Friday, October 17, 2008

Organizational {Friday} & a RAK!

Got tins? Don't throw them out! I know personally my favorite tins to recycle are the Maya Road tins. I have several bins full of recycled Maya Road tins! If you don't have any, I know you can post an ISO (In Search Of) message on places like Splitcoaststampers and Scrappertalk to see if anyone is willing to sell or trade their tins. Here is how I use them.

First, if you already own several tins of Maya Road sheers, Maya Road chipboard, etc., combine the product into one or two tins. You will save space if you fill up those tins. Then label the tin so that you remember what Maya Road products are in the tin. Now you will end up with a few empty tins. In the empty tins, you can put buttons, DMC floss, metal embellishments, flowers, felt pieces, ribbon scraps, etc. Use your imagination. In the tin below, you see I have my pastel Creative Imaginations buttons. I have not removed the Maya Road sticker off of the front yet; however, they come off easily. Then I use my Dymo labeler to label the top of the tin

These tins store so nicely and really help you organize! I hope this is helpful! Enjoy!

Now onto my RAK! I would love to hear from you! What organizational ideas do you need? Or do you have a tip you want me to share? Or which tip have I shared that has really helped you? Post in the comment section. Everyone that posts a comment will be entered into a random drawing to win this book:
Please post your comment by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19th. The winner will be announced on Monday, Oct. 20th. Have a happy, scrappy Friday, and thank you all for continuing to stop by and read my blog. I truly appreciate each of you! Blessings,

44 comments:

Rosella said...

Thank you for this great opportunity. I need to know how to make a craft space without really having an extra room. Right now my crafts are in our dark unfinished basement, where I do not feel inspired to work at all. So, I have been bringing my things to the dinning room table, but every time I come up with something extra I will need, or something I forgot to bring up the first time, I have to run down to get it. And when I'm done, I have to bring everything down again. This really has not been great for my mojo. HELP!!

Unknown said...

Hey Patter! Another great storage idea. I was just looking at tthe heap of DMC floss sitting in a drawer on my desk. Storing them in a tin is a great idea. Not only will they be kept nice and neat, but it is also an effort at recycling. I really enjoy ready all you organizational tips. Please keep them coming. TFS. Have a happy Friday!

Dana said...

hmmm.. I need storage for small places. I have lots of stuff, but need more functional organization. Wanna come to my house and help? :)

Anonymous said...

More than anything I think I need is a dedicated space to store and work. I have my supplies in the basement (unfinished/poor lighting), but when I actually do something I have to haul everything upstairs on my kitchen island, where I have a nice worksurface and lighting. Needless to say, this doesn't contribute to much getting done. I would work downstairs if it were finished and I could actually have a space to call my own. Love your blog and all of the ideas. Thanks for the the chance to win such a great resource!

Connie Mercer said...

Hi Patter-I found your blog through ACBailey. I use jars to oranize my buttons, small embellishments. I love the vintage look! I have several MR tins and couldn't figure out what to do with them. Great idea!! TY

Debbi Muche said...

Help! I need a better way to store my paper! I keep my 8.5 x 11 paper in a shelf built for copy paper, and I keep my scraps in hanging file folders, separated into colors, but I do not have a solution for my 12x12 papers. I have some on the counter top, some on my work area, some stacked on the floor, oh brother! The pretty wire racks look great, but where do you get them??

JenMarie said...

I need ideas for EVERYTHING!! LOL!
I guess I'm semi-organized. Things look great after I clean, but seeing that I'm 'in' my stamp area 24/7 I need a way for it to look neater all the time.

Scrapycandy said...

I am using round glass (former) mustard jars..they look like something you would buy just for storage..and they are great for all sorts of small items. I have a rolling file 12 x 12, that I use for my cardstock and papers and a basic office supply accordian file box (with a handle) for my paper scraps. Everything else is in drawers on wheels. I have to work hard at organization..it does not come natural to me.

Anonymous said...

My biggest organizational need is accessibility of all my supplies. They are happily tucked away in labeled boxes and such. However, when it comes down to it, I just don't have the supplies where I can easily use them. How would you recommend laying out your supplies for easier accessiblity? It really puts a damper on my creativity to have to think through what items I need to start with first, i.e. "basics" before I can create.

Thanks for the continued inspirations!
Tamrah T.
jttso (at)cybertrails(dot)com

Susan - s3js said...

Before we moved into this much smaller house, I had a work area I loved. We had an old headboard, the kind that has enclosed shelves on each end, drawers below the shelving, a sliding door section just above the pillows, mirrored back with a lighted cornice top. We didn't need it any more, but by adding a work table to the front, I was able to make it work beautifully for scrapping and crafting. My husband screwed a 14-inch wide shelf across the top of the shelf created by the sliding door storage in the center to place my 12 X 12 plastic storage drawers (available at WalMart, 3 drawers in a stack). Once I had the 12 X 12 drawers in place, he screwed another shelf in place over the top of them, so they didn't tip when opened. I had three columns of two sets across there, evenly spaced and used the spaces in between for project holders, and other upright storage. On the newly created shelf, I had all my smaller drawer units for leftover paper scraps, embellishments. and such. I also had drawers for tools, but finally hung a small pegboard for the ones I used most often. The upright enclosed shelves weren't deep enough for 12 X 12 flat paper storage, but were perfect for books, magazines, 8 X 11 albums, photo paper, and such, as well as a handy space for picture storage. The drawers were handy, too, and kept my albums in progress, empty large albums and page protectors. With the table attached at the front, the headboard wouldn't tip, the light from the cornice gave additional illumination, and the mirror made it possible to watch the kids even with my back turned. I stored my totes for crops underneath the table. My computer and sewing machines were handy simply by turning around. In fact, I used the table for cutting fabric and all kinds of fun things!

Anonymous said...

I love using jars - especially fun shaped ones that jellies and salsas come in. Had a few problem "deorderizing" them though. I found that if I put a mixture of water and vinegar in them and let them soak it removes the smell and I can keep anything, even fabric in them.

I could use ideas however for organizing my 12x12 paper. That is a challenge for me.

Trish said...

I enjoy all of your organizational ideas! I am in the process of getting my scrapbook room back together after having to take it down for a temporary living arrangement for dd and dgs's! Now that they are back as a happy family, I am ready to make my scrapbooking room a happy, cheerful room! I do have the rubbermaid drawers with labels on the front for organizing loose ribbon, stamp pads, etc. And I use the small hardware storage bins for eyelets, brads, just little embellishments that I collect along the way!

Anonymous said...

I am always looking for organization stuff... seems like whatever i have to organize is just bigger than the container i bought to organize it! i would like something to store paper in. I don't want to use vertical folders, but i don't want things to get bent too. seems like i have a hodge podge of paper so can't organize by manufacturer, etc.

Christina Carnoy said...

oooooooooooh I like your new banner! Thanks for the organizational tips too! And I always love looking at your projects, I love your creating style!

Anonymous said...

I would like to know store sticker sheets that are more than 12 inches long. Most scrapbook storage systems are a little over 12" x 12" yet some manufactures insist on putting a piece of chipboard behind the chipboard AND the hang tab making it difficult to fold the hanging part for storage.

Cecile said...

I like to use binder rings(large ones) to hang my ribbon on color coordinated in 1 yard strips and then I hang them from the wire racks in the closet in my scraproom so that I can easily get to the ribbon.I LOVE your organizational tips keep them coming because they do inspire me to be more organized!
Hugs!
Cecile

Corrie said...

We will be finishing the basement next year and I will get a scrap space as part of it. I don't even know where to begin when we design it but it will be a multipurpose space and double as the office. I wanted to say congrats on the CM design team. I have been a CMC for a year and a half and I have been getting a little down on their style lately. I love the quality of the products but I wished they would update their style and now it looks like they might. I am waiting to see what you guys come up with but I'm sure it will be great. I have been visting your blogs and you are all very talented. Looks like they have come a long way from the "simple pages mean simple albums" days.

Tanis said...

Hi Patter!
Boy do I need that book!

I did come up with something that works a lot better for me with my teeny space....

I have one of those free standing hundred dollar kitchen pantries you can buy in a box and everything papercrafty I own is in there. And I work off my dining room table.

So about a month ago, I bought several of those shoe box sized clear containers with lids. I have my supplies sorted into these. 8 boxes fit perfect on one shelf and I can take out the boxes that I need, stick them on the table, and when everything needs to be put back, it's super easy to pop the stuff back into the right bin and throw the bins back on the shelf. I still have to figure out cheap patterned paper storage and some more odds and ends, but I'm on my way :)

9kids said...

Great ideas...I always enjoy reading your Friday posts!

I'd love to know a better way to store my acrylic blocks for unmounted stamps. Right now, I have them in a plastic bin, but I have to sort through to look for the right size....is there anything out there that would have slots to fit blocks? I'd love to know about it if there is.....oh, and we live on the beach, so I can't use anything metal for storage. Has to be either plastic or coated wood....is that enough of a challenge for you...LOL Can't wait to hear what you come up with!

Anonymous said...

Oh man! I sooo need tips on how to store alpha stickers and rub ons! I just have a drawer overflowing with them! Thanks Patter!

Ally's Corner said...

Paper storage is my problem. I don't have a lot of paper so storing it buy color will not work. Right now I store the solid together and the printed together but I still have a hard time finding the right colors I want to use. My room is a 10x11 and only half of it is my scrap room. We are selling our house so I have no idea if I will have another room or not but if I can find a good system for my paper that would be wonderful.

Kerry said...

I really need tips for organizing paper and for organizing all my goodies in a small space as I only have a little nook in my kitchen to work with.

Anonymous said...

Oh... I need help with EVERYTHING because I have a little (and in some cases, A LOT!) of everything, in an angled room w/angled walls. The overall square footage would make a VERY nice scrap room but it is "angled" in the center - creating 2 small rooms, too small for anything! And the space is shared w/a treadmill and a QS Futon!! And since I have so much, I am OVERWHELMED!!! I sure could use your help!

Godchick said...

Fun! I would love more ideas on storing ribbon! it seems I'm in constant need of effective ribbon storage. Thanks for offering the fun & useful blog candy!

Amy Johnson said...

I would like to know how to effectively organize little scraps of designer paper or cardstock. Right now I store all my little cardstock scraps in little baggies by color. But its not effective. too much digging. As far as designer scraps, I store those either in a file folder, organized by color, or a tote. I'm just not happy with any of these storage solutions. Any other ideas?

LorieR said...

I'd like to know what do I need to leave out on my workspace? What items need to be at my fingertips? I seem to have too much on my stamping table but keep leaving out more and more. Can you say clutter?! Help me!

Lori said...

I am having trouble figuring out what I need to have RIGHT beside me. Like does the cuttlebug need a permanent place near my work table, or can it be in a cabinet or drawer to pull out when needed? Same with like my Xyron and Big Bite. I am just struggling with trying to cram ALL these tools into one little area and it is NOT working!!! LOL!
Lori in TN

Ravengirl said...

Here is something I could use some advice about. I can't throw my scraps away! What should I do with them? How can I store them? I really do use them, but they are just here, there and everywhere!

Anonymous said...

Perfect timing! I am in the process of going from a lovely scrapping room that was organized and functional to a closet I can barely gain access to. We've moved overseas and I no longer have all the space I'm accustomed to having. Currently ALL my stash is housed in my daughter's closet and truly not accessible. I have decided to create a smaller space in my dining room (I have a small cupboard that is empty) for current projects. I bought 3 12x12 storage boxes, 2 5x7 boxes and a sectioned tote for tools. The closet will be used for the bulk of my photos and supplies.
Sadly, much of my stash is still in moving boxes....I really can only have HALF the closet...my dd is in college and claims she needs space! *L* I have 2 large rolling carts that have 7 drawers each, (yes they are filled but sorted by item type) plus boxes of photos, totes filled with papers, stickers, tools, albums, pages, books, magazines, etc.
To cope with my scrapping needs I've been working on TONS of digital projects in the interim.
BUT NOW WHAT????? HELP!!!! Any and ALL ideas are welcomed!

Sandra Smart said...

the hardest thing for me to organize is my patterned paper!

Anonymous said...

I have a walk-in closet that is my scrap space. I can't actually SCRAP there - or in the adjoining room. But I need suggestions on how to store everything so that I can SEE it. If I don't SEE it, I won't use it.

KSinMT said...

Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. My craft space is cluttered and uninspiring. I love your labeling ideas. Kathy

Robynccgirl said...

My room is kind of small and I have lots of stuff! My husband is a Marine so he has brought home a few old ammo cans that I have utilized to hold some of my overstock itmes like buttons and things. I'm always looking for new ideas though as I love to rearrange all the time! Thanks Patter!

Lindsay Spencer said...

I need tips on how to keep my area organized WHILE I'm scrapping and stamping. It gets so messy so fast!

Anonymous said...

For the little scraps I can't bear to part with, I use one of those photo boxes with the dividers and I sort my scraps according to color.
For my stickers, I store them in the plastic page sleeves, one sheet to a sleeve and I use the dividers for categories such as Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Family, etc.
Thank you everyone for sharing your ideas. I'm always looking for new, creative ways to store things.

melissa s said...

First of all, I love your scripture challenge! I really need help with paper and ribbon storage. I've tried lots of different ways, but still haven't found what works for me. Thanks!

Stephanie said...

I really look forward to your organizational Friday posts. You always have such great ideas. Some of your notebooks have been of real help to me in keeping track of what I've done, what's due when, etc. I also love your storage ideas. My current favorite in my scrap space is the 7 drawer unit I purchased at Target. Each drawer has a snap lid. It's so easy to just take out the drawer I need and tote it wherever. The new place we're in has less space so my "scrap space" is just a corner of the living room. My desk is a portable desk surface placed across two bar stools. Works better than it sounds except there's no nearby perch for my kitty. She loves to be perched nearby when I scrap and seeing as the stools are her perch....LOL

Kimberly said...

WOW, I need some ideas to improve the space I craft in...it seems to ALWAYS be an unorganized mess! Thanks for the inspiration you bring us.

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

That's something I need ... more organization. Sigh.....
Not necessarily organization items, but the actual elbow grease in doing it, putting things in boxes/containers and back where they belong.

Wendy said...

I struggle with how to organize all the little embellishments. I have them in craft boxes that stack. I guess it's working, but what I can't see - I don't use. I wonder what solution others have found.

Anonymous said...

I sure enjoy your blog and all your ideas and projects. My storage problem is all the acrylic stamps. My space is limited until we finish the basement. Thanks for the opportunity for the RAK. Keep the ideas coming!! -- LaCee

Aimee said...

I have been recylcing those tins for years. they are fantastic! I love them!!! I put all kinds of stuff in them-gems, ribbon,buttons, Stickles, etc.

I have been eyeing that book, would luv to win it!! I am in real need of reorganizing and have been putting it off.

Anonymous said...

thanks for all the great ideas. i'm new to this blog, but find it very interesting. I noticed several people were inquiring about storage for 12x12 papers. Myself, i just aquired a shelving unit that calanders are displayed on in stores. This is a four sided unit on a swival base but i'm gonna try to disassemble and hang it on the wall, for i have more wall space than floor. I will let you know how it works out.

Anonymous said...

I desperately need a convient way to store all my chipboard letters, tags, photo corners etc. I sort my alphabet by letters. So I am trying to find an all inclusive way to sort everything and then be portable so I can take it with me to retreats and crops

Related Posts with Thumbnails