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| Unknown source, but brilliant and true. |
Seriously. We had highs in the 60s days before this storm hit, and we got 7"-8" of heavy snow. As the snow fell, I felt an inescapable urge to purge my craft space and craft storage in the unfinished part of our basement. Here are the before pictures.
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| Yikes! What a mess! |
After four hours, the spaces looked quite different. After pictures will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, please share either 1) your favorite crafty organization or storage tip or 2) your crafty new year's resolution in the comments. One comment will be chosen at random to receive a box of purged stuff from my craft hoard, including stamps, ink, punches, dies, and other stuff. The box is a medium USPS flat-rate box. Mailing address of the winner must be in the United States. (Sorry to my international readers...feel free to comment anyway!)
Mercy, grace, peace, love, and resolution,
Susan
P.S. Deadline to comment for the give-away is midnight, EST, Wednesday, January 16.
Good for you. Take some downtime to be organized. That is awesome.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite crafty storage is two sets of IKEA Alex drawers. They are labeled as to content and hold my wood block rubber stamps. I am still sorting them. That is one resolution.
The second is to split up my clear stamps by subject. I stamp and make cards for me. I don’t think I will ever have time to blog about it. So I am going to organize to make it more fun for me. I no longer care who manufactures the stamp. I want all the birthdays together and all the thanks together, etc. not sure yet how I am going to do that, but I’ll get there.
I did that last year after much debate...and I LOVE it! SO much easier sorted by subject. I store them in plastic envelopes & use the bins and indexing as Jennifer McGuire suggested! Works very well.
DeleteFor Hanukkah this year I finally splurged and got ink storage from Organize More. Up until now all my ink pads have been in piles on my craft desk. Now with my inks put in a dedicated place, I’ve got more space on my desk. Bonus: found a gift card I got the previous Hanukkah and lost in the craft desk mess! PS no affiliation with the company.
ReplyDeleteAfter multiple duplicate purchases, I have started a notebook that lists every stamp and die set in my possession. Now when I see a sale I think I can't pass up, I compare my 'wish list' with my inventory list. Saved me several times already. I also am now keeping my stamps in alphabetical by maker within their various categories : Floral, Birthday, masculine, etc.
ReplyDeleteLu C
My crafty New Year's resolution is to PUT THINGS AWAY when I'm done with them. Since I'm right in the middle of making valentines for my Etsy shop, some of my Christmas stuff is still on my desk, I'm aiming for March to start. I like that little cuttlebug sitting out, by the way!
ReplyDeleteI like storing my clear and cling stamps, dies, and bling in Ellen Hutson or Avery Elle pockets and then in CabinetBinz that I buy at Bed, Bath & Beyond with coupons. It's easy to flip through my themes (Animals, Beach/Travel, Birthday, Love/Anniversary/Wedding, Sentiments, etc.) to find what I need. The bling is sorted into ROYGBIV order. I like the Binz because they are sturdy and wide enough to hold Tim Holtz stamps that are on their own plastic sheets. I also store 6"x6" paper pads in Binz.
ReplyDeleteI like having all my dies on magnetic sheets and then in clear envelopes. And then they are organized by catergory in a pretty basket. Now, the rest of my stuff........dont ask!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like to have all like items (buttons, rhinestones, ribbon, etc.) in one small basket. Then I can take the whole basket off the shelf & search for what I need. Things are organized within the basket by color.
ReplyDeleteMy New Years Craft Resolution is to pull out one of my drawers full of ummm...errr..."MUST have embellishments etc"...every time I sit down to make cards. I find it's amazing what I already have! LOL I also have to pull out a drawer and admire the items in it before I head to Hobby Lobby to find MORE items that are "on sale" that I just HAVE to have. My name is Bobbie and we affectionately refer to my craft room as Bobbie Lobby!! The struggle is real my fellow Craftinistas!! LOL
ReplyDeleteHmm....favorite crafty tip...keep all my paper punches in an inexpensive over the door hanging shoe sorter from Walmart!! Crafty resolution: hire an organizer to help me organize my space in my new home!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your generosity!!
I'm looking forward to seeing your "after" pictures!
ReplyDeleteMy crafty resolution for this year is to figure out a more permanent storage solution for my craft stuff. Ever since I moved last year, I've been storing my supplies in cardboard boxes: some large ones turned on their sides and stacked on top of each other like modular cube shelving, and some small, narrow ones in a row alongside, open at the top like a cardboard version of Jennifer McGuire's stamp and die bins. The arrangement is functional, but not as accessible as I'd like, and the cardboard and shipping labels are rather unsightly. I used Christmas money to buy some ink-cube storage from Organize More (it'll be much better than stacking the cubes three-deep in a drawer and having to rummage for the right color), but now I need a cabinet or something to put the trays in — and all the rest of my stuff. By this time next year, hopefully I'll have some "after" pictures of my own.
I can’t wait to see the “after” results! I’m also organizing, and it feels great! My crafty resolution for the year is to make cards more and post at least twice per month. I want to get back my happy, crafty, hobby life now that work has settled into a nice routine! Sending hugs!
ReplyDeleteMy New Year’s resolution is to get more organized and rediscover my space. I have a huge craft space with storage I’ve collected over the years. I’m going to keep what works and part with what doesn’t.
ReplyDeleteMy resolution is to look through all of my craft supplies and get rid of things I haven’t used in the past year.
ReplyDeleteI need or do this also. Stuff sure accumulates doesn’t it? My favorite organization is the clear heavyweight stamp pockets to put my stamps and dies in. I love everything uniform. Also the magnetic die sheets. Love!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to create just for the sake of the process. I’ve been caught up in entering challenges, often pushing for an outcome rather then learning and enjoying. Congratulations on your new job and clean space!
ReplyDeleteI hang found (again) the Dollar store! $1 bins have become my new bestie. My kitchen looks awesome my stamp room is a work in on-going process. 😊
ReplyDeleteI had this resolution last year. Didn't happen. But, maybe this year I can do it? I would like to go thru my stamps set by set and make at least 1 card with each set. I have many that have never been used. (Yes, I have stopped buying stamps - for now) Can I do it? Check with me on Dec. 31. Oh, and wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an awesome idea!
DeleteMy resolution this year is to put everything away on my desk before starting a new project. I tend to be a messy crafter so by the end of a project, my desk looks like a tornado ripped through it.
ReplyDeleteI started putting my dies on magnetic sheets in the pockets with their corresponding stamp set. That works great for me. I bought a scan and cut too which saves me a ton of money when it comes to not having to buy the coordinating dies.
ReplyDeleteI store my clear stamps in Avery Elle clear pockets then in a plastic bin, so I can file through them. This year I am contemplating randomly picking a stamp/embellishment and making a card from them, instead of choosing a themed card, then choosing a stamp - so basically working backwards. Will see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteHi. I haven't made any resolutions so that I won't disappoint myself when I fail to follow through. But I do have a crafty tip and that is, any new stamp set or die that I purchase MAY NOT BE USED until I have stamped or cut it and put it in my inventory book. That self made rule has helped me so much. I can easily see what image or sentiment will work best on any project that I attempt.
ReplyDeleteHave a great New Year
My craft resolution is to finish categorizing my stamps. I started and stopped. I need to finish that project.
ReplyDeleteOn my desk I have a tiered lazy susan from Harbor Freight. It organizes my stamping blocks, washi tape, adhesives etc. It is close, but out of the way. The OrganizeMore ink storage was a wonderful solution to store ink pads and refills. My intention is to make and send more cards as well as use my wealth of patterned paper to make envelopes for my cards.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the after photo.
Ginger I have the same plan for my patterned paper since I will never be able to use it up in scrapbooks. I'm more interested in making cards these days.
Deleteyeah for cleaning and getting rid of stuff. it is the best feeling!!! I do not want to receive any of your generous offer as I am maintaining a smallish (by some standards! HA) stash. I sort of don't have a crafty resolution for this year but look forward to continuing to enjoy the hobby.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I can do the same with my supplies! To bad we can't have a crafty merry go round where every six months we send a package to someone and get one from someone else that has new and exciting items in them to use... then we do it again in six months! Maybe that is my crafty tip!!?
ReplyDeleteI have to laugh at your snowpocalypse though... 7"-8" is pretty tame stuff around here in Valdez, Alaska... the snowiest place in Alaska! We just got that on Saturday and it was a ho-hum kind of a day. "Oh, darn, I have to brush the snow off the windshield to go to church today!"
My crafty resolution is to start teaching art classes again... card making, acrylic painting and other fun art!
I need serious help with my craft organization. I can't even find the top of my crafting table because of other clutter sitting on top of it. My resolution is to get rid of all kinds of stuff this year. I want to achieve minimalism, though I don't think I will ever quite get there. Getting rid of "stuff" is a start though!
ReplyDeleteMy goal this year is to use most of my hoarded designer paper. Seriously, why do I keep all that beautiful paper in a drawer. Use it up! Hey your before space looks pretty good to me!
ReplyDeleteOh, such good ideas! I will put some of them to use, for sure. First, regarding the meme at the top of your post. We have had almost no winter here in Madison, Wisconsin, and I want at least one blizzard each year. Push it back North, please.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite organizing idea is to buy 4 x 6 photo albums (sometimes recipe books) at resale shops and put my clear stamps in them. They are so cheap and sometimes brand new. On a retirement budget, they work just fine. And I organize them by subject so I can pick out the "floral" albums and pore through those and find what I want or need.
My resolution is to better organize all the scrap pieces of paper I can't seem to bring myself to throw away. And use more of them!
ReplyDeleteAnother resolution of mine is to send more cards that I make. I make so many (to sell) that I really need to be better about sending them.
My best organization ideas have been putting my stamps in the clear pockets like Jennifer McQuire. The plastic bins are not in my budget, so I use photo boxes from Michael's I bought when they were on sale. The second is to get those paper scraps under control. I searched the internet for days and finally decided on the magazine rack system with scraps inside the clear page cover that identifies the paper. My resolution is to not buy new stamps this year while I adjust to a new retirement budget. Looking forward to seeing your after photos!
ReplyDeleteJanuary has always been my annual "clean out stuff" month...feels good and amazing what you find when you weren't looking! Just found several duplicate stencils...really? Need to find them a new home. Tip: if you haven't used it in 3 or 4 years, not likely you will in the future. Recycle/Freecycle it. Lots of new crafters out there who would love your "stuff". I often do this, papers of all types, embellishments, etc...put in a bag & offer on Freecycle! Works well.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I LOVE organization, and there are some great tips in the comments! My room is fairly organized already, but there seems to be too much of a good thing. So my resolution this year is using the beautiful supplies I own, and only buying “perishables” (things I use up like adhesives and Neenah Solar White cardstock). I can remember when I only had one stamp (wood block snowman from Hero Arts) and one black ink pad. That was only 7 years ago...hoo, boy.
ReplyDeleteMy Crafty New Year Resolution: to actual craft and use my stuff (and oh boy is there a lot of stuff). I have not done a single crafty thing for myself in months.
ReplyDeleteContinue reading your blog for GREAT ideas! Been working on setting up dies and clear stamp storage like Jennifer McGuire (using Really Useful Boxes). Need to make laminated index sheets for the stamps and LABEL the dies and stamps (once I find the AC adapter for the label maker... sigh!). Having the stamps organized by category is working great for me. Bought some wire bins from Target- put EF's and paper in them, including one bin that now has the large plastic organizing "folders" in it, each holding scrap paper by color family. Has helped me use up my scraps more. EF's need labeling too.
ReplyDeleteEach time you post, I gain something. Inspiration, affirmation, admiration. I'm pleased your storage containers are varied and singularly appropriate, and your Cuttlebug is convenient to your work space. My resolution is to use some/more/any of my ribbon assortment- my vast collection has been taken off spools, wound around science posterboard pieces and secured with scrunchies. It's housed on top of my bookshelf, in a 15x20x7 clear plastic container, and needs to come down to the work area with more frequency.
ReplyDeleteThree things I MUST accomplish. 1. Re-do my inspiration board on the wall above my desk.2. Finish labeling clear storage envelopes and moving stamps and dies into them.3. Complete my Evernote storage space with the new goodies I bought last year.
ReplyDeleteMy organization tip is to use Evernote to catalog stamps and dies. I can check easily to see all the choices for "thank you" for example. My resolution is to do more calligraphy this year. Good luck everyone with your resolutions!
ReplyDeleteI hope to make more cards this year vs last year, but it will be hard as I just went back to work full-time. When I do have the time I want to enjoy the process!
ReplyDeleteyarn bobbins are great for storing ribbons!
ReplyDeleteMy resolution is to try and make my Christmas cards throughout the year. I have ideas but when I sit down, I draw blanks! Love reading your blog. I am a clean and simple stamper. i also need to not buy new things in EVERY COLOR!!
ReplyDeleteMy lips are sealed. I won a cake at a cake walk in 8th grade. I am 74. Which probably means that I'd win for the first time in 60 years. Good luck everyone!
ReplyDeleteI love my clear stamp pockets like Jennifer's which hold matching dies on the back side. I need to find a better system for paper scraps like what size to toss and how much is too much to keep. Oh I forgot to use the new stamps I have purchased before I buy more! (who am I kidding)
ReplyDelete