Summer is almost here, but Mother Nature always has a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to early spring storms. As I was frantically trying to cut my grass before it rained I found several things that got misplaced over the winter through my thick grass, and overgrown shrubs. I even found a brand new garden hose I had forgot about! So while some of us may be thinking spring cleaning and maintenance to our homes both inside and out; don’t forget about keeping your crafting areas clean and organized too! I like to keep all of my cutting files in one location on my computer in my documents and have labeled a folder called “Tatum’s Images”. This way I know that all of the images I have created myself will go in to this folder. If they are images I have downloaded from the Craft Room, or CD’s that we have here at Pazzles I place those in a folder called “Pazzles Images”. I like keeping my life as organized as possible so that when I put my imagination station to the test, everything I need to get started creating is right at my finger tips. What do you do to stay organized? Please share with us some of your own organization skills that will help others stay as organized as you are.
I was blessed to have recently set up a craft room. I put in lots of storage and shelves. I made a commitment to clear my craft table every evening and put everything away. That helps to keep things organized.
As with my files I also keep them label as seen in the Pazzles library ….but when it comes to my scrap leftover paper…I use these very large zip lock bags…they will hold a full 12×12 paper and have room to spare…I have a bag for every color…so no looking in a big box for a certain color…and I also use those bags for when cutting out my page projects …I just finished 3 baby scrap books for my family…and it keep my layouts organized …but when it come to my stock paper I use the 3 plastic drawers containers and i store them that way…until I get my wooden shelf organizer built…
I have some plastic drawer units (from Costco I think but I have seen them at Michaels too. They have drawers that are 13 x 13 and I have one for each major color family. All of my scraps go in there. When I need a green, I first look in the green scrap drawer. It works so well that we are now using it in the Pazzles office too.
Slowly, I have been replacing some of my original organizers with white cubicles that hold 12X12 objects. I am about to buy another shelving unit. The hardest thing to store in my estimation are not the supplies used to make my albums…but the albums themselves. They are so big and bulky. So, I have made a decision to scan all of my pages that I have ever made (huge undertaking) and will store these on disks. I will then separate all of the pages that I have made into albums for respective parties who will find meaning in those pages. Otherwise, the albums are going to take over the house…been scrap booking for close to 20 years.
I can be pretty OCD. I have all of my stuff stored in drawers or in jars and cans according to what it is and everything goes back to its “home” by dinner time or as soon as I determine I am done crafting for the day. My girls craft stuff is the same way and they follow the same rules.
I think the only way to craft well is to also be well organized so that you can actually find and use what you actually have.
I have one of those hanging shoe organisers which I use for scraps, 1 compartment for similar colours such as brown and orange, it hangs within arms reach of my craft desk so it great for accessing little bits for immediate use or for cutting with the pazzles
On my computer, I have my cut files in folders. For example, I have a folder for SVGs files and one for WPCs files. Then in the respective folders, I have sub-folders group by themes, holidays, boxes, books, cards, etc. . .
I have a craft/computer room where I have storage units (AC Moore/Michael’s) to store all my craft tools. In addition, I use cute recyclable metal tins, plastic boxes and boxes I made to store things accordingly. I have a metal tier specifically made for storing paper. Finally, the scrap monster; I use folders and sandwich bags. It makes me proud when I can place scraps on my mat to cut for paper piecing. I actually use quite a bit of paper scraps this way.
Lots of good ideas! I do the same with my cutting files, since I usually forget what “picture” matches what file name. For organizing craft stuff, of which I have tons, I have recycles several baskets, tins, boxes, etc. Stuff may not look organized, but I a)label containers and b)trained myself to put things back in the proper containers right away. That’s about as organized as I can be!
Ladies, thank you for so many wonderful thoughts on your organizational skills. This makes such a handy guide for others looking at new ways to improve their crafting space. I love all these ideas, thank you for your continued support and input—we love hearing from you!!!