Get supplies off the desk and onto the wall to leave room for what’s most important – creativity! …and homework. While it may not technically be time yet for “spring cleaning”, de-cluttering feels good no matter the season. Helping your kids create a space that’s all their own will keep them occupied until it’s time to play outside again – and it might help you chase away winter blahs as well!

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I made the magnetic boards, above, for FamilyFun magazine by fitting sheet metal into old frames and dolling up with paint. All your kid’s doodles, paper scraps, A+’s, and mementos will have a dedicated spot in a gallery that grows with them. (As a bonus organization craft, check out the bright yellow tool-chest-turned-school-supply-box on the desk!)

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If you are in need of a new, or first, desk, this is a simple but cheery option I crafted for Scholastic Parent & Child magazine. Built in elastic straps prevent paper wrinkling and double as a display. Click here for the DIY!

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 A piece of art storage that looks like modern art itself! This smart velcro wall from Brit + Co is a perfect option for preschoolers. Using a small spot of felt on the back of each piece of art, you can mix, match, and rearrange as often as you’d like.

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Tiny items with rolling potential have a way of disappearing. A shelf with jars helps keep track of bits and pieces without them getting in the way. via Charlotte Love for 91 magazine

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Homework spot above, secret hideout below. Ikea’s idea to extend a cork board transforms your kid’s desk into a space for work and play. Password required.

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Think outside of the box, and in the bucket. As an alternative to all of the square storage options, brightly colored paint cans create a visually pleasing display area.  via petit & small 

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Cardboard might not sound like the most exciting material for desk organization, but Brit & Co’s triangular wall caddy  elevates the humble supply into a tool that’s as pretty as it is functional. Can you imagine how cool it would be to cover an entire wall in these pockets?

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Parents magazine has great suggestions for creating an entire craft wall for your kids but I especially love the wall mounted paper roll. With just a dowel and a yard stick you can create a never-ending canvas where your kids can doodle to their heart’s content – or work out a really hard math problem.  

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I’ve seen lots of posts about beautiful wall display boxes but I love this idea Marie Mersier made arranged. The boxes are still filled with fun patterned paper but by stacking them on top of the desk itself they become much more accessible and useful.

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Finally, Steph Bond’s gorgeous pegboard for her daughter’s study space is designed to be flexible. She maximizes space with painted spice racks and hooks for clipboards or calendars.

From first to twelfth grade, I had to wear a uniform to school—it was some combination of gray, navy, light blue, khaki, and white. With that ever-so exciting palette to work with, I clearly had to get creative on St. Patrick’s Day to escape the pinchers!

While most accomplished this by wearing green underwear, I would take to my accessory collection to find the most green, yet dress-code compliant item I could.

This is a dang easy craft, so I don’t even want to insult you with a list of materials and how-to pics. Gather all of the green beads you have…if you’re not like me with buckets of beads laying around, think outside the box. Got green straws you can cut into beads? How about some penne that you can dye or paint? The fun is in the mixing of shapes and tones to create a playful bauble to wear on March 17th. I added a green ribbon and a little dash of gold just for fun.

As my son would say, this one is “easy peasy lemon squeezie!” (Maybe lime squeezie in this case!)

As one of the most basic party supplies, paper cups usually play more of a sideline than starring role. However, they have some serious beyond-the-birthday potential. From toys and games to decorations and even interior design elements, there are plenty of awesome ways to reimagine paper cups. Here are 10 examples that will certainly make you see the cup half full.

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(Above) These charming paper-cup lights from Mommo Design cast a cozy glow that would definitely banish bad dreams.

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Give your budding photographer her own paper-cup lens to practice with. All of the fun details on Molly Moo‘s version will make her feel like a pro.  

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Persia Lou’s painted paper-cup poppers could have a place at a party any time of year. Confetti for new years, pom poms for a birthday, or even water droplets for a backyard bash. 

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Hello from the other cup…The classic can phone gets a very cute upgrade with dot stickers, felted pom-poms, and paper cups from Marie-Laure Pham via Hello Wonderful.

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This cheery advent from FamilyFun Magazine shouldn’t be saved for Christmas. Mount paper cups to a piece of foam core and cover the opening with numbered sheets of tissue paper. Let kids draw numbers from a hat at party and then punch out the number for their party favor!

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Handmade Charlotte‘s collection of paper-cup sea creatures look as fun to craft as they do to play with. As a fishing game, they are also a great way for your kids to practice hand eye coordination.

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For a hat that’s sure to be the star of the party, Oh Happy Day’s  teeny tent tete topper takes the cake.  Afterwards, use the mini paper-cup circus tent as a home to your kids’ toy circus animals.

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Send guests home with a goodie bag that looks good enough to eat. Though Willow Day‘s paper-cup apple box isn’t edible, it’s the perfect container for tiny treats.

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Martha Stewart works her magic with these mini rocket ships. This multipurpose shape could also be reworked into castle towers for a princess party or little houses to fit with a fairy theme.

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One Charming Party takes the pain out of piñata making and lets you save energy for the fun part – breaking them! These are made from cone cups, but can easily be made from the average party version too.

While St. Patrick’s Day may not rank high on my list of favorite holidays, I’ve been running into so many clever ways to add little luck to your wardrobe that I can’t help but get into the spirit this year. I’ve gathered 9 crafts that you can use to get green from head to toe. Just one is enough to prevent you from getting pinched, but who knows you might get carried away. The more green the more luck right?

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This paper clover crown from Oh Happy Day! looks better than the real thing. And instead of wilting, it can bring luck year after year. (See image above!)

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The Melrose Family created these cute rainbow clips which can also be crafted as a pins. Wouldn’t they make a sweet gift for friends or classmates?

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The lack of green in these giant lucky charm barrettes from Handmade Charlotte  is made up for by the amount of luck they’ll surely bring.

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I love these simple collars from Fabricworm Blog. Go with green for sweet and sassy way to dress up a crew-neck t-shirt! (If your sewing skillz are a bad as mine, use the pattern to make a no-sew felt version.

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I think rainbows definitely rival clovers as the best way to invoke St. Patty’s spirit. This collar pin from The House That Lars Built  is still sweet enough to wear year round though.

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Simple As That’s Clover Leaf Lei would be a great craft to have little hands help with. I love the way newsprint is mixed in with all the other fun green patterns.

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Nautical bracelets might not be your first thought when it comes to St. Patty’s day, but this minty one from Thanks I Made It fits so perfectly with the holiday color scheme. To make the guys in your life their own green and gold version, follow the tutorial from Hello Glow.

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You’ll look pinchable – until you bare your soles! The House that Lars Built  does it again with these cleverly painted shoes.

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If you like the idea of showing your spirit on your feet, but don’t want to make any permanent changes to your shoes, the perky Pom Pom Shoe Clips from Lovely Indeed might be the perfect craft.

If your kid is Thomas-the-Train-obsessed, then you know that you can go to the ends of the earth with track before you can satisfy his or her love for all things Sodor.

This chalkboard would be an adorable addition to any kid’s playroom or bedroom!