Portable Homework Study Carrel is My Crafty Piece de Resistance

We have finally figured out a way to provide some quiet study space for homework and keep twin eyes on their on work. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, the DIY study carrel:

 

This nifty project was not only fun, it will help the girls focus on their own work.

Create your own study carrel

I first saw this project on the Disney website. Since I'm all about reusing now, I started looking around the house for materials we already had. I grabbed some clear plastic boxes I had saved this year (chocolate bunnies from Easter I believe) and cut off the top, then lined the inside with a cute image.

 

I taped the image just lightly to the back of the box so we can swap it out for something new or seasonal whenever we want

We loved the blue in the Disney sample so we purchased a similar blue tri-fold presentation board but you can get them in all different colors. We cut the board in half to make two study carrels. Then I scrounged around and found some foam mounting squares , Command hooks , and self-stick Velcro to attach all the necessary items:

• pencil holder (the clear box)
• magnet strip (this came from Ikea)
• ruler
• clear plastic folder to hold week-long assignments
• calendar

I cut up some plastic packaging the erasers came in to create a smaller container and used velcro to attach the pencil box so that we can take it off to change the image.

Homework Time Made Easier

With all the drama we has last year, I'm not quite sure why I didn't search for something like this sooner. These study carrels can fold up easily, and used on a table or even on the living room floor. The storage boxes means I'm not search around the house for pencils and erasers and glue. And the folder keeps weekly assignments like spelling lists in a safe place.

Dare I say the love homework time now? And I'm earning my crafty mom badge!

Janine

for more of my attempts at crafting see:

DIY American Girl accessories

Crafty Crafters playdate frames

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links.

Who the hell needs a watch anyway? Oh wait, I do.

My watch battery died, oh, 4 months ago?

I've been living without.

Occasionally I'll wear one of the watches I got in Disney at the Social Media Moms Celebration. But I don't want to lose those and they aren't waterproof.

So instead I've been walking around asking people what time it is.

Or, I staple my cell phone to my hip so I can check the time.

Or, I ask one of the girls to go in the other room to ask Daddy what time it is and then come back and tell me.

Of course by then it's 5-10 minutes later because you know they don't do anything in a straight line.

I think it's time for a new watch.

Something sporty?

Something waterproof?

Something retro?

Or maybe something that reflects the way I feel some days.

melted watch image via gadgetgetbargains.com

And by that I mean squeezed! Not pear-shaped!

What watch are you wearing?

Janine

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links.

Fashion Friday: Animal Print Backpacks and Converse "Chucks" for back-to-school

You want to know THE SHOE all the kids have to have this season?

You've probably seen them around in every store, including Target.

If you shop online you'll notice things in red saying "Only 4 left".

May I present the ever-classic Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Sneakers :

I am not sure when The Twofer became aware of them. Last Spring you'll remember they fell in love with the purple Sketchers Twinkle Toes. Somehow (inner fashion sense?) they knew these would be the thing to have.

They are classic.

They Come in a variety of colors (seriously,check out this rainbow of Converse Chucks )

They are the perfect back-to-school shoe.

A Little on the WILD side

Of course what goes better with a classic shoe than a non-traditional backpack?

Bold prints are in for backpacks this year and my kids were tuned in to this fashion trend before I even had a chance to crack open the cover of this season's The New York Times: Fashion of The Times.

Again, a quick search online and many animal print backpacks are in limited supply so order one today if your daughter is pining for one!

What fun things did your kids ask for this year while shopping for school?

Janine

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links.