Life’s Little Emergencies:
Coffee Sleeve Kits
by Frances Peets I’m continually looking for creative ways to live a life with less clutter. Less clutter implies a “greener” way. Less clutter is about choice and how much stuff do I really need. Less clutter equals less time spent on organization. When all the little things in my life are organized, and in one location, I spend less time looking for them and ultimately have more free time. When I am organized I feel increased confidence. Everything flows. Staying organized can be easy but like everything that is simple, routine and practice follow. Being organized takes a little bit of doing each day. Little things pile up without notice. When I am organized my mind is less cluttered with distracting thoughts and is more at ease. When I am not organized I make repeat purchases and waste money. As odd as the concept of “less is more” sounds, it is truth. Less clutter on the outside creates space for more focus on the inside. I want to spend less time hunting for and forgetting things I need when I run an errand or need to be somewhere on time. I want to feel confident and 76
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prepared, armed with everything I need to execute errands and appointments swiftly and smoothly. Just think about how many returns you don’t complete because you can’t find that receipt that you know has to be somewhere. Or, what about all the money you promised you wanted to start saving on groceries but didn’t have a place for all those printed coupons. My purse and backpack can be a nightmare when it comes to having everything I need at my fingertips. Deep are the pockets and dividing sections that have me hunting and searching for things I need right now! Glasses, keys, iPhone, credit card, and, oh yes, my daily affirmation reminders are my necessities to get me out the door each morning! Just so I don’t forget all my personals I literally call out each of my essentials to get me going faster. But what about the things I gather and collect once I’m out. My purse is a bottomless pit collecting bits of paper here, food packages there — and where is my nail file when I need it most? The confusion and greencraftmagazine.com • GreenCraft
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s u p p lie s
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Closures: elastics; pipe-cleaners
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Coffee sleeves
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Embellishments: washi tape; stickers; patterned paper scraps
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Glue
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Inkpad
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Personal essentials/Items to include inside kit
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Rubber stamps
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Sewing machine (optional)
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frustration builds and if I don’t clean my purse out the minute I get home, the mountain of stuff I gather begins to weigh me down mentally and physically. Look in your top desk drawer or your kitchen cupboard junk drawer to find all the little important things you can corral into your own unique creative coffee sleeve kits. I started my kit collection simply because I wanted a more creative way to carry and find a traveling sewing kit. By having all my sewing essentials inside a coffee sleeve kit, all I have to do is feel around in my purse for that unique shape and, voila, I have what I need right away.
Make a few different ones with your essentials and stash them near your front door, ready to go, for you and your family.
t echni que Flatten the coffee sleeve and fold it in half to make a booklet. Decorate the coffee sleeve as desired by stamping, adhering washi tape, or machine-stitching. Secure personal items inside of coffee sleeve booklet using adhesive or washi tape. Attach a closure to the book; use old rubber bands, elastic, safety pins, or anything else you can find around the house. ◆ greencraftmagazine.com • GreenCraft
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Over time start your very own coffee sleeve collection with takeout coffee.
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Make them sleek, slim, and light so they don’t weigh you down or cause unnecessary bulk.
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Keep them in the glove compartment of your car for little emergencies. They will leave you prepared for anything.
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Make them unique to suit your needs. Here are just a few ideas for the types of kits you could make from coffee sleeves: gift card holder; daily affirmations, tissue holder, receipt keeper, travel sewing kit, first aid kit, dream journal, afternoon tea kit, doggy bag holder, and coupon keeper. If you can dream it, you can probably transform it into a coffee sleeve kit!
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Create fun and funky themed kits for party favors.
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Remember, being organized by upcycling what you already have means you purchase less and save more.
AD Frances Peets chooses the slow, meditative process of creative living. She unleashes the healing power of art by experimenting along her path, and she cultivates her imagination by creating something from nothing. She welcomes email at somefromnone@icloud.com, and you can see more of her projects on her Etsy shop at somefromnonecompany.etsy.com and on her website, somefromnone.com.
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