Portable Dry Erase Drawing Kit

My boys love the DIY Coloring Book we made earlier this week and they are always asking to play with it! We had a doctor's appointment and they wanted to take it along, but it's a little big and cumbersome for travel. I decided we needed a portable solution that will let them draw and color when we are away from home. I made this kit from a Thirty One Beauty Bag and it is the best thing to take when we need a quiet, screen free activity on the go!

This post features a product from Thirty One Gifts. I am an Independent Consultant for Thirty One, so I do make commission if you choose to buy any of the products from my Thirty One website. However, I was not compensated in any way for this article and all of the products shown are ones that I personally own and use in my home. Read my full disclosure policy.

Our portable dry erase drawing kit is made from a Timeless Beauty Bag, and it took just a couple of minutes to put together. 

There are 2 large PVC pockets on either end. I cut a piece of card stock (paper is fine too, I prefer card stock to give it a little strength) to fit - 6.5 inches by 9.5 inches - and slipped it inside each pocket.  You can also use pages from a favorite coloring book or printable coloring pages. You can find links to over 100 free printable pages here.

In the center, there is a small pocket which is a perfect fit for dry erase crayons.  

There are also elastic loops which hold our markers. I included a small marker with an eraser tip too (though my kids love to erase with their hands, which is why I buy the washable dry erase markers).

Now they are ready to color! The dry erase markers and crayons work perfectly on the PVC windows, so they can draw, erase, and start again.

And the best part, it folds neatly and snaps shut to make it easy to carry and travel. We take it to doctor appointments, restaurants, anywhere that we need some quiet, screen free entertainment. We even use it at home for quiet time!

My Timeless Beauty Bag is from an older catalog, it is available now in these 4 patterns:

You can find the Timeless Beauty Bag in the "Accessories" section of my Thirty One website. It can be personalized too for a small additional cost. 

Looking for more great ideas using Thirty One products? Visit my Organizing page!

Find washable dry erase markers and crayons on Amazon! (affiliate links)

Complete Craft Storage Solution

As you can tell if you spend any time on this blog, we do a lot of crafts in this house! The more we do, the more my craft supplies seem to multiply. I would love to have a dedicated room for crafts but we just don't have the space. And, with toddlers in the house, I can't leave all our supplies in the playroom without risking paint on the walls the moment I turn my back. I needed a solution that was functional, portable, and would look good sitting in my foyer or dining room. I finally found one and I'm happy to share it.


I put together this craft storage solution with products from Thirty One Gifts. I am an Independent Consultant for Thirty One, so I do make commission if you choose to buy any of the products from my Thirty One website. However, I was not compensated in any way for this article and all of the products shown are ones that I personally own and use in my home. Read my full disclosure policy.

I started with a Deluxe Utility Tote and 2 Essential Storage Totes.

In my first Essential Storage Tote, I put all my felt, craft foam, papers, and cardboard tubes (the best craft material ever!)

Next I organized my smaller items, starting with a Handle It Cosmetic Bag for paint. I love this bag because the inside is completely lined with PVC, so spills are no problem. There are 2 pockets (1 interior, 1 exterior) for brushes too. So if we do a paint project I can just grab this small bag and go.

A Littles Carry-All Caddy for crayons. Again, I can just grab this by itself if we are going to color.

And a new product that I LOVE - the Double Duty Caddy for all those odds and ends - glue, tape, ribbon, scissors, etc. It holds a lot of stuff!

All 3 of these fit nicely inside my second Essential Storage Tote, with a little room to spare! 

Once both of my Essential Storage Totes were filled, I put them inside the Deluxe Utility Tote. A perfect fit!

I added a Pocket A Tote to the front for markers. This pocket snaps on and off the grommets on the Deluxe Utility Tote so I can grab it separately, and it is lined so I'm not worried if a cap comes off.

Finally, I added a Deluxe Cinch Top lid so that everything was contained and covered. 

I truly love this system for organizing craft and art supplies. When we are working on a project, I can easily carry the entire thing into the room or just grab the bag that holds the supplies that I need. I also love that I could choose prints that go with the decor in my house so I don't mind if it is sitting out in the living room or the dining room.

And, I was able to add the "Play, Create, and Imagine" personalization to make it my own, and inspire my creativity.

All of these pieces come in many different colors, solids, and prints (since these are my own products, purchased at different times, some of the prints shown may no longer be available) and can be mixed and matched to create a look that is perfect for your home. And, personalization is available on each product! (for an additional cost)

I hope this helps inspire you to organize your craft or art supplies, and perhaps part or all of this solution is right for you! To shop these products, visit my Thirty One website.  Or email me with questions or suggestions of other products to help you get organized. Happy crafting!

The Perfectly Organized Diaper Bag

As a mom to twin toddlers, I have to carry a lot of stuff. When they were babies, getting out of the house with everything that I needed was daunting to say the least! I found that being organized made our outings possible - I always knew that I had what I needed and I could find things - often with one hand!

I want to share my favorite way to organize my diaper bag - this works for babies or toddlers, and will make heading out with your little one (or little ones!) so much easier.

It starts with this Zip Top Organizing Utility Tote. This is a great all around bag and works perfectly as a diaper bag. It's roomy, has a zipper top to keep things secure, and 7 outside pockets to hold things you need to grab quickly - your wallet, keys, cell phone, a favorite toy, and a water bottle for mom.

The secret to being organized is what's inside! These versatile pouches make it easy to keep everything you need in its place and easy to find.

First, I use this large zipper pouch for diapers, wipes, and a changing pad (I prefer the disposable kind). I can easily fit 4 diapers, a wipes case, and a pad in here.  The inside is wipeable so no worries if it gets dirty.

Next, I love this Bring A Bottle Thermal! It fits a baby bottle (or 2 if you use the 4 oz size), a large sippy cup, or a water bottle. It's thermal lined so it keeps liquids warm or cold. This is one of my must haves!

I also like to add a Mini Zipper Pouch as a first aid/toiletry kit. I have band aids, diaper cream, lip balm and advil for me, tissues, etc. All those little odds and ends that usually get lost at the bottom of your bag can be easily contained!

And everything fits easily in your tote, with room to spare for extra clothes, burp cloths, nursing cover, whatever other essentials you may want to carry!

Just go to www.mythirtyone.com/Laura-R (consultant link) to shop now! Or contact me if you have questions.

And there are lots of other pattern combinations to choose from! Mine is Sketchy Dot and Plum Plaid. Here's a few of my other favorites:


Nautical Navy

Go Girlie

Classic Chevron

SHOP NOW!

I am an Independent Consultant for Thirty One Gifts. All ideas and opinions are my own, however I do receive a commission for sales through my Thirty One website. Disclosure Policy

Clear the Clutter in 2015

If your house is anything like mine, Christmas brings clutter! New toys, games, gadgets... it's wonderful but where are you going to put all that STUFF?  Starting in January, I'll be helping you get organized with my favorite solutions for every place the junk piles up - the playroom, family room, the car, and of course, your purse!

Where do you need help organizing? Leave a comment and let me know! 



I'm also very excited to share the brand new Thirty One Spring Catalog! It's jam packed with new products, fabulous prints, and solutions for you, your home, & your family. The new catalog debuts online on December 30, but you can still shop Fall patterns and products until then. Just visit www.mythirtyone.com/Laura-R.  And be sure to follow me for organizing ideas and solutions all year long!

I am an Independent Consultant for Thirty One Gifts. All ideas and opinions are my own, however I do receive a commission for sales through my Thirty One website. Disclosure Policy

Follow Laura @ Sunny Day Family's board Home Organizing & Handbags on Pinterest.

Decorate a Gingerbread Man: Busy Bag Activity

I have twins, so I always think of everything in twos. This busy bag activity has been awesome because I was able to make one with two playing areas on it!

If you like this busy bag activity, be sure to check out our snowman, turkey, and owl projects too!

You will need:

• Felt - brown and green (or another background color of your choice)
• Gingerbread man shaped cookie cutter (mine are from this set - affiliate link)
• Mod Podge or fabric glue
• Scissors
• Pom pom balls
• Pipe cleaners

Directions:

This project is so simple you can put it together quickly. First take your gingerbread man cookie cutter and trace 2 shapes onto brown felt.

Cut out your shapes and cover the backs with Mod Podge or fabric glue.

Adhere to your background piece of felt. Allow to dry.

Once dry, collect some pom pom balls and pipe cleaners to use as decorations. I cut the pipe cleaners to size and bent them to look like frosting lines. 

(Note: this project contains small pieces that may not be appropriate for all children. Supervise this activity at all times).

Here's what your decorated "cookies" look like! I gave these to my toddlers and they had a blast.

They first pulled all the pieces off then set about decorating their own "cookies". So much fun!

When we're done, I like to store our activities in Large Zipper Pouches from Thirty One.

It's the perfect size to hold everything (and much more!). The zipper keeps everything contained and when we are heading out to a restaurant or doctor's appointment I can just grab the bag, throw it in my purse, and keep my kids entertained on the go without using a screen.

I especially love this owl print (Hoo's Happy)! If you'd like to order one yourself, visit my Thirty One website. (affiliate link)

I am an Independent Consultant for Thirty One Gifts. I receive a commission on products purchased through my website. Opinions expressed are solely mine.

Build A Snowman: Busy Bag Activity

I love busy bag activities for my toddlers because it's a quiet, screen free activity that we can take anywhere. We've been having a lot of fun with puzzle activities made from felt - check out our owl and turkey projects. Now that Christmas and winter are fast approaching, I thought we'd try a snowman. He might be our favorite yet!

Here's what you need:

• Felt - white, black, brown, orange, and a background of your choosing
• Googly eyes
• 3 buttons
• Velcro
• Mod Podge or fabric paint
• Bowls (for tracing)
• Scissors

Directions:

Start with your white felt. Trace 1 small and 1 larger circle (I used 2 bowls from my kitchen). Cut them out.

Apply Mod Podge or other fabric glue to the back of your circles.

Adhere circles to your background piece of felt. I had this cool patterned piece to use but any color is fine. Allow to dry.

While that is drying, collect your googly eyes and buttons. Attach a piece of velcro (the stiffer "hook" side only) to the back of each. 

(Note: this activity contains small parts and children should always be supervised while playing. If you are worried about small pieces, use felt circles for the eyes and buttons).

Then cut your felt pieces. You will need:

• Carrot shape cut from orange felt.
• Hat shape cut from black felt.
• Scarf cut from red felt. Cut a rectangle and then make 2 small cuts in one end. Fluff the edges so it lays like the fringe on a scarf.
• 2 arms from brown felt. Cut 2 equal sized rectangles with a triangle shape at the end. Make 2 small cuts at the larger end and fluff out for the "fingers."

Here are all the pieces together:

And your snowman once assembled:

I always give the puzzle to my toddlers fully assembled, then let them pull the pieces off and try to reassemble. They loved this one!

This is such a fun activity for them, and great for fine motor skills as well as spatial relations as they try to put all the pieces back in order.

When we're done, I like to store our puzzles in these large zipper pouches from Thirty One. 

It's the perfect size to hold everything (and much more!). The zipper keeps everything contained and when we are heading out to a restaurant or doctor's appointment I can just grab the bag, throw it in my purse, and keep my kids entertained on the go without using a screen.

Seriously, I love these large zipper pouches - especially in the new owl print, Hoo's Happy! If you'd like to order one yourself, visit my Thirty One website. (affiliate link)

I am an Independent Consultant for Thirty One Gifts. I receive a commission on products purchased through my website. Opinions expressed are solely mine.

Home Organizing and Handbags

As a mom to twin toddlers, I can not be organized enough! I vividly remember when my boys were a week old, I was exhausted and overwhelmed, and my mom came to visit. She helped me to get organized by creating a diaper changing station, a feeding station, and making sense of all the baby clothes and gear that I had.  Immediately I felt more in control and ready to tackle whatever came my way.

Now that my boys are older and active, having an organized home is essential for our happiness as a family. That's why I was so excited when I discovered Thirty One gifts. I am now very pleased to announce that I am an Independent Consultant with Thirty One and I can share all my organizing and storage tricks with you!

Thirty One has an amazing catalog of handbags, totes, and storage solutions that are perfect for busy moms and families like mine. I use the products myself, and would not recommend them if I didn't love them. The opinions and ideas I will share on this blog are my own, however I do receive a commission on sales through my Thirty One website (see my Disclosure Policy for details).

If you're new to Thirty One, or a fan looking for a new consultant, I invite you to visit my website at mythirtyone.com/Laura-R (affiliate link). You can also contact me with questions or for more information.

I'll also keep a current list of specials and offers here - be sure to bookmark this page!

Let's get organized!