them often when new artwork or projects come home. It makes the kids feel special and I love looking at their work!

There are so many ways to display and store your kids’ artwork!

2. HOMEWORK STATION

It is important to designate a space for your kids to work on their homework. Think about where it makes most sense for you and your kids.

Will the kids be doing homework in their room? If so, make sure they have an uncluttered desk area and school supplies at hand.

Little ones may want to do their homework in the kitchen where you can keep an eye on them while making dinner and help them if needed, so be sure they have easy access to their school supplies.

We love using a caddy so they have everything they need at their fingertips, but a rolling cart would be handy, too!

Having a place to organize and store extra school supplies will help out a lot and you are sure to never run out of supplies. We also use a set of plastic drawers in the cupboard to keep lined paper, graph paper, and plain paper where the kids can easily grab what they need.

3. ORGANIZE ENTRYWAY

Having an organized entryway will help keep all of the clutter that kids come with at bay.

Have a special spot to hang jackets and backpacks, store umbrellas, boots, and shoes plus any other gear they will need on the go.

We have lots of hooks in our entryway as well as baskets for each person in the house to store seasonal items.

4. MAKE CLOTHING "PODS"

My son especially loves the clothing “pods” we make for him, which include pants, shirt, undies & socks rolled together into one “pod.”

We pick out his clothes for the upcoming week on Sunday and store them in a hanging shoe organizer in his closet, which makes it so easy for him to get dressed in the morning.

These ones are great:

5. SCHOOL COMMAND CENTER

We love our school command center and have it set up in the hub of the home, the kitchen. This helps everyone keep track of weekly events, chores, and all the paper that comes home from school, etc.

This is also where we chose to hang the backpacks as the kids empty their backpacks of lunch kits & containers, homework, important papers, etc., in the kitchen so it’s not out of sight out of mind!

Our command center includes:

• Magnetic white board

Clip important papers such as field trip forms, school bell schedule, fun lunch dates, class schedules, or chore/routine charts.

Just recently I have chosen to keep the “reference” papers (school calendar, bell schedule, class schedule, etc.) into our Household Binder so there is less clutter.

I now just clip the “actionable” papers to the board that require immediate action.

The white board is great to quickly scribble notes or reminders. We added a weekly calendar using washi tape and helps keep track of anything school related during the week (library day, tutor appointments, etc.).

• Row of hooks for backpacks

• File holder for papers that come in from school separated by:

○ Immediate action required (if not clipped to the board)

○ Homework (each child has their own file holder)

○ Memorabilia to be stored in their school memory box

• Library book bin

6. BEDTIME ROUTINE

Adjusting to a back to school bedtime can be difficult, so ease into it by starting bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night until they are back to their regular school year bedtime.

Creating a bedtime routine chart could be an option to help them get back into the swing of things.

7. LABEL SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Labeling school items is important and we love Mabels Labels and My Label Factory (for those of you in Canada)! Alternately, you can make your own labels.

8. SCHOOL LUNCH PLANNING & PREP

Having a list of easy lunch ideas is crucial to helping you get through the hustle and bustle of those busy school mornings! Be sure to stock up on your child's favorite snacks and lunch items.

Planning lunches and prepping them in advance will save you so much time in the mornings! Try prepping school lunches on Sundays for the week ahead.

I have a great post to help you create healthy back to school lunch ideas for kids! And don’t forget to add these adorable lunch box notes to make your little one feel special!

9. BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTOS

Over the years I have cherished the tradition of taking pictures of my kids and capturing the memory of their first day of school each year.

It is a special time for them and I love to look back and see how much they have changed over the years.

What I love to do that makes the photos even more precious is print out first day of school signs for them to hold!

The kids really like the signs and have a lot of fun with them! It’s also a great way to remember which grade they were going in when looking back at the photos years from now.

I had fun designing some first day of school printable signs so you can capture the special first day of school moments with your kids, too!

Check out this post for tips on taking first day of school photos of your kids!

10. BACKSEAT CAR ORGANIZER

When running around to extracurricular activities and appointments, keeping the backseat of the van clean and organized can be a challenge with kids!

These super handy backseat car organizers will save your sanity and are perfect for keeping items corralled!

And a portable car vacuum cleaner is definitely on my wishlist!

11. AFTER SCHOOL SNACK STATION

We all know kids love their snacks, my kids are no exception, so why not create a kid-friendly after-school snack zone in the kitchen where they can help themselves?

Use a section in your cabinet, pantry, and/or fridge that’s easy for the little ones to reach and keep it stocked with their favourite healthy snacks.

12. ROUTINES & SYSTEMS

It’s easy to let routines and systems slide during summer but you can support the success of back to school by creating routines and systems which will make the household run a lot smoother.

What routines and systems do you want to have in place? Do you need to establish a routine for homework? What about screen time boundaries? Do you need to start implementing chores?

Charts are a fantastic way to help! These can include:

○ Daily/weekly chore chart

○ Morning routine chart

○ After school routine chart

○ Evening/bedtime chart

13. USE A PLANNER

Create a system then use this planner to keep you organized and on track including weekly planning lists, daily to-dos, evening routines and more!

Spend some time with your planner to add important dates, school events and breaks, as well as any after-school activities.

Planning your tasks in advance and prioritizing them helps to stay focused throughout the day and you will get a lot more done!

Check out my post: How to Use a Planner to Organize Your Life

14. BACK TO SCHOOL DECLUTTER

• Set aside some time to sort through old school papers and art projects from last year. See tip #1 on how I sort and organize these papers.

• Purge old school supplies and make a shopping list for new items you need. I like to stock up on school supplies during the back to school sales!

• Make way for new back to school shopping by going through your kids’ clothing and footwear. Have them choose their favourites and declutter clothes and footwear that no longer fit, are worn out, or that the child just no longer wears.

If you have hand-me-downs, bring those out and go through them to see if any will now fit.

• Other items you may need to replace or have clean and ready include backpacks, lunchboxes and containers, and water bottles for each child (we love these kind).

• Declutter summer items out of your vehicle and give it a good clean.

• Clean and tidy up your kitchen cupboards/pantry/fridge and organize the lunch and snack items so they are in one place.

I have some great tips in this post: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Decluttering Your Home

That’s it! I hope you can use these back to school organization tips & ideas to help make your school year fun and easy!

Tell me, are the schools in your area opening for students this year?

I have a FREE Back to School Organization Checklist just for you! Grab it now and get organized for the Back to School season!

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6 Tips for Taking Memorable Back to School Photos for Busy Moms

2019-09-03T17:27:00.011-07:00

It’s back to school time for my kids, and over the years I have cherished the tradition of taking pictures and capturing the memory of their first day of school each year.

It is a special time for them and I love to look back and see how much they have changed over the years.

I stopped purchasing school portrait packages of any of my kids for quite a few years now. They're expensive and I've never been very thrilled with them.

Taking your own portraits is totally doable and it's more about documenting their growth and capturing that time in their life than anything else.

One of my very favorite things to do is look through their school memories books and photos each year and see how much my kids have grown and changed!

I have them fill out their school memories books at the end of each school year and I use a picture from their back to school photo shoot.

I treasure reading their special memories, what their future goals are, and who they liked to hang out with.

Related: 14 Back to School Organizational Tips

TIPS FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PHOTOS

1. PLAN & PRACTICE

The beginning of a new school year can be hectic, so planning ahead can be very helpful. First thing first, make sure your camera is charged and the memory card is empty.

If you use a manual camera like I do and are a beginner, it really helps to take some time to get your settings right and take some practice shots before starting the photo shoot.

This also warms the kids up to the camera, and I get some of the best pictures of the kids when I am taking "practice" photos.

2. CAPTURE DETAILS

Take some time to capture the small details that make back to school exciting for the kids. New backpacks, special back to school outfit, school supplies, filling out their school memory page, etc.

These little details add up to help tell your child's school story.

3. LIGHTING & LOCATION

It's usually pretty nice weather around here on the first day of school and the leaves are showing off their beautiful fall colors, so we always take our back to school photos outside in our yard.

When taking outdoor photos, it's best to take them in the early morning when the light is just right. Be sure to have the kids stand in open shade not in bright, direct sunlight.

If you are taking photos indoors, use natural light and avoid using your flash, if at all possible. Look for spots around your house for natural light.

To get as much natural light in the room as you can, open the blinds and doors and have the kids stand near a window if possible (not in front of it though).

Try and choose a neutral backdrop and have your child stand a few feet in front of it to create some depth and background blur.

4. USE FUN PROPS!

To make the back to school photos even more precious, print out a first day of school sign for them to hold! The kids really like the signs and have a lot of fun with them!

It's also a great way to remember which grade they were going in when looking back at the photos years from now.

I will often ask them to be silly with the signs and get them to shout and cheer! It's so fun to capture some silly photos.

I like to print the first day of school signs using regular printer paper or card stock then adhering them to a piece of thin cardboard (a cereal box works really well). Alternately, you can print and frame the sign (after removing the glass, of course) or clip it on a clipboard to make things easy.

I had fun designing these first day of school printable signs so you can capture the special first day of school moments with your kids, too! I also designed school memory pages for the kids to fill out.

So don't wait, capture the special first day of school moments with these back to school signs and printables!

5. SNAP AWAY

Take LOTS of photos. Just start snapping away! I try to get some individual photos as well as some with all three of the kids.

Take multiple shots from different angles at different stages and get headshots as well as full body shots to show off those new back to school outfits!

6. TAKE VIDEO

Why not take some video of the session while you are at it? Even just snippets are fun to look back on!

I accidentally recorded my entire photo shoot of my daughter one time and I am so glad I did, it is so great to watch!

These times with your kids won't last forever, and creating videos is another way you can preserve those memories.

If you are crunched for time on the first day of school, consider taking photos on another, less hectic day. Wait, what?!

Mornings can be super hectic here and adding a photo shoot to the mix just adds to the stress! Their first day of school is actually only an hour long and in the late morning, so that is the morning I take their photos! We have plenty of time to get ready and gather the first day of school signs.

And it's not too late if your kids have already started school!

Print out the first day of school signs and start taking some photos! It will be some of the most cherished memories you will have of them celebrating back to school! As your child changes through the years, these photos will be among the most precious to look back on!

I'm no expert, but I love photography and I hope I have inspired you to start taking photos of your kids with some of these back to school photo tips!

Related: 14 Back to School Organizational Tips

I'd love to see your adorable back to school photos on Instagram. Tag me @ellabella.designs and share using #ellabelladesignsbyann.

Happy photoshooting!

Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit & Plan

2019-05-07T06:04:00.000-07:00

The Earth's climate seems to be changing and there are more and more natural disasters happening all over. Here in BC, we live in an area well known for earthquakes, and we have been waiting for the "big one" to hit for as long as I can remember.

Wildfires ravaged throughout BC and destroyed 1.2 million hectares of land in 2017, making it a record year for wildfires. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate.

I have been putting off making an emergency disaster preparedness kit for quite some time. But since the recent earthquake and tsunami warning close to our area, it has made it very real so I thought it was about time I organized my emergency kit and preparedness plan.

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

In this post, I will go through my Emergency Category in my Household Binder, and I will also provide you with an information sheet and free printables to get you started.

Here is what I include in my Emergency Category in my Household Binder:

Family Disaster Plan
Before/During/After Earthquake Information
Emergency File
Emergency Disaster Kit Purchase List
IDs
Health - Immunizations, etc.
CPR Instructions

1. FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

Having a Family Disaster Plan is just as important as making an Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit. Everybody should know what to do and where to go when an emergency happens. Be sure to keep your family disaster plan in your Household Binder and Emergency Kit.

A few things you will want to consider for your Family Disaster Plan include:

Emergency Meeting Places

You will want to choose two meeting places: one just outside the home and one farther away, such as a building or park outside of the neighbourhood in case you cannot return home.

Out-of-Province/State Family Contact

It is a good idea to have a contact who lives outside of your province/state. Ask an out-of-province/state family member or friend to serve as the family contact. Make sure everyone knows the name and phone number of this contact person. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long-distance.

Educate Household Members

Make sure everyone knows where the Emergency Kit is located
Post emergency phone numbers by the telephone
Teach children how and when to call 911
Make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it
Teach everyone how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity. TIP: Tape the appropriate wrench near the gas pipe to turn off the gas
Take a First Aid/CPR class
Consider having emergency drills as a family a few times per year

Emergency File

House inventory of valuable household goods. Include serial number, make, and model numbers and purchase price. TIP: Include photos and receipts when possible.
Important Documents
Family Records
Will and/or Power of Attorney
Credit Card account numbers
Passports/IDs
Bank Account details
Financial/Tax records
Important telephone numbers
Insurance Policies

Copies of the above items are to be kept in the Emergency Kit. Keep the originals in a safe deposit box, make photocopies for file and emergency family contact.

TIP: To save important files/photos on your computer, consider using an online storage site so your files stay safe. Be sure to regularly back up your computer files and photos. An extra step would be to regularly back up your computer onto a disk and keep that at a separate location, such as a safety deposit box.

2. BEFORE/DURING/AFTER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Identify and fix any potential hazards in, on, and around your home.

The Canada Government website has great checklists for what to do before, during, and after an earthquake at www.getprepared.gc.ca. Print these pages and include them in your Household Binder in the Emergency category.

3. PREPARE AN EMERGENCY DISASTER KIT

Supplies should last you 72 hours or more
Keep in a safe and convenient location
Keep groups of items in waterproof and airtight plastic bags
Change water supply every six months
Rotate food every six months
Replace batteries often

There are many ways and places you can store your emergency supplies. Some store their supplies in backpacks or even rolling suitcases and store them in a closet close to the front door.

I bought a large storage chest on sale at Walmart in the automotive department (no longer available, similar one here) and knew it would be perfect for our emergency kit! I have decided to store ours in the garage.

Emergency Disaster Kit Checklists

So now that I have the storage chest, how do I start? What do I store inside? I had a lot of questions, which is why I had been putting this off for so long!

I have done a lot of research and have compiled a purchase and inventory checklist of items for my family's Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit. Please keep in mind that this will be different for every family, only you can decide what is best for your family.

We will go through our camping gear and use some of those supplies to stock our kit, and the other items I plan to purchase throughout the next few months.

These are great checklists that will keep track of purchases, inventory, and expiry dates where applicable. You can even mark an annual reminder note on your calendar to change out your water, food, and batteries. Some people even have a picnic annually with the near-expired items!

Public Safety Canada provides free publications on emergency preparedness you can download for free on their website at http://www.getprepared.ca/.

Is your family prepared? Do you have an Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit? If so, what types of things do you have in your kit and how/where do you store it?

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26 Positive Affirmations for Moms That Can Change Your Life

2019-05-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

It’s no secret that as a busy mom to 3 young kids plus running my own business, I have been feeling the stress and overwhelm of daily life lately.

Motherhood can be a challenging time being in charge of caring for tiny human beings and, honestly, most days it’s hard to not let negative thoughts creep into my head and affect my confidence.

I realized I had to change my mindset in order to change my life and to create a life that I want.

I wanted to be more kind to myself and embrace being grateful for my life and everything and everybody in it.

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

Related: How To Use a Planner To Organize Your Life and Stop the Overwhelm

A while ago, my husband suggested positive affirmations. It was not something I knew a lot about at the time and felt it just wasn’t my thing. I was pretty resistant to it actually.

But after my husband and I went through positive parenting coaching, I felt more confident with myself as a parent and my outlook changed.

I knew I wanted to stay focused on my goal of being a positive parent, being the best I can be, and that’s when I decided to create affirmations for myself.

Because every mom needs to be reminded about the beauty, purpose, and strength in being a mother!

WHAT ARE AFFIRMATIONS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

Affirmations are statements intended to provide positive encouragement and motivation.

Using affirmations regularly and with full conviction will empower you and eventually break the patterns of negative and limiting beliefs.

By taking charge of your thoughts and changing the way you think, you are more in control of your mind and everything in your life changes.

Just like you exercise to improve your physical health, consider affirmations as exercise for your mental health - it ultimately alters the way you think and act.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AFFIRMATIONS?

Improves overall quality of life.

Motivates you to take a positive outlook on life.

Improve feelings of gratitude and happiness.

Makes you feel better by relieving stress and anxiety.

Affects your brain and changes your thought patterns.

Provides mental clarity and focus which helps you achieve your goals.

Reduces negative thinking by becoming more aware of your thoughts and feelings.

HOW DO I MAKE MY OWN POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS?

Identify any thoughts or behaviours that you would like to change in your life.

Write a short, positive affirmation to replace it.

Always state it in the positive, use present tense, and use the first person pronoun, I.

Use positive feeling words, such as loving, hopeful, wonderful, grateful, joyful, free, loving, confident, etc.

HOW DO YOU USE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS?

Pick 1 or 2 affirmations and use them daily for 30 days. The real power of affirmations lies in repeating them regularly. Try saying it three times a day - morning, afternoon, and evening.

You will start to make positive changes when you repeat the affirmations often and believe in them.

Place your affirmation cards where you can easily see them. Consider making duplicates of your affirmations and place them throughout your house, in your vehicle, your purse, and even your office. You can even set a reminder on your phone or computer!

I like to tuck my affirmation card into my mirror on my vanity, put it on the fridge, keep it on my office desk, or place it on my bedside table.

MY TOP FAVORITE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS FOR MOMS:

1. By allowing myself to be happy, I inspire my family to be happy as well.
2. I am so grateful for my life and all of its blessings.
3. I believe in myself as a capable and wonderful mother.
4. I have the power to create the life I desire.
5. Fear is only a feeling, it cannot hold me back.
6. Today I will find peace in being good enough because perfection is impossible.
7. I am good enough in all that I do.
8. I will take care of myself in order to be a good mother.
9. I am grateful.
10. My day begins and ends with gratitude and joy. - Louise Hay
11. Happiness is my choice.
12. I believe in myself and I can do anything.
13. I might not see it now, but the time I’m investing in my kids does matter.
14. I treat myself with kindness and respect.
15. I am building a legacy of love.
16. My day is filled with a limitless potential of joy, happiness, and love.
17. I love and accept myself just the way I am.
18. Today I will love fiercely, laugh freely, and live courageously; I can never get today back.
19. I am more than enough.
20. Nourishing myself is a joyful experience and I am worth the time spent on my healing. - Louise Hay
21. I will remember to put my oxygen mask on first.
22. Each new day is filled with infinite potential and possibility.
23. I am a strong and loving mother.
24. It is ok to take care of me.
25. I am limited only by my vision of what is possible.
26. I appreciate my wonderful life more each day.

HOW DO I GET STARTED USING POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS?

I'm so glad you asked! I have made it so easy for you to get started!

I have created 26 beautiful positive affirmation cards for moms plus a BONUS wall art print & two mini greeting cards (available in both American and British spelling - mom and mum)!

Pick any two affirmation cards and use them daily for 30 days - there are enough affirmation cards for an entire year of positive affirmations for moms!

Grab yours today and start feeling encouragement and happiness in your life again!

This makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift!

IN CONCLUSION

There are so many challenges in motherhood, and your journey is an important one!

These positive affirmations for moms can help you overcome negative thoughts and encourage a life filled with positivity and gratitude. They can bring happiness in every area of your life!

Make it important to yourself to build affirmations into your daily life.

Most of all, these affirmation cards will help you to remember that you are enough.

I hope the above list of positive affirmations were motivating and inspiring for you. Which affirmations you find the most inspirational?

I would love to hear from you! Comment below or find me on Facebook @ellabelladesignsbyann or Instagram @ellabella.designs.

Be sure to grab the printable positive affirmation cards for moms & wall art print in the shop today!

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How to Use a Planner to Organize Your Life and Stop the Overwhelm

2019-03-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you are feeling the overwhelm, I am excited to share my simple strategies to get your life back on track!

I will share how I turned things around which lead to being more organized, getting stuff done, and actually having more time in my day to do the things I want - and you can do it, too!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

Let's be honest, being a busy mom to three kids, a house to run, and a business owner is tough! I have been struggling to stay on top of things lately, and I have been feeling overwhelmed, unproductive, and unfocussed. It was especially difficult during winter break when the kids were home from school.

I am someone who thrives on being organized, setting goals, and creating routines yet I just felt I couldn’t keep up. There have been so many days while raising three kids and trying to stay on top of my business that I feel like I’m in a constant state of disarray.

Related: 23 Tips on How to Live a Simple and Balanced Life

I realized I needed to get back on track with my goals and I needed a system to keep me organized and on track.

Does this sounds familiar? Are you ready for a change, to stop feeling stressed? Do you want to take back your life? Then read on, my friend!

Pin for later!

THREE SIMPLE HABITS

Three simple yet powerful habits that transformed my life - goal setting, planning, and taking action!

If you start your days unplanned and frequently forget to do important tasks and not meeting your goals, you are potentially setting yourself up for failure and frustration.

In order to reach success, you need to set goals, plan, and take action!

It seems so simple, but without any goals you are just wandering aimlessly through life and not living your fullest potential. You can’t reach your goals without a strategy -- well, maybe you can but it is much less likely and will take more time.

It is super important to write down your long-term goals and then break them down into smaller, more attainable goals and set up an action plan for the year ahead. I use a planner to sort out my goals and plan my steps to achieve them!

I go into more detail of how to plan and achieve your goals here: Epic Guide to Goal Planning and How to Make Your Goals Succeed. There's even a 7-page Goal Workbook you can download to help you take the time to evaluate where you are in life and clarify your values, dreams, and goals! Then once you have done that, you are ready to start planning!

I actually designed my own planner (now available in the shop)! I love using it -- it's a such powerful tool and using one has changed my life! I’m definitely not perfect, but I feel so much better than before. I now feel more empowered, driven, and focused!

Through this process, I have learned what works for me. I now feel less overwhelm and finally feel productive at the end of the day!

Not into printable planners? Check out Erin Condren's selection of awesome planners!

BENEFITS TO USING A PLANNER

Planning definition according to Wikipedia: “Planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal. It is the first and foremost activity to achieve desired results. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan…”

There are many benefits to using a planner. Here are just some of the reasons why you need to start!

1. Planners help you stay organized and on track. They bring order to our otherwise chaotic lives. They help us prioritize what needs to get done first and beat the overwhelm.

Overwhelm often comes from not knowing what to do first or how to get something done! It can also be due to having too much on your plate.

2. This one is obvious, but planners help us remember what we need to get done.

3. Planners help us achieve our goals. Seeing my business and personal goals written down helps me to achieve them.

4. Planners help with time management. Do you ever find there just isn’t enough time in the day?

Scheduling your time effectively allows you to stay on track and have more time to enjoy the things you want - like starting a new hobby!

5. Improves productivity. Do you wish you were more productive at home? Do you struggle to stay on top of the cleaning and home organizing or finding time to get any projects done? Planners help you stay on track so you can be more efficient.

6. Reduces stress. Be sure to use your planner to schedule in some much needed self-care!

7. Gives you a creative outlet! Drawing & doodling with gorgeous gel pens, adding stickers & washi tape - there are so many things you can do to add a little fun while you plan! It makes your everyday tasks more fun, too.

Once you determine your routine for maintaining a planner, you will soon discover what benefits your planner brings you.

Not into printable planners? Check out Erin Condren's selection of awesome planners!

BEST WAYS TO USE YOUR PLANNER

1. Master To-Do Lists

Create a master list (or brain dump) of your goals; things you’d like to achieve in the next few months, within the year, or even in 5 years!

This is a crucial and very important step and will help you visualize all that you want and need to do. Be sure to assign realistic deadlines to your goals.

Related: Epic Guide to Goal Planning and How to Make Your Goals Succeed.

You may feel overwhelmed at the list or you could be feeling relieved, but writing down your goals is the first step of goal setting.

2. Year at a Glance

Fill important events and dates into your Year at a Glance calendar, then pull 3-5 items from your Master List to focus on for the year.

3. How to Plan Your Month

A monthly calendar is great for an overview of the month.

At the beginning of the month, write down your top goals for the month on your monthly planner page or calendar. Mark down any birthdays, appointments, plans, etc.

Reflect on the previous month and note if you are where you want to be, are there things you need to change or do better this month?

4. How to Plan Your Week

I love to prepare ahead for the week so I can set myself up for success and maximize my time.

I do my weekly planning on Sunday evening to get a look at the week ahead, review what needs to be done, and schedule time in to my day to ensure I am able to accomplish everything.

Look at your monthly planning list, break down the goals to create action steps, and add them to your weekly planning list. Block off time to accomplish those tasks.

Before planning the week ahead though, consider reflecting on the previous week and if there is anything outstanding you need to do, add it to your weekly to-do list.

Weekly planning will dramatically increase your productivity and you can enter Monday feeling confident and ready to take on the week.

I actually also use a weekly whiteboard planner on the fridge and I fill it up every Sunday with our activities, appointments, reminders, etc. I honestly don’t know how I would manage without this gem, it has been a timesaver and a lifesaver! Plus everyone can see what is going on for the week and plan accordingly. Here are some similar ones to mine.

5. How to Plan Your Day

The key to managing your day and crushing your goals is creating habits.

Managing your time needs to be an ongoing process you follow to keep focused on your priorities.

Plan & Prioritize: Set a plan for the day. Decide what you can realistically accomplish that will further your goals and make you feel like your day has been productive and successful. Some people find it helpful to schedule the hardest and most important items at the beginning of the day.

Focus: Make sure to refocus throughout the day to make sure you are on track.

Review: Spend some time in the evening reviewing your day. What worked? Where did you get distracted? What did you learn that will help you be more productive tomorrow?

As part of my evening routine, I glance through my weekly planning list and create a daily to-do list for the next day. I love to wake up knowing exactly what I need to do and I find I sleep a little better at night when I have it all written down!

Planning my tasks in advance and prioritizing them helps me stay focused throughout the day.

Not into printable planners? Check out Erin Condren's selection of awesome planners!

CONCLUSION

Having a clear road map on how to crush your goals starts with planning!

I know what it feels like to lack control and feel so overwhelmed you just don’t know where to start.

A planner guides you through an action plan to live your best life through goal planning and taking action every day. You will be able to focus more and your productivity will skyrocket!

One final thought: Don’t over-schedule. Make sure you are careful not to over-schedule yourself. Schedule tasks and events you know you can check off -- you can always add to your list.

I find it easier not to overwhelm myself with too much and really focus on my top 3 goals of the day -- my MITs (most important tasks). Once I get those done, anything else is just icing on the cake.

I’m so excited for you to start this journey with me! I’d love to know how you keep track of your goals? How do you organize your day? Do you use a planner? Do you have any tips on how to use a planner effectively to reach your goals?

I would love to hear from you! Comment below or find me on Facebook @ellabelladesignsbyann or Instagram @ellabella.designs.

Be sure to pick up the printable planner in the shop! Not into printable planners? Check out Erin Condren's selection of awesome planners!

The 60-Page Printable Planner Pack is US Letter Size (8.5" x 11") and includes:

4 Binder Covers
14 Planner Divider Pages
4 Pages of Planner Stickers
1 Year at a Glance
1 Undated Horizontal Calendar
1 Undated Vertical Calendar
12 Dated Horizontal Calendars
12 Dated Vertical Calendar
1 Monthly Plan Planner Page
1 Weekly Plan Planner Page
2 Daily Plan Planner Pages
1 Master To Do List
1 Seasonal Chores List
1 House Project List
6 Motivational Quotes (5" x 7")

Merry Christmas & Free Christmas Printable!

2018-12-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you!

I hope you were able to check out all 36 Family Christmas Tradition Ideas in my last post. I would love to know what your traditions are? Did you try any new ones this year?

I am taking a little break here during the Christmas holidays and thought I'd leave you with this free Christmas printable to end the season!

Thank you for following along, it is appreciated! Have a wonderful Christmas!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD!

36 Meaningful Family Christmas Traditions To Start With Your Kids

2018-11-18T02:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a magical time of the year and one of the best parts of the season are the traditions leading up to Christmas Day and spending time with family and friends.

Traditions as a family are especially important to me as I remember my own family traditions I had growing up that I hold near and dear to my heart to this day. I remember how special it all felt and after becoming a parent myself, I found it was just as important for me to continue those traditions along with making traditions of our own.

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

STRESS LESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
This time of year can certainly be a very stressful time and if you are finding it all too much, you may want to consider taking a step back and being more intentional about creating the kind of holiday you really want.

I suggest making the family a part of it and have them choose 2-3 of their favorite traditions and then find a way to honor everyone’s priorities. Some things will have to go and that’s ok, you can’t do everything. Make sure to schedule these priorities - it will be easier to say no if other things come up.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
Traditions are a great way to spend time with those you love and they also help form connections with your children. I thought I’d share some ideas for making your own Christmas traditions. There are lots of ideas here and hopefully this list will give you some inspiration for a magical holiday season.

Don't have time to read all 36 ideas? I gotcha! Pin for later or subscribe today and download the printable pack!

1 | HANG AN ADVENT CALENDAR
To help us countdown to Christmas, our family has always enjoyed having a Christmas countdown calendar. I was touched when my Mum handed down to me my very favorite countdown calendar she had kept from when we were kids! Now my kids are enjoying the tradition of counting down with my calendar.

Related Post: Christmas Advent Countdown Calendars

The past few years I have also given the kids a Lindt Chocolate Christmas Countdown Calendar, which they just love - I mean who doesn’t like some yummy chocolate to start their day!?

I made quite a few DIY Christmas Advent Calendars when I had my scrapbooking business, check out a couple here.

Another option is to create your own advent calendar and fill it with treats and activities to do on the lead up to Christmas. There are some fun ideas on Pinterest.

2 | READING CHRISTMAS STORIES
We love to read and have collected a few Christmas books throughout the years. My husband and I still have some that we used to read when we were kids! I love reading them to our kids!

Some people have incorporated a Book/Reading Advent where they choose 24 books, wrap each one individually, and each night the kids take turns choosing a book to read before bed. You can find great books at garage sales or the local thrift store and you can even borrow some from the library to wrap up.

I still have this book from my childhood and has been a big hit with the kids!

3 | ADVENT DEVOTIONAL
This looks like such a beautiful advent devotional book.

4 | SCRIPTURE BY CANDLELIGHT
Every night leading up to Christmas, read a scripture by candlelight.

5 | FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT
I make it a priority to take a family photo every year since our little ones are growing so fast! I love to do this at our local park and end up having a few photos we can use for our annual photo calendars we give to family, use in our wall collage, & put in the photo ornaments for the tree.

6 | SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS
We send Christmas cards to close friends and family and ever since we had our first child, we have sent photo Christmas cards. Sometimes we’ll hand write a personal note in some of the cards. I really love to receive cards in the mail myself and it’s so worth the effort!

7 | CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
The kids just love making Christmas crafts! I like to stock up when they are on sale after the season for the next year. There are so many cute crafts for the kids to make! Check out my Pinterest board for some ideas!

8 | FAMILY GAME NIGHT
Holding a family game night is so much fun! This tradition I will hold near and dear to my heart. It was something my sisters and I would do on Christmas Eve when we were young adults and it was so much fun! It never hurt to have some special drinks on the menu, too! ;)

9 | CHRISTMAS/SANTA TRAIN RIDE
There are a couple of towns near us that offer special Christmas train rides that our boys really enjoy.

10 | CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Drive around and look at Christmas lights around town at night. This is another favorite of mine to do! Usually Christmas Eve we load up and drive around the town looking at all of the beautiful lights all aglow!

11 | SNOW FUN!
Go ice skating, sledding, or build a snowman. During the holidays, our local ice rink is beautifully set up with a Winter Wonderland theme, which is so fun for the kids! We also love to go sledding when it snows or we can even head up to the local ski mountain for some snow tubing fun.

12 | WATCHING CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Nothing gets you more in the Christmas mood than Christmas movies! We love to watch Christmas movies leading up to Christmas! One of my favorites I used to watch when I was little was the old Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and I love that my kids enjoy watching it, too!

13 | BAKING COOKIES WITH THE KIDS
This is a great bonding and learning experience for the kids. They can also be wrapped and gifted to friends and family. Check out my Pinterest board for lots of Christmas baking treat ideas!

14 | DECORATING GINGERBREAD HOUSES
The kids really love this activity! Am I the only one who finds this activity stressful though? We buy the premade gingerbread houses but they never stay together! However, since I started making my own royal icing, it has really helped! (Or just try this Lego mini gingerbread house kit!)

15 | DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE
One of my favorite memories is decorating the tree and holding hands with my three sisters while dancing around the tree listening to Christmas music. I still enjoy listening to music while decorating our tree with some of the special ornaments which were passed down to me.

16 | CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS TREE
A few years ago, I bought a felt Christmas tree for the smaller kids to play with that attaches to the wall. (This one is so cute for the really little ones!) Then last year the older two kids put up their own mini trees in their room. They just love having their own little Christmas tree like I did when I was younger.

17 | DECORATIONS FOR THE KIDS
We make sure to have decorations & special Christmas toys that the kids are allowed to play with. These are a family favorite!

18 | NEW CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT
I don’t get an ornament for each child every year, but I will buy one if I see a really special ornament. I have, however, given my daughter a fairy figurine every year since her first Christmas. She’s now 14 years old and still loves to receive these figurines.

19 | CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
I have been collecting pieces for my Christmas village for a few years now and I just love it! These Lego Chrismas villages are great for the kids, too!

20 | NATIVITY SCENE
My mother always set up a nativity scene on the kitchen window ledge using mini ornaments, fluffy fake snow, and she would spray the window with snow spray. I LOVED it and it was always so festive! It was always the backdrop to my birthday, which I think is why I can’t imagine having my birthday at any other time of year! They have since been handed down to me and we display them every year.

These are some great Nativity Scenes for the really little ones to play with.

21 | HANG CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS
The kids love to hang their stockings by the fireplace, and Santa always leaves an orange and some coins in the bottom of the stockings!

We have a few extra stockings handed down to me that we let the kids play with, as playing Santa is half the fun right!?

22 | THE WHITE STOCKING/GIFT FOR JESUS
Hang a white stocking and every year on Christmas Eve everyone writes down on a piece of paper a gift to Jesus and places it in the stocking. Gifts could include personal goals, family goals, ways you could be of service in the coming year, kindnesses, something you are thankful for, etc. The gifts are kept in the stocking until next Christmas Eve when you read them out and celebrate everyone's accomplishments!

Sign up below and get The White Stocking poem and more free printables!

23 | VISIT WITH SANTA
We love visiting Santa, it is such a great experience for the kids! We have been going to the same Santa for over 10 years and we love how he takes the time to make each child feel special! It is always such a beautiful set up and I always like to take photos of the kids all dressed up among the scenery.

24 | LETTER TO SANTA
This isn’t a regular tradition for us but just if the kids feel like it when we are visiting Santa. Sometimes the school has the kids write a letter to send and the post office mails a reply.

25 | KINDNESS ELVES
The Kindness Elves are similar to Elf on a Shelf, but these elves focus on encouraging kids to do acts of kindness during the holiday season.

26 | CONTRIBUTING TO A CHRISTMAS HAMPER
We have been contributing to the hampers the preschool makes on and off for years, and it is such a feel-good thing to do!

27 | BACKPACK TO GIVE TO NEEDY
Fill up a backpack to give to the local needy.

28 | VOLUNTEER AT COMMUNITY DINNERS
Volunteer at community dinners for those less fortunate.

The above ideas are a great way to teach kids that Christmas is not just about receiving but about giving as well.

29 | CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
We have enjoyed going to the midnight candlelight service in the past at our church and it was such a beautiful experience.

30 | CHRISTMAS JAMMIES
It’s only been the last few years I’ve done this, but I love to give the kids new Christmas jammies the night before Christmas. It makes for some fun photos in the morning, too, when they are opening their gifts. (Consider grabbing some matching family Christmas pajamas!)

31 | CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT BOX
Some people have started a tradition to fill up a box of gifts for their kids and have them open it the night before. Things to include:

32 | PHOTO IN FRONT OF CHRISTMAS TREE
I love to get a photo of the kids the night before Christmas in front of the tree (wearing their new jammies, of course)!

I make sure to have my camera settings ready, as the kids are constantly moving so I have to be as prepared as possible! A tripod would be ideal, as you are dealing with low light as well.

33 | MILK & COOKIES FOR SANTA
This is exciting for the kids to do on Christmas Eve and is one of the very last traditions we do before the big day. We have a special star plate we use every year and also leave out carrots for the reindeer.

Check out the cute Santa milk and cookies sets here.

34 | CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
We like to prepare a couple of dishes the night before and all we need to do is throw them into the oven! Super easy and quick.

35 | GIFTS
Some people have started the tradition to give four gifts:

something they want
something they need
something to read
something to wear

I came across a really great idea where the parents labelled all of the gifts using the names of the reindeer in place of the kids’ names to avoid the kids racing to open their gifts. We take turns opening our gifts and find this provides an opportunity to really appreciate it and thank the gift giver.

36 | CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
Christmas dinner is a large feast and the Christmas crackers are definitely a fun tradition! I usually buy them on sale after Christmas for the next year.

CONCLUSION

Christmas is about creating memories, family traditions, and magical moments. Making the time to enjoy the holidays together is something you will never regret and is the best thing you can do for your family!

I have listed many different Christmas traditions above that you can try with your family. What are some of your family’s favorite Christmas traditions? Are you choosing any new traditions to add this year? I’d love to hear! Find me on Facebook @ellabelladesignsbyann and Instagram @ellabella.designs.

Don't forget to pin to Pinterest!

Check out these great gift guides & ideas you may find helpful this time of year:
13 Gift Ideas for Toddlers Gift Guide
12 Gift Ideas for 4-Year-Old Toddler Preschool Boys Gift Guide
12 Gift Ideas for 9-Year-Old Tween Boys
20 Gift Ideas for 12-Year-Old Tween Girls Gift Guide
15 Gift Ideas for 13-Year-Old Teen Girls Gift Guide
Peppermint Hot Chocolate in a Jar Teacher Gift
DIY Quilted French Memory Board & Tutorial

Shared at:
Skip to my Lou
A Pinch of Joy
Gingersnap Crafts

Halloween Wall Art Printables to Decorate Your Home

2018-10-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

If you love to decorate your house for Halloween and are looking for something easy and inexpensive, I have just what you need!

I have added six Halloween printables to the shop and I am super excited to share them with you today! They come in three sizes to decorate your home - you are sure to find just the right printable to add a "spooky" touch to your home this Halloween!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

HALLOWEEN WALL ART PRINTABLES IN THE SHOP

FREE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLES

I have also created two FREE printables just for our newsletter subscribers! These are available in the free printables library, so be sure to sign up today if you are not already a subscriber!

These free printables are sized at 8” x 10” -- perfect for printing on 8.5” x 11” paper at home or at a printing shop. You can also turn the printables into greeting cards by printing at 50%.

See my printing guide for tips on printing printables including paper recommendations.

Do you love to decorate your house for Halloween? We don’t go all out but we do like to decorate a little for the kids, and I seem to be collecting more and more Halloween decorations each year!

I’d love to see how you decorate with my Halloween printables! Leave me a note in the comments, visit me on Facebook @ellabelladesignsbyann, or tag me on Instagram @ellabella.designs. I'd love to hear from you!

Pin the images below to save for later!

Fall Pumpkin Wall Art Printables

2018-10-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the air and I'm loving this cooler weather! It certainly makes me in the mood to cozy up! I love the beautiful colors autumn brings and all of the activities that go along with it!

Every year we head to the pumpkin patch and today I took my youngest with his preschool class. We had a great time on the hay ride, almost getting lost in the corn maze (not to mention getting stuck/falling in the mud!), and picking some cute little baby pumpkins in the pumpkin patch!

I've been working on creating some fall pumpkin printables for the shop (and free fall printables exclusively for our newsletter subscribers - see bottom of post).

They make decorating your home for the season super easy and so inexpensive! There are so many to choose from! Which one is your favorite?

FALL PUMPKIN PRINTABLES IN THE SHOP

VISIT THE SHOP TODAY!

FREE FALL PRINTABLES

It's no secret that I love to make free printables for my newsletter subscribers! Below is a sneak peak of the newest FREE fall printables that are available in the free printable library! Be sure to sign up today!

Do you like decorating for the fall season? Do you have any fall traditions you like doing with your family?

Leave me a note in the comments or visit me on Facebook @ellabelladesignsbyann or Instagram @ellabella.designs. I'd love to hear from you!

Don't forget to share on Pinterest!

This post was shared on The Pin Junkie & Skip to My Lou.

8 Black and White Buffalo Plaid Fall Finds

2018-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I love decorating my home for fall! Sometimes it's simple, such as hanging our fall wreath on the front door, lighting a fall candle, or printing up an art print to hang on the wall. Decorating your home for fall doesn't have to be difficult.

In the previous post, I showed you some beautiful ways you can decorate your home for the fall season with all things turquoise. Today I'm sharing some black and white plaid cozy fall finds with you, including my new fall printables! This is a trend that is constant year after year and fits into any decor whatever your style!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

Here is my curated list of 8 fall-inspired home decor finds for the fall season! Whether you are looking to decorate your porch, dining table, or living room, you’ll be enjoying a cozy home with these fabulous fall decor items!

8 BLACK AND WHITE PLAID FALL DECOR FINDS

1. Pumpkin Door Mat

2. Sweater Weather Candle (ok, so I snuck in some orange, but who can resist a candle with a name like this?!)

3. Mercury Glass Lighted Pumpkin

4. Fall Wall Art Pumpkin Printables (set of 3)

5. Buffalo Plaid Wreath

6. Buffalo Checkered Plaid Throw

7. Hello Fall Pillow Cover

8. Plaid Table Linens

I hope I was able to inspire you with this fall decor round-up! What is your favorite way to decorate your home for the fall season?

If black and white plaid aren't your thing, check out my other post with fabulous finds for decorating with all things turquoise!

Don't forget to check out Ellabella Designs Shop for our newest printables to decorate your home!

I'd love it if you pinned and shared! Thanks!

7 Turquoise Fall Decor Ideas

2018-10-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall!

I love all things turquoise and after creating a set of new fall printables for the shop, I thought I’d scour the internet to find some matching turquoise fall decor!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

I’ve compiled a list of my favorite 7 turquoise fall-inspired home decor items to easily decorate your home for the season!

Whether you are looking to decorate your porch, dining table, or living room, you’ll be enjoying a cozy home with these fabulous fall decor items!

7 Turquoise Fall Decor Ideas

1. Chunky Knit Blanket

2. Wood Candle Lantern

3. Set of 3 Fall Pumpkin Wall Art Printables

4. Set of 3 Hand-Painted Mason Jars

5. Macrame Hanging Wall Decor

6. Ceramic Pumpkins

7. Fall Floral Throw Pillow Cover

I hope you’ve had some inspiration from this fall decor round-up! What is your favorite way to decorate your home for the fall season?

If black and white plaid are your thing, you’ll want to check out this post for even more fall decor ideas!

Don't forget to check out the Ellabella Designs shop for our newest printables to decorate your home!

I'd love it if you pinned and shared! Thanks!

School Lunch Ideas & Tips for Kids - Free Printables

2018-08-31T10:15:00.003-07:00

With school about to start here and with us now having three kids to pack school lunches for 5 days a week, having a list of easy lunch ideas is crucial to help get through the hustle and bustle of those mornings!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

Packing healthy school lunches have been a habit since our kids went to pre-school where they only allowed healthy, low-sugar foods and water to drink.

However, my son is now asking for a treat in his lunch box (he is going into grade 4). I will now surprise him with a treat maybe once a week, such as a Bear Claw cookie or some homemade chocolate banana bread - everything in moderation, right?

Here are some ideas on helping you create healthy school lunches for your kids!

Related: 14 Back to School Organizational Tips

PREPARE & PREP

A list of easy lunch ideas your kids like and prepping them in advance is crucial to helping you get through the hustle and bustle of those busy school mornings and will save you so much time! Try prepping school lunches on Sundays for the week ahead.

We like to have a well-balanced lunch box for our kids which includes lots of fruits and vegetables, a little grain, protein, a healthy snack, and water is always the drink of choice for us.

Include food from each of the food groups for a balanced meal, this will provide kids with sustained energy and making sure they are well-nourished and energized for learning.

A lunch for kids should include:

Whole grains (breads, crackers, pasta...)
Protein (milk, cheese, yogurt, lean meat, beans, eggs...)
Fruits and vegetables
Good fat (nuts, peanut butter...)
An occasional treat
Water

SUPPLIES

Having the right supplies and having them easily accessible will make things so much easier when packing lunches! We use a pull-out basket in our cupboard for water bottles and insulated lunch kits and containers.

Lunch Box Supply Kit:

Insulated lunch kit
Reusable water bottle
Freezer ice packs
Divided containers
Reusable snack bags
Reusable food pouches (we use these ones)
Insulated Thermos food jar
Reusable utensils
Hand wipes &/or napkins

SCHOOL LUNCH TIPS

Taking the time to pack lunches the night before will minimize the morning rush and ensure healthy options are chosen. (Setting up the table for breakfast helps, too!)

Freeze your baking so you always have a stash of homemade goods to add to their lunches! Try this chocolate banana bread recipe or these healthy breakfast cookies - great to grab and go in the morning!

You can choose to freeze their water bottles the night before so they double as ice packs. Or you can also freeze smoothies in a reusable squeeze tube!

Offer a variety of foods throughout the week and involve the kids in the packing process! They’ll learn about healthy eating and be more likely to eat the foods they chose.

To keep apples from browning, simply dip the slices in lemon juice before packing them into the lunch. The mild acidity of the juice keeps them from browning.

PRINTABLE PACK

I have designed a school lunch printable pack filled with lots of ideas for you!

The printable pack includes:

School Lunch Ideas
A blank School Lunch Ideas printable is also included so you can add your own lunch ideas your kids will love
Healthy Eating Tips for Kids
Lunch Box Planner Calendar
Lunch Box Notes for Kids

Print them out and keep it handy so you can have fun lunch ideas to make easily! I love to keep my School Lunch Ideas for Kids printable attached to the inside of a kitchen cupboard!

I hope I inspired you with some easy and healthy lunch ideas while also encouraging kids to make healthy choices. You can even choose to let your child do the picking and packing!

Remember, use these ideas as inspiration and modify as needed. If your kids don't like ham, use pepperoni or chicken instead! If they hate melons but love apples, feel free to change it up! It's all about packing what your kids like so they are sure to eat it.

Related: 14 Back to School Organizational Tips

What are some of your kids' favorite school lunches? How do you pack lunches in your house? I'd love it if you shared some of your ideas as well!

Visit me on Facebook @ellabelladesignsbyann or Instagram @ellabella.designs.

Pin on Pinterest:

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PRINTING PRINTABLES

2018-04-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you’ll know that I have a huge passion for designing printables. They can quickly and easily decorate your home and organize your busy life.

But you may be hesitant about printables because you aren't sure what they really are or what exactly you do with them after you download the files.

In order for you to get the most out of printables, I thought I’d create an ultimate guide to printing printables. I will go over what printables are and how to print them including some paper suggestions and troubleshooting issues.

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

WHAT IS A PRINTABLE?

Printables (sometimes referred to as digital downloads or instant downloads) are graphic designs that can be downloaded and saved onto your computer (commonly JPEG, PNG, or PDF format) and printed for you to use (either by yourself or printed by a local/online print shop).

There are many different types of printables including wall art, party printables, worksheets, checklists, calendars, planners, quotes, greeting cards, and much, much more!

My most popular printables on the blog include dice math games & activity printables, free Christmas wall art printables, this kid's chore chart, and this spring printable!

One of my favorite kinds of printables are wall art printables. Updating your home decor with fun, new printable wall art is a cost effective way to get high quality art for your home; seasonal printables are easily interchangeable with the seasons. It’s instant fulfillment - just print and frame!

HOW DO I PRINT PRINTABLES? HOW DOES IT WORK?

After you download the printable, save the file to your desktop/laptop computer (not your mobile device). Files will vary in format: PDF, PNG, or JPEG.

PDF FILES
When printing at home or at a print shop (i.e. Staples, Office Depot...), PDF files are best. You must use Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files. You can download Acrobat Reader for free here.

PNG FILES
If printing at a photo printer (i.e. Walgreens, London Drugs...), PNG files are the best if the software accepts it - not all software accepts PNG files.

JPEG FILES
This is an option if you don't have either a PDF or PNG file.

ZIP FILES
Some files are very large and have been compressed into a ZIP folder. To unzip a folder, select “Extract All” then follow the instructions to save on your computer.

When you are ready to print, you have three options:

1 | PRINT IT YOURSELF

Depending on the size of the printable, and if you have a printer at home or at your office, you can simply print yourself. For larger size art printables over 8.5” x 11” in size, you will have to send it to a professional printing service. I recommend using a printing service with art printables no matter the size.

TIPS FOR PRINTING

Please note, the following settings will vary from printer to printer. You may have to refer to your printer's manual or try contacting them, they will be able to assist you with any problem solving.

Printer Settings for Printing JPEG Files Printer:

Printer: Choose the correct printer
Paper Size: Choose 8.5”x11”
Quality: High Quality
Paper Type: Select the correct paper type to get the best quality print
For actual 8"x10" sized art prints: Select 8”x10” in the far right column (DO NOT select "Fit picture to frame")
For full-size printing at 8.5” x 11” (for planner pages, check lists, chore charts, etc., or if the 8"x 10" art print is on an 8.5" x 11" sized paper): Select “Full Page” in far right column (DO NOT select "Fit picture to frame")

Printer Settings for Printing PDF Files (in Adobe Acrobat)

Click the printer icon to bring up the printing menu
Check the box “Actual Size”
Click Properties and select paper type and quality (same settings as JPEG as above)
Click OK then Print

What paper should I use to print?
The type of paper you choose to print on depends on the type of printable you are printing and your personal preference, of course.

Regular weight printer paper: Planner pages, checklists, household binder printables, etc.

White cardstock: Anything that needs to be sturdy (greeting cards, party decorations, etc.) or anything that will be laminated (chore charts, cleaning schedule, etc.) should be printed on cardstock. I often use the Recollections brand cardstock sold at Michaels. It is 65lb cardstock, plain white, and has a smooth finish.

Ultra premium white presentation matte paper: This paper will give you the best results for art printables.

Heavyweight matte photo paper: I rarely use photo paper for my printables unless I'm printing invitations that include pictures.

Printable sticker paper: Turn any printable into a sticker by printing on uncut sticker paper.

For my Goal Planning printables, I just used regular weight printer paper and printed them on my home printer.

Test out the different settings on your computer and printer as well as different types of paper and see what you like best.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Choose high print quality
Replace ink cartridges & use the genuine ink cartridges - colors become lighter and less vibrant the closer the ink cartridges are to becoming empty
Do a printer clean and printer head alignment - especially if you start to get streaks or lines across the page
Change paper type and weight - some printers cannot print on a heavyweight cardstock
Print at 100% scale

Why does the color look different compared to the computer when I print it out?
It is important to note that the actual print colors may differ slightly due to monitor/printer settings. Also, print quality may vary due to the quality of paper, ink, and printer settings used.

If the colors look very different once printed:

Check printer settings to adjust the intensity and check ink cartridge levels
Tell your printer what paper to print on (see instructions above)
Disable auto color correction in your print settings
Try upgrading to matte photo paper

What if you want to print larger prints?
Large art prints can make a big impact on your home decor, and this is a good opportunity to scale up the artwork to a size you wouldn’t be able to print at home. Ellabella Designs Shop sells printables up to 16”x20” in size. Even if you do have a printer, this may actually be a better option and more economical in the long run since large, colorful images on a colored background use a lot of ink.

2 | LOCAL PRINT SHOP OR OFFICE SUPPLY STORE

You can use a local print shop or office supply store and take the file on a USB flash drive. For the quickest results, I upload the printable files from my computer directly to the store website. This saves a lot of time when picking up.

Some local print shops in your area may include:

Office Max
Kinkos
Staples (staplescopyandprint.ca in Canada)

If the size of your printable isn’t available, choose the next size up and have them trim it for you. Be sure to review your prints when picking up your order. Should there be any issues, the staff should be happy to reprint your order for you.

I printed both of these printables (uncut) at Staples on bright white, 100lb cardstock, and they came out beautifully! The 8.5"x11" print was only CAD 69¢ and the 11"x17" was only CAD $1.39. And they were ready in less than an hour from ordering online!

3 | PRINT & SHIP WEBSITES

If you don’t live near an office supply store, there are many online printing services that offer quick, high quality prints of your printable shipped directly to you. You can upload your image to their website and they will print and ship out your order.

Where to print printables online:

Shutterfly
Mixbook
FedEx
Snapfish
Persnickety Prints
Vistaprint
BlacksGallery.ca

Tip: Instruct the professional print shop not to color correct the file.

SUPPLIES FOR PRINTING PRINTABLES

Epson Printer - I use this Epson Workforce 645
Laminator - Great for those printables you can use over and over again!
Dry Erase Markers
Printable Sticker Paper - Turn any printable into a sticker!
Paper Trimmer
Regular weight printer paper
White cardstock
Ultra premium white presentation matte paper
Heavyweight matte photo paper

WHAT YOU CAN’T DO WITH THE PRINTABLES
It’s important that I talk about copyright. All of my designs (including my free printables) are for personal use only and under no circumstances can they be used for commercial purposes or free distribution. Online and personal sharing of these files is strictly prohibited. Therefore, outside of printing the image for yourself, you are unable to share, copy, resell, or reproduce without the artists written consent.

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to printing printables!

What printables are your favorite? If you have any special requests for printables I’d love to hear about them! I’d be more than happy to add your idea to my printable idea list!

Want free printables? Be sure to sign up below for Ellabella Designs newsletters which will give you access to subscriber-only freebies, updates, and more! I also offer many more printables in the Ellabella Designs Shop!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

I would love it if you shared this post!

Shared on Skip to My Lou

EASTER & SPRING WALL ART PRINTABLES

2018-03-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

The snow has finally all melted after a couple of big dumps over the last month; the sun is out and it's warming up for spring!

I have been playing catch-up the last couple of months after I lost all of my blog and business files, printables, logos, etc., due to a damaged external hard drive; but I am somewhat caught up and am excited to finally release my Easter & Spring wall art printables for you!

Suggested: The Ultimate Guide to Printing Printables!

I have loaded the Ellabella Designs Shop full of beautiful Spring & Easter wall art printables and I have also included a few extra free printables just for you!

So if you aren't signed up for my newsletter, sign up below and you will have access to the exclusive free printables library for newsletter subscribers!

I'd love to know if you use my printables to decorate your house for spring! Feel free to share a photo of your spring home decor via comment, Facebook, or Instagram! Which one is your favorite below?

Don't forget to share on Pinterest! Thanks!

Shared on:
Skip to My Lou
Pin Junkie

Paw Patrol Recycling Birthday Party Ideas

2018-02-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, January was very busy organizing both of our boys' birthday parties! (See the Minecraft Birthday Party)

Our youngest recently turned 4 and is really obsessed with recycling/garbage trucks and wanted that to be the theme of his birthday this year! He also loves Paw Patrol, so we merged the two and had a Paw Patrol Recycling Birthday Party! Rocky from Paw Patrol has a recycling truck and it fit in perfectly with our theme!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

He had his party at a local indoor play centre so we had minimal decorations (just balloons), but I thought I'd share the invitation I designed and the cake I decorated along with the fun garbage can goody bags!

As I do when I am planning any party, I head over to Pinterest for some ideas and whip out my birthday party checklist! Check out my Paw Patrol & Recycling Truck Birthday Party Pinterest Boards!

He was quite adamant that he wanted a chocolate cake with rainbows and clouds, so this is what I came up with!

I decorated the cake with signs I designed and printed as well as a Paw Patrol Rocky Recycling Truck toy. I used rainbow-colored gumballs around the top layer and white clouds made with icing on the side of the top layer. I thought a mini recycling/garbage can would be a nice finishing touch!

Paw Patrol Recycling Birthday Party Goody Bags

I found some mesh pencil holders at the dollar store and thought they'd look great as mini trash cans and filled black "garbage bags" with treats and toys!

The goody bags included:

My son had a fabulous time with his friends celebrating his 4th birthday and loved the Paw Patrol Recycling theme we came up with!

Is your child obsessed with recycling trucks, too!? What theme are your kids having this year for their birthday parties?

Be sure to check out all of our birthday party themes here!

I'd love it if you would share this post on Pinterest!

Minecraft Birthday Party Ideas

2018-02-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

We're just coming out of the busiest time of year for us. December was busy creating product for my new Ellabella Designs Shop, celebrating birthdays and Christmas, then New Year's! Once January hit, it was full on organizing for our two boys' birthday parties! It certainly is a crazy time of year!

I thought I'd share the boys' birthday parties with you if you need some inspiration for birthday parties for your kids! (See the Paw Patrol Recycling Birthday Party)

Our oldest boy, who just turned 9, is still really into Minecraft and wanted a Minecraft Birthday Party! As usual, I searched the internet for some ideas then found some Minecraft clipart to use on the invitations and for decorations. I left it to my son to decide what he wanted, as I know next to nothing about Minecraft!

I created a Minecraft Birthday Party Board on Pinterest which was very inspiring! Be sure to check it out for more ideas!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

We set the scene at the entrance and attached Minecraft torches (with flameless LED tealight candles inside) and blocks on the stairway.

Nether Portal Door Decorations

We made a Nether Portal at the entrance to the kitchen area where the food table was located.

Inside the Nether Portal he wanted a lava waterfall, which we made with orange and red streamers. I also made a Ghast to hang and printed off a large Zombie Pigman for the full Nether effect!

Table decor was kept very simple, using a simple black table cover with a green table runner, square plates, pixel napkins, and I added a few mini Minecraft blocks over the table.

We printed off a large block with a sign for the backdrop for the food table and attached a couple of torches! The food table was decorated with larger blocks and a printable Steve head.

We had someone local make the cake for us, and he used his little mini Minecraft figurines to decorate! I printed off a mini Minecraft sign to put on the cake.

Minecraft Birthday Party Games

We actually didn't have many games as we hired a magician, another of our son's favorite things! But I found some great ideas on Pinterest including a game I really wanted to try, Musical Minecraft Blocks, but alas, we just didn't have the time.

One of the must-have games he wanted was pin the tail on the Enderdragon! I printed up a large cube as a backdrop for the magician and it worked perfectly for a place to play the game.

We also had a treasure hunt for eggs and hidden inside were real mined rocks and gems. At the end of the party, we had a treasure chest pinata filled with candy!

Minecraft Goody Bag and Invitation

I bought red bags and attached a TNT sign on the front. I made the goody bag tags and invitations using some inspiration I found on Pinterest!

I found some fun block-themed items for the goody bags and included:

Mini Rubik's Cube
Mini Puzzle Eraser Cube
Mini 3-in-a-Row Game
Deck of Cards
Glow in the Dark Axe (or Glow in the Dark Wand for girls)
Mined rock (I bought a selection of different kinds)

The kids all had a blast at the party! We had a lot of fun decorating and I think the torches were my favorite, as the flameless LED tealight candles really gave them a realistic look! They looked amazing at night!

What themes have your kids had/are having for their birthday party? Comment below!

Be sure to check out all of our birthday party themes here!

I'd love it if you shared this post on Pinterest!

FREE CHRISTMAS WALL ART DECOR PRINTABLES

2017-12-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's mid-December already! I have been very busy over the last little while working on designing Christmas printables and opening the Ellabella Designs Shop!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

This year I have made some really adorable Christmas/Winter printables with whimsical penguins & snowmen as well as dainty deer! The popular red vintage truck has also made an appearance again this year in the shop.

They would make wonderful Christmas gifts, just set the printables in a frame or even print them on canvas.

I would love to see how you decorated using our Christmas printables in your own home! Tag me on Instagram @ellabella.designs and you may be featured!

I love using printables, they are such an easy and inexpensive way to decorate your home during the holidays!

I have also been working on some free Christmas printables exclusively for Ellabella Designs newsletter subscribers! I couldn't help myself and created 6 wall art printables (8x10) plus a set of gift tags and a bonus mini card. Just download, print, and frame!

Please note: Printables are for personal use only, no commercial use allowed. Do not alter printables in any way.
© Ellabella Designs

Looking for printing instructions for your downloads? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Printing Printables for detailed printing instructions and paper suggestions!

Be sure to follow Ellabella Designs on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram to be the first to see new free printables and new printable collections in our Ellabella Designs Shop!!

Don't forget to share on Pinterest!

Sharing at The Pin Junkie, Skip to my Lou, & Eighteen25.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! GRAND OPENING ELLABELLA DESIGNS SHOP & NAME CHANGE!

2017-12-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to finally announce that I have opened the Ellabella Designs Shop on Etsy!

It has been my dream to open up Ellabella Designs again (you may remember when I had my scrapbooking studio way back in 2006-2010), but this time as a digital design studio where I love to create an abundance of digital art decor and printables for your home and life!

I have been working very hard over the last few weeks getting it all set up and designing beautiful printables to decorate your home! It's been a labor of love, and I would love for you to come visit Ellabella Designs and check out my new shop!

Here is a look at some of the Christmas Winter Printables we have in the shop!

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/EllaBellaDesign

I will be selling my premium digital printables to decorate your home and organize your life, including wall art, seasonal printables, party decor, organization, and kids activities and educational printables!

The shop is stocked for the holiday season with some amazing and beautiful Christmas and Winter art work (yes, even the popular vintage red truck has made an appearance, greeting cards are also available)!

And if you happen to live on/near Vancouver Island or have a special place in your heart for the island, I have created some West Coast Vancouver Island Home Decor Wall Art printables for you!

I have a ton of printables that I will be working on over the next while and will be stocking Ellabella Designs Shop regularly. Be sure to "favorite" my Ellabella Designs Etsy Shop so you can follow and see the new items as they are added to the shop.

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed creating them!

Good news! I will still be sharing free printables with my newsletter subscribers! Sign up below if you haven't already and you will get access to the freebies area!

One more exciting announcement...

THE SCRAPBOOKING HOUSEWIFE IS NOW ELLABELLA DESIGNS!

While the Scrapbooking Housewife Blog has been a wonderful little corner on the internet for me where I can share ideas and inspiration with you, I have realized that the blog has evolved since I started it over 7 years ago and it is time for me to start following my passions and creating a life I love!

So I have decided after much thought and deliberation to re-brand The Scrapbooking Housewife to Ellabella Designs. There will be a name change soon on the blog as well as my social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, & Pinterest) and I can't wait to share more focused quality content on the blog.

Read all about my story and the history of Ellabella Designs and The Scrapbooking Housewife here.

I'm excited about all of the opportunities this brings me and look forward to expanding my products in the near future! Thank you so very much for your continued support!

12 Gift Ideas for 9-year-old Tween Boys Gift Guide

2017-12-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

This time of year brings about a lot of birthdays for our family in December and January! I like to do all of my shopping for the January birthdays at the same time as my Christmas shopping. So I have to shop double time for my two boys during the holiday season!

I have rounded up 12 gift ideas for my tween boy; I hope you can find some ideas for yours!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We will only choose to promote products that we have used or would use ourselves or that we feel will be beneficial to our readers. Thank you for your support! Please see our full disclosure policy here.

12 Gift Ideas for 9-year-old Tween Boys

1. Kidizoom Smart Watch - my boy is always losing track of time and needing reminders and this watch looks like a perfect fit! It also works as a camera! Fun!

2. Walkie Talkies - a great way to connect with my son when he's outside playing or he can use it with another friend while playing around the neighbourhood!

3. Robe - my boy is growing like a weed and really needs a new robe!

4. LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions Kit - a great fidget-worthy toy!

5. HO Scale Train Set - he's always wanted an HO scale train set; I can't wait to see him open it on Christmas morning!

6. Metallic Pencil Crayons

7. Lego Bus - my boy is really into his Lego!

8. Lava Lamp - my son loves his liquid motion timer fidget toy (like this one) and is constantly fidgeting with something; he will love watching the lava flow as he falls asleep!

9. Nerf Bullets - can never have enough of these, right?!

10. Calendar - my son is still into steam trains in a big way and loves his calendar!

11. Rock Collection

12. Perplexus 3D Maze Ball - another fidget toy; he loves these!

I hope this helps you select that perfect gift for your tween boy!

Leave me a comment or visit me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know what is on your son's gift wish list or what you are planning on getting him! I'm always looking for more ideas!

I'd love it if you shared on Pinterest!

15 Gift Ideas for 13-year-old Teen Girls Gift Guide

2017-12-08T10:59:00.000-08:00

It's always difficult to come up with gift ideas for my daughter, and this year is no different! I came up with 15 gift ideas for my 13-year-old teen girl, and I thought I'd put together a gift guide in case you are having difficulties as well!

She's certainly not into toys and isn't that much into the digital craze, though she has had an iPod for a number of years now. She is still into art in a big way, which I love! She goes through paint and canvases like you wouldn't believe!

What is on your teen's wishlist this year? I'd love to hear! Comment below!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We will only choose to promote products that we have used or would use ourselves or that we feel will be beneficial to our readers. Thank you for your support! Please see our full disclosure policy here.

15 Gift Ideas for 13-year-old Teen Girls

1. Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker - this will be perfect for my daughter as she likes to listen to music on her iPod in the bath and this wireless speaker can actually float in the water!

2. Portable Power Bank Charger

3. Zip Around Wallet

4. Converse Chuck Taylor Hi Top

5. Weighted Blanket - therapeutic weighted sensory blankets are proven to reduce stress and anxiety and produce a feeling of comfort. I've read lots of great things about these and my daughter has wanted to try one!

6. 2018 Student Organizer Wall Calendar - these calendars seem difficult to find but I managed to find one locally and it looks like an amazing student organizer calendar for my daughter!

7. Planner Stickers - can't have a calendar without stickers! ;)

8. Colorful Eyeshadow Makeup Palette

9. Calligraphy Pen, Ink & Book Set

10. Calligraphy & Hand Lettering Notebook

11. Water Bucket for painting - my daughter really needs one of these! Right now she uses a pie tin filled with water and we have had some accidents, so I can't wait to give this to her!

12. Harry Potter - A History of Magic: The Book of the Exhibition - she is still into Harry Potter and wanted these new books that just recently came out.

13. Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic

14. Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Game

15. Acrylic Paint Set - she can never have enough paints!! *Please be sure when purchasing acrylic paint that it is non-toxic, as some paints when mixed together can become toxic.

I hope this gift guide for teen girls has been helpful for you! Leave me a comment or visit me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know what is on your daughter's gift wish list or what you are planning on getting her! I'm always looking for more ideas!

Please share on Pinterest!

12 Gift Ideas for 4-year-old Toddler Preschool Boys Gift Guide

2017-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for some gift ideas for your toddler/preschool boy this Christmas season?

My little guy turns 4 in January so I am always thinking ahead when I'm buying for the Christmas season. I have some gift ideas that I know he will love and I thought I would share them with you!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We will only choose to promote products that we have used or would use ourselves or that we feel will be beneficial to our readers. Thank you for your support! Please see our full disclosure policy here.

Top 12 Gift Ideas For 4-Year-Old Toddler Preschool Boys

1. Playmobile Recycling Truck and this set of trash cans is so cute!

2. Playmobile Ice Cream Truck

3. Playmobile Figures

4. Paw Patrol Robe

5. Play-doh Sets like Sizzlin' Creations Set, Kitchen Creations Burger Barbecue Set, or this Cookout Creations Set!

6. Playmobile Spaceshuttle

7. Paw Patrol Christmas Pyjamas

8. Shopkins Pack and sets like Birthday Cake Surprise and Hot Spot Kitchen.

9. Poop Emoji Plush Pillow

10. Paw Patrol Books like this cute Christmas one, this winter-themed one, and this great collection of short stories!

11. Shopkins Plush Hanger Mystery Pack

12. Train Sets like this one, or this one, and even this one!

So there you have it, 12 gift ideas for your toddler preschooler boys! I hope you have some gift ideas now! Leave me a comment or visit me on Facebook or Instagram, I'd love to know what your preschooler likes to play with? What are some favorite toys?

Don't forget to Pin this!

Free Fall Thanksgiving Wall Art Printables

2017-10-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is over and Fall has arrived and we are back into the Fall routine again!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner for us here in Canada, and I thought I'd make some beautiful Fall and Thanksgiving wall art printables for you to help celebrate the season in your home!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

These beautiful and colorful wall art printables with colorful leaves and feathers would make a great addition to your fall and Thanksgiving home decor! Just download, print, and frame! These are designed to fit an 8" x 10" frame.

Looking for printing instructions for your downloads? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Printing Printables for detailed printing instructions and paper suggestions!

If you are looking for a Thanksgiving project to do with your kids, check out the Thanksgiving Thankful Tree Canvas Craft I made with my kids last year.

I just love looking at it and reminds us of the things we are most thankful for. Click here to check out the blog post and instructions!

Be sure to follow Ellabella Designs on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram to be the first to see new free printables and new printable collections in our Ellabella Designs Shop!!

I'd love it if you shared on Pinterest!

Please note: Printables are for personal use only, no commercial use allowed. Do not alter printables in any way. © Ellabella Designs

This post is linked up at The Pin Junkie and Skip to My Lou.

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Decluttering

2017-05-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed with the clutter in your home but just don’t know where to start, read on for great tips and strategies on decluttering your home!

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

I was spending so much time organizing and trying to maintain a tidy house that I had little time for anything else. I found I was stressed and angry most of the time, which I really hated!

I decided I had to take control of my life and my first step was to declutter, minimize, and organize my house!! So far, the effects have been absolutely amazing and I feel so much better and more in control than ever! I would love it if you joined me on my journey, too!

Related: How To Organize Your Life and Stop The Overwhelm

WHAT IS CLUTTER?

Clutter is simply an accumulation of stuff that doesn’t belong in the space or in our home altogether. Clutter is also a sign of life changes and anything that has thrown your life off balance.

For me, it was the overwhelm of having three kids with complex needs and having no routines and habits in place. We accumulated a substantial amount of nonessential items that just ended up cluttering up our entire home.

All of this can be managed by decluttering, which simply means to sort through all of your stuff and choose what you will keep and what you will let go of, and getting your life back on track with routines and habits.

Related: How To Organize Your Life and Stop The Overwhelm

An example of a routine would be putting the dishwasher on at night and unloading it in the morning. The dirty dishes can then be loaded directly into the dishwasher throughout the day to avoid a huge pile of dirty dishes on the counter and in the kitchen sink.

HOW DID MY HOME BECOME SO CLUTTERED?

1. Lack of routines and habits. That could look like having a set evening cleaning routine, putting things away in a timely manner, etc.

2. No home for your items (or not everyone knows where the home is).

3. Indecisive Action. Sometimes it's just not knowing where to start, where its home should be, or deciding if it's even something you actually want to keep. Take action!

4. Too Busy. The truth is, you don't have time NOT to declutter. This is where organizing your life (i.e. goal setting and setting schedules) will help you learn to spend your time purposefully!

You need to have an understanding of why your home became so cluttered in the first place and what is standing in your way in order to push past it.

What are your top 3 reasons to declutter? What are some things that are standing in your way and how can you push past them?

For me, it was the addition of our third child that just seemed to push us over the edge. With very little time to take care of the house, it slowly over time became too much to bear.

Related: How to Plan Your Goals and Live Your Best Life

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DECLUTTERING?

Some of the many benefits of decluttering include:

1. Increases productivity. When your environment is tidy and clean, there is less chaos and will help you be more productive. You will be able to focus on the important things in your life.

2. Reduces stress & anxiety. When you are surrounded by clutter, it can have a huge effect on our mood and intensify other negative emotions. By removing the clutter from our home, it will greatly reduce stress & anxiety. You will best appreciate your home when it's a sanctuary for you.

What do you need to do to make your home a sanctuary, a place where you can relax?

3. Cleaner home. A decluttered home is much easier to clean.

4. More time. You will be spending less time looking for lost items, tripping over the clutter, organizing your stuff, moving all of your stuff around to clean - you get the picture. A decluttered home frees up your time so you can live and enjoy your life.

5. Saves you money. Speaking of lost items, if you can't find a misplaced item you might buy a duplicate. A decluttered home also makes it difficult to find bills leading to late payments, additional fees, etc. Consider setting up automatic payments for bills.

6. Improves relationships. Family and friends can often feel the negative effects of a cluttered home, and this can affect your desire to invite anyone over.

HOW DO I START DECLUTTERING?

1. PLAN

Look at the bigger picture and create a plan for your home. Visualize how you want your home to look and feel so you can create the type of home environment you want to live in.

2. CHOOSE

Choose your decluttering method. You can choose to declutter using the KonMari Method/Categories, one room at a time, mini decluttering sessions...it’s totally up to you. Choose a clutter hot spot in your house (kitchen counters, office desk, junk drawer, etc.) or a whole room!

3. SCHEDULE

Create a schedule. Print out a calendar and schedule just 15, 30, or 60+ minutes a day for 30 days and you will see progress.

When will you start/complete your decluttering? Grab the checklist and place it somewhere you will see it regularly every day for the next 30 days. This is a great way to track your progress!

4. PREPARE

Set yourself up for success from the beginning by preparing and having everything you will need on hand! Gather five boxes to contain your items while sorting and stick the organizing labels to the boxes.

1. Keep

2. Sort

3. Donate/Consign

4. Garbage

5. Recycling

My secret weapon is a sort box. When I am decluttering an area and I come across things that don't belong there, I pop them in the box and sort it later. My goal is always to organize the space I am working on and not get distracted (see #8).

Other items you may need include:

• Cleaning spray

• Rags

• Gloves

• Timer

• Notepad and pen (for jotting down ideas for organizing, items that need replaced, etc.)

5. START SMALL

If you are feeling overwhelmed tackling a house full of stuff, you are not alone! My biggest tip for dealing with the overwhelm is to start with the smallest room that will provide almost instant gratification - the bathroom! Seeing quick progress will help motivate you to keep going!

6. LOVE IT

Sort through all of your belongings and make sure that the stuff you choose to keep is stuff you really love and is useful. By choosing to be selective about what you keep, you will have only the best of the best in your home.

Be sure to read Marie Kondo's books where she elaborates on this >> The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up & Spark Joy. She also has a show out on Netflix, which I binge-watched! Things really clicked for me after watching her show.

7. CLEAN

Clean as you go! Remove everything from the area you are working on and give it a good clean. If you are planning on selling or donating, it's easy to clean the items before tossing them into your box. I found that my large bag of toys I decluttered sat in my garage for months waiting to be cleaned and took up a lot of space. So now I clean as I declutter.

8. DO NOT GET DISTRACTED

It's hard when you are going through everything, especially sentimental items, and you're tempted to read that old diary or letter or go through all of those old photos, but don't. Just try to get through your allotted time and set these aside for another time.

9. ORGANIZE LATER

I have to admit being an organizer this one was hard for me! But it really made all the difference! I never would have finished decluttering if I organized as I went! Though I do admit if it was a simple bathroom drawer, I just had to do it right away!

10. GET IT OUT

Once you decide you no longer need an item, get it out of the house as fast as possible! This is especially true if you have young kids and are decluttering their toys.

If your kids are anything like mine, they will somehow find the giveaway bag and next thing you know they are all "favorite" toys!

If you choose to sell your items, set a time limit and if they haven't sold before your time limit, just donate it. You've already spent the money and enjoyed the item, so sometimes it's just best to let it go and move on.

11. CONTROL THE PAPER

Create a system to organize all of the papers that come into your home! Have an area dedicated to your papers and set aside some time at the end of the week or end of each month to go through your papers. Consider scanning and saving your papers digitally.

Check out 26 Positive Affirmations for Moms That Can Change Your Life for some inspiration!

AREAS TO DECLUTTER AND ORGANIZE
✔ Bathroom
✔ Kitchen
✔ Dining Room
✔ Bedroom
✔ Wardrobe
✔ Office
✔ Laundry
✔ Living Room
✔ Family Room
✔ Playroom
✔ Linen Closet
✔ Cleaning Supplies
✔ Entryway - shoes, coats, seasonal items
✔ Accessories
✔ Purse/Wallet
✔ Pet Items
✔ Travel Items
✔ Holiday Decor
✔ Storage
✔ Garage
✔ Vehicles
✔ Outside - don't forget to declutter the shed, too!
✔ Digital decluttering (email, social media, paper files to digital files, computer files)
✔ Apps & Photos on Phone
✔ Paper & Receipts
✔ Sentimental Items & Photographs
✔ Finances
✔ Daily routines

Related: 8 Steps to Organizing Your Finances

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN MY CLUTTER-FREE HOME?

1. CREATE HABITS

For example, putting things away right away.

2. CREATE ROUTINES

For example, create a simple evening cleaning routine, do a load of laundry every day, etc.

Related: How to Use a Planner to Organize Your Life and Stop the Overwhelm

3. THINK TWICE

I think twice before making any purchase and I ask myself if it really belongs in our house. Do I really love this? Do I need this? What purpose will this serve? Does it fit with my decor? If the answer is no, put it down and walk away!

4. DONATION BOX

We have a donation box in our closet specifically for items we come across that we find we no longer need. This is delivered to the donation centre frequently.

5. EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

Have a home for everything! This is KEY to keeping organized, especially if you have kids and all of the toys that come with them!

One of the big organizational projects I tackled was my son's Lego collection. Together with my son, we came up with the perfect organizing solution. This included a detailed Q&A with him to figure out how he likes to play with his Lego. He really loved the whole process! See how we organized his Lego collection.

Celebrate your newly decluttered home and treat yourself today to some new wall art to decorate your home! Check out our shop for beautiful, one-of-a-kind wall art and organizational printables!

What is your biggest decluttering obstacle? I'd love to help!

Don't forget to pin this post on Pinterest! Thanks!

The Best Way to Sort and Organize Lego

2017-04-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

My 8-year-old son loves playing with Lego! However, it was getting harder and harder to sort through all of the pieces in the bins to find what he needed. I was desperate for a solution to organizing his Lego and I came across some inspiration from Jen at I Heart Organizing (LOVE her blog)!

I thought long and hard about how I wanted to organize his Lego and ultimately, after asking him some pertinent questions about how he likes to play with them, we both decided on a storage option that would work for him.

The Best Way to Sort & Organize Lego

*Please note, affiliate links have been used in this post. Please see our disclosure policy here for details.

Some important questions I asked were:

Where do you want your Lego stored?
Seeing as how we have a 3-year-old toddler in the house who loves to get into everything, it made sense to keep his Lego Stored in his room in his closet.

Do you want to sort by color or shape?
He wanted to sort his Lego by shape; so after figuring this out, my next question was...

Which pieces do you want sorted into their own categories (blocks, flat pieces, etc.) and which pieces can we combine into a miscellaneous bin?
He really wanted a miscellaneous bin because he loves the word! So cute!

Do you want the smaller, specialty pieces (tires, gears, etc.) and people separated?
Yes.

Do you want to keep your Lego sets separated?
He has many different Lego sets and I wanted to know if he preferred to keep them separated or if the pieces could join the general population! He opted to keep most of them separate.

Do you use your instruction manuals?
Sometimes, but for the most part he builds from scratch.

Do you like to take the pieces apart after playing with them or do you like to display them?
Most of the time he takes his builds apart but sometimes he likes to display them for a short period.

Do you want your Lego train sets combined or kept separate?
He has two Lego train sets, and he chose to combine both sets.

How do you want to sort all of the small, specialty pieces in your Lego train sets?

Sorting Lego Bricks

Once I knew how he wanted to store his Lego, we then separated all of the pieces into their categories.

He wanted his Lego categories to include:

Bricks
Single Bricks
Flat Plates
Sloped Bricks
Lego Sets
Miscellaneous
Lego Trains
Engine Parts
Train Pieces
Train Tracks

After seeing how many pieces were in each category, I was then able to determine the size of the storage options needed.

Ultimately, I decided on two rolling, see-through drawer units; this way he can easily roll them in and out of the closet as he needs to. This was a bonus for me, as we already had two rolling drawer units in the house so I snagged those up! He can also take out the drawers and put them back in easily if he wants.

Rolling Plastic Storage Organizer

For the smaller, specialty pieces and his engine parts for his Lego trains, we decided divided containers would work best. For his Lego train parts, I used something like this one and it fit perfectly in the drawer. For his Lego people and specialty pieces, I used a larger one like this one.

Divided Container for Lego Train Engine Parts

Divided Container Fits Perfectly Inside Drawer

Divided Container for Lego People and Specialty Pieces (tires, gears, windows, etc.)

Since he doesn't use the instruction manuals much, I have opted to keep them in a see-through folder so he can easily access them if he needs to.

Lego Instruction Manual Storage

Lego Sets Organized and Stored in Ziploc Bags

As for his sets, he decided to keep them stored in large Ziploc bags in one of the drawers.

He does have a sorting bin for when he doesn't have time to sort and put pieces away after playing.

Lego Divided Further Into Two Bins Inside Drawer

I created the labels using Photoshop Elements, but you could easily make them in Microsoft Word as well! The labels are 1" x 5" and I used the Legothick font. I printed them on cardstock, cut each of them out, laminated them with a self-adhesive laminating sheet, and cut them out. I adhered them onto the drawers and bins using double-sided tape; the labels were the perfect size for the drawers!

Lego Labels

What's interesting about this whole process, and surprised me, was that my son had an absolute BLAST organizing his Lego with me and he just LOVES organizing!

My heart goes a fluttering when I look into his closet and see all of his Lego organized!

What are your storage solutions for organizing and storing lego? I'd love to hear in the comments below or on Facebook or tag me on Instagram @scrapbooking_housewife!

I'd love it if you shared this on Pinterest! Thanks!

The Best Way to Sort & Organize Lego

Free Spring Wall Art Printable Decor

2017-03-24T15:48:00.002-07:00

After a lot of snow this winter, it's finally spring and we have been enjoying some great family time while the kids are off school!

I have been doing some "spring cleaning" on my blog and tidying things up a bit, and I have created some beautiful spring wall art printables!

*Please note, affiliate links have been used in this post. Please see our disclosure policy here for details.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Printing Printables!

So if you aren't signed up for my newsletter, sign up below and you will have access to the exclusive free printables library for newsletter subscribers!

UPDATE: MORE Spring & Easter Printable Wall Art Decor HERE

I have also loaded the shop with lots of Spring & Easter Wall Art Printables, so head on over to check it out!

How do you like decorating for Spring! Which wall art print is your favorite?

Don't forget to share on Pinterest!

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Ellabella Designs

14 Back to School Organization Tips to Simplify Your Life

14 BACK TO SCHOOL ORGANIZING TIPS

1. SCHOOL PAPERS & ARTWORK

3. ORGANIZE ENTRYWAY

5. SCHOOL COMMAND CENTER

6. BEDTIME ROUTINE

7. LABEL SCHOOL SUPPLIES

8. SCHOOL LUNCH PLANNING & PREP

9. BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTOS

11. AFTER SCHOOL SNACK STATION

12. ROUTINES & SYSTEMS

14. BACK TO SCHOOL DECLUTTER

6 Tips for Taking Memorable Back to School Photos for Busy Moms

1. PLAN & PRACTICE

2. CAPTURE DETAILS

3. LIGHTING & LOCATION

4. USE FUN PROPS!

5. SNAP AWAY

6. TAKE VIDEO

Emergency Disaster Preparedness Kit & Plan

1. FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

Emergency Meeting Places

Out-of-Province/State Family Contact

Educate Household Members

Emergency File

2. BEFORE/DURING/AFTER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

3. PREPARE AN EMERGENCY DISASTER KIT

Emergency Disaster Kit Checklists

26 Positive Affirmations for Moms That Can Change Your Life

WHAT ARE AFFIRMATIONS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AFFIRMATIONS?

HOW DO I MAKE MY OWN POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS?

HOW DO YOU USE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS?

MY TOP FAVORITE POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS FOR MOMS:

HOW DO I GET STARTED USING POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS?

How to Use a Planner to Organize Your Life and Stop the Overwhelm

Merry Christmas & Free Christmas Printable!

36 Meaningful Family Christmas Traditions To Start With Your Kids

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Thank you!

Halloween Wall Art Printables to Decorate Your Home

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means we will make a small commission should you click the links and make a purchase. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

HALLOWEEN WALL ART PRINTABLES IN THE SHOP

FREE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLES

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Fall Pumpkin Wall Art Printables

FALL PUMPKIN PRINTABLES IN THE SHOP

FREE FALL PRINTABLES

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8 Black and White Buffalo Plaid Fall Finds

8 BLACK AND WHITE PLAID FALL DECOR FINDS

7 Turquoise Fall Decor Ideas

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure policy here.

7 Turquoise Fall Decor Ideas

School Lunch Ideas & Tips for Kids - Free Printables

PREPARE & PREP

SUPPLIES

SCHOOL LUNCH TIPS

PRINTABLE PACK

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PRINTING PRINTABLES

WHAT IS A PRINTABLE?

HOW DO I PRINT PRINTABLES? HOW DOES IT WORK?

TIPS FOR PRINTING

TROUBLESHOOTING

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EASTER & SPRING WALL ART PRINTABLES

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Paw Patrol Recycling Birthday Party Ideas

Paw Patrol Recycling Birthday Party Goody Bags

Minecraft Birthday Party Ideas

Nether Portal Door Decorations

Minecraft Birthday Party Games

Minecraft Goody Bag and Invitation

FREE CHRISTMAS WALL ART DECOR PRINTABLES

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! GRAND OPENING ELLABELLA DESIGNS SHOP & NAME CHANGE!

THE SCRAPBOOKING HOUSEWIFE IS NOW ELLABELLA DESIGNS!

12 Gift Ideas for 9-year-old Tween Boys Gift Guide

*Please note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We will only choose to promote products that we have used or would use ourselves or that we feel will be beneficial to our readers. Thank you for your support! Please see our full disclosure policy here.