A Confession

I have an obsessive personality - I like things to be a certain way.  It drives my husband nuts.  Sometimes I'll start looking for something around the house and I literally cannot put it out of my mind until it's located.  Sometimes that can last for days or god forbid weeks.

It also works in positive ways.  I have a system for everything.  Everything has a home. It doesn't mean I don't make a mess - those of you who have seen my study/sewing/craft room would know that better than anyone. In fact in a way it contributes to the mess because until I have a storage system in place for particular items they just hang around waiting for a burst of organisation to take place.

My current true love is zip lock bags.  I remember when I was a kid some kids brought their lunch to school in zip lock bags but my parents would never buy them - they must have been considered expensive.

I have them in every size and I think they're great value for all manner of storage.  In the non mainstream brands you can get about 100 of the small ones for only a few dollars and about 15 or 20 of the really big ones for about the same price.

I'm in the middle of sorting out all the paraphernalia from Noah's 2 (yes 2) birthday parties and I love to keep lots of bits for him to look back on when he's older.  (This also drives my husband craaaaaazy).  Anyway in each zip lock bag are his birthday cards, a copy of the invitation, a couple of the cupcake toppers,a party hat,  the Happy Birthday banner I made, a few printed photos, a sample of the treat bag that we gave to the guests and a copy of the thank you card we're posting this week.  It really doesn't take up much space so I'll probably fill one IKEA storage box (like this) for 6 or 7 years.  Hopefully he'll enjoy having it all as much as I enjoy making it and keeping it for him.

Next post I'll share all the details of the parties in their excessive glory.

P.S. The photo is of the treat bags from Noah's Turtle Party.  My sister and I made about 50 of these and I'm totally in love with bag toppers for ziplock bags (another great use)  so much cheaper and more fun than conventional treat bags and you can customize it to suit any kind of party or gift.  Noah handed some out with home-made M&M cookies for his friends at music on his actual birthday and then all the kids at the party took one of these ones home. (it says 25th not 23rd because that was the date of the party)